JHZR2
Staff member
All this is the reason why I mentioned 12 passengers. When I was in a situation where we had to use 15 psgr vans, due to the safety concerns, they were limited to 12.
Best 15 passenger Van for Church?
- Thread starter Gebo
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Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I think the real issue is that they don't need a special license to drive, so you've got all sorts of people bombing around like they are in their own vehicle doing 75-80+ mph in a vehicle that handles much different than most vehicles. You can't tell me a blow out in these vans is the same as a blow out in your car. Or a trip into the ditch at speed is the same as in an Accord. If it was we wouldn't be talking about this right now.
I can tell you that in gazillions of miles in Dodge, Ford, and GM vans in all configurations and in all kinds of weather, loaded correctly and incorrectly, I have experienced exactly one rollover, and that was because I was T-boned at an intersection by a red light runner!
I've definitely done a few 'unsafe' moves, and lived to tell about it. So big vans aren't that bad.
I think the real issue is that they don't need a special license to drive, so you've got all sorts of people bombing around like they are in their own vehicle doing 75-80+ mph in a vehicle that handles much different than most vehicles. You can't tell me a blow out in these vans is the same as a blow out in your car. Or a trip into the ditch at speed is the same as in an Accord. If it was we wouldn't be talking about this right now.
I can tell you that in gazillions of miles in Dodge, Ford, and GM vans in all configurations and in all kinds of weather, loaded correctly and incorrectly, I have experienced exactly one rollover, and that was because I was T-boned at an intersection by a red light runner!
I've definitely done a few 'unsafe' moves, and lived to tell about it. So big vans aren't that bad.
Here is the story from CBC news. Students killed I had no idea but many school districts have banned these vans for the transportation of students.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I think the real issue is that they don't need a special license to drive, so you've got all sorts of people bombing around like they are in their own vehicle doing 75-80+ mph in a vehicle that handles much different than most vehicles. You can't tell me a blow out in these vans is the same as a blow out in your car. Or a trip into the ditch at speed is the same as in an Accord. If it was we wouldn't be talking about this right now.
I can tell you that in gazillions of miles in Dodge, Ford, and GM vans in all configurations and in all kinds of weather, loaded correctly and incorrectly, I have experienced exactly one rollover, and that was because I was T-boned at an intersection by a red light runner!
I've definitely done a few 'unsafe' moves, and lived to tell about it. So big vans aren't that bad.
Well, you aren't the average clueless driver are you? I did tree planting for a summer and my crew boss always made sure we got on to our plots first, so I know how hard they can be driven by someone who knows what they are doing. But the stats don't lie and physics applies to everyone, so given everything else equal about the vans, their high centre of gravity alone when loaded means they should roll more and unsurprisingly they do...
In your van roll over, would your car have rolled with the same hit?
Originally Posted By: IndyIan
I think the real issue is that they don't need a special license to drive, so you've got all sorts of people bombing around like they are in their own vehicle doing 75-80+ mph in a vehicle that handles much different than most vehicles. You can't tell me a blow out in these vans is the same as a blow out in your car. Or a trip into the ditch at speed is the same as in an Accord. If it was we wouldn't be talking about this right now.
I can tell you that in gazillions of miles in Dodge, Ford, and GM vans in all configurations and in all kinds of weather, loaded correctly and incorrectly, I have experienced exactly one rollover, and that was because I was T-boned at an intersection by a red light runner!
I've definitely done a few 'unsafe' moves, and lived to tell about it. So big vans aren't that bad.
Well, you aren't the average clueless driver are you? I did tree planting for a summer and my crew boss always made sure we got on to our plots first, so I know how hard they can be driven by someone who knows what they are doing. But the stats don't lie and physics applies to everyone, so given everything else equal about the vans, their high centre of gravity alone when loaded means they should roll more and unsurprisingly they do...
In your van roll over, would your car have rolled with the same hit?
Definitely not! The van was hit high in the rear 1/3 on the passenger side.
I had over 3200 pounds of carpet and installation supplies on board and had just filled up with gas!
I had over 3200 pounds of carpet and installation supplies on board and had just filled up with gas!
Just for clarification, I am NOT trying to imply that a fully loaded van is as safe as a car, but I am still here despite decades of driving nothing else!
Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
A 15 passenger van is the worst choice IMO. The amount of rollover deaths is staggaring. Just google the info. You would of been better off to buy a small bus. I will never allow any of my family members in one of these death traps. I am actually surprised that they are still allowed to produce these things.
All the more reason to be "Born again!" The spirit of fear will cripple you if you let it...
A 15 passenger van is the worst choice IMO. The amount of rollover deaths is staggaring. Just google the info. You would of been better off to buy a small bus. I will never allow any of my family members in one of these death traps. I am actually surprised that they are still allowed to produce these things.
All the more reason to be "Born again!" The spirit of fear will cripple you if you let it...
Originally Posted By: Gebo
Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
A 15 passenger van is the worst choice IMO. The amount of rollover deaths is staggaring. Just google the info. You would of been better off to buy a small bus. I will never allow any of my family members in one of these death traps. I am actually surprised that they are still allowed to produce these things.
All the more reason to be "Born again!" The spirit of fear will cripple you if you let it...
Sorry, I am not "crippled by fear",but I also do not want to play with my families safety. Just commons sense.
Originally Posted By: Autobahn88
A 15 passenger van is the worst choice IMO. The amount of rollover deaths is staggaring. Just google the info. You would of been better off to buy a small bus. I will never allow any of my family members in one of these death traps. I am actually surprised that they are still allowed to produce these things.
All the more reason to be "Born again!" The spirit of fear will cripple you if you let it...
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Well, I made it home with my van from Pawley's Island, SC last night. About 700 miles total. I only fell asleep once and ran off Hwy 38, no rollover, stopped at next Dunkin' Donuts and was wide eyed and bushy tailed the rest of the way. At my last Church, we had Fords and a Dodge 15 passenger vans and the Dodge was the best handling. I must say, I have never driven a 15 passenger van like this 2008 Chevrolet Express 3500 with the stable track. It does not feel or drive like the 15 passenger vans I have previously driven. I can see why there aren't that many Chevy's for sale. There is one thing I did notice about 25 miles into my return. While on Bus 17 around Myrtle Beach, I was 3rd car back of a rear end collision and while every one was slamming on brakes, I became very aware I was in a very heavy vehicle. I does not stop like a car.
I'm so excited to start servicing it. Today will be heaven on earth for me! Oil, AutoRx, Dexcool, Amsoil 75-30, etc.....
I'm so excited to start servicing it. Today will be heaven on earth for me! Oil, AutoRx, Dexcool, Amsoil 75-30, etc.....
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