Options on a car for board transport

U2U2U2 · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2017 7:59 pm Post subject:

2points
1. My dodge 2500 3/4 ton Cummings diesel gets in town 21mpg
Highway is only slightly improved, but then I'm towing a horse trailer.
It would want a cap over the 8 foot bed to enclose like. suburban or Explorer.
It's a Pita to park, and in town rather balky . It will pull a house off the foundation. When vechiles get this big expect , all manner of problems, with drivetrain, suspension, and steering . Ball joints, etc etc.

2. My first 2003 Chrysler Town n Country had the tranny rebuilt , around 110k
It was fine till totaled around 190k. My 2nd 2006 , I paid at 152k to rebuild it. Local done. It was fine but would not engage 6th overdrive. COST WAS $1488,performed great till a deer wanted to polka at 192k.

Observation : my Honda Civic CRX, SI, BOUGHT new in 1987, went 320k then blew the head gasket. 5speed Manuel , original clutch. Replaced the radiator once, alternator twice. Shocks, normal brakes. Wonderful car, jewel like Mercedes quality.
A comparable Honda Odyssey would be thousands more than my 2014 T n C
Each his own and everyone has their own wants and needs.
The electrics on the Chrysler are more friendly than my Minii Cooper S/ BMW designed Clubman.

carl · Joined: 25 Feb 1997 Posts: 2674 Location: SF bay area

marc5 · Joined: 21 Oct 2015 Posts: 60 Location: SW Ohio

A couple more attributes of the Ford Expedition that only a windsurfer would appreciate:

1. Combination entry lock (no key needed)--Never again hide your key in the bushes or under the vehicle! I believe this is a feature only available from Ford. Maybe they have a patent.

2. No whip antenna or shark fin on rooftop to interfere with boards.--There is only a small button mounted on the roof just above the windshield.

I am not affiliated with Ford. Just enjoying some features on my vehicle.

Marc

U2U2U2 · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2017 7:35 am Post subject:

2014 Chrysler Town n Country update.
5500 mile trip , with gear, not fully loaded. Average highway 27.6 MPG.

As high as 28.3. Difference noticeable on speed , 72 mph very good,
78 drops.

This has a fuel saver mode, which in my opinion does little but change the shift point . Only critique on the van is the engine is more sensitive when I using the cruise control, it downshifts sooner. I think the best mpg is obtained on any hill or slight hill areas is to not the cruise.
E85 friendly. Plenty of power for the chassis. Very comfortable .

DelCarpenter · Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 499 Location: Cedar Falls, IA

My 2005 Odyssey purchased used in 2007 at just under 20,000 miles now has a little over 187,000 miles without ever having transmission or any other major problems, still mechanically sound in all ways. The 2nd row seats are usually sitting on the garage floor so I can carry a long board (350 cm Kona OD or 380 cm old Fanatic MegaCat).

When my wife is in the passenger seat I turn the Kona OD (minus the fin) on its side with the stern forward to give her enough room. When I'm alone I lower the passenger seat & have the Kona OD or MegaCat turned upside down with the nose forward with the fin on. At windsurf events I often sleep on the right side in the back while the board is still in place. If my wife is camping with me we can leave the Coleman refrigerator cooler in place on the left and a food box on the right and have room for sleeping behind them after the windsurfing gear goes outside on a tarp with suitcases placed on the front seats.

My prior min-van was a used 91 Plymouth Voyager I happily drove from about 65,000 miles to about 127,000 miles. When the Odyssey dies I'll look first at another Odyssey.

skyking1231 · Joined: 10 Jul 2000 Posts: 280

the little "green" leaf on the town and country is there so you can feel better about yourself. It does change the shift points as you said. Some have tested this in their own way. And some say 1/2 mpg increase. Or something like that.

Mine is always on....(i like to feel good about myself Smile

). But taking it on striclty highway at 65mph avg...i hit 30mpg. E85 is a joke....what yoau save in $$$$....you loose in mpg. So its a wash.

Hopefully you have better luck with the brakes. Town and country chews through front brakes. I think they are undersized for the car.

Anyway

U2U2U2 · Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2017 8:20 pm Post subject:

My 2004 n 2006 T& C s, had normal wear on brakes, IMO. Both were rather anemic with brake performance , the new wonder car is much improved.

Green leaf, Eco mode , must be a gimmick .

Have you tried E85 mixed with gas, like 50/50?

30mpg is seriously realistic at 65 mph , too bad for me the only time I drive 65 is when the speed limit is 55.

Wide open spaces out west to Chicago or St Louis.

When you find a better value and now performance one let me know

Brian_S · Joined: 11 Jun 2005 Posts: 249 Location: SE Michigan