Another new member from SoCal

[NavyNuke]

Just bought my second van. Previously I had an Astro Van I used for road racing, while it worked for sport-bikes when I was single the wife won't go for it now. She barely went for this thing, but the cost of a comparable truck made her give it a thumbs up.:l2::l2::l2:

I mostly do offroad stuff now, just sold my Ducati a month ago.

So here is my 06 E350

Has a weltec lift, fox shocks, and weldtec bumpers front and rear. the drivers seats and a pair of captains chairs behind that.

Planning on space for 1 bike inside although I want a hitch hauler type for the big adventure bike/gas can storage. Gonna need to modify the hitch and get a rack built.

More build pics to come as I get started, but of course I buy the van and a day later I leave town for work for a week or two.

Plans include

• Bike tie downs
• Build some ramps to work with the height of the van
• Refinish both bumpers
• Get a hitch/hauler setup that can handle my big adventure bike/couple of gas cans
• insulate the side panels
• clean up drip rails/line-X the roof
• build shelf down one side with some storage
• vent fan on the roof
• new wheels

I'm sure more things to come, but already this site has been a huge help while I was lurking and researching.


More photo's when I get home from Elko, NV too. Gotta work to pay for toys.


Bike photo's for Fun

 

[Zappo-SMB]

Welcome/congrats you should think of maybe getting a Kendon moto trailer they are small and fold/stand up for easy storage and you can still open your back doors without unloading.also throw gas on there and firewood etc crap you don't want to trip over inside.

 

[NavyNuke]

I have a converted Jet ski trailer I have used for years, but the trailer is also a major hassle at times. Like the Vegas to Reno race getting in and out of pits all day as my wife and dad chased me with fuel etc.

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[Zappo-SMB]

Come on there's no pressure makin a 3 point turn/reversing trailer in dusty pits surrounded by maniac off-roaders/fans haha.i just bought a front and rear reciever from e-trailer for my ford van,I think the front is rated for 500 lbs for a moto rack/equipment carrier.also here's a pic of my quadhauler I throw on when doing a bomb run out to dunes 48"x6' you could modify it with mesh to carry gas/other items

 

[Zappo-SMB]

It's solid stock square tubing and welded on at a slight angle after leaving reciever so when I load quad riding up ramp with me on it etc it doesn't sag just ends up sitting level(vs starting level and sagging).its three pieces tube and both tire supports,I use lockable reciever hitch pins instead of bolts/nuts so I can take apart quick/easy to carry,don't need to bother my wife or neighbors and no hernia at a 125 lbs it's more the fact that it's awkward/unbalanced to carry.i can give you more pictures if interested or maybe I'll do a little thread on it one day for other members who want to haul azz without trailer and can't put much wieght on pop up roof.

 

[NavyNuke]

Joe hauler is right down the road, and I would like the option of putting one of these 600 pound beast on it at times.

Are photos from my first post visible? Having trouble seeing them now

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[Zappo-SMB]

Sweet bikes which was is yours? I don't see any pics on first post

 

[NavyNuke]

One on the right is mine.

Stupid photobucket change in use policy sourcing alternate hosting still.

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[DrewMoto]

NavyNuke nice lifted EB van! Looking forward to seeing what all you do with the build. I'm also planning to transport motorcycles inside mine rather than on a hitch carrier or a trailer. I'm not opposed to using either -- it'll probably be necessary if I decide to give a few buddies a ride to the mountains. But for solo trips I would prefer to put the bike inside so I don't have to worry about stuff being exposed during pit stops on the drive. Without someone to stay with the bikes and gear on lookout while I run into the Stockton Walmart for ice and beer, I'd prefer keeping everything stealthy.

 

[Botchan]

Come on there's no pressure makin a 3 point turn/reversing trailer in dusty pits surrounded by maniac off-roaders/fans haha.i just bought a front and rear reciever from e-trailer for my ford van,I think the front is rated for 500 lbs for a moto rack/equipment carrier.also here's a pic of my quadhauler I throw on when doing a bomb run out to dunes 48"x6' you could modify it with mesh to carry gas/other items

Zappo

Can you post some additional photos of your hitch setup?

 

[NavyNuke]

NavyNuke nice lifted EB van! Looking forward to seeing what all you do with the build. I'm also planning to transport motorcycles inside mine rather than on a hitch carrier or a trailer. I'm not opposed to using either -- it'll probably be necessary if I decide to give a few buddies a ride to the mountains. But for solo trips I would prefer to put the bike inside so I don't have to worry about stuff being exposed during pit stops on the drive. Without someone to stay with the bikes and gear on lookout while I run into the Stockton Walmart for ice and beer, I'd prefer keeping everything stealthy.

That's why I searched for a passenger van with 2 captains chairs. Room for 4 adults and 2 bikes inside/2 on my small trailer or a combination. Also gonna limit my internal modifications to limit compromise to bikes inside.

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[Zappo-SMB]

Zappo

Can you post some additional photos of your hitch setup?

I'm out of town,but defineately will soon:d8:

 

[Zappo-SMB]

One on the right is mine.

Stupid photobucket change in use policy sourcing alternate hosting still.

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Thx for pics bud,looks good.you know I just remembered of this contraption trailer that I think blue ox makes for rvs it basically has a huge castor wheel/tire so when you back up wheel just swivels around no jack knifing

 

[boywonder]

FWIW, here's what I came up with as an alternative to a Joe Hauler.....

It's way lighter and doesn't rock, really happy with it.

http://www.sportsmobileforum.com/forums/f13/motorcycle-hitch-hauler-and-storage-17860.html

I just haul dirt bikes (see my sig below)...but this could be scaled up to haul heavier bikes.

 

[NavyNuke]

XR650R fit with no problems, bigger bike will take a bit of work to get inside.

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[Zappo-SMB]

Sweet I like the Baja designs headlight I have the bd xlpro puts out 9500 lumens set up with a two stage dim switch so I don't drain the battery on slow trails

 

[NavyNuke]

Sweet I like the Baja designs headlight I have the bd xlpro puts out 9500 lumens set up with a two stage dim switch so I don't drain the battery on slow trails

Started converting the van to be more desert friendly. Found a factory rubber mat that was like new and swapped it out for the carpet plus some insulation in the sides

The XR doesn't have a battery, so the Baja Designs light is all it can handle.

The Big bike has the brighter LED setup.

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[Zappo-SMB]

Yup I hear you,hey check this bad azz lift up my two buddies fabricated so that he could haul X'r and still tow his 4x4 jeep

 

[DrewMoto]

Navy Nuke, I saw the pic of how you're using a D-ring tie down. Just thought I'd throw out this recommendation for some that I've been using.

(4 pack) Surface Mount Zinc Plated Rope Ring Tie Down

These use one screw to mount and are as close to flush mount as you can get without cutting a hole in the floor. I can still slide things over them easily and sleep on top of them with my 2" foam pad without feeling them.

 

[NavyNuke]

Navy Nuke, I saw the pic of how you're using a D-ring tie down. Just thought I'd throw out this recommendation for some that I've been using.

(4 pack) Surface Mount Zinc Plated Rope Ring Tie Down

These use one screw to mount and are as close to flush mount as you can get without cutting a hole in the floor. I can still slide things over them easily and sleep on top of them with my 2" foam pad without feeling them.

Thanks, those were temporary for hauling the bike home. Was planning to put them in the corners, but I like your link better.

Made progress, gotta find some panels for the interior at a junkyard and figure out how or if I will add insulation to the window frames.

Added insulation behind panels, OEM rubber floor, hopefully this week I will get the pingle attached and bike tie downs/cargo tie downs for gear. Figure an air mattress on any of the tie downs should be fine with a wool blanket under it.

Also added an inverter under the drivers side and wires for a powerport by the back door.

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