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Best cargo van?

Wally · · Denver · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 0

Cool blog, Climbing Coastie. Keep the updates coming, and good luck with the conversion!!

In a few years I will be tooling around in my own van. Perhaps I will look you up one day. Our "passion" for climbing may be somewhat matched!

Climb Ohn. Wally

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318
climbing coastie wrote:Now you're making me question my promaster. :-/
Just think FWD.
Jon Sullivan · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

just got back from my drive after picking up my sprinter in DC. 24mpg average for the 144 4x4 with a Bully Dog tuner. Just google the tuner, its very popular and a well built software program that doesn't harm the engine unlike some other tuners that modify power outputs.

Jon Sullivan · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

One more thing; without the tuner, my 2015 144 4x4 MB Sprinter was getting 18 mpg @ 80 mph. Better than my tacoma for sure at such speeds.

WAGbag · · Denver, CO · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 1,088

Interesting Jon - looking up the Bully Dog tuner, no results came up for a 2015 sprinter. The latest was 2010, but no product came up for it. What did you sort out there?

Nick Jackson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 135
fossana wrote: I've had the 1500 136" WB model for 6 months (so far just built out the floor and prototype bed). No complaints so far. It handles far better than my Element even fully loaded; I used it to move my crap from CO to NV, cargo space full and towing a small U-Haul trailer. They're based on the Fiat Ducato, a popular Euro cargo/conversion van. The other nice thing is they're FWD. If you are considering one of the new 4WD Sprinters be prepared to get on wait list and/or have very little price negotiation. Climbing Coastie, not sure if you saw this couple's Promaster build-out blog and this one's Ducato conversion blog, but I have found them useful for ideas.
Fossana did you snag the diesel van, or the gas pentastar?
Jon Sullivan · · Boulder, CO · Joined Nov 2014 · Points: 0

For those of you inquiring about my Sprinter tuner- It was apparently programmed to match up to date software for a 2015. I am the last person to know anything about programming anything. Gentleman I spoke with said re programming is common among the diesel crowds and isn't too complicated. He added that he knows of some folks in Denver that do these things often. Im waiting on a list of diesel specialists via email from him. If you want more information please email me at jonsullivan0925@gmail.com That's all I know for now. Hope this helps.

Mike · · Estes Park, CO · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 25

I purchased a Promaster in November. I am pretty much finished with my conversion. So far it has worked out well for me. I've taken it to the desert, and out to California and Washington. I average around 22 on the highway with the gas engine. I installed a 100 watt panel on the roof along with a fantastic vent fan and a grape solar fridge. I installed a small battery bank (100 Amp hour) that charges off of the solar panel and off the van when it is running. I am able to sleep wheel well to wheel well which saves a ton of space. With paneling and insulation there is still 73" of space side to side.

Promaster

Promaster2

Promaster 3

Promaster 4

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318

@cdmike112

Your Promaster conversion looks fantastic! I had a few questions:

1. How did you attach your solar panel? I have access to some salvaged panels, but I'm hesitant to drill into my roof or use any major adhesive in case I want to remove it at some point.
2. Part of the reason I haven't yet flipped the sofabed is I wasn't sure how best to deal with the back of the couch with the rear doors there. Does the back of the couch fold down and how are you supporting it?

thanks,
Michelle

[update on #1] It looks like some people have attached them to their roof racks. I noticed pre-drilled rack mounts on mine.

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318
Nick Jackson wrote: Fossana did you snag the diesel van, or the gas pentastar?
The gas one. I was picky about finding a silver one with rear windows in the remaining 2014 inventory, so I didn't have much choice.
Alex Bury · · Ojai, CA · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 2,376

Wow great rig Mike.
Are there promasters a ~6' tall person can stand in?

Nick Jackson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 135
fossana wrote: The gas one. I was picky about finding a silver one with rear windows in the remaining 2014 inventory, so I didn't have much choice.
any complaints about the gas? I'm leaning towards a gas engine; all my research indicates that the diesel takes a long time to pay for itself...
fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318
Nick Jackson wrote: any complaints about the gas? I'm leaning towards a gas engine; all my research indicates that the diesel takes a long time to pay for itself...
Not so far, but it's only ~7 months old. I didn't see anything to the contrary in my readings. My last car (Jeep Liberty) was diesel and while I had it least the mileage boost didn't ever compensate for the extra cost of diesel. I realize this is highly dependent on the gas prices; diesel tends to not fluctuate so much. Then there's the longer term things like engine life.
climbing coastie · · Wasilla, AK · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 95

Alex, I'm 6'2" and can stand with my clenched fist over my head and just touch the cross supports. After insulating I'll be able to stand fine in my high top.

Alex Bury · · Ojai, CA · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 2,376

Nice!

taipan jam · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2015 · Points: 30

Real Nice build Mike

Mike · · Estes Park, CO · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 25

Fossana,

I attached the solar panel with 3M VHB tape on 2" aluminum angle. I had to drill a single hole for the wiring to go through the roof. I built a combiner box that is water proof for the junction between the roof and the wiring for the panel. In terms of the bed, the bed pulls out and the rear folds down to form a full size bed. I have removable supports for the back rest so that you are able to see while driving etc. I have driven 80 mph with strong cross winds and the panel stays put. The VHB is removable with a lot of elbow grease.

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318

Thanks, Mike.

fossana · · leeds, ut · Joined Apr 2006 · Points: 13,318

Adding a link to some pics of my WIP build out.

Tyler Wick · · Bishop, CA · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 200

Anymore updates on the promaster build outs?

I followed climbing coastie's blog and it looks like he had all sorts of issues with his promaster and ended up settling with FCA on a buy-back. Looks like the majority of his issues were with the drivetrain on the diesel version.

Just wondering if everyone was seeing issues or if climbing coastie's was truly a lemon.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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