Super-sized bike hauler from Detroit Auto Show?

[Chance]

Particularly if you want it to also double as your living space to next cycling destination? At something like 3 to 4 times larger in volume than original VW Westfalia it may make a nice compact camper.

RV lifestyle isn’t for everyone, but if you’re into it, these new American-made Euro-style fuel-efficient new vans may be of interest. A little ugly by car standards but not for a box on wheels, and fuel efficiency should be much better than previous American offerings.

Ford reduced the largest engine from a 6.8 liter V10 in the present Econoline to a 3.7 liter V6 for the new Transit. And Ford is once again offering a diesel. This time it’s a 3.2 liter I5 instead of the previous V8 twice its size. All US engines will now get a 6-speed automatic to improve MPG even further.

Apparently fuel economy standards do force manufacturers to rethink their offerings. No MPG numbers yet, but if compact campers are large enough for your needs, these may be another option not limited by typical +/- 8 MPG fuel consumption of larger vehicles. May make it a little easier to justify the next weekend or vacation cycling trip.

http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transit/2014/

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/transit/2014/highlights/trn14_highlight_lg_unibody.jpg

http://www.ford.com/resources/ford/transit/2014/highlights/trn14_highlight_lg_cargocapacities.jpg

[ultraman6970]

Nissan has one similar to that aswell. I would say is even taller in the back. FUGLY IMO

[54ny77]

Here's the Sprinter van equivalent:

http://www.sportsmobile.com/3_bikes.html

[dave thompson]

The Mercedes/Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter vans have been hugely popular with delivery companies and van/camper conversion folks. Ford's new van looks like a direct shot at them.

[Chance]

Here's the Sprinter van equivalent:

http://www.sportsmobile.com/3_bikes.html

Agree Sportsmobile makes great custom vans designed to owner's needs. Their bike storage (picture below) seems like a great way to carry two bikes without taking too much floor space or blocking complete access in and out of van from rear doors. Perhaps rotating bike storage closet 90 degrees to access from center aisle may also work and block access even less. Typical bike storage area under rear platform bed usually works great but blocks all entrance/exit from rear of van.

http://www.sportsmobile.com/sections/gallery/suv/bike_storage.jpg

[zmudshark]

I'll keep my Honda Element as long as I can.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FRgZnh_55KI/TWVt71sPmOI/AAAAAAAAFS4/dP3XGf-uZsA/s800/P1010019.JPG

[Chance]

The Mercedes/Dodge/Freightliner Sprinter vans have been hugely popular with delivery companies and van/camper conversion folks. Ford's new van looks like a direct shot at them.

No doubt Ford plans to compete directly with Mercedes Sprinter just like they’ve been doing in Europe for decades. It seems it took the Sprinter coming to US to convince manufacturers that there is a market for taller vans.

Mercedes will still hold an advantage in largest size by about 2 feet for the longest model. Also their longest wheelbase will be about 2 feet longer than the Ford. However, the Ford should hold advantage in cost, maximum power, and maximum total weight rating. It’s a safe bet it will also eclipse the Mercedes in towing capacity since Ford will be offering the 3.5 liter Ecoboost engine which can tow about 10,000 pounds in the F-150. The Mercedes is underpowered by comparison and rated only up to 5,000 pounds. And Ford will also offer a mid-roof height like the black van in top picture.

What seems quite odd to me is that this new Transit is listed as being wider than 80 inches (not counting mirrors). That width is (or was???) a maximum not exceeded by vehicles in US without triggering some special (truck like) lighting requirements.

By the way, later this year we should also get the Fiat Ducato as the Ram ProMaster. It’ll be similar to Ford in overall size but FWD. Should be interesting to see how these new vans change this market segment.

[Chance]

I'll keep my Honda Element as long as I can.



Do you also camp out of it?

[zmudshark]

Do you also camp out of it?
No, but one could. At my age I like to sleep in a bed and have a shower at night.

Two bikes with lots of extra room, with both wheels on. If I was to use fork mounts, I could easily fit three and gear.

[csm]

No, but one could. At my age I like to sleep in a bed and have a shower at night.

Two bikes with lots of extra room, with both wheels on. If I was to use fork mounts, I could easily fit three and gear.

I have in mine. It's comfortable enough.

[EDS]

Agree Sportsmobile makes great custom vans designed to owner's needs. Their bike storage (picture below) seems like a great way to carry two bikes without taking too much floor space or blocking complete access in and out of van from rear doors. Perhaps rotating bike storage closet 90 degrees to access from center aisle may also work and block access even less. Typical bike storage area under rear platform bed usually works great but blocks all entrance/exit from rear of van.

http://www.sportsmobile.com/sections/gallery/suv/bike_storage.jpg

That option seems undesirable if you need to losen and rotate handlbars every time you want to stick the bike in the van.

[Chance]

That option seems undesirable if you need to losen and rotate handlbars every time you want to stick the bike in the van.

Good catch EDS. It seems the blue bike at back of closet may have the bars in normal position. Not sure if there is a way to pack the red bike without losening and rotating bars. Perhaps on taller vans it wouldn't be an issue.

My first concern was about how to keep the bikes from swinging into each other, primarily during hard acceleration and braking. Can't see what is being used to keep them from rotating; although they must be tied to each other or to walls somehow to prevent pivoting.

[Chance]

I have in mine. It's comfortable enough.

Some of my friends sleep in minivans too, although they have to leave the bikes out at night. The key for me would be to be able to sleep while bikes are stored inside. These new vans should allow for both simultaneously while getting mileage close to Honda Element and many minivans. Especially for the diesel model if driven slowler on road trips.

[Ahneida Ride]

Serotta had one of these for while ...

Tranny smoked anytime van was under load.

[zmudshark]

Some of my friends sleep in minivans too, although they have to leave the bikes out at night. The key for me would be to be able to sleep while bikes are stored inside. These new vans should allow for both simultaneously while getting mileage close to Honda Element and many minivans. Especially for the diesel model if driven slowler on road trips.

One person can sleep inside with a bike in an Element. The seats do that nicely. For a second person, the bikes would have to go in the tent ;).

[Walter]

Serotta had one of these for while ...

Tranny smoked anytime van was under load.

The Serotta van I saw at Interbike was the little Ford Transit with a different powertrain. These new ones are larger with a different engine/trans combo.

[goonster]

http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transit/2014/
"Available early 2014" :rolleyes:

Still, that is good news. I'll believe in the diesel when I see one here, but I have great hopes that an I5 TD would eventually find its way into the F-150.

[Chance]

As expected, Ram (Chrysler) revealed their Ram ProMaster full size van at the Chicago Auto Show. Except for an American V6 option coupled to a 6-speed automatic it doesn’t appear to be much more than the Fiat Ducato with a “Ram” front bumper. Plus a few upgrades for US market. Regardless, it’s pretty much the same vehicle that we see lined along road sides of all the major bicycle road races in Europe as compact campers. Should make for a maneuverable and very fuel-efficient compact camper here too ideal for weekend outings and long road trips; while still serving as a second or third car for some families. It’s reportedly the most common vehicle of its class in Europe.

In the US it will also be sold with the 3.0 liter 4-cylinder diesel with a single-clutch 6-speed automated manual. Would have preferred a traditional 6-speed manual for the do-it-yourselfer but that won’t be an option.

In my opinion it’s even uglier than the new Ford Transit, but that appears to be the price for efficiency. The largest ProMaster configuration is reportedly larger in volume than the Ford Transit Jumbo (530 vs. 496 cubic feet) while being over a foot shorter and much lower too. The extra space must come in part from being boxier – hence uglier (personal opinion although debatable). Much more utilitarian. It also gains efficiency from being front wheel drive. This allows for a lower step-in height and a more cab-forward design.

By comparison to Ford’s US Transit it seems much like a super-sized utilitarian mini-van in design. Way bigger though at over three times the volume of a Honda Odyssey when in its largest configuration. Think about how many bikes you could fit in one of these with room to spare. And still probably get over 20 MPG on the highway on gas or about 25 MPG on diesel?

Ram work van version:

http://www.sae.org/dlymagazineimages/11779_15648_ART.jpg

In Fiat Ducato version:

http://images.clickedit.co.uk/8255/car_id_87_1.jpg

http://www.ymotor.com/spa/item/resource/ART67481/azkenak_108.jpg