arguably the best all round van

[flying kurbmaster]

I came across this one a Dodge caravan pop top, excellent space 83 inches stand up at stove, 72 inches at sink, very stealth with top down, fold away table/desk ample storage, swivel front seats to make nice seating area for company, fully equipped with fridge, stove, sink, 1200 btu propane heater, built in 8kg propane tank, 38 liter water tank, some had water heaters, and shower nozzle that can go out window, sleeps 4, and rumored to do between 25 and 28 mpg. excellent road trip vehicle lilkely one of the best designs and models with a proven 3,3ltr V6, It's only shortfall is transmission issues, can need replacing every 100 to 200,00kms

 

[Patrick46]

I had a basic Dodge Caravan, and thought it was a great rig!

I'd like to see more of this one. Is it your's??

 

[Bdog1]

Man! That thing has all the features!

 

[flying kurbmaster]

I had a basic Dodge Caravan, and thought it was a great rig!

I'd like to see more of this one. Is it your's??

Yes I am doing a Cassey here, couldn't pass it by. We were planning on taking the Kubmaster to Alaska this summer, we knew it was going to be mostly a road trip so I started looking around for a plane Dodge Caravan because I knew they were a dime a dozen, reasonably priced and reliable but I stumbled on this. I still haven't seen it in the flesh I have to wait three weeks for that but have been told it is a little gem by a reliable source who said if I didn't want he would take it, of course the proof is in the pudding, I did the math and by the time we pay for air fares to get the Kurbmaster and extra fuel cost there would not have been a lot in it, I think it will be easy to sell, so it looks like this is our Alaska cruiser 2014. wish us luck...:s

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Kurbmaster...Looks like a great choice and sound reasoning.
Sure hope you have a great trip.

 

[LughTheBard]

Looks interesting. I'd love to see more!

 

[Patrick46]

COOL!!

I was kinda wondering if you were sellin us out with your heading: "Arguably the Best All-Around Van", ...which is unquestionably, a STEPVAN!!!

This autta be a great rig for that type of roadtrip! Small, but fully equiped, and great gas mileage ta boot. WIN!!


Have a great time on your trip...and you'd best be posting up a Road Report!! (with lotsa pictures!!)

 

[GotSmart]

One that is paid for, and does not break down.

That is what is best. It is different for everyone.

 

[minimotos95]

very nice, in fact it appears to be the nicest setup Chrysler minivan i have seen. i prefer the 3.0 mitsubishi or 2.5 turbo engine but the 3.3 works great.
have a good trip.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

less then two weeks away from seeing her in the flesh, I am starting to get excited, just found out some good news, the women selling it inherited it from her uncle, has had it for two years and driven less then a 1000kms. She says she doesn't have time, her disinterest and the fact that she didn't pay anything for it is likely why it was advertised in the wrong place and priced so low. From the pictures I could tell someone loved it. I have made arrangements to pick it up the day we arrive so we will have accommodations and freedom from day one. I am hoping my instincts can be trusted, only time will tell.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

We've got our fingers crossed for you

 

[SoulRaven]

A guy that worked for TrailWagons/Chinook in Yakima, WA made a ton of those things in the '80's when they had the good 3.0 v6 and good transmissions.

Out of 25,000 made, I NEVER see any of them for sale, although I do see them in use in campgrounds up in the NW every now and then. When I tried to buy one new, they had sold out of the older ones, and I didn't care for the '91 Caravan. Later they started doing EuroVan's, which I didn't care for either.

 

[wagoneer]

rough roads are tough on those FWD tranny's be very watchful and take care, oops also enjoy.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

A guy that worked for TrailWagons/Chinook in Yakima, WA made a ton of those things in the '80's when they had the good 3.0 v6 and good transmissions.

Out of 25,000 made, I NEVER see any of them for sale, although I do see them in use in campgrounds up in the NW every now and then. When I tried to buy one new, they had sold out of the older ones, and I didn't care for the '91 Caravan. Later they started doing EuroVan's, which I didn't care for either.

These particular ones were made on LULU Island in Vancouver BC, they are quite rare but I have found 3 others for sale and the prices are high, one is asking 10.000 for a 1991 I am not sure how fast that will take to sell. They were built there for 10 years by GTRV before they moved to California where they still build some pretty nice poptops, in full size and minivans, with basically the same layout. You may be right about people hanging onto them as this one has had only one owner until he died, then his niece inherited it.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

well we have been living in it for a week now, under a carport in Vancouver at a friends place, great layout, it turns out it was sitting around for 4 year, we spent the first day cleaning it, inside and out, it cleaned up real good, mostly dust, tree droppings, the pop top roof is a little dull but everything else is looking great, we fixed up a small rust spot by the water filler, the stove looks like it never was used, fridge and water working perfectly, haven't tried the furnace yet but suspect it will work, I bet it has never been used, had to replace the deep cycle battery, oil change, grease, had a look at the brakes, and all other fluids, it looks great, I can't believe my luck, keep thinking I am going to find something wrong. have driven it around the city for 300 kms of trouble free driving. Outfitted it with supplies and spares, we are off tomorrow for Vancouver Island plan on driving the length of the Island taking the ferry from Port Hardy to Bella Coola across the Chilcotin, then North if all goes well.

 

[highdesertranger]

sounds like you got a good one. good luck and have fun. wish I was going. highdesertranger

 

[Patrick46]

Woo-Hoo!!! We're off and running!!!

 

[flying kurbmaster]

Well 6000 kms and we are still going well, one new tire, it wore out, a little water leak that seems to be a clamp on the lower rad hose, I have a new hose so will be replacing it some time soon, it is a very small leak. We have done a lap of Alaska, back over the top of the world highway a few days in Dawson, a third of the way up the Dempster now in Atlin BC will be heading back to Whitehorse Yukon in a few days, an oil change, rad hose repair etc. All is going well a great road trip so far, van has exceeded our expectations, really enjoying it. hope every ones summer is going well.

 

[Patrick46]

Pics, or it never happened!!


Great to finally hear back from you, and it's cool that your new van is working out so well!!
(that's always scarey, taking an unknown vehicle on a long tour).

Happy roads!!!

 

[spd2918]

I like Dodge / Plymouth / Chrysler vans, but ultimately they don't meet my needs (space for 2). They would certainly be the ultimate in stealth and they are easy to park/

If the brand new ones struggle to 24 MPG (real world highway mileage), then the older ones won't come close to 28.