Buying a 2018 Promaster 1500 - NOT high top tomorrow …

[PattySprinter]

tx2sturgis - oh my gosh - sounds like algebra!

Thank you tx2sturgis - I really am so excited to be a step closer to being on the road. I am not going to do any van build though right away … just travel and fix it up as I go.

 

[azmike9]

Just a FYI, the 1500 is. Half ton and the 2500 is a 3 quarter ton. The 3500 would be a one ton. Difference is in towing, weight hauling, brakes and spring capacity etc.

 

[PattySprinter]

Just a FYI, the 1500 is. Half ton and the 2500 is a 3 quarter ton. The 3500 would be a one ton. Difference is in towing, weight hauling, brakes and spring capacity etc.

azmike9 - thanks! I did not know that. Wonder why - if it is 3/4 of a ton - it is called a 2500 and not a 1500 - since 1500 is 3/4 a ton … :huh:

 

[tx2sturgis]

The 'half-ton' 'three quarter-ton' and 'one-ton' do not actually mean carrying capacity anymore. For example, a modern 3/4 ton, 2500 size van typically has close to 4000 pounds (about 2 tons) payload capacity, more or less.

50 years ago, those terms meant something, but not now.

But the terms themselves translate to 1500, 2500, and 3500 for most makes, and 150, 250, and 350 for Fords.

 

[ZoNiE]

Funny that the dealer couldn't tell you the difference between a 1500 and 2500. Makes a huge difference in a Pickup. He needs to go back to selling fiat 500's...

 

[travelaround]

Just a FYI . . . .

Thanks for the clarity...

 

[travelaround]

Funny that the dealer couldn't tell you the difference . . .

I had a strange experience with the Promaster dealer. I went there twice during business hours and nobody was there. When he arrived, he couldn't find the keys to the Promasters. I decided it was a sign that the Promaster wasn't right for me, and went to the Ford dealership instead.

 

[NagathaChristie]

Which translates to;  go food shopping, do your laundry, see a movie, visit museums, have lunch with a friend, make it a travel day, do errands, etc. Save anything that keeps you out of the van for rainy day when possible. Nothing worse than spending multiple days stuck in a van regardless of height. Why do chores or spend time inside on a nice day if there is ran in the forecast later in the week. With a little forethought, you rarely have to weather the storm inside.

I really like this super simple promaster build; thanks for sharing.

 

[maki2]

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts.
I am going to go to a dealership close to my house today and give the hightops a good look.
It is just a big investment - but I am old-ish, not greatest health, not mechanically inclined and I feel safer with a new warranteed car.

I have bought two low mile vehicles over the years. They have been the most reliable vehicles I ever bought including a couple of brand new off the lot ones.  Besides that nowadays the warranty period is very long and you can purchase extended warranties on vehicles. So you don't have to buy brand new if you don't want to.

I got a great deal on my used Honda Element, it was only 2 years old with only 20k miles. The previous owner had a nervous dog that scratched the interior panels and put a small tear in the back seat. That was why it was a deep discount but there were no mechanical issues. That was in 2008, I still have not had a major repair on it. Just battery and new tire stuff plus normal fluid change and scheduled checkups. Used does not mean it is guaranteed to be a lemon.

However it won't be that easy to find a recent low mileage Promaster for a bargain price, they do hold their value. But who knows you might just get lucky and find one that the owner simply did not like for whatever reason. Sometimes it is a change of life circumstances, other times it is not a good physical fit for their body, or a family member hates it or they like to have a new vehicle every year.

 

[JeffJones]

PattySprinter, I too purchased a Hightop van that I can walk around in. Oh man does it make a huge difference, I could not live in a regular height van. Anyone who can buy a high top just do it. Also get at least the 3/4 ton or 1 ton platform. When you start building your new home the weight adds up fast. Too much weight is a safety issue.
Enjoy the ride

 

[NagathaChristie]

How is driving the high top different from the low top? I am able to stand up straight in the low top, as I am short. My husband has to tilt to the side. I would prefer him to be able to stand up straight. I will be the only driver as my husband has a medical condition that prevents him from driving. Does the high top handle differently compared to low top?

 

[Campor99]

Walk away from deal, you'll never be happy not being able to stand up full height!

Good luck

 

[wnybiker]

How is driving the high top different from the low top? I am able to stand up straight in the low top, as I am short. My husband has to tilt to the side. I would prefer him to be able to stand up straight. I will be the only driver as my husband has a medical condition that prevents him from driving. Does the high top handle differently compared to low top?

I have a high top 1500.  The driving position is identical to a low top.  I drove it from Colorado to New York through some really gusty winds and it was more of a handful than my regular vehicle.  Not awful.  My guess is that the low top would not be a lot better in the wind because it is 80% of the area of a high top.  My wife drove it yesterday for the first time and had no problems getting around.

 

[crofter]

 a new vehicle every year.

Fleet vehicles get sold off sometimes at low mileage with discounts.  Mine is a 1500 that was part of a fleet, I got it at a high volume dealer, and I have warranty.   It is a great van and I love that it has front wheel drive.    ~crofter