Ford E-series? Extended vs non-extended?

[digdug18]

Who has an extended van? Is it that critical? Have you found the extra 20" between models that useful?

Are their any drawbacks?

Andrew

 

[djkeev]

I Have a long wheelbase Dodge but NOT the extended body.

While the long wheelbase gives me room for what I Want, the luxury of having those extra 20" would be absolutely WONDERFUL!

Next time.............. If there is a next time.

Dave

 

[Headache]

The only drawback you're going to find with an extended van is parking. A couple of the stores around here have been repainting their parking lots and the spots are smaller now. I park down at the end of a row so I can take up the almost 1 1/2 spaces I need for my standard length van and usually find an extended pickup or van next to me when I come out.

Unless you are a pack rat and use the extra 20" to cram more stuff in OR you are so minimized you don't need the space I can't see anything negative about it. I wish I had an extended now. That extra space would be good for the crapper and the cat box right by the back doors.

 

[djkeev]

Turning will also be a drawback. The longer the wheel base the less maneuverable a unit is.

Dave

 

[LeeRevell]

The Ford Standard Body and Extended Body have the same wheelbase. The Short Wheelbase vans were discontinued in the early '80s. So the extension is behind the rear wheels. This has pros and cons.
Maneuvering is easier than a longer wheelbase, but you must keep in mind the swing of her longer tail. The longer floor behind makes installing a wetbath easier.
Dodges have their Extended Body on the standard wheelbase too.
Chevy/GMC opted to go with a Long Wheelbase, so the greater length is between the wheels. This can give better stability, but longer turning circle.
So, it's a matter of personal preference and availability.

 

[introverting]

Just my thoughts as I don't have any experience living in any type of vehicle, but I'd think the longer cargo area would allow you to setup a bed on the passenger/curb side of the van if you so desire. I've thought about setups where people place the bed lengthwise along the driver/roadside of the van and I would have concerns with sleeping in that area if you are stealth camping on a street; i.e. someone running into you.

 

[jimindenver]

As I considered swapping the Expedition for a van I realized that the extended Fords tow less than the standard body.

 

[eDJ_]

I have a Ford Econoline that's big as they make them with the high top fiberglass roof.   Before it I had a sort wheel base with the regular roof. 

I like the room in the latest Van and the fact I can stand up in it.   I'm not a kid any more and can now afford
to have the luxury of space and freedom of movement. 

Driving wise there is nothing I can't do with the newer Van I could do with the old one.

What I am most aware of now is parking with the rear of front into the wind.  If it's quite cold I park with the rear to the wind.   I fear parking broadside to the wind may get me blown over on my side.   This is why I tend to
like to camp in sheltered areas in hilly country if it were to be very windy.   Or if in a town in he area behind a building that will block the wind.  (no trees to block the wind.....the could blow over on the Van)

We had a guy who got killed last week in this area as he was driving his Van to work.   The earlier winds had blown a tree most of the way over,  and wouldn't you know,  it broke lose and fell into the windshield as he was driving around 50 mph.   Dead on impact they said in the news.  About the same as a head on collision.

 

[steamjam1]

I also own a Ford Econoline with a hightop and extended body. Parking lots can be a bear to get in and out of, especially if your trying to back out of spots. For me atleast, the issue has more to do with the lack of windows my van has for me to look through, forcing me to rely almost completely on my mirrors. It can be super nerve wracking when you in a parking lots with lots of foot traffic. I just can't see them sometimes. Also I find that I haveto pull it partially into the space directly in front of me to avoid the *ss end stick out too far.

My Dodge SWB and LWB standard were (are.. I still own the shorty) ALOT easier to maneuver around parking lots. They were better off road because of the lack of overhang that an extended has, and if you installed an LSD, good tires, and made sure the front/rear weight bias is as equal as possible, you can go up some seriously sketchy looking mud roads.

But I love my Ford... I find the extra length and height over a standard body very useful, and makes for a better experience if your gonna live in a van. I take the comfort of my Ford over the ease/versatility of the Dodge.

 

[Headache]

One thing I was taught in truck driving school is that 90% of the accidents that occur in parking lots involve a vehicle backing out. One of the reasons why I park towards the end of a row is I have a better selection of spots I can pull through. When I back into a spot I'm controlling the flow of traffic, backing out I'm not. I will do everything I can to avoid pulling into a spot even with a small car.

 

[bigsallysmom]

I also drive an extended cab. I love the extra space but it sure makes it hard to park. I also choose my parking spots carefully. I pull into parking spaces so I can drive forward instead of backing out and park far from others. I also get out and look if I'm not sure since I don't have a backup camera. I don't drive much on unknown forest roads because there isn't much turning room on many. The plus side is my backing up is getting much better.

 

[LivingandLearning]

I drive an E-350 15-passenger van.  I have the extra 20".  I like it.

My van has to allow three of us to live (husband, son, and I).  I don't find anything very difficult about driving.   If passengers will be in the back, the seat past the rear wheels, the ride is brutal! 

When I take it out by myself, it is very luxurious because of all the room.  I would totally go for it as a single vandweller.

It is big and high.  Parking lots can be a challenge mostly because of how big in general the van is.  I do tend to park farther away so I can pull through.

Tracy