NEWBE needs opinions on ProMaster and Looking for most comfortable seats

[Dale Bertram]

Getting ready to purchase Van to begin the process of getting out there. Thinking of Dodge Promaster 2500 window van with DYI conversion.  Anyone have an opinion about Dodge Promaster.

On my mind today is finding a super comfortable passenger seat for a person who has back problems.  Saw some on a site called Waldoch.com.  Name on seats was " Galaxy.  must swivel and have every possible comfort.  If the passenger can't tolerate riding in the van the whole idea ( going "Out There") fails. Need passenger seat ideas

 

[akrvbob]

I'm glad you are here!!

We have some big fans of the Promaster here and some who think they are too new yet. Hopefully, they will speak up.

Sorry, can't help you at all on seats.

 

[user 37446]

Search "Promaster" or find the information it under "conversions and modifications" subforum. My stupid spellcheck wont let me write the forum members (Latin) name, "fraternity successor" is what it keeps coming up as, arrg!

"frater secessus" is the forum author's name, he has about a 7 page post about his 159" high roof Promaster.

 

[deadwood]

An empty Promaster cargo van is a great place to start your own build. You can have enough room to stand up and plenty of room to make it comfortable for traveling. I looked at the Promaster, the Transit and the Sprinter when I was looking because the high roof was a priority for me. Plus I plan to keep this for 20 years before handing it down to one of my kids.

I wasn't a fan of the Sprinter because I did not want to deal with the diesel and all the emissions issues it has. But the Transit and the Promaster were either a good choice. They both have there pros and cons to them. But I think you can generally find more used Promasters at this point and you can find them a lot cheaper then the Transit.

 

[frater secessus]

Getting ready to purchase Van to begin the process of getting out there. Thinking of Dodge Promaster 2500 window van with DYI conversion.  Anyone have an opinion about Dodge Promaster.

I think it's a very good platform and one followed me home.    Huge expanses of space inside and quite simple (and less expensive) compared to the competition.  Sales for the last 12mons are up about 40% and I am seeing many more around me in the Dallas area.  Transit is still dominant in the US, though.  I have some eurovan comparison info online here to help inform your decision.  A lot of great van options out there to pick from.  Transit was a strong contender on my short list.  

The van is a FIAT Ducato with a Chrysler gas powertrain.  In Europe the Ducato dominates the motorhome market with a 2/3rds share, similar to the way the Transit dominates the U.S.  cargo van market.   There is a turbodiesel version with a commercial engine and automated manual from Italy, but I don't think that's available on the window version.  The window versions are a good deal rarer, I think, but they are out there.  Most are being used for cargo in the U.S.  

The differences between 1500/2500/3500 are not significant, other than artificially-imposed limitations:

• 159" (long) wheelbase only available on 2500/3500
• 159" + Extended Body only available on 3500.

If you have specific ???s feel free to ask here or in PM.  I would also encourage you to sniff around the promaster forum; they have a dedicated DIY conversion section there.

On my mind today is finding a super comfortable passenger seat for a person who has back problems.  Saw some on a site called Waldoch.com.  Name on seats was " Galaxy.  must swivel and have every possible comfort.  If the passenger can't tolerate riding in the van the whole idea ( going "Out There") fails. Need passenger seat ideas

There are swivel mounts for the PM front seats but I don't know what luxuries are required.  Might be simpler to put a full-function captain's recliner/chair at the front of the living area.  Ahhhhh.....  If the chair is the paramount concern you might check the other van forums to see what kind of custom seating is available.

 

[frater secessus]

Sorry for the disjointed post; It's way past my bedtime and I'm loopy.

 

[arpisme]

Check the expedition portal for a post in the van section about Toyota Sienna seats. They recline. Seems like a bit of heaven.
Sienna Seats

 

[mnpaul]

On my mind today is finding a super comfortable passenger seat for a person who has back problems.  Saw some on a site called Waldoch.com.  Name on seats was " Galaxy.  must swivel and have every possible comfort.  If the passenger can't tolerate riding in the van the whole idea ( going "Out There") fails. Need passenger seat ideas

I just picked up a "new" 2015 Transit from Waldoch Sports today.  They have 2 more new ones both are short 130" WB and medium roof a red and a black, I got a blue.  They got behind in production(they upfit vans and trucks) after a fire and these were never converted.
I was given a tour of the facilities and there was one small room with nothing but seats, quite the selection.
In the showroom I snapped a picture of something new to me: It was a swivel seat base(which I've seen) but the cool thing was it had a quick release from it's base in the floor.  So you could pop the entire seat out or back in and only the flat base on the floor would be left when removed.
This is a picture of the base mounted to the floor in the cargo area

 

[mnpaul]

Here's a picture of the swivel base that the seat would attach to.  The swivel base can pop into and out of the floor base.

 

[mnpaul]

One more pic of the swivel base.

 

[makenmend]

One more pic of the swivel base.

Both driver and passenger seats in the Transit have air bag connections that pass through a hole in the seat base. So
 do not think those swivel bases will work. my swivel seat base has a large diameter opening that the seat air bag connector.wiring passes through.

MM

 

[mnpaul]

Both driver and passenger seats in the Transit have air bag connections that pass through a hole in the seat base. So
 do not think those swivel bases will work. my swivel seat base has a large diameter opening that the seat air bag connector.wiring passes through.

MM

This was for a single seat in the cargo area.  I asked about the front passenger seat, but no they would not install it up there.  Not sure if a DIY person could if you got rid of original seat and then put this in, not sure if it would be legal to have front seat w/o airbag?

 

[drysailor]

Getting ready to purchase Van to begin the process of getting out there. Thinking of Dodge Promaster 2500 window van with DYI conversion.  Anyone have an opinion about Dodge Promaster.

One possible place to look for seat options - the Sportsmobile Store sells swivel bases for Chev & Ford vans; might be worth contacting then about the Promaster.

 

[makenmend]

[quote pid='316853' dateline='1501283600']
'' This was for a single seat in the cargo area ''
[/quote]

Sorry didn't realize that's what you meant. And I think your probably right about a front seat with no air bag being legal.

I did put a http://www.swivelsrus.com/transit_swivels.php on my Transit passenger side, easy to do in about an hour and I really like it.

MM

 

[Dale Bertram]

One more pic of the swivel base.

Thanks for the info.  Looking forward to meeting all you nice people "Out There".  Since I bought into this idea (Van Life) I can't hardly even stand going to work any more. Just 10 more months and this quote (actually some song lyrics) applies to me.  I need the 10 months to get the van ready. I want to build it out DYI rather than hire an upfitter.  I want it to be MINE.

You call me a fool

You say it's a crazy scheme
This one's for real
I already bought the dream
So useless to ask me why
Throw a kiss and say goodbye
I'll make it this time
I'm ready to cross that fine line

Learn to work the saxophone

I play just what I feel
Drink Scotch whiskey all night long
And die behind the wheel
They got a name for the winners in the world
I want a name when I lose
They call Alabama the Crimson Tide
Call me Deacon Blues

[img=147x196]https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/23....1_20150217163733_000_GMU9SHOHS.1-0.jpg[/img]

 

[Dale Bertram]

There's a pebble in the pond
Rollin' on and on
Makin' waves and tides and ripples and rings

There's a leaf in the wind
That don't know where to end
Chasin' days and ways and wishes and dreams​

Seems like everyone is out lookin' for the sun
Singin' rain and pain on he who hesitates
But it'll shine when it shines
You might think I'm wastin' time
But I'm just a good ol' boy that's learned to wait

Whippoorwill's in the dawn
Pretty soon he'll be gone
And he's got one good song to sing

But like my Daddy said
It's in your heart not your head
And you got to sing and sing and sing


There's a window in the wall
Lookin' out on it all
Leavin' fears and tears and troubles alone

There's a fire in the stove
Keepin' out the cold
Warmin' wine and winters and babies and homes
[size=small]
Seems like everyone is out lookin' for the sun
Singin' rain and pain on he who hesitates
But it'll shine when it shines
You might think I'm wastin' time
But I'm just a good ol' boy that's learned to wait

Yes, I'm just a good ol' boy that's learned to wait

[/size]

 

[Dale Bertram]

[quote pid='316853' dateline='1501283600']
'' This was for a single seat in the cargo area ''

Sorry didn't realize that's what you meant. And I think your probably right about a front seat with no air bag being legal.

I did put a http://www.swivelsrus.com/transit_swivels.php on my Transit passenger side, easy to do in about an hour and I really like it.

MM
[/quote]

 

[Dale Bertram]

yes they do have a swivel made for the Promaster.
[img=1098x279]http://www.swivelsrus.com/img/main_pic.jpg[/img]

 

[GaryGary]

Hi,
We have a ProMaster 136 inch wheel base, high roof converted to a camper van.

Have been very happy with it.  We just got back from a 7000 mile trip to the Yukon.  The van behaved flawlessly on the whole trip.

This is our 4th RV and the best of the bunch.  internal space is very nice.  Fuel enconomy is twice our last RV at nearly 20 mpg.

The details of our conversions are here: http://www.buildagreenrv.com/our-conversion/

There is an active ProMaster forum and you might get some good info there (as well as here).

Gary

 

[Dale Bertram]

I heard this story second hand from a guy who was bicycling Highway One along the Pacific Coast from Portland to the Mexican border. It has direct application to the fundamental concept behind Van Life as I am beginning to understand it.

It goes like this:

A.) “Have you ever played the game Monopoly ?
B.) “well sure – of course - ???
A.)” I was playing Monopoly one day and the strangest thing happened. Every time I threw the dice I rolled double sixes. Do you know what happens when you roll double sixes ?

You advance past GO, and collect your $200, and then you end up on Free Parking where you can wait for your next turn. Then the other players take their turns and when it is your turn again you roll double sixes again – EVERY TIME !! You advance past Go, and collect your $200, and then you end up on Free Parking.

So it hit me like an epiphany.

The goal of the game, and in truth, the goal of life itself, is simply to escape the reality of the Game
And
Find the Free Parking