Buying my first van – Dodge Promaster or Ford Transit?
Hello,
I’m certain this will set off a Dodge sucks Fords great or vice versa conversation but in any event here’s what I’m trying to decide:
I work as a cabinetmaker/finish carpenter in the north east part of the US where we get a moderate amount of snow, nothing like in Colorado or Michigan but enough during the winter to be concerned about the kind of vehicle I drive – front wheel or rear wheel.
I’ll be using the van mostly for picking up materials and then loading finished cabinets/trim and tools to haul to the job. This really won’t be used as an everyday vehicle for running to the home center or for site visits – I have a smaller truck and car for that.
My main concern is how either will perform in the snow. The Dodge with the front wheel drive seems appealing if I’m empty headed to get materials in the snow or bad weather. But then I watch a video where they mention Dodges attempt several years back at making front wheel drive trucks and having a problem with front end traction when loaded in the back. Maybe the folks at Dodge have figured this out and its not an issue with the Promaster.
The MB Sprinter is out of the discussion (even though there’s a 4×4 option) due to intial up-front cost and the cost to maintain/repair.
I’d like to hear from those of you that have experience with either of these models, preferably in the snow and how they go when loaded or empty.
Also, I’m looking at the shortest wheelbase, medium height roof, and standard gas V6 engine for both models.
Thanks,
Brian
Replies
Consider one of the new Nissan cargo vans. I know nothing about them, but I've done well with my Nissan trucks. If I were in the market for a van they would certainly be on my radar.
Whatever Your Eventual Choice
I strongly encourage you to set aside sufficient $$$ to purchase a set of four real, honest-to-gosh mud & snow tires you can have standing by for the four or five months each year that see it.
I bought a Grand Voyager years ago, re-learned how much they contribute to peace of mind if not personal safety the first time it snowed an inch & I couldn't get up a hill. Trying to reverse back down I made it into a driveway but then slid off once I got headed down face-first, into a ditch.
I'd driven FWD vehicles for years but nothing as large as that GV. Snows all'round ALWAYS help with mobility! "All-seasons" are a compromise, IMHO a waste of money.
Extra set of wheels to mount snows on make it an hour's task to swap 'em out about the time we change to/from Daylight Saving spring & fall unless you can write off a trip to the garage for use of their lift & labor.
Thanks for the info. I always had good snow tires for my truck all around but never got extra rims. That will change if I get the van.