The statement of, "... the Roadmaster wagon was just enough to do the job" is pretty telling. That leads me to believe any SUV other than a full Suburban will be no better at the job.
That seems to point all the more to Mini or Maxi van.
The statement of, "... the Roadmaster wagon was just enough to do the job" is pretty telling. That leads me to believe any SUV other than a full Suburban will be no better at the job.
That seems to point all the more to Mini or Maxi van.
I'd go with a minivan rather than a full-size van, even if it sometimes requires a trailer.
3 reasons:
1) Safety. Modern minivans do well in crash tests, full-size vans fold up in all of the wrong places.
2) Safety. Modern minivans maneuver as well as a car, full-size vans drive like old old pickup trucks.
3) Safety. Modern minivans are designed around modern child seats, full-size vans are retrofitted for them.
I'm not advising a 1996 Windstar or Astro here - I'm talking RT Grand Caravan or later.
You will soon be driving a minivan AND a cargo trailer. Might as well start.
I'd start with the trailer, and get the minivan when you have kids.
You have no idea how pleasurable it will be to leave the trailer packed and ready for the next show.
Transit connect and surf copart for rearended focus st's
A series of disposable Dodge Grand Caravans seems ideal here. Avaliable super cheap and lots of parts vehicles around. Buy from old people rather than a family to get a clean one. They are not powerful but surprisingly nice to drive. I did this for my wife three times now for her business.
In reply to maschinenbau:
We GRMers have a really bad habit. We answer every question with a "Here's the best way to be a cheapass" answers.
The problem with being a cheapass is that it limits success. We are only thinking about the expense side of the equation, without ever looking at the opportunity side of the equation, and we drastically reduce our chances of success.
So, I'm gonna ask you a different question:
Instead of trying to figure out what the best compromise option is that accomplishes NOTHING well, why don't you consider what is the BEST vehicle to enable your fiance's business to thrive and succeed?
How can you augment her efforts, and encourage success by the choice of vehicle?
Does she REALLY want to do 10 shows a year, or would 40, or even 100, be better with a network of retailers offering her products?
Honestly, a minivan crammed with pottery crap looks completely unprofessional. It gives the impression that the owners may not give a damn about their product and it's presentation at all. It looks like they have no success, and are stuffing their products into the back seat of the same old car they drag their kids around in.
I suggested a trailer because it offers more. It offers 2 billboards on either side. It has weight capacity. It offers the ability to have a roll out awning, take along a potter's wheel, build racks to hold the displays professionally, ease of setup/ take down, lighting, POS register equipment, and perhaps someday the ability to step up to a bigger trailer, or small fleet of them.
But a trailer is not your only option- It really depends on her target audience.
If the craft crowd "Hippie" folks are her target audience, perhaps a split window VW bus.
If she wants the ability to take her products to retail establishments, she probably needs a clean late model commercial full sized van.
Maybe she wants to host pottery classes one day, and a 15 passenger van would be useful for hauling kids from local schools to her kiln.
Mobile pottery studio? How about a custom trailer with a fold-out side to function as a stage/ expansion space to classes.
Or maybe she wants to have the attention-grabber of all time and show up to events driving something like SanFord, with graffiti emblazened across the side.
The end result of being a cheapass is generally that you get to enter into old age as a cheapass. I'd much rather see artists dream big and enable them to change the world.
Look for the vehicle that will most enable her to succeed.
dropstep wrote: E-250 for long trips with a car trailer in the future!
I've had lots of trucks, but a full size van is better for transporting the kinds of things you're talking about, and easier to load/unload. It's pretty simple to have modular racks that you can swap for seats for the kids or for road trips. High mile vans are pretty cheap, and there are several dealers out West that specialize in used commercial stuff. E250, as noted above can also tow a car (or craft or travel) trailer if you need that capability down the road. The only real drawback is snow, as vans are even worse than empty trucks... good snow tires with studs, and some weight in the back should help.
It's probably not the best idea, but we're here to suggest things that you haven't thought of. So...
Box Truck with lift gate for the heavy stuff: https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5895020290.html
Option 2: https://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5894750973.html
It could double as tow vehicle, or do other truck things to keep wear and tear down on your El Camino.
I am thinking both an enclosed trailer and a small utility van. Both offer the billboard opportunity. The van would be for deliveries to stores and what not. The trailer would be to augment the van for shows, craft fairs and flea markets. This would make things look professional.
I was looking at vans a while back and really liked these.
What are the shelves like? Can you put the long objects (6 foot tents) on the roof? This will allow you to use a shorter car like the Mazda 5.
If you're resistant to the mini van, but don't wanna go as large as a full size for every day use, Transit Connect and the like seem to make awfully efficient use of their size. My youngest sister's BF has one for a DD/business vehicle and likes it. No trouble parking in my parents' often crowded driveway either. I may have also recently done some impromptu side impact testing of one recently and came away rather impressed.
ProDarwin wrote: What are the shelves like? Can you put the long objects (6 foot tents) on the roof? This will allow you to use a shorter car like the Mazda 5.
Mazda5 isn't going to like the weight of a potter's products.
SVreX wrote:ProDarwin wrote: What are the shelves like? Can you put the long objects (6 foot tents) on the roof? This will allow you to use a shorter car like the Mazda 5.Mazda5 isn't going to like the weight of a potter's products.
It all depends on how much. The fact that the booth has been moved with an Aura hatchback before suggests that it isn't that much weight.
In reply to ProDarwin:
So far.
Are you hoping her business stays at a scale she can carry in a backpack?
She can upgrade later when she runs out of space?
Maybe at that point she won't be doing shows?
Maybe there is a limit to what you can bring to a show, and transporting more isn't necessary?
I'm only offering suggestions. The OP/Fiance can make those calls.
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