Ideas about conversion vans for agility travel. 

Well, so far, I love my conversion van. It is a Ford Econoline with a 5.0ltr V8 engine. It seems to have plenty of power and rides a lot smoother than my Dodge Caravan did. The biggest downfall is the amount of gas that she guzzles. I am averaging about 12-13mpg. On a longer highway trip I have gotten close to 20mpg. I had the dealer remove the middle captain chairs so that I could put my crates behind the drivers seat. I can put 2-26" crates in that space easily and could probably put a couple 20" crates stacked on top of them if i wanted. One of the main reasons that I bought this van was safety. My old caravan was totaled on the way to an agility trial (not my fault <g>). I feel much safer in the full size van. When I was shopping for my van I was looking for a back bench that folded down into a bed (for camping out if needed), interior color (gray shows less dog hair), shades instead of curtains (the shades tuck up out of the way, while the curtains seem to lessen the drivers visibility and just gather dust), etc... My minivan had tinted windows which helped in the summer. This van doesn't have the tinted windows, but I can just pull down a shade from the direction that the sun is coming in. Make sure you look for side windows that slide open to allow ventilation. They are small, but they do help a lot. Also, my van was not set up so that I could open the doors and shut off the overhead lights. I ended up going to an RV dealership and having them install a switch on my dashboard so I can manually shut off the lights and leave the doors open (very important!!) I don't think that I have more room for storage in this van than i did in my minvan. I just think it's a little different. I had a platform in my minivan and was able to throw all my crates, chairs, tent, etc... under and behind the platform. I don't have a platform in the conversion van, so I put all my stuff under and behind the rear seat. I have only had this van since the end of August, so as a "newbie" conversion van owner that's about all I can tell you. I have had a little chance to drive it in the snow (one of my biggest concerns) and it has handled very well. Not better or worse than my minivan..... just different.<g> Marsha Estella

I purchased a barely-used conversion van about a year ago.   I wanted to be able to travel with four goldens and three people without stacking crates. I have a Chevy Express 1500 van that I had a few things done to.

I had a platform built across the back and behind the driver's seat.  I put three kennel aire crates across the back and one behind the driver's seat. There are three captains chairs so each of us is very comfortable when we travel.  There is room behind the driver to put an electric cooler.  We have packed four dogs and three people and all their equipment for Clean Run camp in the van.  It really holds a lot of stuff!  The mileage stinks, but is no worse than my friend's GMC Jimmy.  I am not sure about snow yet.  It is
supposed to snow tonight, so I guess I'll find out.  I never planned on sleeping in my van so giving up the rear seat was not an issue.

I think you need rear AC in a van this size.  I also had a roof fan put in which makes a tremendous difference keeping the air moving in the summer. I had a rubber mat installed on the inside to protect the carpeting because  I also do field work with my dog.

One thing I had not thought of.... you cannot park these in a garage in any metro area, or even your own, for that matter.  Would I buy one again?  In a split second!   The biggest decision is which brand, Ford, Chevy or Dodge. Good luck! Lise Pratt

I have a Ford 350 High Top Conversion Van. V-8.  It is a monster - you can easily stand up straight in it - a great bonus when moving crates and stuff. It easily fits 5 Goldens with 4 captains chairs - nothing needs to be stacked. It is extremely comfortable for long drives and has front and rear air. It tows my 22 ft travel trailer with no problems. The spare is mounted on the rear doors - so I don't have to disassemble it if I get a flat (I doubt I could jack it up anyhow). I didn't need a platform in this van like I have in my minivan. The captains chairs swivel and can be removed if I need to take more dogs.  It has plugs for accessories like a small dc refrigerator or a fan. It is a terrible gas guzzler - when I am towing it only gets 10 -11 mpg. Otherwise it is not  much better, 13-14mpg.  It is no good in the snow or mud. It turns like a city bus but I really do like the way it handles on the highway. Chris Miele

We have a 89 Ford Econoline with two captains chairs in the middle and a bench seat across the back.  Rear air was an add on, the new vans rear air is a standard.   We are owned by 5 dogs, 14 yr old G. Shepherd, Lab & Dalmatian 6 yrs and two Labs 3 yrs.  If just hubbie and I travel with the dogs we can get everyone in the van in their own crates.  The max we can fit with people is 4 dogs and 4 people with the option of 3 or 4 crates and then of course all the rest of the junk that goes with us, like the sun shade, chairs, cooler, water jugs, food, treats, etc.  Rides real nice and pulls our travel trailer real well even with all the added weight from the dogs in the van. Kim & Jeff Hahn

Last year I went from a Dodge Grand Caravan to a Dodge 1500 Conversion, long wheel base (the short wheel base offered no more *length* than the Grand Caravan). Yet it's not the super long one, so handling it isn't too bad. I bought a year-end leftover (to save $$), so had to choose from what they had. Rear A/C was a must (vents come from ceiling so you don't have to worry about blocking them). Mine came with an electric sofa/bed in rear & 2 capt. chairs in middle...nice but I removed them all because of the # of dogs I need to haul. If I traveled with less dogs, it would be great to leave in 1 capt. chair, or the sofa/bed. But I usually travel with a friend who has to bring her 6 dogs along, and I take 3 BCs of my own. So all seats came out! In the rear, I have 2 large crates (equiv. to 400), that face out the back. In the middle are 3 crates for my BCs (one 24x36, two 20x30-34). These crates are permanent. When trial season comes & I need to carry my friend's extra dogs (thankfully, half are corgis!), I stack 3 corgi-size crates on top of my BC crates (mid-van). On top of crates in back are folded crates, pens. Tent,
chairs & gear along sides, and on top of other crates. I don't use platforms, I don't like digging underneath, and I like the dogs to be on the floor (easier to get them in & out, and it increases my visibility when we're not packed full). My van is white, which was a great choice! I can't believe how much cooler it stays in the summer compared to my red Caravan. For sure I recommend white!

Gas mileage stinks....never more than 16 on the hwy. But it has a 35 gal. tank, which means I still don't have to stop as often as with the minivan (just costs a lot when you do!) Snow & mud worry me, unfortunately, it's my only vehicle, so I drive it every day to work, etc. So there are limitations when weather is bad, but so far, not enough to make me want to give it up! Mine is a low-top. I'm short so I can almost stand up in it. don't think I'd want the hi-top, more problems going under things with the hi-top! I have the pleated shades, they are Great! I can actually change my clothes in my van.  Also big bay windows that open on bottom (screens). The big windows make it a lot easier for me to see when I'm driving. Spare is mounted underneath, I prefer it there, it's out of the way. It came with a TV/VCP, which I didn't want. It's mounted on the floor between the front seats. So I made the best of it. I bought a converter box with multiple jacks, connected the VCP to the box, bought another set of cables to connect to the box to which I can connect my camcorder (8mm). So I can connect my camcorder to the box (2 plugs into the camera), and watch our runs on the TV while at the shows (camcorder
is very old, does not have one of those nifty little screens on it). And I leave a video tape of agility (USDAA nationals!) In the VCP so if my dogs get bored, they can watch some TV <vbg>. Seriously, I *have* used the TV as a reward for Toss, who loves TV more than food & toys! Truthfully, I don't use the TV more than a few times a year, I could surely do without it, but as long as it's there, I'll use it once in a while. You can turn off all the interior lights with the headlamp switch, so you can leave the doors open. Also, my van has a battery-protection thing. For example, if the TV or interior lights are on when the engine is off, they automatically shut off after 20 minutes to conserve battery energy. You can hit the switch to continue watching TV or whatever for another 20 min. If the battery is low or if it's cold outside, it will shutdown sooner than 20 min. If it does this,
I don't push it. But this is supposed to prevent you from getting a dead battery, and I find this a wonderful feature!!!

I've had problems getting the rear AC to work right, and some problems with the power lock system, don't know if that's Dodge or Glaval (the conversion company). fortunately still under warranty. I cannot imagine going back to a minivan with the # of dogs I travel with. No longer have to pack the tent on the roof! BTW, I think I have the "best" tent, Cabela's Gazebo with optional Rainfly...but that's another thread! ;-) Forgot to mention that my van also came equipped with a vacuum cleaner, but it's mounted behind the crates & rather difficult to get to. Then again, if I tried to use it on all the dog hair in my van, I'm sure I'd clog it up beyond repair! <vbg> Linda Husson

I have a Conversion van -- a Eurovan Camper. It is brought into the country as a bare utility van by Volkswagen and converted by Winnebago. It has all the features I dreamed of for agility trials! There is ample space for 4 #300 crates with the bed folded down -- and they can  be strapped down easily to prevent movement. We have put 7 - #200 crates in the Camper -- utilizing the floor space, the rear storage and the seat. Again, they were all strapped in to prevent movement in the event of an accident. The van is not tall and can go into most garages because it has a pop-top. With the top open, there are 2 double beds and about 7+ feet of headroom. There is a refrigerator, 2 burner stove, sink and an outside shower. The shower is not heated but great in summer trials! We have fallen in love with the propane furnace since the fall trials! The front seats are captain style that can turn and face the rear. There is a stow-able table. We have made incredible meals in it.  The refrigerator runs either on the auxiliary battery, an outside electrical source or on propane.

Summer was fine because we can pop the top and get great ventilation. The top is screened on all sides, allowing any breeze to be captured. It is front wheel drive and easy to drive in the city as well  as on the highway. It is a bit longer than a conventional passenger van but HUGE inside. Most of the people who see it are amazed at how much is packed into the vehicle. It gets a steady 20 mpg everywhere - over the Canadian Rockies or in the city.

I know it is not a conventional vehicle, but if you are looking, check it out. We almost never see them at trials, but we do see them at campgrounds everywhere. People love them; they are hard to find used. It took us 18 months to find one used, but we did last June and have never looked back! Sally Hildt

We leased a 97 Ford Econoline V8 conversion van for 2 years.  We thought it would be a good way to see if we really liked them before we actually bought one.  We loved it! The only thing about the Ford vans is the leg room for the front seat passenger.  The leg room is horrible.  I have back problems and the way you had to keep your left leg was very uncomfortable after only a short time.

We bought a 99 Chevrolet conversion van.  We really like it.  The leg room for the passenger is MUCH nicer than the Ford.  Also, the 2 rear windows on the back doors poop open and the windows on the side doors that swing out also open. None of the other makers had windows that opened.  In fact a lot of the new conversions don't put in the slide windows anymore!  We can open or slide open every window in the vans which helps ventilation a lot. Good luck!  Joan Mullen

I have a VW Eurovan which has a few interesting features- its roof pops up, I have a stove, 2 water faucets, can carry 12 gallons and lots of built in cabinets. They costs about $33,000 and I get about 20 miles for the gallon. I try to be environmentally friendly since I used disposable diapers, and it might me worth considering especially if you have small dogs.  We have had a lot of fun cooking in it too.  I only wish it had a microwave which I am considering adding on. Good luck, Mona L. Gitter DVM

Canine Traveler Canine Traveler, P.O. Box 168, Nappanee, IN 46550. 219-773-4408. Built to order customizing.