Cars for woodworkers
- Thread starter Packard
- Start date
2016 Dodge Caravan with Stow and Go. Last (or possibly next to last) year for the Caravan and mine is one without all the electronic dashboard stuff. Don't know what I'll do when it dies. And, no, the Pacifica is not the same. I don't need a light show on the dash board, nor surroundings quite as plush as the Pacifica.
I have a 2010 Ford Escape. With the slight flare out halfway up the hatch opening and a home made rack in the trailer hitch, I can carry 3 sheets of 3/4 inch 4x8 ft material. When not carrying sheet goods, I can haul 12 ft long lumber by having it stick out the sunroof. Sadly, time and 200,000 miles may have damaged the frame and suspension beyond economical repair. I can barely move 4x8 3/4 plywood any more by myself so maybe it is time to let the car go.
My 2020 Ford Escape is a joy to drive, but the rear hatch is so small that 4 ft wide material will not fit in even on the diagonal. I suppose cutting at the store is the only way to go for the future.
My 2020 Ford Escape is a joy to drive, but the rear hatch is so small that 4 ft wide material will not fit in even on the diagonal. I suppose cutting at the store is the only way to go for the future.
For those with cars a small 4x8' folding trailer can haul most everything you need. They store taking up a reasonable foot print. The good thing about a trailer is no weight, other than tongue weight is on the vehicle, and there is nothing getting the interior dirty. The small trailers weigh like 160#'s or something so very light. No problem towing with a Honda or Toyota for reasonable sized loads.
Suburban, like Tom's Excursion they have a 10ft bed with the ability to lay 4' wide material flat inside. A 3/4 ton allows one to rent trailers, like a concrete U-cart, wood chipper, rent an HD drop deck trailer for moving old iron, etc.
Suburban, like Tom's Excursion they have a 10ft bed with the ability to lay 4' wide material flat inside. A 3/4 ton allows one to rent trailers, like a concrete U-cart, wood chipper, rent an HD drop deck trailer for moving old iron, etc.
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2016
- Messages
- 3,014
A small utility trailer is a good idea if you have a place to stow it. And in my state the cost is minimal, only $25 a year for registration and plate, plus no inspection and no personal property tax here so it's a low cost to move big stuff.
I wish there was a place nearby that rented drop-deck trailers. I have a 20' tilt bed but if I could find a dual axle 16 foot drop deck for sale I would buy it and sell the tilt bed. They are so much easier loading and unloading.
I wish there was a place nearby that rented drop-deck trailers. I have a 20' tilt bed but if I could find a dual axle 16 foot drop deck for sale I would buy it and sell the tilt bed. They are so much easier loading and unloading.
R
Rob Z
Guest
2014 Suburban. I've removed the third row of seats, but I wish the second row folded down all the way flush with the level of the rear deck the way it does in my Dad's 2004 Suburban
I recently sold my last pickup, and after having a pickup for almost 35 years, I thought I would not be able to get by without a truck. I finally made a deal with myself that if I can't move whatever it is that I want in the Suburban, then I won't do the project. That put an end to things like concrete work, landscaping, and demo. [big grin]
I should have figured this out a long time ago [big grin].
Jeff mentioned the new vehicles and the 747 dashboards. That's my worry, as well. I looked at my friend's new Tahoe and like the truck but good grief, the electronics are waaay more than what I want in a vehicle.
I recently sold my last pickup, and after having a pickup for almost 35 years, I thought I would not be able to get by without a truck. I finally made a deal with myself that if I can't move whatever it is that I want in the Suburban, then I won't do the project. That put an end to things like concrete work, landscaping, and demo. [big grin]
I should have figured this out a long time ago [big grin].
Jeff mentioned the new vehicles and the 747 dashboards. That's my worry, as well. I looked at my friend's new Tahoe and like the truck but good grief, the electronics are waaay more than what I want in a vehicle.
Stan Tillinghast
Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2007
- Messages
- 309
So brought by circular saw, etc to the store and ripped down 4x8 sheets in the parking lot.
Aha!! An excuse to buy a cordless track saw!
And Pompeo—thanks for the info on the Palisade.
Aha!! An excuse to buy a cordless track saw!
And Pompeo—thanks for the info on the Palisade.
Route_24_Design
Member
- Joined
- Oct 29, 2021
- Messages
- 1
I have a Telluride. A sheet of plywood does not fit inside.
I get 12 foot trim inside the cabin in my 2019 Pacifica. I fold back the passenger seat and let the ends rest on the dash. You can also crank down the passenger window and have the ends poke out the window.
I don't know if I can drive with the tail gait open. I know I can with the side doors open. I know it won't let me go in reverse with the tail gait open.
I don't know if I can drive with the tail gait open. I know I can with the side doors open. I know it won't let me go in reverse with the tail gait open.
jeffinsgf said:
The Pacifica is quieter and has a far better ride than the earlier models. It handles better too. They are now making a "decontented" version for Dodge. I don't know if it has the stow and go feature though. And right now is a lousy time to buy a new (or used) car. No discounts and some models selling above suggested retail pricing.
It is blamed on the supply of components shutting down production lines.
Very often, people who drive big cars and trucks are seen incapable of maneuvering in crowded parking areas, and they simply leave their cars UNATTENDED in spots where parking is not allowed such as in front of the supermarket (on the curbside marked Fire Lane). The truck driver below helped turn a two-way traffic corner into a single lane as both she and another driver parked their trucks in the corner (marked no parking on the ground), and did their shopping.
(Yes, they were too lazy to park a little far away and walk...and it's not even winter.)
(Yes, they were too lazy to park a little far away and walk...and it's not even winter.)
Attachments
If you grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, when big cars reigned supreme, you would have learned some tricks about parking the big car.
The one lost technique (that really works well) helps in head-in parking.
Don't try to turn and head in directly into the space. Instead, overshoot your target space by 1½ spaces. Then cut your wheel hard and back up. It will align you with the space you want to pull into. So instead of pulling into the space at an angle, you can now pull in parallel to the lines on the ground.
This is much faster and easier than jockeying back and forth trying to straighten the car.
My pet beef is those people who park in the access aisle alongside the van accessible handicapped parking space. So the guy gets back with his wheelchair and cannot get back in his car.
The one lost technique (that really works well) helps in head-in parking.
Don't try to turn and head in directly into the space. Instead, overshoot your target space by 1½ spaces. Then cut your wheel hard and back up. It will align you with the space you want to pull into. So instead of pulling into the space at an angle, you can now pull in parallel to the lines on the ground.
This is much faster and easier than jockeying back and forth trying to straighten the car.
My pet beef is those people who park in the access aisle alongside the van accessible handicapped parking space. So the guy gets back with his wheelchair and cannot get back in his car.
Picktool
Member
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2014
- Messages
- 170
I didnt grow up then but back in the 90's I had 65 chrysler new yorker (Land Barge $600, couldn't pass on it)
I just found easier to park as far away as possible. Always found a spot.
The best is when you're parked all alone to come out and see a couple cars join you.
I just found easier to park as far away as possible. Always found a spot.
The best is when you're parked all alone to come out and see a couple cars join you.
Packard said:
My father had a 1960 Chrysler Imperial convertible. It weighed over 6,000 pounds. And the driver's seat would swivel out so that very fat guys and pregnant ladies had a easy time getting in and out of the car. It was the first convertible I had ever seen with air conditioning.
His was steel gray with white leather (or maybe beige--it was a long time ago).
His was steel gray with white leather (or maybe beige--it was a long time ago).
Packard said:
Not to sideline the thread, but thanks for the reminder about getting into a parking spot with a large vehicle. I read something similar to this about backing into a parking spot, but can't remember it. Perhaps it is basically the same thing. Do you recall that one too.
TIA.