Trackday van setup...

[ajsilver]

I often get asked about my van/setup for trackdays so I thought I post a few details and pics...

It's a 1993 VW Eurovan Weekender. I got it 2 years ago with 156k miles on it and it cost me $8,500 (you can get them for ~$5k now). I found mine on an obscure website - www.thesamba.com (search for 'weekender').

The Weekender is great for transporting a track bike. The bench seat unbolts with 4 bolts. I replaced the bolts with eyebolts which I use for tie-downs. The back is really low so it is easy to load a bike. I just roll it into a baxley sport-chock and secure with 2 ratcheting tie-downs.

I camp in my van at the track. The roof pops up and it's possible to sleep 'upstairs'.

It has a secondary battery that powers the interior lights and any other 12v stuff. I recently got a 'Fuel-It' from Facet-Purolator - it is an electric gas pump. I fill up the van right before I get to the track and I have as much gas as I need for a weekend!

This past weekend I transported 2 bikes in the van for the first time. It was cramped but everything fitted in ok.

Pics below. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer - email me at ajs @ silverfamily.com

 

[SVeta650S]

I am still giggling picturing both of your bikes in that van. I was going to call you last night to see if you got home OK 'cause you definitely didn't leave any room for air in that wonder-stretch-van.

Ladies and gents, this fella has some mad magic powers stretching objects and warping space and time continuum to defy laws of physics and common logic.

 

[R6Elmo]

that's sweet. my favorite track day van I've seen is the old school toyota van. I call it the hong kong gangsta van because of all those movies i've seen.

 

[stan23]

that's sweet. my favorite track day van I've seen is the old school toyota van. I call it the hong kong gangsta van because of all those movies i've seen.

haha, i love those vans. Straight old school. Where you sit in front of the front wheels.

 

[SVeta650S]

That's it.
BRAGGING TIME!!!!!!!!

 

[faster7575]

Sweet set up! and here I was going to buy a 50' toy haller!

 

[tran_man]

I am interested in purchasing a van for my trackbike. What are some other models that are popular for this purpose?

 

[Zerox]

I often get asked about my van/setup for trackdays so I thought I post a few details and pics...

It's a 1993 VW Eurovan Weekender.

That's a sweet setup, the popup camper looks like it adds quite a bit of room.

 

[slydrite]

That's it.
BRAGGING TIME!!!!!!!!

that's what I want...do you have the 1500 or 2500?

I am interested in purchasing a van for my trackbike. What are some other models that are popular for this purpose?

here's my 05 Chevy Express 1500..gets 15mpg loaded, but they're a lot cheaper to buy than a Sprinter van, plus diseal is more expensive than premium, so you really have to drive a lot of miles to make it pay off..

 

[Hwy1&17]

here's my 05 Chevy Express 1500..gets 15mpg loaded, but they're a lot cheaper to buy than a Sprinter van, plus diseal is more expensive than premium, so you really have to drive a lot of miles to make it pay off..

Diesel is cheaper then unleaded in the summer months which is when you'll be doing most of your traveling to various tracks so it's kind of a wash.

adam, where you gonna stuff your generator...

 

[Tharkûn]

thats a nice setup!

 

[slydrite]

Diesel is cheaper then unleaded in the summer months which is when you'll be doing most of your traveling to various tracks so it's kind of a wash.

dunno bout you, but I definitely ride year round and use my van for other uses, like towing my race car trailer and hauling racing karts and moving big shit and I do that stuff year round too, so it still doesn't make that much financial sense for someone like me..

besides, like I said, those vans cost between $15-25K more than a domestic full size and they have lower tow capacities than the domestics...trust me, I ran the numbers before I bought my van and I really, really wanted a Sprinter van

 

[SVeta650S]

that's what I want...do you have the 1500 or 2500?

2500
You know, money can't buy you happiness. Just kiddin'.
I myself was looking for a 150 or 250 van and even rented and drove those a few times. They are nice. Really bad on fuel but you can stuff them up to the rim. I had two bikes AND a scooter and loads of gear packed into them...which means it takes 1 hrs to load, and 3.5 hours to unload.

Three things happened which made me buy a Sprinter:
1- My friend knocked himself out cold after banging his head on its roof wile loading it up. Those van are a bitch to load because there is no clearance. My own experience wasn't as dramatic, but i did sport a few bumps on my head too. And if you go to the track every other week whole year round, that makes a big difference. I only have one head (which is already not working too good)
2 - I am lazy. The Spriners are so damn big you can use them as a garage-on-wheels, and leave most of your stuff in them til your next track day without emptying it all up to load/unload the bikes.
3 - a smoking Sprinter deal just fell into my lap after I already put a $100 deposit on a Ford-150 van.

I LUV my Sprinter. I camped in it too, so the queen size matress fits there easily, and you can stand up tall inside and move around freely while putting your PJ's on. Who needs a hotel when you get one of those. I am thinking about difiding it up into two bedrooms.

 

[afmotorsports]

Be careful about overloading those little VW vans. Here's a linky to the specs of a '99 and it looks like the total payload is less than 1,500lbs:

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/1999/volkswagen/eurovan/specifications/

Cool van, but I would be careful about sticking in more than one bike even if you can somehow shoehorn it in...

btw, if anybody is looking for a "budget van", my buddy Mikey might be selling his 87 Ford and it's all set up for bikes and camping at the track. They get lousy mileage, but it's not like you're going to commute in it daily and you can buy a lot of fuel for the difference between that one and a new fancy box on wheels like $veta's... PM me for his contact info.

 

[SVeta650S]

I just like all things German.

 

[afmotorsports]

I just like all things German.

Did I mention I was born in a city formerly called Kronstadt and lived in Munchen for a while?? XO $veta, you're the bestest...

 

[SVeta650S]

Flattery will get you everything.
Next time I see you at the track, you are most welcome to come and inspect my German bedroom/garage on wheels and give it your seal of approval.

P.S. You will still pay dearly for that "fancy box on wheels" comment, bruthuh. I have not (yet) put up any paintings or curtains inside of it. Only after I sport the latest Monet on its walls will you have the right to call it "fancy".

 

[SVeta650S]

Isn't Kronstandt a former Polak's territory?
I always thought Martin kinda looks like your brother from another mother.

 

[afmotorsports]

No, the city of Brasov in Romania used to be called Kronstadt during the occupation by the Austro-Hungarian empire and it was also called the city of Stalin during the short Russian occupation and "communist revolution", mid-20th century. I'm a wealth of useless information if you're ever so completely bored...

Funny you should mention Jurgen von Strangle (aka Maah'ten), I just spoke to him tonight, but he's from a different eastern block country.

 

[ajsilver]

adam, where you gonna stuff your generator...

the generator fits in too - I just decided not to take it for last weekend coz I knew I'd be parked at a hookup!

Regarding the payload... I did a quick calculation along the lines of... The Eurovan is designed to transport 7 people (when all the seats are installed). So, I figure 7 x ~180lbs = 1260lbs which is pretty much the same as me plus 2 bikes and gear.