Moto Van -- Windows or no Windows?

nolookpass
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86
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3/29/2017
Location
San Diego, CA US
11/22/2017 12:22am Edited Date/Time 11/23/2017 3:56pm
Very seriously considering a Ford Transit (Medium base/roof) and was curious if I should get a model with rear windows or go without?

Looking to get a hitch / back up camera and then go from there. I'm not too picky. Anyone with a transit have any guidance/tips on packages or must-haves for moto?

I want to stay with the medium length due to living in a city (SD); it's hard to get around and parking is tight. I'd be hauling 1-3 bikes at most inside (mainly 2 at a time).

Love to throw bikes in, skis in, and mountain bikes in and hit up Mammoth late-season and ride Jawbone, Ski, then ride bike park or something like that, so the van would be perfect for that type of adventure. I don't think I'll be heavy camping in it or living out of it or anything like that, so I was thinking of getting a $20 Walmart cot and a sleeping bag/yoga mat for when I camp before a race or something.
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Whymee
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563
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12/17/2009
Location
WV US
11/22/2017 2:09am
No windows.

Why advertise what you have loaded up. Thieves love advertising.
11/22/2017 3:02am
Windows are definitely nice when you have to drive backwards if you don't have a camera on your van. But make sure you black them out so nobody can look in and put some steel bars or something behind them.
crt32
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Location
Oklahoma City, OK US
11/22/2017 3:36am
The Transit backup camera is nice; can easily judge distance and side objects. I drive mine daily (came from a diesel truck) and I absolutely love the van. So convenient...i even use the van when we go grocery shopping due to the ease of loading and unloading. Only thing that takes getting used to is driving with your mirrors since no windows on the sides; so changing lanes the first few times in city traffic is nerve racking. But no big deal now.

Tips: Buy the transit that already has the floor and paneling from the factory.
Research each delears pricing and be firm on your bottom dollar. If you finance it will be at a commercial rate.
Take your time on the wall and buildout. I recommend spreading over a few weeks so you do not rush or get burnt out.

Here are a few pics. I have since added cabinet doors in the back and will be painting the wall along with mounting a few other storage accessories.









Acidreamer
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Mansfield, OH US
11/22/2017 3:57am
You’d have less things to break with handlebars if you went with no windows. Really tho unless you live in a relatively big city I don’t think it matters. Get them tinted regardless tho.

The Shop

Whymee
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Location
WV US
11/22/2017 4:22am
The most important thing about learning to drive, is learning to drive forward. The second most important, is learning to drive backwards.

Learn to use your mirrors. Mirrors never lie...
Cygrace74
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Location
Westport, MA US
11/22/2017 4:58am
I thought no windows was great until I go to pull out somewhere and can't be a perfect 90 degrees to the road and can't see oncoming traffic. + all the people who say no windows don't advertise what you have you'll see a moto number plate on the back so yeah that works great
r.sal923
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Location
CA
11/22/2017 6:18am
Whymee wrote:
The most important thing about learning to drive, is learning to drive forward. The second most important, is learning to drive backwards. Learn to use your...
The most important thing about learning to drive, is learning to drive forward. The second most important, is learning to drive backwards.

Learn to use your mirrors. Mirrors never lie...
Exactly . I have been driving moto vans and service vans for 20 years. When I drive my car or truck I don't even look out my rear window. 100% mirrors all the time.
JM485
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10/1/2013
Location
Davis, CA US
11/22/2017 6:21am
Get the windows! I was dead set on not having any windows until I came across a deal I couldn't pass up on a van that had two windows in the back, and I'm so glad I have them now every time I drive it. For security, even though the windows are very darkly tinted, just hang a curtain or make a window cover you can hang in place when parked, then nobody can see inside anyways. After having windows in the back I wouldn't even consider not having them now.
pete24
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Location
Marlborough, MA US
11/22/2017 7:12am
no windows


Forty
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7/27/2009
Location
Saint Paul, MN US
11/22/2017 7:22am
My budget wouldn't allow a nice rig...I picked this up for $1400.00 and had to put another grand in it. It's moto and MTB only. I like the tinted windows vs no windows and it's a passenger van so it's heated and insulated throughout.



Anyway...it gets me there.

215
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119
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Location
The Woodlands, TX US
11/22/2017 7:35am
I went with windows because I haul kids in it and they like to see out the side window.




mx317
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4529
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4/1/2008
Location
TN US
11/22/2017 7:56am
I drove one without windows for years, but given the choice I would want windows in the passenger doors like the van I have now. You can see so much better when trying to back out of an angled parking space or a road that comes in at an angle. You can tint the windows so you can see out, but not see in.
bvm111
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9283
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Location
Las Vegas, NV US
11/22/2017 8:01am
Forty wrote:
My budget wouldn't allow a nice rig...I picked this up for $1400.00 and had to put another grand in it. It's moto and MTB only. I...
My budget wouldn't allow a nice rig...I picked this up for $1400.00 and had to put another grand in it. It's moto and MTB only. I like the tinted windows vs no windows and it's a passenger van so it's heated and insulated throughout.



Anyway...it gets me there.

Dig the license plate!
stillwelding
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3187
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Location
Santa Clarita, CA US
11/22/2017 8:02am
crt32 wrote:
The Transit backup camera is nice; can easily judge distance and side objects. I drive mine daily (came from a diesel truck) and I absolutely love...
The Transit backup camera is nice; can easily judge distance and side objects. I drive mine daily (came from a diesel truck) and I absolutely love the van. So convenient...i even use the van when we go grocery shopping due to the ease of loading and unloading. Only thing that takes getting used to is driving with your mirrors since no windows on the sides; so changing lanes the first few times in city traffic is nerve racking. But no big deal now.

Tips: Buy the transit that already has the floor and paneling from the factory.
Research each delears pricing and be firm on your bottom dollar. If you finance it will be at a commercial rate.
Take your time on the wall and buildout. I recommend spreading over a few weeks so you do not rush or get burnt out.

Here are a few pics. I have since added cabinet doors in the back and will be painting the wall along with mounting a few other storage accessories.









All good info. for a van build. Dave'O and our colleagues use a 1 inch steel tube frame, with a flanged plate bolted to the floor, per se. It takes up less room than the 2 x 4's (were always looking for a little more room). This is primarily for safety, in my book. I knew a family who died in a van accident, where the bikes and all the rest, pushed them out the front window when they rear ended someone. I was young, it was shocking and sad that this could happen. I never forgot it.
11/22/2017 8:08am
Whymee wrote:
The most important thing about learning to drive, is learning to drive forward. The second most important, is learning to drive backwards. Learn to use your...
The most important thing about learning to drive, is learning to drive forward. The second most important, is learning to drive backwards.

Learn to use your mirrors. Mirrors never lie...
r.sal923 wrote:
Exactly . I have been driving moto vans and service vans for 20 years. When I drive my car or truck I don't even look out...
Exactly . I have been driving moto vans and service vans for 20 years. When I drive my car or truck I don't even look out my rear window. 100% mirrors all the time.
You can be the best driver ever, as long as you can't see what you're doing you can't properly drive your vehicle. I'm talking about tight areas. Windows in the back are definitely a benefit. If you could see everything through your side mirrors why would all cars even come with a rear view mirror from the factory?
Barrett57
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8/31/2010
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GB
11/22/2017 10:06am Edited Date/Time 11/22/2017 10:06am
If you get a transit, put dead locks on it.

The standard locks are a joke, all you need is a screw driver and a pair of grips and you can break into it in 10 seconds. It's like Ford designed it so thieves would have an easy time breaking in, who ever designed the locks is a moran.

Apart from that they are good vans.
Forty
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Saint Paul, MN US
11/22/2017 10:12am
bvm111 wrote:
Dig the license plate!
Wink
nytsmaC
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8/10/2009
Location
Frig Off CA
11/22/2017 10:27am
Window on the side door is a must. I’ve had a few cargo vans, one with no windows. I didn’t miss the back ones, but occasionally the side door ones were greatly missed when you are at an angled intersection, you can’t square up with it and you can’t see what’s coming from your right side.
11/22/2017 10:31am
I dont have experience with a van particularly.
I've had enclosed trailers with and without....definitely prefer with.
Something about a little extra natural light that is just better.
wsc96
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8/26/2013
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AU
Fantasy
553rd
11/22/2017 10:58am
No side windows here. Agreeing with comments about intersections. To some extent you can avoid this by getting closer to 90 degrees and looking out the passenger window.
nolookpass
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86
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3/29/2017
Location
San Diego, CA US
11/22/2017 5:20pm
Awesome replies guys. I'll make sure I get rear windows and if I am ever over night, put up a curtain. I've heard guys using a really dark shower curtain and a few magnets. That would save me from having to build anything.

Or, I could put the bars on the rear windows + curtain if left over night. The truth is, if someone wants in bad enough, they'll get in, but having a bit of a deterrence would be enough to keep people honest.
Tim507
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3136
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6/8/2010
Location
Oregon City, OR US
11/22/2017 5:27pm
Windows for sure. My bike is chained and I also us steel braided tie downs with locks on the ends.
tempura
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5/18/2015
Location
JP
11/22/2017 9:12pm
Windows on my van, but crime is much Lower also.


EZZA 95B
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AU
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1062nd
11/22/2017 9:52pm
tempura wrote:
Windows on my van, but crime is much Lower also. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/11/22/227022/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
Windows on my van, but crime is much Lower also.


I had to look that Nissan up! Crazy they don't sell that here considering how popular the Hiace is.
tempura
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JP
11/22/2017 10:11pm
EZZA 95B wrote:
I had to look that Nissan up! Crazy they don't sell that here considering how popular the Hiace is.
The Hiace is more popular here also, but I have a friend at Nissan, so it was a no brainer.
I went with the turbo diesel.
boston_jorj
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Where The Blue Grass Grows, KY US
11/22/2017 10:36pm Edited Date/Time 11/22/2017 10:38pm
tempura wrote:
The Hiace is more popular here also, but I have a friend at Nissan, so it was a no brainer.
I went with the turbo diesel.
I wish that was an option/available model from Nissan in the United States. I haven't ever owned a new vehicle nor really wanted one. But if I could get an HiAce turbo diesel I would sign on the X today for one.
BobPA
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Location
PA US
11/22/2017 10:40pm
No windows, that way it performs double duty. Picking up chicks and hauling around your bike...
11/22/2017 10:49pm
BobPA wrote:
No windows, that way it performs double duty. Picking up chicks and hauling around your bike...
I like the way you think, Bob
Jrewing
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Location
AU
11/23/2017 1:43am
tempura wrote:
Windows on my van, but crime is much Lower also. [img]https://p.vitalmx.com/photos/forums/2017/11/22/227022/s1200_image.jpg[/img]
Windows on my van, but crime is much Lower also.


EZZA 95B wrote:
I had to look that Nissan up! Crazy they don't sell that here considering how popular the Hiace is.
Straight up hey. Iloads are the best though

No windows and some crap fake advertising so no one ever thinks a bike is in there.
Can't belove with all the theft that people run brands all over their vans

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