Not sure if this is the right place for this. We're located in Seattle, WA and often have to cross the bridges in high winds. It can get a little hairy at times. We currently drive Express 2500 spartan box vans. Im looking into getting new vans and Im leaning towards the Transit 350 high roof. Anyone have any experience in high winds in one of these? I know they have a new stabilization system to help with it, but id rather ask people who actually own one.
Vans in high winds
- Thread starter marcerrin
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Bremerton, Washington
- Occupation
- Master Electrician
I can remember my 72 VW van getting pushed around on the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, so I am with you on high winds. Gone with the Wind was the Hood Canal Floating Bridge and the Mercer Island. But the newer vans are much higher and certainly good to get the right one.
ramsy
NoFixNoPay Electric
- Location
- LA basin, CA
- Occupation
- Service Electrician 2020 NEC
The Mercedes commercial mini van is similar in size to Ford Transit & Nissan NV200, but has an unusually high curb weight near double the others. That might be worth a test drive across the bridge. Let us know how it goes.
synchro
Senior Member
- Location
- Chicago, IL
- Occupation
- EE
The Mercedes Sprinter van has it's version of Crosswind Assist as well. I don't know how well it works compared to Ford's.
Fred B
Senior Member
- Location
- Upstate, NY
- Occupation
- Electrician
Have a promaster long wheel base, high top, love it for the space and low rear deck, sits a little lower than transit but more height inside. Up in the hills here get a lot of gusty winds especially in the winter. Sudden gusts that fluctuate directions (or tractor trailer turbulence) will push you around a bit but not outside of ability to maintain tracking (no more than my jeep) but if wind is more consistent the stabilizers works well. Rear wind will save a lot of gas, had it actually push me up hill, let off completely on the gas and still holding speed, we were getting 45-50 mph wind that day.
Isn’t that the only van that offers 4WD also?
I was thinking about a van for all my test equipment to stay in the dry rather than pull it out and on the back of a truck as needed, but need FWD also.
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