I’m not going to let the idea of a BangShift Mobile Command Unit go. The idea of packing up our gear into something big enough for us to sleep in and mobile enough to travel in just makes sense given our normal season of race coverage. Hell, it makes more sense in these times! Camera platform, bed and transportation, all in one, with minimal interaction with anyone else. I know it’s a good idea. I’ve offered up many vehicles as suggestions, from minivans to a freaking Prevost coach that cost nearly twice what my house did, but this Ford Transit van actually makes a great argument for itself. So dive in with me for a moment…
In these pandemic times, limo companies are…well, suffering. And that leaves an opportunity to be explored and exploited. In this case, having a limo on hand isn’t a good idea, because it’s sitting, doing nothing. Deals can be had. In this case, we have a 2019 Transit T-350 high-top long-wheelbase van that’s been tricked out by LA West Transit as a limo bus. All-black outside with chrome wheels, done. Dark tinted windows, perfect. The back section of the van is partitioned off for presumably jackets, supplies and cargo, which is a great place to stuff suitcases, gear packs and cases of bottled water. Inside the main compartment is a wrap-around couch where two of us could crash out just fine. The cab is all-business like any Transit that you’ll find, which is all it needs to be. With low mileage, and less than a year’s potential grime anywhere, this limo bus would work out well, and the V6 shouldn’t ding us horribly on fuel either.
I’m telling you…make a mount adapter for the camera and a ladder up to the platform and this would be the jam!
I’d buy that in a New York Minute! I’ve been looking at Sprinter’s from Ryder, who sells 1-2 year old Sprinter’s for about $20K, in very nice shape, and then outfitting it myself. But this takes a lot of that work away.
These are really underpowered when loaded. The diesel is comfortable at 65 but feels uneasy at 75