Scuba-friendly automobile suggestions?

[OE2X]

The trunk is as big my F350's box and you can't beat it for style!!!

Actually the F350 Powerstroke with a crew cab is sweet. We put 6 130's in back seat floorwell and two big boxes for gear if it's just two of us. If there is more divers, then everything goes in the bed. It also hauls the 24' Zodiac with impunity.

The only thing that I would like better, would be an F350 powerstroke 4x4 cargo van. That would be styling.

 

[Former FLL Now MSP Diver]

So we switched. Yes I am the cool guy that drives a minivan that all of you want to be like.

It may not be the epitome of coolness, but it is the best dive vehicle ever! The back hatch raises up rather than swings out. That gives me protection from the sun (and rain on crappy days). The back seat folds down so I can haul 8 tanks, 2 sets of dive gear (in dive boxes), a cooler, a couple suitcases, a crapload of extra save-a-dive type gear, a couple folding chairs, and other senseless essentials. And I still have room for four people. If I pop the middle seats out (takes about 1 minute), I can fit even more gear in. With sliding doors on both sides, it is a breeze to use the van as a "staging" area to get dresses, set up, etc.

It is low enough to the ground that I can sit on the back or sides when the doors are open. Very comfortable. I also have slept many a night in the van at dive sites. I have a rubber mat I put down and it makes it easy to clean.

I have to agree with you about a minivan. Despite what other may think about you when driving it, it does make the best vehicle to stage out of. I never thought the SUV was as accommodating, and I hate using my car.

Marc

 

[flw]

I use Toyota Hilux 4x4 with a cover on the back - when I crashed it complete with my kit in the back it crumpled back to the chassis and held completely solid, both the kids and myself walked away, which is more than could be said for the other car involved - so I don't really care its expensive on fuel anymore, even though I live in the most expensive area in the UK for fuel.
There's plenty of space in back for kit, and if it ever gets comletely emptied of kit, which is rare, just park it facing up a hill and hose the back down

 

[PurduEE]

I use Toyota Hilux 4x4 with a cover on the back - when I crashed it complete with my kit in the back it crumpled back to the chassis and held completely solid, both the kids and myself walked away, which is more than could be said for the other car involved - so I don't really care its expensive on fuel anymore, even though I live in the most expensive area in the UK for fuel.
There's plenty of space in back for kit, and if it ever gets comletely emptied of kit, which is rare, just park it facing up a hill and hose the back down

Off topic - This is the same reason I got my wife a big, heavy, fuel-inefficient ES-300. Everytime I see one of those little hybrid cars here in TX around all the trucks and SUVs I wonder how well they would survive a wreck with a car at least 2x as big and heavy. I'm all for the environment, but not at my family's expense.

on topic - the ES-300 is not a good dive mobile...

 

[Allen42]

I'm in the market looking for a scuba vehicle and truck all in one. I now have a 98 Volvo S70 w/150K miles. Let me tell you, 2 divers, scuba gear and camping gear on a trip to Ginnie Springs is a Mack truck load. I'm thinking about a Toyota PreRunner 4 door. It's a fine looking truck and with a matching locking shell on back, I think it would serve well. I have to go small, as I travel about 110 miles daily to/from work, so milage DOES factor in. Anyone have any comments on this being a cool scuba scooter?

Get a Z66 or Z71 Chevy Avalanche. Nice smooth ride. Holds (and locks up!) enough gear for you and all your buds. Biggest backseat legroom I've seen in a 1/2 ton truck. Couldn't be happier with mine. Bed has water drainage system, so cleanup is a snap.

 

[tinman694]

These days there are so many imports that this old argument hasn't come up among my friends in years.


Have a look at what I'm driving. And I can fit two divers, two SP72s and two gear bags. Gotta SCUBA rack and know how to pack.

Did the same thing with my Fiat Spider years ago--Went on a weekend trip with the two of us with full gear and tanks and the dog---(took out the spare tire and tied the tanks on the luggage rack)

Guess the only good part is the weather was good and we kept the top down the whole time!

Just remember that if you drive an italian car any distance, remove the tools or it will sense this and break down!

 

[undersea Kat]

try lookind at the Jeep liberty with the 3/4 split rear seat we fit 4 tanks(al 80) & 2-3 full sets of cold water gear quite nicely in mine with 3 people. I've had mine for over a year and still love it. Good luck on the search.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I saw a pretty interesting dive vehicle recently ... an old panel truck that came with it's own wet locker, changing room, and hot tub.

Me? I like this one ... gives a whole new meaning to the term "gas mileage" ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Tamas]

I have a 2 door Chevy Blazer and it is just perfect for me. I have had 4 people with 8 tanks and cold water gear, camping gear and a cooler in it! No problem. It is strong and large enough for all, and I even sleep in it when too lazy to pitch a tent. It is even more comfortable for 2 divers with all the dressing, gear preparation and what not. Not to mention that go-anywhere aspect of the 4x4 truck.

My dive buddy drives a Subaru Legacy Wagon, which is also a very reasonable vehicle when it comes to diving, more designed for the 2 diver limit (given it's size, carrying capacity and lack of power) it does very well. We even took it on a trip from Toronto to the Keys with room to spare and in comfort.

BUT in all fairness, you can listen here to people's opinions all day/night long and try to decide what you want or what you should get. Most of the opinions and comments you will get are based on their needs, requirements and preference in vehicles. You have first decide the type of diving you do and how often you do it. Face it, most of us have jobs other than diving and we will be using the vehicles 90% of the time for other purposes, so to get a car/truck/van solely based on the scuba needs is not a good point. Get one that will meet the requirements of the daily commute as well as the diving needs. Get one that will be good in the city but will still have the ruggedness and strength to haul the heavy gear around. Get one that will be good on gas yet still allow you to pack in the tanks and the wet gear that you need.

As already mentioned, go look around and take the gear with you to do a dry fit before purchasing. Make sure you look at all the different offerings from your standard car, wagons, to mini-SUVs, to proper size SUVs, to vans and trucks (yes trucks can be outfitted with lockable storage bins/devices that will give you the piece of mind) or even going as far fetched as getting a closed trailer to tow behind you current vehicle for the dive trips - heck I got one and it works great!

 

[starfish365]

JPBECK - I'd love a JEEP cher....my altime fav vehicle but heard they are pigs on gas...any comments?

I'm currently driving a 92 escort LX....gotta love the hatchback...comes in real handy when making trips to the hardware store but my back screams when I pull my tank out. it can handle all my equip but the depth of the trunk is an issue. So I'm looking for something else with a little more height. Toying with the idea of JEEP or a van....brother has a Safari but nothing but problems with front end so that's put me off. I'm on a budget people, cant afford a Yukon, still working on my first million $...tee hee...