What's the best SCUBA car?
- Thread starter wontbslow
- Start date
Please register or login
Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.
Benefits of registering include
- Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
- A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
- You can make this box go away
azathoth
Registered
I've thought about a late 80's MB 300TD. Reliable, good mileage, comfortable on longer drives, good storage space, not too expensive. My classic Chevy pickup beats the crap out of me to the sound and back.
Cougar281
Registered
Not always... My truck will run a 13.xx second quarter mile, puts down over 450HP/800Tq to the ground and will still get 21MPG on the highway. Not to shabby for a 7500# truck, but then it's a diesel
. But the newer GM full size gas trucks/SUV's with AFM will get mid 20's on the highway. I've gotten hand calc'd reports of 26MPG highway out of a Suburban.Reason I said truck beats all is if you have a crew cab, you can carry 5 people like any car out there, haul pretty much anything, tow pretty much anything. If you own a home, they're indespensible.
But yeah, a SUV or van would be great if you where looking for something "dedicated" to diving.
rk288
Contributor
GMC Sierra 4x4, extended cab, short box with Ranch custom cap and those foam tank separators on ropes for 20 bucks each (extra plus)...that's the ticket :cool2:
ohmdiver
Contributor
Of course what ever you use it will have to be suited to what you are doing...
I have bought over the years, 4 cars that were ment for my dive gear
The "Snot Rocket" was a 1994 Ford Escort, this worked for me becuase I was the only diver using it. The rear seats stayed folded and I could stand 4 tanks up behimd the front seats. It was very used when I had it and the I'm stupid finally went at about 183k. Never made a long trip with it but it was the right size...
Then came the "Blood Blister" a '96 Escort with a 5 speed manual, I easily trasfered my modifications from one to the other Including a platform I made so that there was no ridge from the hatch (both were wagons) I made several long trips wiuth this including dive gear, and a min. of two tanks. camping gear, tailgater grill, and two coolers and a tent. Pulled about 30mpg even loaded. It was great at the time. I had to scrap it when the uni-frame rotted out of it...
Next came the "Red Pearl", this was an 1988 Ford Bronco II, again I was the only diver so this worked for me, I made one "short" dive trip with it and decided it was not reliable enough. I did like the hieght at the rear end, but this was about the only positive about it...
Currently, just over a year ago, I got my hands on what I consder the best dive car I could want. The "Screamin' Mimi" is a 1997 Dodge Caravan. I get 25 mpg I can all my gear in it and then some when needed. I have slept in it when circumstances required me to, and with sliding doors on both sides 3 people can use it as a gear station.
Other than the Bronco, these have worked well as they needed too for me. The were also daily drivers. I got each one well used so I wasn't to concerned about wet gear staing the carpet in a $20k(or better) car.
I have been looking for a trailer though, but what I want is something like a small travel trailer to renovate so that I can have at least the fridge and a bed... but until then I have enjoyed the Caravan the most.
I have bought over the years, 4 cars that were ment for my dive gear
The "Snot Rocket" was a 1994 Ford Escort, this worked for me becuase I was the only diver using it. The rear seats stayed folded and I could stand 4 tanks up behimd the front seats. It was very used when I had it and the I'm stupid finally went at about 183k. Never made a long trip with it but it was the right size...
Then came the "Blood Blister" a '96 Escort with a 5 speed manual, I easily trasfered my modifications from one to the other Including a platform I made so that there was no ridge from the hatch (both were wagons) I made several long trips wiuth this including dive gear, and a min. of two tanks. camping gear, tailgater grill, and two coolers and a tent. Pulled about 30mpg even loaded. It was great at the time. I had to scrap it when the uni-frame rotted out of it...
Next came the "Red Pearl", this was an 1988 Ford Bronco II, again I was the only diver so this worked for me, I made one "short" dive trip with it and decided it was not reliable enough. I did like the hieght at the rear end, but this was about the only positive about it...
Currently, just over a year ago, I got my hands on what I consder the best dive car I could want. The "Screamin' Mimi" is a 1997 Dodge Caravan. I get 25 mpg I can all my gear in it and then some when needed. I have slept in it when circumstances required me to, and with sliding doors on both sides 3 people can use it as a gear station.
Other than the Bronco, these have worked well as they needed too for me. The were also daily drivers. I got each one well used so I wasn't to concerned about wet gear staing the carpet in a $20k(or better) car.
I have been looking for a trailer though, but what I want is something like a small travel trailer to renovate so that I can have at least the fridge and a bed... but until then I have enjoyed the Caravan the most.
Similar threads
