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UTC quote
Ronin wrote:
Thanks for the reminder ... The only time I had a scooter in there (the Bajaj), I forgot to take a pic. Perhaps tomorrow if I can avoid a trip to the county fair... I would much rather mess about with scooters, to be honest. 8)
We'd appreciate it. It would show us how much room/room to spare there is with a scoot in there.
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Here we go. I didn't have time to "do the job right", but I think that with a little work on the larger seat (removing it), this would be easier and would leave some extra room. Even as it was, I loaded it myself, didn't strap it in, and needed a spotter to roll it back out. I have just about six feet diagonally across the back with the single back seat left unfolded. Remember that the Bajaj is about 110% of a Vespa P series. I do not think that the Blur will fit without removing the left rear seat, but it's probably only five inches longer than the Bajaj, so it will fit with a little work.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
Oh, what's this funny little piece of composite?

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
It's the little assistant that I created for use with the Condor chock for use with a 10" wheeled scoot. It IS REQUIRED.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
Roll, 'em up the ramp and let's go!

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
Condor chock makes things a bit easier, but you have to support a skinny, 10" tired scoot on the engine side or else it will fall right over! After you put the straps on it, I'd remove the stand, as it's under the easily bent floorboard.

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
No need to remove the mirrors

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Room for one back there with the scoot, the reason that we got the "wagon" spec, not the cargo van version (no rear seats)

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Cozy in there, but plenty of room for soft bags and tents and coolers and such

External inline image provided by member with no explanatory text
All buttoned up and ready to go... once I strap it in...
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fantastic! Thank you very much. It looks like I'd have to remove the mirrors on my PX as they look like they are taller than on your Bajaj.
Last question.. are the rear seats easily removable? I like the idea of the parcel van version but I know in reality I will not be using it that often with the scoot and so the extra seats will be handy.
OP
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Yes, the seats are removable with tools. I spent an hour looking at one again today. I will order it next week.

I am hoping to get a non us spec color, as I will be ordering one to my own specs and it will come from the factory.

The dealership will let me know next week.
FTC in "Vision Blue"
FTC in "Vision Blue"
⚠️ Last edited by Ifixjets on UTC; edited 3 times
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Yes, the seats come out with six or eight hex or allen headed screws. They actually all come from Turkey with seats (even the cargo versions) and the transformation is done at the port, so they made them easy to take out.

And good luck Ifixjets, I doubt that a non-U.S. spec color will be imported for you, but it can't hurt asking Nice choice, BTW. I love mine for sure.

The rear sensing system and the amazing wide-opening rear doors are highly recommended as well.
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If I can't get the "Vision Blue" I will opt for the "Frozen White".
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Molto Verboso
'66 Sears Allstate 788.94370 '65 Vespa V9A1T
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UTC quote
ron, i did not know that was your van. colleen and i pass it sometimes while walking elvis and priscilla.
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You betcha. The % of Rovers in the neighborhood is growing exponentially. Or at least by a few! Stop in anytime
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UTC quote
Ron, would you be able to take two scoots side-by-each?

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool
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Molto Verboso
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UTC quote
orino wrote:
Ron, would you be able to take two scoots side-by-each?

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool
i bet my scooters would fit side by side in his truck. but, mine are smallframes and are narrower.
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Two might be able to fit, as long as they are no longer than a P-series, you can remove both seats in the TC (or get the cargo version) and you can put one in nose first and one in tail first. Or two smallies, no problem Clown emoticon

One of these days (not soon) I'll still the P in there and measure the remaining space. I think that with the rear seats our, it would be doable.
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UTC quote
Re: [SSR] Buying a new Ford...
Ifixjets wrote:
I sold my Toyota Tacoma last October and have been
looking at vehicles lately to find a suitable replacement for it. I test drove
the Ford "Transit Connect" today and I was very impressed. It was quiet,
smooth and had a great ride. Very comfortable seats and plenty of room
to haul my GT and/or my PX. I can also use it for camping and it will be
nice for longer road trips too.
A month or so I saw one at a light, I knocked on there side window and
asked them what it was, it's the Transit, hey you think this scooter would
fit, and they both said yes. I have been thinking about one too.
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TC in the news update: Suggests that Focus and Transit Connect have a lower total energy cost than Prius.

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2010/08/new-study-finds-diesel-gas-still-have-leg-up-on-hybrids/

Interesting stuff, but not the only reason why I bought it. A woman almost hit the curb the other day gawking at my TC
⬆️    About 3 months elapsed    ⬇️
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Bringing this thread up again. I just had to go see the Transit in person. Got the salesman to open her up all around, for peties sake the front hood has a key lock on it too, that's different! I saw a white one priced at $23,000, no passenger seats just pair of fronts. Heavy mat covers floor in cargo area. Gosh, you can mix'n'match add-ons to this vehicle to suit your every need (and pocket $$). To do so the salesman will show you his mighty book of possiblities. I was very impressed with what I saw. Had no time for test drive, will call and arrange to do so after holidays. Not sure, but it may be time to sell the Ridgeline and I believe my scoot will fit just fine. No need to haul a trailer. Ford Transit Connect..a dream come true for scooters.
(no connection with Ford, I like their vehicles)
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Ronin wrote:
TC in the news update: Suggests that Focus and Transit Connect have a lower total energy cost than Prius.

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2010/08/new-study-finds-diesel-gas-still-have-leg-up-on-hybrids/

Interesting stuff, but not the only reason why I bought it. A woman almost hit the curb the other day gawking at my TC
I would be skeptical of this report. It's from the same marketing research company that a few years back argued that - "dust-to-dust" - Hummers were more energy cost-efficient than Priuses, which was widely panned as utter nonsense by actual experts.
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The Transit will most likely be my next car/truck (first in 6 years).

I have two scooters that are too long for it but think that removing the front passenger seat would make room for even the Maicoletta. The rest of the bikes would fit easily.
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For those wanting to fit two scooters, if you have one facing forward and one back then there's no problem with the handlebars clashing, and some foam between them will protect the paint.
⬆️    About 3 years elapsed    ⬇️
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A new Transit Connect will arrive early in 2014:

http://www.ford.com/commercial-trucks/transitconnect-commercial/2014/

It will be available in short- and long-wheelbase versions, and with a choice of sliders on both sides or just the curb side. And it will be rated for towing a trailer up to 2000 lbs. (the current one isn't rated at all, tho it should do fine with a small utility trailer).
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UTC quote
Desmolicious wrote:
Hmm, interior dimensions show that it is 48 inches wide. A vespa is about 30 inches wide. So 1 scoot would fit, not sure about 2...
My LX is 30" wide at the grips/brake levers. It is 20" wide across the body/engine.
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UTC quote
I used to work in a Ford dealership when released in the U.S. I think you will find that they are going to be too short.

I considered one to convert for camping. If my memory serves me correctly there is barely 72"+/- of floor; not enough length to comfortably sleep in. Can not remember if that was with the rear seat removed or folded out of the way.

Only one large frame will fit on a diagonal. Sorry

Some other thoughts. Noise, the vehicle is built for utility and it is a shell which I would insulate and sound deaden. The target market is for urban use which generally operate at lower speeds and produce noise levels that are acceptable. There was some talk of up grading the interior, don't know what ever became of that plan for the U.S. market.

Tires, as many tires wear they get noisy and especially cheaper ones and I can envision that shell to drum on the highway.

Something that is a concern for me was that Ford never spec'd it to tow.
Yet there are a few Transit vans out there with hitches on them


Now if they made/imported one which is a little longer.....
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UTC quote
^^I don't care. The bachelor side of me still wants one.
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UTC quote
I love the transit connect! And while my ford may not be one it still is my scooter hauler

I actually just picked this 4x7 trailer up last weekend, its gonna need a little tweaking here a d there, I've put softer 500lb leaf springs so far, will be adding a wood floor, tie down hooks, and a frontal stone guard. Just was test fitting and checking balance in this picture but it should work nicely

Vehicle is a 2012 Ford Fieata manual with 203a package
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UTC quote
camper, I've seen identical-to-U.S.-spec TCs in Europe pulling trailers; a small utility trailer with 2-3 scooters shouldn't be a problem, though you could void your warranty if it's still in effect. (Nervous lawyers) Likewise, lots of Fiestas and other B-segment cars have hitches (not the receiver type, but a hook with a ball on the end, which appears to be the standard setup).

As for the noise level, I drove a 2012 XLT wagon on the worn-out pavement of I-5 at well above the speed limit and was quite surprised at how quiet it was. Keep in mind, the current XLT wagon's interior is finished about like an old VW Microbus' with gray plastic and exposed sheetmetal.

The 2014 cargo model will come in two lengths, one similar to the current model, the other about a foot and a half longer in length and wheelbase. It can be spec'ed for towing a trailer up to 2,000 lbs. The wagon will be offered in LWB, with a fully-finished interior, for the minivan market. I think it will only have 1,600 lbs towing capacity, but that's still plenty for trailering scooters...
⬆️    About 1 month elapsed    ⬇️
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UTC quote
RevToTheRedline wrote:
checking balance in this picture...
Hey Rev, I have the same trailer. How does the weight distribution feel with the scoot's engine behind the axle? Is the tongue too light that way?
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