Look what I got! :D

[Ilovebigcats]

Some of you know our struggles and what this means to us!



Now I can have 7 more babies.



JOKE! We really got the van but we can fit a friend for each kid... not a sibling for each kid.

[MacUser]

Just be careful..

The Ford Van was rated extremely dangerous vs the other vans on the market as quoted by our church's insurance provider. It's the weight over the rear tires that affects the steering and rollover possibility. So NEVER over pack the rear.

One insurer made us take out the rear seat before they would even insure it due to this apparent issue.

[DaJudge]

Congrats!

And don't mind MacUser, he's just mad that you didn't get the Volkswagen 18 passenger van.

[cndlou]

Did you have to get a different class of drivers license since you will use it as a family van???? For a previous job that I had...I had to get a class D (I think) to be able to drive a van like this.... Just curious???

[Dr. Ron]

I am very happy for you guys.....no one deserves it more than you....and your kids have always been respectful to me!!!!

Now that is more than I can say for some of your family....

[RamboPreacher]

kewl. probably gets like 9-10 MPG in the city and maybe in the teens on the flat highway?

[EagerBeaver]

Just be careful..

The Ford Van was rated extremely dangerous vs the other vans on the market as quoted by our church's insurance provider. It's the weight over the rear tires that affects the steering and rollover possibility. So NEVER over pack the rear.

One insurer made us take out the rear seat before they would even insure it due to this apparent issue.

Ah they should be fine as long as they don't play corners.

2-3 MPG FTW!!!

[Ilovebigcats]

LOL! We were actually considering taking a row out for grocery storage but then decided to leave an empty row of seats between us and the kids. LOL!! The groceries fit nicely there.

We were told that the Ford Econoline is the cheapest and best vehicle to insure. We had no problems getting insurance. The main problem we had was getting a loan as a family for what is considered a commercial vehicle. Crown Charlie himself spoke to Ford Motor Credit for us and got it done. We are thrilled for many many reasons!

They filled us up with gas before we left. It should get about the same as our other van, 12-15 mpg. Most of our miles are highway out to church so we are cool!

My regular old drivers license will do.

[MacUser]

I know, I know.. I just wanted her to be fully aware of the issues with these types of vehicles. The more knowledge she has the better decisions she can make. All vehicles have hang ups / issues. Nothing is perfect.. but knowledge of all the negatives helps the driver and occupants.

Quick Google.
http://www.vanangels.org/faq/

[Linda]

Congratulations! I'm so happy for you guys! Enjoy!

[EagerBeaver]

Only time I felt unsafe in a 15-pax van was not when we were driving on icy roads up to Washington COGOP Winter Retreat, it wasn't when we were rounding a corner at 50 MPH...

...instead it was when we were all singing "99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall." We got all the way down to 65 (and we were forced to substitute other drinks and I think 65 was sarsaparilla), then our youth pastor who was driving told us to stop. He looked back and no sooner did he do that, than a car shot through the intersection perpendicular to us while we had the right of way.

I conclude that 15-passenger vans are only dangerous when you sing 99 Bottles.

[DeWayneTN]

Congrats!!

[Brenda]

I am so thrilled for you guys.

Congrats!

[pastorables]

Only time I felt unsafe in a 15-pax van...

was with Rob Banks behind the wheel in Atlanta, GA. Sorry Rob.

pa

[MacUser]

Only time I felt unsafe in a 15-pax van...

was with Rob Banks behind the wheel in Atlanta, GA. Sorry Rob.

pa

Maybe in a 15 pax van.. but not the first time you felt unsafe with Rob Banks. Remember that okcfc trip while riding bumper to bumper traffic in the rain and he was driving with his knees while he played the air drums?

LOL..