Dustin Anderson

I have 7100 kms on my high roof...mostly highway in the mountains. I came from a TDI wagon which was relaxing to drive....unless loaded. Driving this beast is work. I am figuring out positions that I can relax a little in but I have to change hand positions constantly to rest. Get behind a semi at 100 kph and the top will shutter in the wake. I test drove Mercedes and Dodge before this one and I was impressed with the NV. The others didn't stand out for me. It is a great vehicle but not a relaxing drive at highway speeds..so far.

I am interested in aftermarket seat warmers as well. Northern and Eastern Canada can be chilly.

Just finished a 3000 km trip through the rockies and back. I loaded it onto Fuelly. My user name is dustinwarrenanderson. 16.5 l/100 kms I am pleased with this result.

Great Website...I signed up for an account as well.

My first run in Northern Canada in winter with the NV and snow tires was great. Mountain passes, ice, slush, driving snow....It was really stable and we felt secure.

Thanks Chris. Do you know people who run these?

Just completed my first trip up north from Vancouver to Prince George last week. 2195 kms through driving snow, ice, slush...the van worked really well. Massive frost heaves and pot holes...no worries. I estimate my fuel costs were just over double what my TDI Golf wagon would have been so I am very pleased with the results. Pulling up to shows with it, setting up the ramp and rolling in was everything I wanted it to be. First rock chip in the windshield and about a dozen chips in the paint. there are about 6 dents in the very top of the front of van as well. When rocks hit up there you really hear it? I am going to have a custom bull bar made next and install high output driving lights. We saw a moose at 5 am in the dark. A little disconcerting. Gotta install a back up alarm as well.

Beautiful job.

I have a Iphone so I had to order a different one....Looking forward to using it.

Will do..

What OBD bluetooth device do you have? BTW - Where is the OBD outlet on the van?

I think I smell exhaust. Has anyone done an air quality check in their van? I wonder what the government limits for engine exhaust in the cabin are as well.

A buddy of mine and I are commuter cyclists and efficiency geeks. He was surprised when I purchased a V8 monster box. 3500 HD SV Highroof I just finished a 780 km day through the mountains and burned about 135 litres for about a 17km/100 km average (americans are on your own for conversion... :0) ). Not bad for my first time on the road. I use cruise control all the time, look way ahead, coast when coming up to a stop (Canadian highways have stop lights in small towns :0( ) and travel at or below the speed limit (avg 90 kph). There was some suggestion of the optimum rev range for fuel economy was 2200-2500 rpm. I used both 4th gear and 5th gear at different stages of this mountainous terrain and I think 5 gear is better with the low revs...although this is completely anecdotal....for now Does anyone have one of these? http://www.scangauge.com/products/scangaugee/ This next part is really nerdy...you have been warned. :0) Also...I am thinking that fuel economy could be improved again by folding in the mirrors (yes.. dangerous in urban areas but if I am in the right lane on the highway as everyone passes it could be safe...those barn doors cause alot of drag!) and/or putting a rear tailbox or aero mod on the back to reduce the rear vortices, which is huge drag. I am going to consult with the hyper milers and aero modders. My dream is 12 l/100kms....Only time will tell. Does anyone have any ideas?

I don't trust Ford... service availability in rural communities for Mercedes doesn't exist....I don't trust dodge....My friends, family and myself have had great experience with Nissan passenger vehicles. NV had the best seats....better financing....I really like the organisation features....Nissan made some choices like integrated nuts in the walls that I really like. I think it will travel better that the other options in Winter up north. 110 volt outlets are a great feature as well.

I have just broken the 800 km mark on my HighTop SV 3500 HD....boy has it been a thirsty break in period. 1.75 tanks of fuel so about 180 litres in 800 km. Wow! I am a conservative driver as well. I feel no need for speed or blowing people off the line. I am happy the break in period is over as I will now be able to use cruise control. Time to put up my rates to make up for the massive increase in fuel consumption. :0)

I am a young and family audience theatre artist...www.purplepirate.com I just bought a 3500 SV HD High roof for keeping my gear on carts as well. I am really looking forward to rolling in...and rolling out. Shlepping and puzzling my gear into a station wagon is no longer. Super excited to be more efficient.

I will. It will be an interesting and geeky process. I have started a list of the gear that I will need to make shelves for. I am already thinking about making a shelf about the driver compartment. My lighting and sound system will need to be strapped down well. As I said I am a big proponent of cruise control....we'll see how it works out with a monster van.

I think lower RPMs is best..... 2200 to 2500 is pretty low for a gas engine so I will give that a go....I think there will be an audible grown if the machine is working too hard at low rpms. It will be a process for sure. I put the deposit down and will pick up the van on the 29th. Really looking forward to customising it for my needs.

Interesting...Sounds like it is overgeared. I have yet to complete the process. I am waiting for divine inspiration. THe payments are higher than we had budgeted for and the dealer says he has done everything he can do. Thanks alot for the info. I am going to decide by Monday.

Cool... What made you choose a Nissan over others? Have you owned other Cargo Vans?

Thanks. My question wasn't clear as I am aware of how to shift with the button. In what situations would you not want the machine to be in the biggest possible gear for low rpm and (hopefully) low fuel consumption? OR As I reread your post....Is 5th a big jump from 4th and the transmission will have a hard time staying in that gear?

Thanks radin2son. I have no problem travelling at less than the speed limit. I will feel even more comfortable in a big van when people are less likely to try to intimidate...and I won't be able to see their headlights in my back window..no windows. What do you mean don't need 5th? Do you mean keep the RPMs up? That seems strange. Please explain. I use cruise control all the time...even in the city...I find it really useful in school zones when the speed limit is 30 kph. I find my foot is heavier and I will speed otherwise. I find that most people don't use cruise control and their speed is all over the place. Big heavy machines frequently changing velocity and wasting fuel is fine but I would rather not do that myself. I haven't signed any papers yet....we'll see how it all works out.

I like your style Chris! Your response....in particular the finish.. brought a smile to my face. Thanks. My family has had great experiences with Nissan products and all of the people I have talked to...which is a lot because this purchase is a big one for me...agree that the Nissan would best suit my needs and be the most reliable. I don't think the man I am dealing with in Chilliwack is a typical car salesman(I think he is the fleet manager dude) in many ways...But as I mentioned...I am very aware of my programmed fear of car dealerships and the process. radin2son...You are correct...I haven't read all the posts. I have searched a little for specific info. I appreciate your stepping up to qualify his integrity. BTW.... IT's "D"ustin :0)

That is funny...and true... I do have an issue with an employee of Nissan engaging in this way because it is implied that you have a vested interest in the brand. The whole process of buying a vehicle is one of my least favourite things to do. The anticipation of a new possession combined with the societal programming to distrust car dealerships is unsettling. I think the van is going to be a very useful machine though. :0)

Thanks for the info radin2son. The van does drive well. I wouldn't go as far as you and say it is as stable as my TDI Golf Wagon but it is a good ride. :0) The fuel consumption is what it is. The wagon wasn't designed for what I need now so it has to go. I really like the car but I need to be efficient with my load in for shows. There are many things I like about it and some things that I think are really smart about the van. Many more positives than negatives. We'll see how this all goes and I appreciate everyone's input.