51 replies to this topic

[Chris_CommercialManager]

I am quite frankly surprised there is not more a "commercial" van owner participation rate.  These guys do tons of cool things for their trades to equip their vans and really come up with awesome stuff.

 

I mention the forum to almost every person that comes through my door.  Excluding fleet I'm putting on average, 2-4 passenger vans and 10-15 vans into non "fleet hands" every month.  I don't think a single person that I've told has become a member here.  

 

We are growing, just slowly........

Edited by Chris_CommercialManager, 27 May 2016 - 11:17 AM.

[andy_george]

Here in Michigan there still aren't many passenger NVs, and a small amount of cargo versions. But my wife just got back from charleston, SC, and said there were a ton of NVs down there. Especially cargo ones.

I still get tons of looks and compliments with ours. I like driving something a little unique in a world of look-alikes......

[radin2son]

These photos (Boulder UT) may generate some interest...

Transit low top vs NV low top. We were parked there first. Some kind of challenge?

Saw a silver NVP at Bryce Canyon NP on 6/6. Anyone we know?

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Edited by radin2son, 08 June 2016 - 07:38 PM.

[radin2son]

Black NVP on US 89 just west of Kanab, UT. Anyone we know, that is on the forum?

Had to slow down as there was a broken down tour bus partly in the east bound lane when we passed each other.

[seaweedsteve]

I've been lurking as I decide on getting my camper van going and have noticed how few people post here compared to Promaster forum which is a wealth of info.  STILL, there are a few key folks here that are so valuable for the info and pics you put up.  THANKS GUYS!  You really make the difference when there's such a shortage of good info.  Don't despair and I hope you realize that many people do see your info, just not much to add.....yet! 

[wollip]

Seaweedsteve -
Would you provide us with a link to the promaster forum you are citing.
I gather info from a variety of sources and would like to add them to my list.
When I first started researching van conversions, I spent hours reading thru the sprinter forums. Those guys really like to talk.

[Jeremie Conley]

Me also

[chphilo]

Perhaps this one? http://www.promasterforum.com

[wollip]

Thanks for the link!

[radin2son]

Promaster sales are slightly higher than NVs, yet they are as invisible as NVs if not more so in Az. If not on a flatbed (3 at a time), we have seen business cargo vans and full on class B conversions. SMB has converted a few, but we have never seen one.

I looked at the Promaster forum; the mobile version is very slow... Basically same crowd, different chassis. The van comparison might be interesting to read. Like this forum, too many topics.

SMB changed their forum, making it more cumbersome in the process, at least their mobile version. Good info there none the less, although I rarely look at it.

Edited by radin2son, 24 June 2016 - 11:21 AM.

[axulsuv]

I've just been real busy lately , spend all my free time sleeping !!!!

Glenn  

[David Vincent OfFrance]

Newbie here without even an NV yet but appreciate the forum and did read a lot of advice. Thanks for that.
One suggestion I took from other forums I go to:
Make stickers so when people ask abou5 or see your NV you can send them here.
Also I used to go on adv rider for motorcycle related discussion and it would be interesting to do some cross posts there as the NV is a perfect motorcycle gear head vehicle (I say that as I saw multiple pics while researching the NV with motorcycles inside the van).

[wollip]

It seems to me that we have a sudden rash of new posters (and a few old friends that have returned after too long a silence). Good to hear from each one of you. It is apparent that many of you have been reading thru past posts gathering information. Thanks for your participation!

[Glidedon]

I'm checking in regularly. https://instagram.com/p/BHJAdpwB_Vh/

[JCattSS]

Maybe people are afraid of bumping old threads, HA!

 

It may be slow moving but over time I expect the NV passenger popularity will grow. The people I know with Chevy/Ford passenger vans tend to keep them for a long time. Once they are to be replaced the NV is a very strong contender. Also some who have had large SUV's but outgrow their 7-8 person capacity will move to the Nissan. Add the availability of 4x4 from Quigley or Advanced its a very attractive option at far less money, even with the 4x4. Our last Suburban was a fairly well loaded LT. Leather, dvd, etc. sticker was 55k seven years ago. I'm sure a similar one would be 10 grand more by now. Our 2014 Express 3500 by the time we sent to Quigley and the to Explorer Van it was around 65k. The Nissan is by far better priced and more creature comforts than the other big vans out there even with the conversions on the others. 

Personally I wish we would have skipped the Express and gotten the NV back in 2014. Everyone that asks me will hear that too. 

 

 

[mk1_62]

The NV is hard to beat on price. They need a few more options to really compete with some of the other vehicles out there. A sliding door is a big one. I see more now than I did 6 months ago, I think the popularity will continue to grow, especially with the warranty.

[JCattSS]

I agree, the NV would need a few more options to be even with something like a loaded suburban. More positions on the power seat, power passenger seat, built in garage door opener, rear entertainment, better headlights to name a few. For sure factory 4X4 would be cheaper than Quigley but at this point I'll gladly pay. Overall it is very good though. I feel we lost some convenience moving from the suburban to the express and got some back switching to the NV. I do think what we got a 12 passenger vehicle with leather, nav, and 4X4 right at 50 can't be beat in today's market.

[Draleau]

One thing that would help is changing the forum master settings to send new topics/threads by email to all users by default. This might mean existing users would have to change this setting to be "on" but newly registered users would have this set automatically.

I don't mind receiving new threads by email, I just delete them if I'm not interested.

Also, like previously mentioned, commercial users not likely interested in a forum, and many people who buy NVPs who have large families are of the more busy / conservative type who are less likely to be following a forum.

My two cents...

[Nvdad81]

If I can add my Thoughts

1. Nv are new, this cuts down on people buying old versions of the van and need lots of help to do their own work.
2. Nv are reliable, no problems no complaints
3. People are afraid to comment. Most Internet forums are plagued with trolls. This makes a forum uninviting. It's like avoiding a playground cause all the bullies are hanging out there.
4. People with nv passengers have so many kids to look after, they simply don't have time to post.

I sure there are other reasons too but I'm guessing time will fix this problem.
Nvdad81

[SilverNV]

Im on here often , I just don't post much! Its a great site and I hope to add more to it to keep it going !