What do you use to haul to shows?

[JacksonC]

I'm just starting to get into showing my chickens and geese.. Just not sure how to haul them to shows. I currently have a Mazda Tribute, which is fine for taking some chickens but I know it won't be anywhere near big enough for 3-4 geese, a dozen chickens, and perhaps a handful of ducks to all ride comfortably for up to 4-6 hour rides. I'd just get a small trailer but the Tribute doesn't have a tow package so I will probably end up buying a vehicle of some sorts. I don't plan on ever showing more than 20 or so birds.. It'd be too much for me to get together as I live alone and don't have anyone helping me, lol.

All of that being said, what would y'all suggest? I've searched far and wide for opinions and have come up (more or less) empty handed. I have about 8 grand that I can spend. I don't want a Suburban or anything of the sort (for gas mileage reasons). Was thinking either a smaller pickup truck (4 cylinder as I'm never in a hurry, anyway) with a long box and cap or a van? Thoughts??

 

[JacksonC]

Well, I just bought a van this morning, lol.
It's an ugly looking thing, but it will do the job well. It's an ugly brown, boxy, did I mention ugly? Ford Aerostar. It's got the Ford 3.0 ohv engine which I'm very familiar with and it has AWD. I pulled the 2 rows of seats out and put them in the garage.. Then went to Lowes and bought a big rubber sheet that I cut and fit for the floor (with a tarp underneath that). I was able to fit 2 big crates in there for my 4 geese (2 in each), and 2 slightly smaller crates in for my bantams (8 in each).. Then one smaller crate for my 2 other bantams.. All with room to spare for luggage, my dolly for carting the crates around, and whatever else I might need or want to bring. Bought it for $800.. It needs a little work, but I shouldn't have to sink more than another $500-$700 or so into it to make it road worthy for lengthy trips. I took it today for a test run to pick up feed.. Loaded up 30 bags of feed (50 lb bags). Glad it's long enough to disperse the weight or the tires would have been spinning against the wheel wells, lol. It dogged the whole way home.. But I usually hit the feed store with my buddy when he goes for his feed.. He pulls a trailer with his f-250.

 

[3goodeggs]

I was thinking a small covered pull behind trailer, but a van works!

 

[JacksonC]

I was going to originally go that route, but my Tribute doesn't have a tow package.. And I've already learned my lesson about towing with something that doesn't have a tow package, lol. I got quite a bit accomplished today with the van though.. I did fluids change on everything, new oil, gas, and air filter, changed some rather scary looking brake lines bolted up a new muffler, replaced the front strut assembalies, and a few other odds and ends. Tomorrow it'll get a road trip up to New York to visit family. It might get a new paint job, as well.. My buddies son is working on starting up a auto painting business and needs vehicles to add to his portfolio. He said he'd paint it for the cost of the supplies.. So, about 350 dollars. A straight white would be nice rather than tri-color diarrhea stain brown.

 

[3goodeggs]

I suggest egg shell white.

 

[JacksonC]

So, the road trip went very well! I talked to by buddies son and he is going to paint it this weekend. I'm indeed going to get it painted white.. I'm also plastidipping the plastics to a dark gray color.. Along with any badging aside from the Ford emblems.. I plan on getting custom ones made with my "logo" on it. I did a thorough deep clean of the interior earlier today and it looks nearly brand new. Also worth noting, I pulled out the center console and replaced it with an aftermarket one that has a cooler built in, lol. I hard wired it to the battery and fused it in line.. There is an on/off switch right on the cooler.. But I wired in an on/off switch anyway just in case. I have a new head unit to put in tomorrow and a big screen GPS to permanently affix in somehow and I should be done pouring money into it.. My total cost so far, including purchase of the van (and also including the paint job [only paying for supplies] [I already owned the GPS and head unit]) is $1487.26.

 

[3goodeggs]

WOW! that sounds wonderful!
I hope it gives you years and years of good safe driving and chicken hauling.
I'd like to see a picture of it.
Maybe you can post it when it is all done.