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  Leif Erik Johansen January 15, 2013 at 3:48pm

  Thanks everyone, this is all very helpful information. I like some of the packing ideas as well.
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  Andrea Olson January 14, 2013 at 9:44pm

  I have a 2010 Dodge Grand Caravan Stow N Go, where the seats fold flat into the floor. My displays are 40" tall by 44" and fit in upright and tie down to the floor and seat belts.  I can pack so much into it but the gas mileage is only 20 MPG.  Take a look around at the shows and you will see how many drive these vehicles because of the available cargo space.  Much easier than hauling a trailer!
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  carrie jacobson January 14, 2013 at 5:03pm

  I am a painter, and occasionally do large pieces, too. I love my Toyota minivan. I've taken the first row of back seats out, and leave the second row of back seats folded down. I get about 26 mpg, and sometimes haul my camper along, too. (mileage goes way down, of course).

  There's a lot of room, but the max I've found it can hold is 36x72 or 48x48, and that is a tough fit. Sometimes I string straps from the roof handles and use that as a cradle for large paintings, especially if they are not quite dry. 

  I am thinking of a larger vehicle, though, and am looking at used Sprinters and also at the new big square Nissan van, the NV, which looks fantastic, though I haven't seen the inside yet. 
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  margaret luttrell January 14, 2013 at 12:58pm

  I too just bought a Chrysler Town and Country (used) and it's fantastic- it's fairly plush inside (heated seats,nice leather)and has rear cooling which is essential for what I do (encaustic). The seats go flat and I built a platform so my pro panels and tent go underneath and my work goes on top-just completed  a 44 x 6 foot painting and it fits- gas millage is not terrific- about 20 a gallon but I'm happy.
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  C.C. Barton January 14, 2013 at 11:58am

  Hi Erik,

  I drive a 1997 Toyota Previa and wouldn't have anything else.  I have the all wheel drive version because I live in Colorado and use this as my personal vehicle as well.  These are amazing 4 bangers with plenty of ooomph to pass anything you need to due to a very strong supercharger.  The handling is excellent because these were built on a truck chassis according to someone I met who used to work in the Toyota factory when they were building them.  The seats were some of the first designed with ergonomics in mind and I can attest to that, having driven cross country to many shows over the past decade plus.  With the rear seats out, you can fit in a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood - that will give you an idea of the dimensions.  97' was, unfortunately, the last year Toyota made these before switching to the Sienna, which doesn't have as much interior space to work with due to a different wheel well configuration.  I bought mine in 1999 with 46K.  I now have 246K and she's as strong as ever.  As you probably know, a well maintained Toyota will go for a long long time.  If you're interested, here's a great site to view and pick up a refurbished one  http://www.previasforsale.com/index.php  Good luck to you!
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  Jane Shaffer January 14, 2013 at 10:52am

  I just switched to a Chrysler Town & Country Minivan (I think the Dodge Caravan is the same dimensions) because it gives me so much more room than anything else I have used.  All of the seats fold completely flat and the shape of the car is very square which gives you the most square footage for packing.  Before I bought the T&C, I looked at the Honda Odessey and the Toyota Quest, both of which are a little more attractive, but have much less cargo space.  One of the reasons for that is that both cars are contoured on the sides which make them more attractive, but gives them less usable space inside.  Neither the Odessey or the Quest seats go completely flat and neither of them are as wide or as long on the inside as the Town & Country.  A fellow artist I know also just bought a Town & Country.  She used to have a Suburban and she says she has alot more cargo space with the Town & Country.
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  Suzanne Ens January 14, 2013 at 10:11am

  For years we used primarily an element which we bought used, with a small 4x6 trailer which the element can tow. When the odometer went over 100k I bought a Suzuki and a larger trailer as the Suzuki has more towing capacity. We do two setups in our vehicles and my husband is a painter with large paintings. With the element we have a cargo carrier and rack on top so often if he does shows alone close by he can fit everything in the element with the carrier and roof rack. I highly recommend the element and if you can handle it later on, a 4x6 trailer, which was about a thousand.
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  Richard L. Sherer January 14, 2013 at 9:48am

  I still use my 1988 Chevy Suburban with fold down rear bench seat. A bit of a qualifier is needed. I am a "packer" and know how to use every bit of available space. This comes from two field seasons of mapping with a pack string (mules and burros) in Baja California, Mexico in '64 and '65. Everything my guide and I needed was in four pack boxes about 12" x 12" x 24" - food, utensils, gear, water and then rock samples. Today it's uniform size tubs for art work and a map of how everything fits in so I don't forget in the off season.
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  Connie Mettler January 14, 2013 at 8:04am

  This has been a popular topic, Leif, since this site began. Most artists are extremely partial to how they travel and research all the options because it is probably the biggest initial expense. I just did a Search for "vehicles for art fairs" or something like that and came across this discussion: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/vehicle-survey?page=2&a...

  Even more ideas there.

  We drove a Ford Econoline E250. With careful packing lots of things could fit in there.
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  Leif Erik Johansen January 13, 2013 at 9:41pm

  Thanks Barbara, I appreciate the input.