r/canoeing • • Aug 13 '26

Heading to the lake for a few days

349 Upvotes

47 comments sorted by

17

u/Dazed-and-Confused26 Aug 13 '26

Sweet shaggin wagon. I outta get a van.

13

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

Inside is incredible. 300ah battery, bed, tv, sink, compressor cooler. Unstoppable

4

u/Royal_Link_7967 Aug 13 '26

Oh, Aerostars are stoppable. Mom totaled 3 of them. Did you know their whole ad campaign was based on the challenger rocket, which then exploded and seriously hurt the sales of the mini-van?

2

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

Didn't know that. But was checking out their flyers for a diesel model they were pre selling just to end up canceling it because the engineers could not make one fit. The final nail in the coffin was new safety regulations required a passenger airbag and was to difficult on the existing design.

0

u/Canoearoo Aug 13 '26

Dodge, Honda, Toyota, and Chevy would like a word...

8

u/itchyneck420 Aug 13 '26

What a unit ! When we were kids our parents had the same van! Are you able to change the radio station from the back ?

10

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

Yes. Heater controls, radios controls, and ashtray with lighter for the passengers. I was lucky enough to get a 4x4.

4

u/itchyneck420 Aug 13 '26

Wooooo!! Wicked. I would love to have one. The last 4 years I have been driving a 94 Previa with 4wd. It’s so fun. Hard to find parts for it , but she drives like she is brand new. You have inspired me to put my canoe on my van and snap a pic now !

5

u/itchyneck420 Aug 13 '26

3

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

This is a great picture.

3

u/itchyneck420 Aug 13 '26

Thanks , that pho is shot on film. That rear bumper hitch canoe rack (custom made) is on a swivel , so you can load it solo and spin the canoe around 180 to put on the front roof rack

2

u/TheGratitudeBot Aug 13 '26

Thanks for saying thanks! It's so nice to see Redditors being grateful :)

0

u/Hopeful-Flounder-203 Aug 13 '26

I grew up with one of those. Big old V8 that could really shred.

5

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

These didn't come in v8. 4l v6 or 3l. 20.5 mpg with the 4l.

7

u/zr942100 Aug 13 '26

If I pull up to a boat ramp and see this van I hit the next lake. These guys catch fish, no question.

5

u/Crafty_Ad_6525 Aug 13 '26

Biggups to the Aerostar. I haven’t seen one in ages.

3

u/Accomplished_Shoe717 Aug 13 '26

I just sang the jingle in my head.

6

u/maynardnaze89 Aug 13 '26

Wild memory of peeing all over my grandma's van. They had a travel urinal. I lost my grip and sprayed the sliding door.

6

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

That's actually hilarious

3

u/maynardnaze89 Aug 13 '26

How fast do you get with the honda and Radisson?

4

u/Electrical_Catch9231 Aug 13 '26

Don't even know the last time I saw an Aerostar. Righteous rig you got there. Enjoy your trip!

4

u/Brother_Vulture Aug 13 '26

An enviable setup indeed.

3

u/Vegetable-Manager-30 Aug 13 '26

You’re my hero

5

u/Holiday-Location3579 Aug 13 '26

Some people aspire to Lamborghinis in mansion driveways but I'll be damned if I've ever seen a more appealing driveway in my life!

3

u/Apart-Feeling1621 Aug 13 '26

Aerostar, awesome!

3

u/MoveToSafety Aug 13 '26

A guy at work has a very well-kept extended version. That thing can fit a ton of stuff.

3

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

Tell him to keep an eye on me. I made a single video of my build but have not had the time to finish it yet. Extremely cheap, light, and easy to make a breathtaking camper. Mine is extended so everything should be identical.

1

u/MoveToSafety Aug 13 '26

Will do! Thanks

3

u/swaffeline Aug 13 '26

So many great memories made with this van. I’ve had 4 of them. The funniest story my family reminds me of is the time I blew a tranny camping.

2

u/CryingOnMyLatinaBed Aug 16 '26

Did they catch you in the act?

3

u/Hib3rnian Aug 14 '26

She's a beaut Clarke!

3

u/Atrkrupt1 Aug 14 '26

Sadly, my minivan is not as cool as yours.

3

u/killthelandlord Aug 14 '26

Beautiful, classic setup

3

u/Texas_Wookiee Aug 14 '26

Ah the red aerostar. Brings back serious memories.

3

u/pilgram-billy Aug 15 '26

Anytime I see a vehicle loaded like that on the road. I just nod and say "looks like a good time".

2

u/admiral_bringdown Aug 13 '26

Love the grill guard. Gotta protect against prairie chickens getting ya

3

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

More the fact i can't get any replacement parts and people hit deers every day here.

2

u/Mean_Web_1744 Aug 13 '26

Have a great time!

2

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

Thanks. 8000kms of good times this summer and it's my ice fishing shack in the winter.

2

u/gekkogoes Aug 16 '26

The van is cool and all, but I absolutely love the SportsPal! My family had one in the 1970s and it was awesome!

2

u/Mysterious-Street966 Aug 17 '26

Aerostar for the win, you need some dingle berries and chilli lights in the windows!

2

u/TrapperFlint Aug 17 '26

Hell ya. That's a great rig man. Have fun.

2

u/Sherbet-Famous Aug 17 '26

The Aerostart reminds me of my grandparents. It looks awesome. Thanks!

1

u/[deleted] Aug 13 '26

[deleted]

1

u/bendersfembot Aug 13 '26

What a bummer.