Best ride for the working photographer

[mattograph]

Looks like my hobby is finally turning the corner into generating a little income.

It just so happens that this turn of events dovetails with my need for a new vehicle.

So, I was curious to see what people thought made the "handiest" ride was when it comes to moving your gear and such around.

Thanks!

[stathunter]

Depends on where you live and what type of work you do. Anything that will allow you to conceal your gear and keep it out of the eyes of those that could look in. Maybe something with a trunk---
If you are looking for one vehicle......maybe a armoured truck.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I know I will probably be getting a mid sized SUV within a couple years, or a year... We'll see how things go once I graduate college in June and move back to my hometown to do photography :) I definitely need something bigger than my Saturn Ion.

[Moppie]

Ariel Atom :D

[gary88]

Get a slightly older Cadillac. More trunk space than you know what to do with.

[mattograph]

A caddie......LOL!!! My kids would have a ball with that. For some reason, I can't think caddie without thinking 8 track....

I was looking at the Honda Ridgeline. Anyone have a thought on that?

[FuryMe]

How about a Renualt Dauphine. Great floor space, trunk in the front for your junk, 45mpg, and it would stick out like a sore thumb.

[::John::]

There are a few to choose from in here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=404853). ;)

[cowpix]

I love my Ford F-150 supercrew. Plenty of room to carry gear and people.

[Bootsie]

A caddie......LOL!!! My kids would have a ball with that. For some reason, I can't think caddie without thinking 8 track....

I was looking at the Honda Ridgeline. Anyone have a thought on that?

I love Ridgelines, they are great! If you haven;t driven one you need to, the ride great and i actully really like the looks of them, though some people don't. I wouldn't try to get a vehicle to fit your photo gear though, you can fit that in just about anything. Figure out what you need for your family and lifestyle.

My vote is definitely for a Honda though (I work at a Honda dealership :)) I have an 07 Civic and I LOVE it. :D

[Tandem]

An AWD minivan gets better mileage than an SUV. Plenty of room for both models and gear. Toyota makes the best one. If you get dark tinted rear windows people will have a tough time seeing your gear.

I have a Chrysler Town & Country LXi AWD that is a little bigger than the Toyota. The extra room makes it a great tandem bike carrier.

[mattograph]

I love Ridgelines, they are great! If you haven;t driven one you need to, the ride great and i actully really like the looks of them, though some people don't. I wouldn't try to get a vehicle to fit your photo gear though, you can fit that in just about anything. Figure out what you need for your family and lifestyle.

My vote is definitely for a Honda though (I work at a Honda dealership :)) I have an 07 Civic and I LOVE it. :D

I took an overnight test drive, and put about 100 miles on it. Was quite impressed. I am coming out of a 2004 Acura MDX (aka 4WD minivan) and the ridgeline actually drove much better. And I loved all the nooks and crannies to hide stuff. All my gear will fit under the back seats, except for props, which is what I liked about the bed. Glad to hear that an "insider" is impressed with the vehicle.

[RTMiller]

I love Ridgelines, they are great! If you haven;t driven one you need to, the ride great and i actully really like the looks of them, though some people don't. I wouldn't try to get a vehicle to fit your photo gear though, you can fit that in just about anything. Figure out what you need for your family and lifestyle.

My vote is definitely for a Honda though (I work at a Honda dealership :)) I have an 07 Civic and I LOVE it. :D

I agree. I have a Ridgeline and I love it. Love the 'trunk' under the bed. Love the room in the back seat when the seats are folded up. Love the 4WD. Love the Nav system. Chicks dig the Ridgeline!

[FuryMe]

It's even a Canon.

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/254162464_xxw9b-M.jpg

[Just Be]

Subaru Outback. Plenty of room to haul longer gear. Seats fold down. And the best feature is AWD.

[Sabarika]

My hearse. Will fit any setup, lighting gear, stands, tripods, the works and have room to spare.
Of course, if I had any of that stuff, it would be great.. but I spent all my money on gas!

I'm buying a Mazda Protege5 hatchback, which I'm hoping will accommodate for some larger gear in the future, since I hate small cars.

[slappy sam]

Honda element. The thing is pretty sweet, I dunno why people dislike it so much.

Once I get enough money (I'm in college) I'll hopefully be getting either one of those - for the beach/carrying all my windsurfing and sailing gear, or a small car like a Honda Fit, or a hybrid.

[Cybnew]

Ariel Atom :D

Those are sweet little things. Not much storage room thought :)

[gary88]

How about a Volkswagen Jetta GLi?

[Tandem]

How about a Volkswagen Jetta GLi?
...or a Camry LXE. :lol:

[Moppie]

Those are sweet little things. Not much storage room thought :)

Put your camera and lenses on the passangers seat, then strap your tripod, lighting stands etc, to the open frame :cool::cool:


How about a Volkswagen Jetta GLi?

Shudder

...or a Camry LXE. :lol:

Double shudder....

:lol::lol:

[mattograph]

Well the results are in. Kudos to tandem about the post on the "people hawler" aspect of a minivan. Fortunately, I have that covered with my wifes Odyssey (but she better not find out that I was driving models around!!!!)

In the end, I went with the Ridgeline. Added some stuff to it to make it more servicable. Its a great vehicle, and the ability to hide my gear (my standard kit fits under the seat in the back, and EVERYTHING I own fits in the hidden trunk in the bed) will make it the perfect ride.

[Bootsie]

Well the results are in. Kudos to tandem about the post on the "people hawler" aspect of a minivan. Fortunately, I have that covered with my wifes Odyssey (but she better not find out that I was driving models around!!!!)

In the end, I went with the Ridgeline. Added some stuff to it to make it more servicable. Its a great vehicle, and the ability to hide my gear (my standard kit fits under the seat in the back, and EVERYTHING I own fits in the hidden trunk in the bed) will make it the perfect ride.

Good job, you will enjoy it! What color did you get?

[mattograph]

Good job, you will enjoy it! What color did you get?

Dark Cherry Pearl. I was limited to it and white, since they are the only two that come with the tan interior (not a fan of gray.) I like red, so that all worked out. Added some tricks (fogs, chrome steps, roof rack, hitch, mud flaps, and the underseat storagae thingy.) I drove it about 400 miles for work yesterday, and it was great!

[squashed]

Subaru Outback. Plenty of room to haul longer gear. Seats fold down. And the best feature is AWD.


The preffered vehicle for lesbians age 23-48... I swear....I read it in the LA Times.:D

[stathunter]

What about a Lexus
or maybe a Lincoln

[Bootsie]

Dark Cherry Pearl. I was limited to it and white, since they are the only two that come with the tan interior (not a fan of gray.) I like red, so that all worked out. Added some tricks (fogs, chrome steps, roof rack, hitch, mud flaps, and the underseat storagae thingy.) I drove it about 400 miles for work yesterday, and it was great!

I really like that color, I am not usually a fan of red cars, but that one is so dark that I really like it. When I bought my Civic I really wanted white, but it only has the tan interior, and I don't like the tan. :rolleyes: :) The additional stuff will make it look really good, I like the look of the roof rack on those. I added stuff to mine as well, 18" wheels, clear bra, sound system, window tint (highly recommended BTW), and a couple of other little things, it is fun to make it unique

[mattograph]

The preffered vehicle for lesbians age 23-48... I swear....I read it in the LA Times.:D

I always thought that was a myth, created when Martina Navartalova became their spokesperson............

[duckblind]

just bought my wife a pathfinder its nice.

[matthew h]

Atom for me - gets you between shoots quicker!

[ssim]

This works great for me. I have built some drawer units that I can slide in the back for road trips that keeps things out of sight. The back windows are tinted so that you have to work real hard to see what is in there.

http://www.pbase.com/ssim/image/57930238/medium.jpg

I was amazed at how good this thing is on gas too.

[kanji1a]

I love Ridgelines, they are great! If you haven;t driven one you need to, the ride great and i actully really like the looks of them, though some people don't. I wouldn't try to get a vehicle to fit your photo gear though, you can fit that in just about anything. Figure out what you need for your family and lifestyle.

My vote is definitely for a Honda though (I work at a Honda dealership :)) I have an 07 Civic and I LOVE it. :D

I do have a Ridgeline RTL, luv it and it drives like my previous car MB E320. I've driven my Ridgeline out to Death Valley with no problem and taken off roading to Titus Canyon, but didn't get a chance to go down to the Race track due to my OE tires (didn't want to chance it) I put all my gear inside the truck under the back seat storage. I do sometime put my gear in the trunk if i'm not hauling anything so i can get easy access. Great truck to have for good utility when you decide to go off roading to hunt or photoshoot. :D

[bryank930]

I'll go off the honda and toyota wall and mention the Saturn Outlook. 8-passenger seating, and its built like a tank!

Check it out --> http://www.saturn.com/saturn/vehicles/outlook/overview.jsp

[jmcder53]

just found this topic, cuz i was about to start one.
i have an extended cab f150 with a camper top, but my issue is going to be figuring out how to carry gear in a vw bug(the rear engine one)they make roof racks, and then if i get another motorcycle how to carry some gear on it.