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Traffic double cab / Kombi has a better rear seat / bulkhead arrangement than the equivalent Vivaro, thats why you get the price difference.
On the Vivaro, its all fixed, no cubby holes and not as confortable.
The Trafic has a hinged base that lifts up alowing long stuff to slide through and under seats, also has big side pockets for water bottles / general stuff.
Ive spent quite a bit of time in both variants, Id take the trafic every time.
The LWB is to fit the bikes in complete, they are all 29ers and I was planning on building my own custom rack to allow for the 5 bikes plus better luggage stowage around them. The shorter wheelbases just wouldn't allow for that and I don't want to compromise on primary useage....oh and my wife is fine with the longer length.
I'm going to try and get a peek at a Citroen Dispatch as well. The online PDF brochure seems to claim a load length of 2110mm behind the second set of seats. I'm not convinced based on the overall numbers unless they are quite limited in the seating space. Also this would be more space than all of the others I've looked at.
I can see me spending the weekend cycling round all the local dealerships asking if I can try my bike in the back of their vans.
Oh and the no bulkhead but curtain arrangement seems like a pretty good compromise to me as well.
LWB definetly better inside when full of bikes... I commented about wife calling the shots but for my house the LBW would have to be touching the garage to stop the arse nearly poking onto the pavement.
LWB not as easy to U-turn on a busy road or park at Tesco though 😐
Blingo is a great compromise for us.
oh and my wife is fine with the longer length
*raises eyebrow*
Macb - should have added that I have an LWB Vivaro d.cab 6 seats factory bulkhead etc.
I can easily fit 4 full on DH bikes with both wheels on in the back. That's with them stood up with their back wheels in a stand (just touching the bulkhead), length ways and their bars turned 45 degrees. That's large and long sized V10s, sessions etc.
Basically loads of room. If they weren't in a stand and just lent against each other 6 would be possible. XC bikes = lots very easily.
The double cab rear seat spacing is pretty generous with a massive amount of leg room.
I wouldn't get too hung up on having a bulkhead if I were you, I used to worry about leaving the bike inside but to be honest you can't see it...then again I have darkened windows on my Vito Dualiner and a solid rear tailgate. Better off getting the LWB it makes the vehicle more useable, my last van was a SWB Vito and as mentioned above "longer length" is better.
'cough' 2.5TDi T4 with 102k miles for sale here 'cough' 😉
Cheers folks, I think I've also managed to line up a test drive in a new style Transit Custom...going to be a busy weekend.
I priced up a new t5.1 via swiss vans yesterday.
3k deposit then 310 x 47 payment and a balloon at the end of 10k
that was for swb kombi highline fully loaded.
That would be a new van on a 13 plate
Used Transporters can be found for sensible money if you are patient.
Our T4 replacement T5 cost me £8500, 140 bhp long wheelbase, jan 10, 57,000m, dealer serviced, mint condition panel van.
Our t4 we'd had for 7 years and it cost me £5k. After an additional 90,000m I sold it at 130000m for £7000, with a few mods inc windows and a night heater etc, which cost maybe £1000 to do.I stand by what I said earlier about good nick VWs holding their money.
where did you find that t5 @ cakeface??
Bought it from a company local to us, who runs T5S. They had bought out another business and needed to sell two vans. My mate bought a 2009 and when they decided the 59 plate I bought, he gave me the nod and it went from there. They were just happy to sell it quickly, that included v-a-t too.
I was lucky, but have heard a few similar tales.
I've got a 2004 Transit SWB as my only vehicle. I will never go back to a car, vans are just better in every way.
It's half converted, lined and insulated, interior lighting sorted, night heater, hot running water, most of an internal bike rack installed. Bed, curtains and fridge to go.
Cheaper to run than my old MPV (40mpg on a run, cheaper tax and insurance) Can be a little tricky to park at times but I do very very little town driving so not really an issue.
Watch for rust on Trannys!
I LOVE MY HIACE!