Hi all,
I'm looking for something that's big enough to shove 2 (very long) bikes with wheels on and some gear in but don't really want to spend Caddy Maxi money. Has anyone any experience of the Tourneo Connect or the Grand version? I had a look at the weekend at both and it's a bit annoying that on the Grand version that the second row of seats is not removable which limits how far the driver and front passenger seat can go back when they're rolled forward.
I've got a Grand Tourneo Connect. First thing I did was remove the third row of seats and stick them in the shed. The second row (and third if you have them) 'fold flat' to give a flat load bay, but this does mean you lose some height, which is why I took the third row out altogether.
As it is, I can get our tandem in the back with saddles, wheels and handlebars in place - it's at a bit of an angle, but the single second row seat is still available (possibly we could get the 2/3 seat up instead, but there were three of us, the tandem and a bike, so the 1/3 was sufficient).
Not carrying the tandem, I can easily get multiple bikes - normally 2x Genesis Caribou, or 1x Caribou and 1x son's hardtail, plus dogs.
The downsides to removing the 3rd row are storage and it limits the use as a camper (I can comfortably lie in the length of the load bay, but the step at 2nd row might need some thinking about.
I test drove a couple - a manual and a powershift auto - I preferred driving the powershift, although there is occasionally more lag than I would like on accelerating, but I'm no Graham Hill, so it's really not a big deal for me.
I find it perfectly comfortable on long drives (last week we did Perthshire to Bognor and back) - and not fatiguing (like my old Disco was). I'm told the 2nd row seats are comfortable, and had no complaints on that score from my 18yr old son last week. Note I'm only 5'7" so moving the front seats back is not an issue.
We have the Grand version. Never had a problem getting the front seats far enough back, I'm 6ft with long legs, so think that I would have noticed! I unbolted and removed the 3rd row of seats from ours, the extra headroom makes it much easier to get bikes in. Have had no problem fitting 2 ful suss 29ers, 2 road bikes, and a weeks luggage in. Drives nicely, and reasonably light on fuel.
Thanks guys. I can't think of anything else that fits the bill as well. Doblo reliability scares me and VW prices are mad. It's a shame about the second row of seats but I think I will have to take the plunge on one.
I'm hoping that massive tailgate is as good for hiding from the rain as it looks. I'd like to see if I could get a little roof bar awning for it too.
I've been starting to look at what we might replace our Caddy Maxi with in the next few years.
Grand Torneo Connect is definitely on the list.
I've been wondering about the Nissan NV200 combi
https://www.nissan.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/nv200-combi.html?
New Berlingo XL looks promising as well.
Not sure if you are looking new, but the new Peugeot Rifter looks quite well thought out and comes in two lengths:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/peugeot/rifter/103760/new-peugeot-rifter-2018-review
Some of the new things coming to market look great but sadly my budget tops out at about 14k.
One of the good things about the truly van based things is a real flat floor that you can put a fitted r rubber mat into. That catches water mud and dust and you can sweep it out. From the look of the new Berlingos while the seats fold flat all the crap off your bike will fall between them.