Ford Tourneo/transit custom owners - SWB or LWB?

We can get bikes (large short travel FS or gravel bikes) in the back of our SWB (2015 so now the old shape) with only front wheels off with the back row of seats out. That's lining in neatly for max space, if just 1 or 2 without other stuff they'll go in diagonally.

I imagine with the LWB you'll be able to roll one in full. 

As a daily driver, depends on your usage. We have a decent size EV as our main family/commuter/runabout. So the van is saved for long trips, towing the caravan, bike trips or when we need to carry more than five. It's not the most sophisticated vehicle but not much bigger in footprint than a big estate/SUV, so I have no real problem driving it around in all circumstances. Though it's mostly just used at weekends now.

Lwb transporter... (,campervan conversion)

Can get two lwb enduro bikes in the back with wheels on. Or 4 with front wheels off

( And still seat 4)

As for carparks  don't regret getting the lwb, but deffo choose my carparks carefully.

We have had a LWB Tourneo Custom since 2018. We can get 4 29er E bikes in with all wheels on and 4 adults with room to spare.

Glad we went for the LWB and no problems parking.

From recent browsing… the cargo area behind the second row is around 1.6m in the SWB and 2m in the LWB

The multi-storey issue might be the height that’s the limiting factor. I may have handed back a T5 with scratches on the roof once… (despite making it under the entry barrier with no problem)

LWB medium roof Mk7 Transit here, it's my only vehicle.

Wouldn't really recommend a Transit as it keeps breaking down, and they do rust really badly 

Anyway, to answer the question, I had a SWB low roof Mk6 before (which was much more reliable) Current one is three feet longer and ten inches higher. Because of the space taken up by the engine and front seats the rear is pretty much twice the size for not much bigger externally. It's absolutely fine as a daily, very occasionally a pain to park but that's about it for size related problems (and TBF anywhere with a height restriction you'd probably struggle with the smaller van anyway) 

My LWB does about 35-36mpg, my SWB did 39-40, although I've an extra 200cc and 40hp in the LWB so maybe not a fair comparison (overtakes loads better) 

This is the first vehicle I've had where the space has been just right, everything previous I've always found myself wanting more (medium hatch, medium hatch, big hatch, MPV, SWB van and now LWB van) Get the big one

L2/LWB Transit Custom DCIV (5 seater with factory bulkhead). My 1350mm WB 29er only just fits in lengthways with front wheel off and fork in axle mount on a shelf at bulkhead end. Around 5cm to spare. 

I'd not get a L1/SWB if you're getting a factory DCIV. But if you're still having two rows of seats inc the driver's row, and don't have a bulkhead, then you might manage with a L1/SWB.

I don't normally turn the bars - I was trying different ideas to maximise cargo space for camping stuff. 

MWB Vivaro Life. Parking two cars at home would have been an issue with LWB. At 5m just fits in standard car spaces although overhangs a bit in work's multi storey.  

I have a swb tourneo custom, third row seats removed.  With the second row seats folded up I can fit a two bike bikestow carrier with two medium sized mullet ebikes with plenty of room for my kit and spares etc.  And as it's a tourneo it's car speed limits.  Make sure you get the wet belt changed as per schedule.  

Thanks everyone, great info

@tracey - you have the van i want and the dog i want!!

I have to keep the second row of seats for the kids.

so just to confirm LWB (L2) is the only way to get this layout..... (thanks AI) - I assume that people in SWB with the bikes like this are folding down some of the second row of seats?

I think for long journeys i'd want the kids on each side of the back row (they tend to squabble when bored)

Only resevation about LWB is my daughter is a keen swimmer so most weekends are spent in leisure centre carparks. I'm not concerned about the actual parking but rather if it will fit in the spaces. - Swimming galas are fraught enough without having to drive round the neighbourhood looking for a suitable space.

thanks again.

My transporter is LWB - it's actually shorter than my Ford Ranger pick-up.

Yeah, they both stick out in car park spaces, but I've never had any issues.

We removed the third double seat straight away and put it in the garage loft. The 2nd double row are folded forward, when not needed, which allows 4 bikes with wheels on down the drivers side and four seats  the two in the front and the two singles in the second and third rows.

Bikes have bike shrouds so no damage and are lashed in with one ratchet strap round the seat base and the rear anchor points

We visit the local gym and pool on a regular basis, which is part of a school, and have no problems parking

Unfortunately Fin died 😪 

I have a 2021 SWB tourneo. I love it - very nice place to be. With seats out you might get one wheel off and the bikes in. I can go and measure if you want?

In terms of carparks - i avoid multistories as i'm paranoid. Haven't actually ever had a problem anywhere. It's actually not to bad in carparks as the sliding doors mean it's easier than a normal car to get kids in and out of.

If you get one, hunt down a titainum X - it's significantly nicer than the normal titanium and has adaptive cruise control which is amazing.

I do have an EV as a run around which probably tells you something....

LWB Tourneo Custom. You can fit the bikes in with the back seats folded rather than removed.

Don't underestimate how much those seats weigh and how much space they take to store when removed.

Multi story car parks aren't any different between the LWB and SWB as the height of both is the same.

Hi @Ewan

A measurement from the back of the second row of seats to the back door would be fantastic.

I think as mashr said earlier its about 1.6 but its really hard to tell from the specs online

thanks.

I recently got a 2021 SWB Tourneo and it spends most of its time with the back row of seats out. I can slide my bike in at an angle, semi wedged between the outside of the middle seats and the side door. If I need to take another bike, I just fold one of the outer seats up.

A measurement from the back of the second row of seats to the back door would be fantastic.

I think as mashr said earlier its about 1.6 but its really hard to tell from the specs online

thanks.

Any and all measurements would be greatly appreciated. I'm certainly questioning the info I found when I look at some of the photos in this thread

Long Wheelbase Mercedes here. Would absolutely not consider a compact (Merc speak for short). 

Be careful mixing up your terms and brands - a 'Long' Mercedes sits in between VW's regular and LWB lengths (Mercedes do Compact, Long, Extra Long) Ford do it differently again, L1, L2 etc. 

The Stellantis vehicles in 'Medium' are the equivalent of my 'Long'. 

As for parking - other than parallel parking, length doesnt make much difference. The height barriers are the same regardless of length, and between 4.5 and 5.5 metres (most of the vans we are talking about) only changes how much is poking out the front. Remember with a van its very easy to park very close to a wall with the flat back end too. 

Anything up to 5 metres is only as big as a big car these days anyway. 

I'll try get a measurement for mine, as thats basically how it gets used most of the time - just like a giant 4 seat estate car.  

SWB Tourneo Custom here. It's a great bit of kit and very versatile. My usual configuration is 6 seats with the rear three removed as I regularly ferry about the kids and their mates. It can easily carry a couple of XL 29ers like this, I tend to wedge the rear wheel between the seat and door (with a cover) and turn the front wheel. You'd fit a smaller bike up the middle too but to carry three (or four) big bikes comfortably you'd want to at least fold up some of the middle row. With the middle row taken out you can easily fit a single mattress and a couple of bikes in when camping. My kids demanded I got three seats in the front as they love riding shotgun so it's worth considering that.

We have a LWB Transit at work and it feels pretty much the same to drive day to day although they do stick out a fair bit in car park spaces. It's not something I'd worry about particularly if the extra space would come in handy?

The only note of caution is that they do need looking after properly which means oil change every 5 to 7k and regular services. Wet belt shouldn't be a problem as long as it's changed every 60k or so. They do love chucking up annoying little faults too with mine currently showing a DPF fault that we haven't managed to diagnose yet. Could be a £100 sensor, could be a £1500 replacement. 😣  I always planned to replace it when I retire and the niggles had me looking towards a Transporter but since then I've seen a couple of fancy looking ones parked up with the AA and a mechanic I know said they have as many problems with them as they do the Ford's.

I changed my car for the MWB Vivaro as a daily/long haul car. Its classed as a car - 7 seat version with table that can switch to 'lounge' seating like Mercs. I also have a bed system in the boot under the parcel shelf.

Seats come out but are heavy. The three singles are a one person job but the double is two. I have rails that run all the way so seats can slide forward or back. Eg tip run, I slide the middle two and table back to the rears so have space in middle for rubbish. Can pop bike in there across side to side with front wheel off.

As for a daily, modern vans are a doddle. Mine is so much easier in traffic being a 8 speed auto. Also embarasses enough cars with 400nm of torque. Great for motorway driving.

@pat12 I just measured my 2021 custom titanium x SWB and the distance from the 2nd row to the inside of the tail gate is 1.4m. Note there is a recline on the seats so I measured at the centre point of a 29er wheel (45cm) from the floor which might explain the discrepancy between the 1.6m quoted earlier.

Note (with my one at least) I can take all of the seats out individually, so it is pretty easy just to remove all the seats down one side - then you have a load length of well over 2m (prob 2.4m as i've had an entire sheet of ply in the back). This would let you carry four people in theory with a couple of bikes next to them. You'd need to twist the bars round i think.

Personally, I'd not get a LWB. My old van was a LWB vivario and the transit is less stressful to maneuver around.

LWB custom here, can get a long bike in wheels on with the seat/bed slid all the way forward, but normally just take the front wheel off as it's less hassle than sliding the bed. Can also get it sideways across the back with the wheel off and fold the bed down.

It's no drama to park, get a limited with parking sensor and it's fine. Overhangs a space a little at one end but no wider or worse than some of the Chelsea tractors. I do avoid multistorey car parks though.

Thanks Everyone!

@Ewan - appreciated thank you!

Now next question - i've found a petrol/hybrid option - or just stick with diesel 🙂

If it's the new 2.5L one then get it. If it's the older version I would avoid the hybrid. The EV only range is tiny so you're just shifting a load of pointless stuff around - makes sense for taxis I guess.

Definitely make sure you have parking sensors, very handy for tiny back roads in deepest darkest Wales, when you meet on-coming traffic.  Dimensions wise, a van is usually 20cm wider than an average car (excluding new EV/SUV's), but a MWB is the same footprint as a new Audi A6 (width and length). LWB are about 30 cm longer. So not bad really.  Driving position and flat sides help with parking too.

Posted by: Ewan

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If it's the new 2.5L one then get it. If it's the older version I would avoid the hybrid. The EV only range is tiny so you're just shifting a load of pointless stuff around - makes sense for taxis I guess.

This. Especially if your usage will involve a lot of town driving where a modern diesel with all the emissions system shite is not really a good mix. If I was changing my van (I'm not) I'd want the new Transit 2.5 petrol/hybrid. A friend's recently bought one and reporting getting around 20 miles on battery - Scottish winter with about 75% 60mph dual-carriageway and 25% town driving. The same drivetrain's been around in the Ford Kuga for a few years and I've not read about any real disasters with them. 

Not heard anything good about the older petrol/hybrid though.

The only note of caution is that they do need looking after properly which means oil change every 5 to 7k and regular services. Wet belt shouldn't be a problem as long as it's changed every 60k or so.

If you service them in line with the recommended schedule in the book then they are fine.  There is no need to do servicing or belts any where near as regularly as this. 

The key thing is to use the correct oil specified by Ford (can't remember which variant of Castrol Magnatex 5-30W it is).  I service mine every 15-18k miles and replaced the wet belt myself at 92k miles and the belt hadn't broken down at all and there were no bits in the sump or strainer.  I'm now heading towards 200k miles and it's been fine.

XLWB Merc Viano here and don't have problems parking. It does over hang a bit sometimes but if spaces are tight sideways, I get in and out through the rear sliding doors!!

I usually have the back row of seats out and slide 2 bikes in with front wheels off and fitted to some fork mounts fixed to a bit of wood, helps them stand up nicely. I did have the fork mounts fixed to the floor rails at one point, which was really secure but I prefer having the bikes facing forwards as it's easier to get in for other stuff if handle bars are behind the seats rather than infront of the boot door.

Posted by: Ewan

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If it's the new 2.5L one then get it. If it's the older version I would avoid the hybrid. The EV only range is tiny so you're just shifting a load of pointless stuff around - makes sense for taxis I guess.

Sadly its the older one. Just thinking about futureproofing as my elderly parents live in the ULEZ (but perhaps thats another thread)

My 18 plate transit oil change with filter 30,000 miles or two years, wet belt changed in December at 75,000 due to all the scaremongering for £950 + vat

An oil change on its own is close to £300

The belt had no teeth missing and looked healthy, it's a scam that Ford originally said 9 years or 150,000 miles then changed it to 6 years and 90,000

I've never once had to top up the oil, why are BMW so oil thirsty?

Posted by: pat12

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Sadly its the older one. Just thinking about futureproofing as my elderly parents live in the ULEZ (but perhaps thats another thread)

 

Remember the Tourneo is a car not a van from a technical point of view. According to the website, my diesel tourneo is compliant and I don't need to pay.

The flip side, is that since it's a car you have to eat an enormous expensive car top up car tax. Can't recall exactly how much but I think my car tax is like 400 quid or something.

* Just checked. £620. I wish I hadn't checked now lol