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Mid-size vans - tal...
 

Mid-size vans - talk to me...

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I have had a Peugeot Expert for 5 years now. It's been great. Fits 3 XL mountain bikes in no problem. I've slept in it , not the most comfortable night.  It's the 2l version and can be nippy when you need to get a move on . Fuel economy is ok and there's been no major mechanical issues. It was 5 years old when I bought  and had done under 28000 miles. Cost me £11000 .  I helped my sister flit with it only downside is the cabin is basic and it's a mesh bulkhead rather than a solid one so it's a bit noisy and takes ages to heat up in the winter. I. bought a couple of rolls of insulation and tied them to the bulkhead with cable ties  so now the cabin heats up quicker and the noise is a bit less 


 
Posted : 10/02/2025 11:26 pm
Posts: 5045
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I have had a Peugeot Expert for 5 years now. It's been great. Fits 3 XL mountain bikes in no problem. I've slept in it , not the most comfortable night.  It's the 2l version and can be nippy when you need to get a move on . Fuel economy is ok and there's been no major mechanical issues. It was 5 years old when I bought  and had done under 28000 miles. Cost me £11000 .  I helped my sister flit with it only downside is the cabin is basic and it's a mesh bulkhead rather than a solid one so it's a bit noisy and takes ages to heat up in the winter. I. bought a couple of rolls of insulation and tied them to the bulkhead with cable ties  so now the cabin heats up quicker and the noise is a bit less 


 
Posted : 10/02/2025 11:26 pm
Posts: 5045
Full Member
 

I have had a Peugeot Expert for 5 years now. It's been great. Fits 3 XL mountain bikes in no problem. I've slept in it , not the most comfortable night.  It's the 2l version and can be nippy when you need to get a move on . Fuel economy is ok and there's been no major mechanical issues. It was 5 years old when I bought  and had done under 28000 miles. Cost me £11000 .  I helped my sister flit with it only downside is the cabin is basic and it's a mesh bulkhead rather than a solid one so it's a bit noisy and takes ages to heat up in the winter. I. bought a couple of rolls of insulation and tied them to the bulkhead with cable ties  so now the cabin heats up quicker and the noise is a bit less 


 
Posted : 10/02/2025 11:27 pm
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Thanks again for the info.

SOme of the older 1.6 seem like decent value for money, and it seems like they are a reasonable engine.

How do you find the rear height? This is really my only remaining concern. I'd love one that I could stand up in but anything I find with a tall roof is too long. I'm hoping it's not too much of a pain in every day use...

Cheers!


 
Posted : 11/02/2025 1:42 pm
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I'm 6ft 4 and there's no chance of standing up in mine  I am either on my knees or bent double. I am very rarely in the back for long though,  I now have a rooftop tent for any camping trips 


 
Posted : 12/02/2025 11:12 pm
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I'm 6ft 4 and there's no chance of standing up in mine  I am either on my knees or bent double. I am very rarely in the back for long though,  I now have a rooftop tent for any camping trips 


 
Posted : 12/02/2025 11:12 pm
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The only way you’re standing is if you get a pop top… which admittedly isn’t the worst idea 


 
Posted : 12/02/2025 11:52 pm
 bfw
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Re: Toyota Hiace, eBay seems to have a few


 
Posted : 13/02/2025 12:18 am
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Definately check out the driving position. I'm currently driving a Pug expert at work after killing two vans on monday and can't get a good driving position. I'm 6'1" and can't get the seat far enough back to get my legs comfortable and feet comfortable on the pedals.


 
Posted : 13/02/2025 8:37 am
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How tall is OP - no such issue in a VX/Pug for me being 5-9


 
Posted : 13/02/2025 11:24 am
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Your not standing up in any mid-size van without a high top roof or pop up roof. 

 

However, if like me you've had a lifetime of standing in a blue ikea bag next to an estate car to get changed, its still absolutely dreamy getting ready in the back of a van!


 
Posted : 13/02/2025 12:04 pm
chakaping reacted
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Haha! very true!

I'm 6ft tall, and I don't expect to be able to stand up in the back of the van but I am wondering how easy is it to move bikes in and out the back of it? What about heavier items, say a motorcycle?

I think what I may do is hire one for a weekend and see how it goes...

Cheers!


 
Posted : 13/02/2025 12:08 pm
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Well, getting bikes in and out of a mid-sized van is a delight compared to a car. They go in whole and you just strap them down.

Never tried with a motorbike though.


 
Posted : 13/02/2025 3:51 pm
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Posted by: Zedsdead

Haha! very true!

I'm 6ft tall, and I don't expect to be able to stand up in the back of the van but I am wondering how easy is it to move bikes in and out the back of it? What about heavier items, say a motorcycle?

I think what I may do is hire one for a weekend and see how it goes...

Cheers!

 

Motorbikes come with time, practice and experience. I was always the person at tracks who unloaded and loaded all the inexperienced people's bikes, it's effortless once you've done it a gazillion times.

 


 
Posted : 13/02/2025 4:16 pm
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Motorbikes come with time, practice and experience. I was always the person at tracks who unloaded and loaded all the inexperienced people's bikes, it's effortless once you've done it a gazillion times.

 

Thanks Weeksy, it's along the lines of what I was thinking.
I'm going to hire one for a weekend and see how it goes, then I can see if I can make it work

Cheers!

 


 
Posted : 14/02/2025 2:41 pm
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