Every van will have bad stories and good ones, comes down to how you look after it and luck.
VW aren't as wide as Vivaro/Traffic, so not sure if that will matter.
I'd go for the longest and widest you can find in your price range. The height isn't too much of a concern as a step and troller can solve that (plus your whole family is tall so shouldn't just be you doing the loading!). Height with canoes will be an issue in strong side winds but I suspect that is normal with canoes on roof.
A few mate's have vans, all different manufacturers and all of them say they have the best one...so I suspect there is no bad choice - providing you don't get a duffer (but that can largely be down to luck).
All my opinions and not based on any real life ownership but did have several years of driving plenty vans, never owned them so no idea on maintenance costs.
Whatever you get will be a compromise, you just don't get everything you want, once you realise this, prioritise in order and go from there.
I agree nobeer.
My priorities:
- comfortable
- five seats and five bikes inside
- some oompf when we have canoes on roof
- reversing beepers
- cruise control
Nice to have
- auto
- not white
Future thoughts
- able to convert into a two person camper when the kids leave
Essential - galvanized.
I can hear my MK7 Transhit dissolving from the living room, my next van is going to have corrosion resistance above anything else, I can twiddle spanners but I can't be bothered dealing with rust.
Matt - I had 5 of guys, 5 MTBs and all our kit in a SWB Trafic Crew Cab for a drive/ferry to the IOM with no hassle.
When I bought my own Trafic I had windows and removable seats fitted and then insulated and carpeted it. That was pretty much perfect as an occasional "camper" with an airbed in the back. I preferred it over the OEM Crew Cab version as there was more usable space without the bulkhead and the removable seats just made it more flexible - especially as they could be fitted in reverse (don't know if they'd be suitable for driving in this position). The insulating and carpeting makes it much more quiet to drive too. I also carried two 13ft SOTs on the roof, using a Rhino rack with a rear roller bar.
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/8182/8066690341_32e2e81567_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/8182/8066690341_32e2e81567_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/dhPTZX ]IMAG0146[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/ ]Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/8314/8066689418_73dca822af_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/8314/8066689418_73dca822af_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/dhPTJ3 ]IMAG0147[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/druidh2000/ ]Colin Cadden[/url], on Flickr
We've since had it converted into a 2-berth campervan*.
I'd say you should definitely to for a LWB. It makes such a difference in both van and campervan usability.
*As a result, I still have the seats stored in my garage.....
I would spend my money on a early version T6 with the Euro 5 engine (140hp). This also has the 6 speed gearbox which is nice on a run.
I would go for a Trendline rather than Highline trim which you pay a premium for. Barn doors rather than tailgate. Although this is more van like it make loading boats easier as with the doors open you can stand on the rear bumper. Others may/will disagree but having had both I know loading my 16ft Esquif is easier with the barn doors.
I would then put a Cambee wide bed on rails in the back with the normal sound deadening and carpeted panels. Something like;
https://www.cambee.co.uk/vw-campervan-images/gallery-rosa/
When you’re ready you can then add one of their Pods and a dual battery set up with a nice compressor fridge. And if you want it a pop top roof. From memory SCA and Jerba roofs both capable of carrying 2 canoes.
@Matt_OAB your priorities are describing a tourneo custom to me, but I am biased. Far far cheaper than the respective VW T5/T6 too.
Whatever you go for, think about a lwb instead of the more common swb. Per make they are only 400mm or so longer, but can make the difference for loading bikes and kit. I have a swb t5 but will go for a lwb next time.
Running costs? Well it's needed a new turbo, exhaust manifold gasket, suspension bits, a rewire of the junction box in the floor (got wet and corroded), central locking bits, alternator, some egr sensors. On 130something k miles. On par for T5 ownership? Worse than other vans? Don't know.
I was LITERALLY pointing out that you hear bad stuff about all vans. Do you have a selective reading disorder?
He just doesn't like VWs because "a mate" has had to put 3 engines in his and another, 2.
I've had mine for 6 years in September, its not exactly standard and haven't had to replace the engine yet. Neither has one of my mates (a real one) who has the BiTDI Sportline (which admittedly, the early ones you want to avoid apparently unless they've had fix done). Another (real) mate has an 08 1.9 TDI and he's on his first engine too. I have LOTS of other mates/associates from the VW world and as far as I know, none of them (talking 50+ people) have had to replace engines.
Of course I do like VWs so yes I'm blinkered too but I'm not full of made up bullshit.
I did write a longish reply to koolaid ken but I've deleted it but I am here to say I might be alot of things but a liar I'm not.
Both those vans exist and both needed new engines- one of them twice and both are in our local group of riding buddies. I mean both are happy with their vans one just wishes he kept the vivaro he replaced with the shuttle.
Does anyone know - is a Transit Custom crew with only one sliding door a factory or aftermarket conversion?
one sliding door is factory I'm sure.
Edit - Nope, I may be talking pish, looks like the crew cab comes with both sides sliding.
Yeah DCIV (Transit Custom) comes with 2 doors.
Never had any real issues with T5.1 or Transit Custom Limited .
The T5 was a T32 Kombi DSG Trendline SWB which original owner specced to highline spec.
As there wasn’t a bulkhead, you could push bikes in, twist front and have handlebar just over the rear seats next to the headrests. Mine was insulated and carpeted in rear so not too noisey.
Transit Custom was LWB with fixed rear seats and bulkhead. Much quieter in the cab.
If you want to put multiple bikes in , I would go with a LWB .
I also spec tailgates as better for sitting under and less likely to be broken into ( less builder van looking ). Bit of a pain when loading pallets , but not had one we couldn’t get in yet.
The speed limit thing isn’t really a problem , I just usually stick cruise control on and don’t worry about it. And make sure you get something with aircon
