@Wally
LWB Rifter owner here
Should be picking up my SWB this weekend. Anything I should know about them; any mechanical gotchas or anything like that?
No issues 2 years in for me- 19 plate. Main issue with mine is it's a wet belt 1.2 petrol, so I change oil every 6 months myself. Garage does rest. No idea on Diesel issues. Also, not exactly frugal, but I do less than 4K a year. Pulls away fully loaded no issue and very comfortable.
Pathfinder’s basically a pickup though
How so, other than looking like a Navara? It's a full-on seven seater SUV with proper rear suspension.
Saying that, all of the stuff you say about the XC90 applies to the Pathfinder; high and no roomier than an estate. Mine was a big slow smokey lump which cost £500 a year to tax
What estate is as big inside as a Pathfinder?
No issues 2 years in for me- 19 plate. Main issue with mine is it’s a wet belt 1.2 petrol, so I change oil every 6 months myself. Garage does rest. No idea on Diesel issues. Also, not exactly frugal, but I do less than 4K a year. Pulls away fully loaded no issue and very comfortable.
Sounds promising. I couldn’t find a petrol near to me or at a decent price; so I’m getting a diesel. A little bit anxious about it to be honest. But it’s just going to be for leisure, I’m WFH 100% so I guess it doesn’t make a huge difference
What estate is as big inside as a Pathfinder?
With rearmost seats down, Pathfinder has 515l boot space.
Mercedes E Class: 640
Passat: 650l
Octavia 610l
Fabia: 530l
When all seats are folded, the Pathfinder has a huge 2091l, which beats most estate cars, but I found that to be a long, narrow tunnel which was not conducive to loading bikes.
XL Rifter from Parkers "Choose the seven-seater and boot space with the first two rows in place weighs in at 1,050 litres, while folding the middle row down frees up 3,500 litres of space"
What does a litre of space look like? Absolute nonsense measurement that actually tells you nothing beyond the total volume.
Check the RIDC database for proper measurements.
What estate is as big inside as a Pathfinder?
Mondeo is just about, 100mm and or so shorter in narrowest width and very slightly longer.
Interestingly enough, a Roomster isn't far off that either, you only lose 300mm in length and 75mm in width compared to the Pathfinder.
What does a litre of space look like? Absolute nonsense measurement that actually tells you nothing beyond the total volume.
Completely agree, boot space in litres means nothing, apart from 'x boot is bigger than x boot'.
But then, some litre measurements are only from the load cover down, some are the entire boot to the roof, so it's like comparing apples to rottweilers.
And don't get me started on reviews that say the boot will fit a mountain bike upright with the wheels on' - which what they mean is, it'll fit the 1996 26" wheel rigid BSO they dragged out the shed. 😡🤣
Just getting basic measurements like boot length with no seats or 1 seat in the seating position, or fully slid forward, requires a physical measurement. These things should be easily accessible online, but...
What does a litre of space look like? Absolute nonsense measurement that actually tells you nothing beyond the total volume.
I dunno about you guys but I find it really useful. Don't you leave a hose pipe running in your vehicle to transport water, or put your bikes through a blender to transport them? You can get so many bikes in when you measure them in litres 😉
requires a physical measurement. These things should be easily accessible online, but…
This is the real struggle here - especially for passenger vehicles. Its such a pain
These things should be easily accessible online, but…
See my RIDC links, they cover all that since for some reason disabled folk want to stick bulky stuff in the boot as well 😉
It's honestly the best and only resource I've found that actually collates all the important dimensions.
See my RIDC links, they cover all that since for some reason disabled folk want to stick bulky stuff in the boot as well 😉
It’s honestly the best and only resource I’ve found that actually collates all the important dimensions.
Yeah it's handy, it doesn't give all the info though, sadly.
For instance I know the boot floor on a SWB Caravelle is 2532mm according to the official brochure - sliding door is 1m wide, and the middle row of seats is around 70cm deep. So, I'm presuming the below measurement is with middle seats in the seating position, with around 60cm kneed room. So with the middle seat all the way forward I'd expect 175cm of space, roughly.
Length of boot floor - middle row of seats folded down
2564mm
Length of boot floor - back row of seats folded down or removed
1075mm
This is more an issue with cars that have seats on rails as you have an unlimited amount of configurations.
This site has a lot of measurements too, but none of the big van based MPV's, presumably because they're obviously big enough to camp in.
https://nimblecamper.com/best-cars-for-camping/
So with the middle seat all the way forward I’d expect 175cm of space, roughly.
Do they slide all the way forwards? I'd suspect they only go a certain amount, as most people don't have a need to slide them all the way forwards.
Do they slide all the way forwards? I’d suspect they only go a certain amount, as most people don’t have a need to slide them all the way forwards
They slide most of the way forward as you have to slide them to the front to remove them. Once I get a chance to have a look at one I'll take some measurements. So long as there's 170cm room my bike will fit front wheel off.
I think my Geometron has about the same wheelbase as that car 🤣
M/L Bird Am9 wheels right in my 2013 Ford Galaxy with one rear and the middle middle seat unbolted.
Cheap as chips, handles well due to being a car and all mod cons.
I had my old Stinky in my Cinq a few times, but there’s no way the alpine or whyte would fit. Especially now with the scaffolding.
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Having spent an hour on the Classifieds page trying to give the hive mind first refusal on my 2014 T5 Sportline 2.0L, I have given up attempting to post it. It's therefore on FB Marketplace. Not sure if am I allowed to post a link but should be easy to find with a search. It is marketed to the general public at £22k, but the STW price is £20k. There is no VAT on it.
In the same response to the SUV thread, you don't need anything more than a saloon car with a 4 bike roof rack. Takes 4 trail bikes on top, all the kit you need in the boot, and the 4 of you are in a nice comfy space in the car ? Estate for the win.
We take our saloon cars for our MTB weekends. The SUV stays at home, as does my mate's Defender 110. We prefer the wafting down the motorway, good sound systems, and all wet kit in the boot (with a liner). My car is beige inside and my mate's black leather. They work very well.
And what happens when you want to stop for food? Or it rains? Or an overnight stay in a B&B?
hot_fiat
Full MemberI had my old Stinky in my Cinq a few times, but there’s no way the alpine or whyte would fit. Especially now with the scaffolding
I used to be able to get two MTBs in my 944 turbo. Nowadays bikes are so much bigger I can only get one in. Although it does also take a spare set of wheels, tools and luggage.
I'm not sure I could bring myself to spend my own money on a van, having had company vans for years. Like the idea of an XC90, had a quick look at prices. Nearly 2k for broken ones!
Our £300 (8years ago) Astra G 1.6 estate is looking more and more of a bargain!
Honda Element, if only they still made them
Like the idea of an XC90, had a quick look at prices. Nearly 2k for broken ones!
Brilliant cars but there are a few expensive potential faults with them, the facelift 2010+ models are better and also lower VED.
In the same response to the SUV thread, you don’t need anything more than a saloon car with a 4 bike roof rack
You also don't need to go mountain biking at all, that saves money on the car, the fuel and the bike itself but that wasn't the question. Life would be very boring sitting at home in my cold house (because I don't need central heating) eating beans on toast (because I don't need fancy food). Think of all the money I will have in my bank account when I'm dead or too old to enjoy weekends away riding bikes.
Been trying to find Caravelles with the spec I want, they're thin on the ground for sure. I think finding one with the led headlights, adaptive cruise AND the air heater is going to be like finding rocking horse poo, and if I do see one I'll sort of have to accept the mileage/condition etc, unless I want to wait another 6 months for another one to come up...
So I've got a price to fit an aftermarket heater system, with a second battery and charger, it's about £2400 Inc VAT and fitting on my drive 😬 Was hoping it would be £1500 max which would make it more of an option. It is still an option of course. Tbh it's only another £1100 to have a solar panel, hookup and 2x plug sockets installed at the same time so I'd probably get that done too.
Luckily I'm not in any rush... 🤣
full led headlights look like they're about £3-400 a side on ebay, might be a cheaper option
full led headlights look like they’re about £3-400 a side on ebay, might be a cheaper option
Finding one with led headlights isn't an issue tbh, it's the secondary heater. And the aftermarket headlights arent actually full LED, they're LED DRL but halogen projector main and dipped beam.
Not a fan of aftermarket stuff like that, especially headlights. It's £3k+ to have the factory LED headlights retrofitted.
£2400 buys a lot of nights in hotels when it’s cold enough to need the heater, surely?
£2400 buys a lot of nights in hotels when it’s cold enough to need the heater, surely?
That's true, however part of the reason I'm looking at a van is to be able get away for weekends at short notice just being able to book a campsite/find a parking spot for the night, and pay £5-20 per night Vs £90-100 per night. And yes, it might only be 4-5 times a year I'd need the heater when camping, maybe.
You can use the heater for pre-heating the van in the morning, or coming back to a warm van after a freezing cold ride too, so it's not just useful when camping.
Looks like if I travel to have it fitted at Autoterm themselves it's £1650 for the heater and 2nd battery & charger combined, which is a a fair bit cheaper. At that price, if I book a hotel/airbnb over a campsite 20 times that would be the heater paid for.
I think I'll keep the factory heater high up on my want list, but if a van comes up which is perfect otherwise I know I'll be able to get it fitted afterwards.
You can use the heater for pre-heating the van in the morning, or coming back to a warm van after a freezing cold ride too, so it’s not just useful when camping.
HOw much more useful than a pair of heated seats though ? Or a heated Windscreen ? (Both found on Transit Customs)
I find even on the coldest days, the heated seats make a massive difference to instant warmth when getting in.
Finding one with led headlights isn’t an issue tbh, it’s the secondary heater. And the aftermarket headlights arent actually full LED, they’re LED DRL but halogen projector main and dipped beam.
Not a fan of aftermarket stuff like that, especially headlights. It’s £3k+ to have the factory LED headlights retrofitted
I was talking about genuine second hand parts. Not sure how hard they are to retrofit, might just be plug and play or might need a switch flicked with some software. Eg
I find even on the coldest days, the heated seats make a massive difference to instant warmth when getting in.
Mine are never off for a good part of the year. They're not comparable to a diesel-fired heater though - we had a webasto in our previous campervan and it was superb. Utterly fierce on full power, good thermostat control, and quiet. I've love one in my Transit but it's only ever used as a 'day van' so not a huge need. For camping though, essential for me.
I was talking about genuine second hand parts. Not sure how hard they are to retrofit, might just be plug and play or might need a switch flicked with some software. Eg
Ahh ok, from a quick look they're very much not a plug and play option. As I said though, finding one specced with LEDs from the factory isn't that hard.
For the heater, I may end up buying a van in summer and seeing if I need it during autumn/winter and then having one fitted next winter.
How much more useful than a pair of heated seats though ? Or a heated Windscreen ?
There both lovely options, and both are options available on VW too.. but not taken as often as on Fords. Also not sure how either would be useful compared to a warm van after a cold ride, or sleeping in it over night. Added is the fact that caravelle's are listed as car, so no worrying about van speed limits unlike a transit. I mentioned this to a friend this weekend, who'd gone from an (old) T5 kombi (M1)) to a LWB Transit (N1), he had not even been aware...
so no worrying about van speed limits unlike a transit. I mentioned this to a friend this weekend, who’d gone from an (old) T5 kombi (M1)) to a LWB Transit (N1), he had not even been aware…
I'm aware of them but don't really see where they come into play in the real world.
Built-up areas: 30mph - the same as a car
Single carriageway: 50mph - 10mph less than a car
Dual carriageway: 60mph - 10mph less than a car
Motorway: 70mph - the same as a car
Possibly only the single 50mph limit may be an issue. The rest, well i only sit at 62 on a dual, which is 60 real-world.. I can't think of a single carriageway where i'm likely to want more than 50mph
Have you looked at a california beach? Should have most things you want, but it will only have 1 side door and no leather. LEDs were optional. Most were speced without the side pods and caravelle seating.
The Executive spec caravelle I'm looking for has both the heated screen and heated seats as standard. Neither will help when it's -2 degrees on a campsite in Exmoor and I'm freezing my nuts off though...
I still remember camping in an Exmoor valley in September and it getting down to a couple of degrees overnight.
Have you looked at a california beach? Should have most things you want, but it will only have 1 side door and no leather. LEDs were optional. Most were speced without the side pods and caravelle seating.
Briefly, and the pop top would be awesome but that would mean mega budget creep, £50k for one realistically. I know they hold their value well.
And spec wise, they're far worse - no leather, few with LEDs, and I'd still need to get rid of the sole rear bench seat for 2x/3x single rear seats which seems a bit wrong in a California.
Added is the fact that caravelle’s are listed as car, so no worrying about van speed limits unlike a transit.
The Ford equivalent of the Caravelle is the Tourneo Custom, not a Transit Custom, and is also listed as a car. No difference in speed limit to a Caravelle.
Transit Custom Double-Cab-In-Vans like mine (equivalent to a VW T6 Kombi) are seen by some as a grey area: they're classed as vans but also meet the dual-purpose vehicle criteria which means they could travel at car speed limits, similar to the likes of double-cab pickups. I don't risk it.
I can’t think of a single carriageway where i’m likely to want more than 50mph
I can think of plenty, one for me being the A9 north of Perth. If you stick to 50mph you'll often get tailgated by HGVs who're allowed to travel at 50mph on the same road. Not fair but that's the law.
I’m aware of them but don’t really see where they come into play in the real world.
Built-up areas: 30mph – the same as a car
Single carriageway: 50mph – 10mph less than a car
Dual carriageway: 60mph – 10mph less than a car
Motorway: 70mph – the same as a carPossibly only the single 50mph limit may be an issue. The rest, well i only sit at 62 on a dual, which is 60 real-world.. I can’t think of a single carriageway where i’m likely to want more than 50mph
I agree it's not a massive pain, I just totted up the motorway Vs non motorway miles on a drive from Kent to Aberfeldy, on my normal A1 route and it works out about 30 mins longer when traveling at 10mph less on the non motorway sections. I don't think I'd be sitting at 70 mph in my car most of the time though tbh, more likely to be cruising along at 65/67mph.
A moot point though as I'm only looking at the car versions - tourneo/caravelle etc which have normal car speed limits.
Don't forget the 50p extra on the Dart charge per crossing! 🤣 I'm guessing some ferries etc are more for vans than cars.
I can think of plenty, one for me being the A9 north of Perth. If you stick to 50mph you’ll often get tailgated by HGVs who’re allowed to travel at 50mph on the same road. Not fair but that’s the law.
I was thinking of that exact road too, even being up there for 2 weeks I lost count of the times I was sat in a line of traffic at 50mph waiting for a DC section to appear. On the plus side, you'd not have any traffic in front of you...
All this chat about speed restrictions in vans. Morals and the legal aspects aside. Has anyone ever been stopped for using a van at car speeds?
In 20+ years of driving vans I've been stopped on the isolated occasions I have marginally exceeded the limit. I imagine the folk rocketing past me do so as they've never been stopped
Honda Element was a new one to me - didn't know these existed. Got potential to be really useful for MTB transport. Reminds me of the Skoda Yeti but even more practical. Not bad for a 20+ year old design.
All this chat about speed restrictions in vans. Morals and the legal aspects aside. Has anyone ever been stopped for using a van at car speeds?
It's more the average speed cameras that I think would be an issue. I, generally, obey van speed limits: 55mph on single (52mph on GPS) and 65mph on dual (61mph on GPS). Even at those speeds other vans hurtle past me at above not just van speed limits but car limits to. Do they all get penalised by the average speed cameras? Perhaps yes, perhaps no.
Father-in-law got a ticket for exceeding van speed limit on a dual section of the A30 in a hire van. Claimed he didn't know vans have lower speed limits than cars but I dont believe him. Occupation: car dealer...
Honda Element was a new one to me – didn’t know these existed. Got potential to be really useful for MTB transport. Reminds me of the Skoda Yeti but even more practical. Not bad for a 20+ year old design.
Similar to a MK1 Nissan Prairie of a similar era, the Mk1 Honda Stpwagon was good as well before it went a bit blingy. The Berlingo is the modern equivalent.
Honda Element was a new one to me
dont exist in the uk, and afaik in RHD
