MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Hello, I know this is a common topic, but I am considering getting a van for transporting people and bikes.
What I am thinking of something like a proper van size, room for four people with four bikes, ideally built up.
I am happy with a LWB or XLWB, in terms of seating I am thinking of having two single seats (or one double bench) in the back, but without panelling to maximise the room for bikes.
I do want a crew cab, but happy to do the work to rework the panelling.
What I am wondering is what vans would work like this?
It would be used a little bit during the week for short trips and then used for longer trips (such as camping or going on holiday). I have driven vans previously, so am comfortable driving them.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
I found an old thread an it suggests a LWB Tourneo Custom might be the way forward.
Budget?
Huge choice now tbh, vauxhall, toyota, renault, fiat, ford et al all do what you're looking for.
Purposefully haven't mentioned VW, as the usual haters/lovers will be along to talk shite at either end of the scale. 🙂
VW LWB T5/T6. As per the above comment, someone will be along in a minute to say they're:
- overpriced
- unreliable
- too small
- too big
- other options are far better
- driven by idiots
etc
etc
etc
etc
All I know from 6+ years of ownership of my highly modified one is that apart from routine maintenance, it shat a driveshaft and thats it.
Oh, and for what I paid for it 6 years ago, I reckon I've lost about 5 grand if I was to sell it today even if I stripped the air ride and nice wheels off it and put it back on standard suspension and wheels.
Just in case residuals bother you.
Oh (+2), of course I'm not naive enough to think there aren't other options but I'm a bit of a VW fan. If you just want a van, load of good options.
Even though a Citroen Relay/Peugeot Boxer/Fiat Ducato (all the same van) are great on paper, the demand for these to convert into campervans has exploded so the prices are higher than other options.
So unless you have plans to convert it to a camper, I personally would exclude those from your search.
For rear seats - demand for proper seats has also skyrocketed, but Ford Transit Custom Seats are the premium option as they are comfortable, adjustable and fold forward for access.
You can bolt them through the floor or you can fit rails and then attach them to those. That gives option of moving the position too.
Lots of other rear seats can be used. The cheapest option would be to buy minibus seats. You can pick those up as cheaply as £25 for slim, fixed position ones, or up to £100 for more adjustable ones.
For rear seats – demand for proper seats has also skyrocketed, but Ford Transit Custom Seats are the premium option as they are comfortable, adjustable and fold forward for access.
You can bolt them through the floor or you can fit rails and then attach them to those. That gives option of moving the position too.
Yeh, the VW lot have latched onto this and are fitting them to T5s etc.
This is what they look like
You haven’t said what your budget is, but there’s some very good deals out there on the new shape Renault Traffic and latest Ducato vans at a place in Chesterfield.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/dealers/derbyshire/chesterfield/vanworld-26143?channel=vans
I am happy with a LWB or XLWB,
have you considered where you will park it at home?
Basically every manufacturer makes a crew van that would fit your needs.
If you are buying new or nearly then the continued demand for VW vans make the residual values, and therefore the actual cost of owning the van look pretty attractive.
In the £12-18k bracket I think the Vito or Ford offers better value. There are fewer vitos about so you need to shop around.
If you're looking at less than £5k then I'd say traffic / vivaro etc, but eyes wide open to the problems that they can have.
There are plenty of good value Transporter Shuttles in VW's approved used - from about £23k inc VAT for a year or so old. They're mostly LWB, 8/9 seaters - take out the back row and you've got plenty of space.
Else Toyota seem very keen to sell vans at the moment, had a quote for a Proace Verso (similar 9 seater) under £22k new inc VAT.
Else Toyota seem very keen to sell vans at the moment, had a quote for a Proace Verso (similar 9 seater) under £22k new inc VAT.
@simon_g
Where from?
That was on carwow. Similar on autoebid.
It was for the base medium length one but the others aren’t a lot more.
Thanks for the ideas. Staying clear of vw’s, mainly cos of cost. Just want a van. Budget probably up to £10k.
I have a long drive to park it on.
I like the tourney custom as it has loads of seats already and two rows of double seats could be removed to create a really long storage area plus still fit five folk in.
What did you go for in the end?