Show me your bike vans

What van have you got? VW T4 2.5tdi SWB
what have you done inside to improve it? Camping conversion (insulated, ply lined, carpeted, windows, rock and roll bed, swivelling seats, table, lighting, cupboards, sink, fridge, hob etc.)
how many miles? 165k now, done 15k in 1.5yrs
Problems? only a few age-related fixes
cost? £4k 1.5yrs ago (not converted)
Running costs? approx. 35-40mpg
recommended? I love it, like driving a big car. I've had T2 and T25's previously.

T4 here. 150k on the clock. still pulling like a train.
2.5tdi for ultimate grunt.
5 Seats.
Pretty much as many bikes as you like in it! I have never properly filled it on a biking trip.
Sink, stove and a small bed.

Cost me 4k 18 months ago (its a 2003)

How long have you had your license for?…. You learnt to shake hands properly yet? A stonger arm and hand will help shifting into reverse..

genuine chuckles 🙂

getting a hi ace (probably) – but it will be predominantly for work duties…

Im trying to think of ways to fit it out so its useful for work and biking – thinking some shelving i can put a small mattress type thing on if i want to sleep in it…

bump

04 T5 1.9TDi 6 seat kombi

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Next steps… insulation, electric hookup and bed

VW T4 bought it 18 months ago wasn't cheap but it will hold its price well
it's the 2.5 tdi and is better than my old car(honda accord 1.8) on juice.
It has 5 seats with a bulkhead to keep the dirty stuff away from the clean etc.
Will not go back to a car as long as I am riding bikes, the kids love it and it's a pleasure to drive on long trips.
Rob.

Another T4 – ours is a 1995 Westfalia Poptop with LHD – comfy, well kitted out, will do 75 all day and get about 30-35 mpg. Second vehicle AND holiday home. Love it.

Heres ours. Vauxhall vivaro. Factory fittedn bulkhead brill as can just fill up the rear with kit. 6 seats so good for taking kids +friends. If was to get another might consider lwb version.

Mmm, seems to have turned into a bit of a vw frenzy, dont understand at all, have these people never driven a transit ?

2001 Specialist converted MWB Merc Sprinter. Nothing changed inside except some fleecy seat covers 8) , 6,000 miles this year 4 weeks and various weekends. New injectors + bits @ £900. 30mpg. I wanted something a bit bigger and more comfortable than a simple van, and I love this. Has double bed, cooker, oven, fridge, freezer, hot water, bathroom, loo, central heating plus plenty of space; took 4 or us plus bikes inside to the alps no bother.

(last one courtesy Dr P)

Mmm, seems to have turned into a bit of a vw frenzy, dont understand at all, have these people never driven a transit ?

Yes.
Didn't like it.
Bought a T4.
Sorry

Mmm, seems to have turned into a bit of a vw frenzy, dont understand at all, have these people never driven a transit ?

Yes.
Didn't like it.
Bought a T4.
Sorry

I am fancying a transit

owt to look out for?

Iveco Daily! Wouldn't necessarily recommend it for a bike/camper van as it drives like a truck, unweildy and bumpy, but it spends more time towing a horsebox and apart from the Merc Sprinter, its about the only 3.5t van that will tow the box legally.

Bodged up a quick interior for a summer holiday, but now being done 'properly'. The rear is split 70:30 into toilet and bike garage but not got any pics of that.

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If I didn't need the towing capacity, I'd choose Ducato/Relay/Boxer. Transits are OK but there are the flywheel and injector issues to be aware of. Also, the LDV Maxus is worth a look as prices are low for a relatively modern van…although it doesn't look very sleek and modern, once fitted with windows etc they look quite smart. (just remembered, SuperstarOpponents has posted a pic of his silver one already)

I use a small wheel base Vauxall Vivaro now looking for a Long wheel base

What about something like a Citroen Dispach? I'd need something as a daily driver as well as bike transport, so economy and ease of use for things car parks handy.

An alternative to Despatch/Skudo is the Transit Connect, though it seems to have a love it or hate it driving position so make sure you get a good test drive.

No pics sorry, but had a FIAT Scudo Combinato(like the eurotaxi) so it has windows, for 4 years.
Been to the south of France 4 times, Lots of solo camping, no problems other than it had a big appetite for brake pads and pins, when working in Kielder

Holy sh1t – £7900 for a wee 37 y/o VW you couldn't swing a cat in. What was it brand new – about half that?

ok they look the (retro) part but waaay overvalued imo and I'd guess they need a lot of tlc.

Looked at the smaller VW seriously in the past(for commercial use) but always too small, high load area, overpriced. Had several LWB Hi Top Traffics / Masters – 35k a year for serious work / hauling duties plus another 5k leisure on top – never missed a beat up to 200k and even after this nothing horrendous. 2.5dti 3 seats in the front, 2+1 in the back, twin sliding doors, car like – could sit at 85 all day fully loaded. Would make a superb camper conversion

T4 converted commercial van. From Mr Clink up there ^ at 50k on the clock.
75,000 on it now. Love driving it.
Have fitted an Eberspacher diesel heater for winter trips – bit of a money pit of an upgrade – I think Ive got an unreliable one. But great when working.
Takes 4 bikes if wanted, although we take 2+ kid trailer/kid bike.
Love it to bits. Live in it for 2-3 months of the year on the continent.

55 reg Transporter LWB. Had it since earlier this year. Why we never bought a van before, i'll never know!

Ex parts van from work, done over 100k but it was very cheap (employee benefit for a change!)

Full metal bulkhead, ply lined inside, seperate 'garage' under the tailgate for the bikes (will take 4 DH bikes comfortably) and space down the side for all the essentials for a race weekend (camping equipment/gazeebo/bike spares/tyres etc)

Front has over garage storage for riding gear, seperate shelving down the offside for a few other bits. Still plenty of room for toolkits, food storage and the like, and still space to get changed inside. Built the insides ourselves, its still work in progress at the moment as we refine through use, but its getting better. Would like to remove the bulkhead and chuck a single seat in the back so we could carry 4 people properly then, along with a full side zip awning.

100% recommended. Transporters tend to cost a bit more to buy, but even if I didn;t get lucky with mine through work I would have stumped up for one I think.

T3 Westfalia, sleeps four, fridge for cool beer, hob for tea, stereo and speakers.
What more do you need?

And yes Brown is sooo the colour 😉

stoner – what awning is that and is it on a Reimo Multirail? (sorry to OP a bit off topic)

I had no idea i needed a van until i read this thread.

213bhp of T5 lovliness. 5 People, loads of bikes, drives like a car. Proving brilliant for biking through Scottish weather.

Oh boy, that's my dream ride but in long version 🙂

forge – Its a reimo Charly on a reimo multirail. Not easy to get now from Reimo UK I dont think, but easy to fabricate your own by sewing some piping cord into a seam on a tarp for sliding in the rail and stamping some brass eyelets in the corners for some poles.

http://www.kuhnshop.de/Caravanvorzelte-Sonnendaecher/Sonnenvordaecher/Reimo-Charly/Reimo-Sonnenvordach-Charly::1073.html

just been delivered a VW Caddy Maxi at work, looks ideal apart from having carpet in the back, but 5 people and bikes with just front wheels off I reckon, no worries

won't beat our Land Rover 130 for uplifts though

What do you guys use to insulate and line the inside of the walls of your vans
need to warm it up and has anyone added a Leisure battery in the
van?

just got my hi ace today 🙂 i'm going to start building shelfing/ seating etc over the next few days. I'll put some pics up when i am done.

which did you get? price, spec, miles, etc?

What do you guys use to insulate and line the inside of the walls of your vans

http://www.spray-insulation.co.uk/product%20range.htm
The SL 420 pack will do a LWB van.

Seems expensive, but if you want a camper its miles better than rockwool/fibreglass, which absorbs water and encourages rust, and can slump to the bottom behind the ply lining. The foam adheres to the metal so no chance of condensation.

Don't consider using spray foam of the canned variety…impossible to use, absorbs water and is flammable!

stoner – that looks spot will look out for that, would prefer a commercial solution as it will be more in keeping with conversion 🙂

Leisure battery and a load of ciggy lighter sockets in the back. Insulated and carpeted throughout. LED lights run forever without flattening the battery.

If my redundancy comes through and I set up on my own, it will be one of these for work/family/dog/bike duties.

Not the most practical, but suits my needs enough to justify me getting one (just).

they are wicked!

Running a Trafic 9 seater minibus here, with the back row of seats removed it takes 6 and 6 bikes easily (ok front wheels removed)and plenty of kit. Couldn't sleep 6 though!

any issues with Traffics, i know vivaros are prone to shit bits

navaras are ace, but lots of niggly probs. nothing major just small issues. had mine about 2.5 years now, if it's near the end of warranty it's defo worth the extended warranty. paid for ours(800 quid for two years extra) then door locking system went, it should have cost 600 notes.
if you get a back cover (snugtop etc like shown in the pic above) don't expect it to be water tight though.

trafic are ace to, had mine about 4.5 years now and only small problems like bulbs gone and a small issue with the radio whilst under warranty, had a service last week and needed a new track rod end, but thats the only thing major(ish) for a 5 year old van (about £120)