Hello, so after much deliberation and research (and my previous car getting written off due to a minor fire) I have got myself a citan XLWB crew van as an MTB van. I looked at all sorts of other things and due to the rising costs of bigger vans I decided on something smaller.
Think the new clean air zones are making prices increase too.
So far it's amazing, 46mpg average, takes 4 bikes with wheels on (2 passengers) or 3 people & 3 bikes with wheels and gear. Think I could do 4 people with 4 bikes wheels off too. I have also knocked up a rack to hold the bikes, hoping to make this sort of thing foldable and work for four bikes.
Starting to look at how to use it as a mini one person camper using removable stuff such as a camp bed etc.
I have insulated and carpeted the rear and made a tailgate awning. Will be making a cooking pod soon. Interested to here others ideas too of what they have done with smaller vans.
[url= https://i.ibb.co/zrpnj02/IMG-4278.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/zrpnj02/IMG-4278.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/3mjY63v/IMG-4296.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/3mjY63v/IMG-4296.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/HhRTdhG/IMG-4300.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/HhRTdhG/IMG-4300.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/3zqstzm/IMG-4301.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/3zqstzm/IMG-4301.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/Czb6SDZ/IMG-4360.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/Czb6SDZ/IMG-4360.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/HD52Sq4/IMG-4362.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/HD52Sq4/IMG-4362.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Join the (admittedly very small!) club.
I got mine last July, had to train it down from Ayrshire to Cannock to pick it up, All I've done to it is basically as yourself, insulated, ply lined and carpeted. I've insulated and done the floor too, but I don't really wanna put anything permanent in mine, as it's used for allsorts, biking, kipping, tip runs, family car, changing after races etc. I got side windows tinted and fitted a set of transporter curtains too, great for sleeping in. I put a nice set of alloys on too, but kept them small to fit decent sized tyres.
I'll post up pics later, though there's not much to see.
Any chance of a pic of your awning, I'd like to do one, but haven't got round to it yet.
I like the idea of a cassette type bed system, a double for me n the missus going away, and a single for when I take the bike, this guy is brilliant and has some really good wee ideas.
That camping box looks ace!
The awning is very, very basic!
It's basically an old ground sheet that I attach the rear roof bar with spring clamps, then it has two tow clip straps on the bottom two corners which I attach to the closing mechanism on the bottom of the doors.
It's very simple but works so far. Might make a bar to keep it taught and stop the rear doors closing.
Aye, I really should just fashion something, can't be much to it. Thinking of sewing in some big magnets to attach to the roof, and mibbe a curtain rail for between the doors.
The disadvantage of having a relatively rare van (although it's really just a kangoo) - when you look at the likes of VW caddies you can get allsorts of good aftermarket stuff.
@jamesmio has one too, dunno if he's done anything as yet?.
We should start a club!
lol!
First time it's been washed in months, thought I'd take a pic @beefy!
Pretty much the only thing I've done that you haven't is insulate in behind those plastic wheel arch covers in the back, and carpeted them too.
Yeah, didn’t think about those areas. Got to do something the the back doors too, but don’t want to carpet them because they will get wet.
I have been busy making a little cooking pod though…
[url= https://i.ibb.co/vJyf2B5/8-EDFEF02-1424-42-CF-A239-26-FB3-D57-B02-B.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/vJyf2B5/8-EDFEF02-1424-42-CF-A239-26-FB3-D57-B02-B.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/j6vCgqQ/61-A273-A5-8131-4-FB5-BCC9-F82647-B1-BB64.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/j6vCgqQ/61-A273-A5-8131-4-FB5-BCC9-F82647-B1-BB64.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
Superb, looks good!. I just carpeted the ply panels on rear doors. My mate has a caddy and has done the full door right up to the rubber seal, no issues.
I have also made the bike rack things properly now and they fold so they can stay in place when the seats are up.
Need to fit them all though
I've a couple of thule arms from an old rack, need to fashion up a wee fixture to attach them to the hooks that the rear seats mate into.
Aha - welcome to the club. @Noebeer - you've started a thing here mate.
Not done a huge amount to mine as yet - it's very much on split duties between bike van (for 1-2 bikes) and my daily runner complete with 3 year old so I'm making the most of the flexibility for now.
Tinted the rear windows - made a big difference for the wee one in the back and the super dark tint I went for adds a smidge of extra security.
Insulating the roof and back like you boys is likely to be next when Spring comes - I've slept in mine at Glencoe in the Autumn and it was totally fine but every little helps.
Stock stereo is gash. Replacing that with something better is also on the wishlist but the single DIN makes for a pretty limited choice.
All in all though, I'm delighted with mine. Apart from the old LWB Primastar's sheer mass to guzzle bike after bike with minimal fuss or bungees, this one's better in every way. And so much nicer to pootle about in.
Being an absolute child I have also swithered about the BHP remap but really, it somewhat defeats the point of buying a 1.5l diesel van so I've abstained for now.
@jamesmio I've a load of deadening and insulation left over, you can have it no probs.
The folding bike rack things are in…jury is out regarding how relatable they will be.
They work for sure and mean that the bikes are not leaning onto each other or the van interior.
Need a trip to test it out.
[url= https://i.ibb.co/LN6VLJZ/DC230950-8-A91-40-BF-B39-D-E2-DEE16-CDF91.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/LN6VLJZ/DC230950-8-A91-40-BF-B39-D-E2-DEE16-CDF91.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/dtFNRVD/B3-FBB4-D0-8-DC5-46-CC-928-C-4-F4-A1947-FF63.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/dtFNRVD/B3-FBB4-D0-8-DC5-46-CC-928-C-4-F4-A1947-FF63.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://i.ibb.co/MRkVVDK/23385-FCE-DB92-4804-A8-F9-EB531-B186-E03.jp g" target="_blank">https://i.ibb.co/MRkVVDK/23385-FCE-DB92-4804-A8-F9-EB531-B186-E03.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= https://imgbb.com/ ]free image hosting[/url]
