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This is a long shot to say the least... but makes a change from tyre talk...
I want a van that seats 10 ( or probably 9 being realistic) and takes 9 bikes which can be loaded and unloaded easily.
I'm thinking LWB minibus with the arse end superstructure chopped off and replaced with the front 9 spaces from the cunning cycle trailer racks that they have at Antur ( and presumably other places)
I don't want a minibus and trailer as it'd be a pita to drive and park and I only ever want to transport me +8 others.
Need the quick racking system to minimise faff loading and uploading.
Ideally I need something like this, but that's had a nasty accident with a bridge or a bale grab or something above the rear door. Cut off the knackered bit. Weld over the big space and then put the bike rack on the back.
( perhaps not as shiny as that one )
Clearly this is pie in the sky.
1990 licence probably won't allow me to drive something that big.
Insurance for something with a massacred rear end would be huge.
Etc
3tc
But humour me...
Upliftvantastic:-)
That might just about work - the racking will be the complex bit.
Having driven 17 seat high top Transits, they're probably too short.
1990 licence
I'm 1991 license. Grandfather rights on minibuses, 7.5t, trailers, road rollers etc.
Does it need to be road legal?
Canadian busses have roll on racks for 2 bikes on the front, out of the drivers line of vision. No idea if it's legal in this country but would reduce the loading need..
I’m 1991 license. Grandfather rights on minibuses, 7.5t, trailers, road rollers etc
Tell me a bit more. So what's the limit for people our age? Is it number of people or displacement tonnage?
Does it need to be road legal?
Yep. Though if I were to add even more stupidity to the spec then I'd want it off road capable 😁
But for the time being let's leave the cow ramblercatcher off the spec
What about something like this?
https://ambulancetrader.co.uk/search/mercedes-sprinter-wheelchair-accessible-minibus/
Just strip out the wheelchair access stuff.
A standard minibus with a rack similar to the ones they use on the buses in the alpine ski resorts would be my suggestion. Saves having to possibly go through an SVA test if you get into hacking the rear bodywork, replacing lights etc.
What about something like this?
https://ambulancetrader.co.uk/search/mercedes-sprinter-wheelchair-accessible-minibus/
Just strip out the wheelchair access stuff.
Nice van, but how could you get 9 bikes in? My VW takes 4 side by side, would probably take 5 without the kitchen units. Doubt you could get 9 side by side though. Not with enough padding to keep them undamaged...
How high is a bike with the seat down? Could you get two tiers in? Not quite.
A standard minibus with a rack similar to the ones they use on the buses in the alpine ski resorts would be my suggestion. Saves having to possibly go through an SVA test if you get into hacking the rear bodywork, replacing lights etc.
Agree that hacking would make compliance/testing a 'mare. I've only seen ski racks on the back of vans... too wee Shirley.
Hmmmm 5 bikes side by side in the back 2.2 m of the van, with padding.
Then 2 x 2 hang wheel loops on each rear door. That's 9 bikes.
And no SVA.....
Defo the best option so far.
Anyone (@Tracey probably) got a view on how many long mtbs fit ( aligned with direction of van travel) in any of the common van shells?
So what’s the limit for people our age?
What it says on your individual license.
Mines now changed as I'm tested D, D1, D1+E. Bus, minibus and minibus with trailer.
Can you do two levels of bikes in the back of the van?
seat posts down, 5 on lower level, 4 on top level.
channels to guide the wheels in, possibly even some sort of cassette loading system?
also for uplift or transcontinental drives? If the latter, can bars be spun in line with the front wheel?
edit - too slow
What it says on your individual license.
Will have a look when I get home tomorrow.
also for uplift or transcontinental drives?
I was initially thinking just uplift, quite short ones, hence the need for minimum faff.
All a bit pie in the sky really, but I can dream...
Trying to get my head around the immense amount of days you'd need to even start paying for a van like that. Ouch
Recently sold the work minibus for £2.5k, a 15 seat long Transit. I reckon with the rear 2 rows removed, you could have put some hooks down the sides above the windows and hung the bikes in, rear arches might be the only pinch point.
I reckon with the rear 2 rows removed, you could have put some hooks down the sides above the windows and hung the bikes in, rear arches might be the only pinch point.
I'd have thought minimum faff, maximum packing density would be something like that - perhaps using the (old) design from Scotrail west coast trains as a starting point? 
. - sorry not a great pic but I'm sure they used to squeeze 6? bikes in a small space rather efficiently?
Trying to get my head around the immense amount of days you’d need to even start paying for a van like that. Ouch
Are you thinking of operating commercially? That's where the insurance will presumably get very expensive. Worth considering also that a minibus+trailer is relatively easy to replace if you get a mechanical and its off the road for a few weeks or it reaches end of life plus relatively standard for selling on - whereas something that's been custom built will be harder to sell.
I'm not sure that a huge minicoach is going to be that much easier to drive/park than a smaller van and decent trailer.