[Closed] using a van as your only vehicle.

I use a van as my only vehicle. It's only a Citroen Berlingo though, but it's still a van :o)

I prefer it to a car. I drive more relaxed and don't seem to be in a rush to get anywhere, so i'd so go for it.

Had a LWB transit as main car for 3 years ish, missus had a car we used for light/quick trips and to posh places 🙂

Driving position is fine and I preferred it to a car really. Fuel economy depends on engine etc. Probably from 30-35 for the diesel though post the year/engine for better idea from others.

You know the ups so i'll give you the downsides
Supermarket car parks - you'll be over the back in any with tight spaces
Petrol Stations - You will be there a lot 🙂 (Compared to Diesel Estate for me)
Without anything to pop small things in your shopping will roll round the place
People may think you are coming to tarmac their drive.

Oh and it is limited to 50 on Main Roads and 60 on Dual Carriageways -be warned

I have had a renault trafic for ten years. Prefer driving it to car. Low insurance, ride and handling are good (its less harsh than a transit and a bit narrower too). Car parks are fine, parallel parking can be a bit of a challenge though.Over 100 quid to fill it up though!!

Car drivers will usually give you right of way but you'll feel a constant pull of the McD's drive-through 🙂

T4 here. Love driving vans. 5yrs now.

Mine pays for itself in free wood for my log burner and the occasional bulky item that someone needs rid of, ie, free wardrobe or couch which I might use or sell 🙂

Yep I'm just selling mine but all above is correct....trannys do rust quickly...my renaults dearer to fix but four yr old and no rust...

Not great going to a funeral/date/wedding in them....

I have a Citroen Dispatch LWB HT. Great van and dose not look to out of place in Silver. Its ok to drive for day to day stuff but does drink the fuel a little.

Be carfull of height restricted car parks and so on. A small parking camera makes tight car parking spots alot easier.

I belive its worth it for what i really use a van for, most small journeys and going to and from work i just ride any way.

I have a LWB renault trafic. Its at the limit for a supermarket car parking space, but a swb would be fine. I'm pretty sure a SWB would be shorter than the bigger 4x4s.

I get 35mpg plus, but that is mixed usage - longer trips with me bikes and boards and I can get over 40. I do take it easy with the right foot though.

You will need to fit something in the back for smaller loads, I have a couple of storage boxes, or it will rattke about - I'm thinking supermarket shopping.

The ride/drive is fine, a bit noisy, mainly the cheapo bulkhead rattling when empty in mine - but to be honest much more relaxing to drive than some of the hot hatches I used to drive with rock hard suspension and all.

.... But make sure you understand the servicing/maintenance costs and understand than the van may have had seen a bit of life before you got it. It may be that the previous owner is getting shut because expensive work on the way - engine belt, dual mass flywheel etc

and be careful when reversing

Multi storeys can be done but the aerial on my traffic needs to be dropped...you just need to remember the height!

Oh and it is limited to 50 on Main Roads and 60 on Dual Carriageways -be warned

no its not a simple weight limit

its "car based van" & a weight limit

kangoos and berlingos DO fit the criteria (although its a grey area with the popo and ive had to argue once)

Connects despite being a similar size DO NOT

Your allowed to do 70 on the motorway

I used to try and keep it under 80 mostly due to the 100 quid to refill the tank. I have heard of manned speed checks pulling vans every do often.

Another point worth remembering is that most insurance companies will let you transfer your car NCB to use on a van insurance policy but very few, if any, will allow you to go the other way and transfer van NCB back to a car insurance policy.

no its not a simple weight limit

its "car based van" & a weight limit

kangoos and berlingos DO fit the criteria (although its a grey area with the popo and ive had to argue once)

Connects despite being a similar size DO NOT

Your allowed to do 70 on the motorway

It's a strange system, my Caddy is on the logbook as a car derived van but as it's over 2 tonnes gross weight it's classed as a 'proper' van regarding the speed limits.

This clears it up a little:

https://www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Had a Peugeot Partner for a couple years, got another car, back in a T4 now. Never used the rear seats in the car, car constantly full of wet bike/dog, interior getting wrecked.
The T4 is great, plastic floor helps cleaning and i've ended up with rear seats i can get changed in and make a brew with the bike in one piece in the back while everyone else is doing a wee dance in a car park in the rain. Wouldnt be without it now. Fits in parking spaces, elevated driving position, tend to cruise round at a nice sedate pace which suits the dog too as he's not getting thrown about.
Only downside I have found is if you do park it in a car park, people tend to think 'oh, only a van' so use the sides to rest their door/pram/trolley against... 🙄

I drive a T5 camper as my everyday 'car'. Its SWB so fits in standard parking spaces and most multistoreys. I get high 30's MPG, but most of my driving is 50+mph A-roads and motorways, not urban stop-start.

It grates a little after a while and it's a nice change to drive the little lady's Mazda2 every so often, but it's fine.

I had a huge Renault master lh35 as my daily drive for ages
Loved it just have to be a bit carful where you park but soon get used to it

Mot cost more and less places to get it done but that might not apply for a lower weight limit
It would return 32-35 if you kept to 80 or below on the motorway

Best thing I did was bolt a plastic storage tub in the back for small stuff to go in

I'd get a couple of insurance quotes before you buy as well. I drove a Vito for a while as my work vehicle whilst I was converting it into a camper, and unfortunately as I'm a civil engineer and need to visit sites you pretty much get classed as a tradesman which can be pretty expensive (despite turning up in a suit!).

T4 here as a daily. Love it. Much prefer vans.

Oh and I used to have a t2 1969 van. As an engineer rocking up on site in that was brilliant. Spent half my visits talking vans

Nobody has mentioned tolls. If I had a van in Bristol the occasional trips over the Clifton Bridge and in to Wales would be a lot more expensive.

I've also had the tollbridge pleasure, sitting in a smallish van with just a bike as cargo, and paying double the cost of the Discovery loaded with 7 people doesn't rankle in the slightest, honest.

I've had a van as my daily drive to commute to the office for about 10 year now - T4, Mk1 Vito and now a smarter Mk2 Vito, black, lowered, alloys, looks less trade-like when I arrive at the office. I have the 4X bike in the back today for a lunch time street ride!

I do have the benefit of borrowing the Mrs' car, but rarely do, really like driving the van. Fuel cost is the only downside for me.

I drive a Vauxhall Vivaro, and although I prefer driving it to cars. I must be honest and point out how expensive fuel is nowadays and that vans are a lot less fuel efficient than cars, normally due to weight and height. They're not cheap for short urban journeys and use a lot more fuel than even my old car with 2 bikes on the roof and a tow bar rack as well.

Also as said above, insurance can cost a lot (mine's only £100 as it's on a multi van policy for the farm)

And it costs a fortune to drive it over the Severn Bridge.

I've gone 4x4 to van and love it the heigher ride positions in both IMO make you feel much less tired on long runs than in a car I would never go back to standard car now 🙂

Nobody has mentioned tolls. If I had a van in Bristol the occasional trips over the Clifton Bridge and in to Wales would be a lot more expensive.

I've also had the tollbridge pleasure, sitting in a smallish van with just a bike as cargo, and paying double the cost of the Discovery loaded with 7 people doesn't rankle in the slightest, honest.

This is the main reason I haven't got a van

Love it....and you can turn up at weddings in them:

[img] [/img]

You'll get shafted on ferries as "freight" although you can sometimes pull the "sporting goods" line if you have a bike(s) in the back! Used t have a T4 which was brilliant, a bit battered so people gave you a wide berth in car parks and let you out of side turnings 🙂

[quote=jerseychaz ]You'll get shafted on ferries as "freight" although you can sometimes pull the "sporting goods" line if you have a bike(s) in the back! Used t have a T4 which was brilliant, a bit battered so people gave you a wide berth in car parks and let you out of side turnings I've been OK with the ferries. For the IoM, I had to fill in a declaration of goods (i.e. zero) and CalMac just book you on as a people carrier.

Not great going to a funeral/date/wedding in them....

room in the back for a coffin/ bed/ suit though 😉

i love the high driving position, i love the space, i hate the passenger seat. fuel economy is 37-40mpg. parks fine in decent car parks, can be a nightmare in small spaces but so can a big car (mondeo estate is wider than a t5)

I drive a MWB High-top VW LT35 as my only vehicle. It does about 30mpg but I drive gently. I've converted it to a camper van so don't pay extra on the toll bridge. I love the high driving position but it is difficult to park.

I've done it. I wouldn't do it again.

Slow, noisy, thirsty and driving round in an empty box got 95% of the time seemed pointless.

We currently have a small car too, but I'd not go back to NOT having a van. If anything, its an encouragement to take the bike for shorter journeys into town etc.

I'd have one as a second vehicle, in fact when my wife's passat dies we'll probably replace it with a semi converted van

It's strange that people are complaining about poor fuel consumption.

My old Peugeot 308 diesel did about 50mpg on average. The Caddy I'm running now does about 48mpg on average whether it's got bikes and kit in or not. It also has cheaper road tax 🙂

I've got a T5 LWB Kombi; before that I had a T4 LWB Panel (with a window in the sliding door) and before that a T2 (bay) with a poptop.

Never paid more than a car toll on the severn bridge - used to be at Uni in Aberystwyth, so crossed the bridge a lot. Now live in Cheltenham and go to south wales a fair bit.

Ferry/tunnel does cost a bit more, but then I can fit more people and stuff in, so it divides by more people 🙂

Vans are awesome.

Dave

ps I now have a car as well, but used to use my T4 as daily driver.

thats a 100ps 5 speed vtx75 trans. this is a good thing because it does not have a dmf, or commonrail injection. it will do 34 mpg. as for ferries, it will not cost much more than a car. mate and myself took my t4 and his transit (100ps like that one) to the alps. the transit is defo nicer to drive.

my t4 is my daily driver. if you are used to posh cars then don't do it. i dont think i could go without a van now, had them for years. so practical. muddy bikes, dogs, motorbikes, etc not an issue. i get 34mpg from it, it's got 190k on it, and is an 88hp motor.

ps, window in the side gets you across dartford crossing for same cost as a car.

wisepranker,

Do you have to remove any wheels to get the bikes into the Caddy or a straight fit? looking at a Van and its clicking all the right buttons atm.
Thanks

You get charged for going to the tip.

Love love love my T5 Kombi, wish I'd bought one years ago. It's my only vehicle & replaced a rather nice Alfa 159 which I don't miss a bit. T5 drives just fine, in fact I'm more relaxed in it (probably because it's slower). I can chuck children/bikes/dog/wife in the back (ok maybe wife in the front) with room to spare. It seats six when I want it to, or I can remove the qr rear seats & move house with it. Air con, leather, electric windows, and it fits in a regular parking bay (SWB). If I look after it, depreciation should be lower than a lot of other cars/vans (although admittedly they cost a bit more in the first place).

You get charged for going to the tip.

i don't. I had to get a pass to allow a privately owned commercial vehicle in. It gets ticked off when i go, i'm allowed 12 trips in 3 years, or i can apply again.

the guys at the tip normally come and look at the van, look at the stuff and realise that it's a genuine (non business trip) then help me find the right bin.

My card is brand spanking new after 10+ trips to the dump.

I love driving my T4 SWB. As someone else said you do tend to drive more chilled out, and the best bit is that all lorry drivers and other vans let you out at junctions as they think your 'trade.' (little do they know I wear a suit to work).

Beware older vans cant go into london because of the emissions regulations, its £100 charge if you do want to take it in. Vitos tend to rust just looking at them so id go with a t4 or Trannie.

[quote=Rusty Spanner ]You get charged for going to the tip.
I don't

You do round here!

Most charge, some have the limited permit thing.

Still an inconvenience to be aware of.

I find transit seats very uncomfortable. I have a T350 MWB and while it's a brute, it's not fast and it's not cheap to run (26-27mpg down to 22mpg towing). If I ever need to pull a couple of tonnes it's the business though, loads of torque.

I do have a wee car admittedly, it gets used about once a week, but I plan a change in a couple of years to a smaller more car-like van such as a Transporter, a smaller trailer for work, and get rid of the car. Keep things simple, small, cheap and live life to the fullest not caring about such things as vehicles!

I'm on the verge of picking up a T25 or a Mitsubishi Delica as a daily driver. I know the Delica will drink fuel, but i can take the bike everywhere and sleep in teh back 🙂

I've used the works van (Vauxhall Vivaro) quite extensively both for work and leisure. After I wrote off my old car on the motorway, I actually considered buying it from work (the lease was up) and doing a semi-conversion job on it but then common sense took over and I got another estate car.

That said, the van was great to drive, decent on fuel, easy to live with on a day to day basis. I'd make a few fixes straight away, one being some kind of bin/storage system for shopping otherwise it flies round all over the place.

One of the reasons I didn't go for the van was that it was just the basic trim model, ideally I'd want something with a few more mod cons for daily use.

Just gone from Mercedes C180 Estate to Trafic 115 crew van last week. Wish I'd done it sooner. Better fuel economy, much more practical for my life. Doesn't appear to be as good on fuel as the figures predicted, but its still good and it might just be my driving. It has a 6 speed gearbox so I'm still getting used to it a bit!

I loved the luxury of the Merc, may one day get another one if I can afford it, but if I have to have only one vehicle, then it has to be this or something like it. The Trafic came with sat-nav and bluetooth, the Merc never had that!

Interesting the number of folk here with VW's, I decided to get a Trafic (Vivario/Primastar) after speaking with colleagues/ tradesmen that had a lot of experience using all kinds of vans daily for their work. Except the big VW and Merc vans (Sprinter) I was advised to avoid the German stuff (Vito/ Transporter) as they're generally less reliable despite being more expensive.

My daily drive is 51 plate LDV ex postal convoy /camper conversion ,still post office red, excellent, av 30 gallon normal use ,40 + on a run .

People avoid like the plague in car parks in case your a hippy .

Police spot checks are quite funny too when you jump out in colar n tie on work days.
Then mountain bike n bag of gear in back is a give away.lol.

Nice photo oliwb!

Great minds..

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Ditched the car back in 2003. Had 2 Vito's since then with no regrets. Obviously suitably practical for biking but also finding the van ideal for new family life.

Mpg not brilliant have to say (mid 30s at a guess) but then I don't do too many miles a year.

Vans rule!
Escort panel van surprisinglying quick. Never overtaken on road trip to mtb bike centres all around Wales.
Followed by
Another escort, this time petrol. Will run on no oil.
Followed by
T5 Transporter, always at dealership for blown turbo, oil consumption, clutch, brakes and I forget what else
Followed by
Old hiace with many miles and not a single problem
Followed by
New hiace. Best vehicle in the world. Left foot braking with safety boots means roundabouts are a hoot in the wet.
Downsides
Can't go through Richmond park etc.
Don't park any dodgy inc B&Q carpark, if it looks like it has tools someone will have a go.
Get deadlocks.

Can't go through Richmond park etc.

I didn't say before, but I'd never consider having a second 'proper car', seems pointless as we are a 2 driver household, with 1 child. Means if we are ever out together we are in the car, and if both vehicles are in use there's very little chance of more than one passenger in either of them, and even less in both. Suppose I could have bought a sports car, but I'm really not that bothered by them.

I have a big supply of elastic luggage straps and some large, cheap plastic storage boxes from Ikea to solve the loose items and stuff flying about issue.

Going against the grain....

I only drive a van (Vivaro then Vito). Have done for 2.5 years, and its becoming rather tedious. Hard to park, actually impractical for shopping etc, thirsty (Vito does 40mpg on m/way, 35mph around the A-roads), noisy, tedious to drive etc etc

Wife does have a nice car which I occasionally use, but guess what; she isn't all that keen on driving the van so I can only really use it when she is either in another country or otherwise incapacitated.

So much so I am now poised to sell the posh Vito, buy a mid-priced Vivaro and a car.

My daily drive for work is a Dispatch new shape 57 plate. I'd happily use it as a car. Comfy, quite frugal at 36mpg (measured) mixed driving well loaded. Easier parking and nicer than Tranny sized vans. Twin side doors handy.

TooTall - Member
Nobody has mentioned tolls. If I had a van in Bristol the occasional trips over the Clifton Bridge and in to Wales would be a lot more expensive.

I have a LWB T4, and I have only ever paid the car rate for crossing the bridge.

It's strange that people are complaining about poor fuel consumption.

My old Peugeot 308 diesel did about 50mpg on average. The Caddy I'm running now does about 48mpg on average whether it's got bikes and kit in or not. It also has cheaper road tax

Bristol & Clifton Bridge seems to be random if you can blag it.

wisepranker,

Do you have to remove any wheels to get the bikes into the Caddy or a straight fit? looking at a Van and its clicking all the right buttons atm.
Thanks

No, my 26er and 29er both fit in easily without removing wheels.
BTW, mine's just a normal Caddy, not the LWB Maxi.

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Van here since years but a kombi with seats in back best of both.

Ref that transit anyone else think it looks like the passenger side door and sliding door have been painted? Paint doesnt looks same shade to me, may be my dodgy mince pies tho!

MMM just had another look pannel alignment on front passenger door looks way off, i would be asking if its been repaired, and get it HPI`d.

VW T5 here as only vehicle, SWB, standard roof, the only thing I don't like is it's white!

I've had one as my only vehicle since June, Transit low roof SWB, 2004 model.
It's much more economical than my previous petrol MPV, 40mpg rather than 28 (I only ever do long runs, no commuting) I prefer driving diesels too. Yes it costs £120 to fill up but I last did that on 22 September, in Fort William (I live in Lincolnshire)
Tax is cheaper than previous car
Insurance is cheaper (only problem to note is with commercial vehicles you don't get 'drive other cars')
Surprisinly easy to park (why don't all cars have mirrors like that?)
Simple mechanicals, much more friendly to home servicing than the cars I've had.
Surprisingly quick in a straight line, plenty of torque for overtaking, less good in corners.
A little bouncy due to primitive leaf-springs at the back.
Noisier than most previous cars, except Landy Defender.
I actually quite enjoy driving it.
And of course the main reason for having it, decent boot.
Note regarding a post above, I turned up in it for a first date last Saturday, can't have been that off putting as I'm seeing her again tomorrow, although I do have to give her a lift somewhere this time...
.
From now on I will always have a van, they are just better.
Ideally I would like a fun car too (Integrale when the numbers come up) but if I can only have one vehicle it will have to be a van.

PS.
I was a little dubious about running one as my only vehicle and when seaarching was looking at smaller stuff like LWB Connects, and Dispatch/Scudos but I'm pleased I went for a proper size on in the end. Next will be a LWB low roof, the extra space would be great (camper/bikevan conversion in progress)

Some things I have found over work/play life and vans.
If your going to be in the back a long especially moving anything heavy the stooping position gets annoying and makes my bad back much worse.
I can stand up in a Med Roof transit fine.
If it's got a bulkhead get the rear lights sorted out.
If your going away for weekends consider a leisure battery so you can run chargers/fridge etc. and still start it Sunday night
Lining makes a difference Underlay etc under the floor panels reduces some of the noise as does packing the wheel arches/boxing in.

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Pics are from when I got shot of it. Lining made it nicer to be in at night and quieter.

And coat hooks were a great idea along with wiring up a campsite power cable to run laptop & fan heater.

How would you fit your bike in that?

I drive a 2006 Transit as my main vehicle and gave done for three years.

Converted mine to 75% camper with a partition at the back for bike storage. A Transit will take a bike across the back left to right without the wheels off meaning the rest of the van can be used as a camper. The rear will also takes three bikes with front wheels removed.

The rest of the van has a sink, double hob, grill 2 four foot seats with a table that converts into a double 6ft bed, 2 large under seat storage areas and another small cupboard. Ply-lined and insulated with loft insulation and covered walls in carpet. It's not a long wheelbase either.

Pull out awning on the side and an awning rail if staying a longtime and need more space.

Added windows and a sky light and then re-registered it with dvla as a camper. No speed restrictions or high bridge charges.

No problem with everyday use at all.

I have never really understood the transporter fashion as they are so small and most people have to store the bikes on a rack, which for me defeats the point if a van.

3 years in the pug partner for me now

Looking back on it its been a great vehicle but i am finding my self occasionally needing 4 seats now on those occasions that i do actually need a vehicle - im tempted to chop in our van and our car and get 1 pick up with 4 seats for the two of us , as it is rare that we both need a car now.

My vans hardly turned a wheel since i moved to my new house as its possible to cycle everywhere i need to go in a similar time.

But for 90% of what i need to do the van has been the vehicle of choice - moved house(only 15 miles each time) with it three times , it holds 4 bikes fully built and many more with the wheels off. I can sleep in it , i can get changed in the back i can take rubbish to the tip (currently renovating a house) i can get loads of stuff in from the merchants.

Didnt cost the earth (for low milage) - and continues to provide cheap servicing costs at the garage - its a pig to work on my self as the engine bay hasnt got much room.

I use a caddy as my every day car , because its a car derived van it's the same speeds limits apply to that of cars , getting 55 mpg , small enough not to be a pain , big enough to carry bikes etc. insurance a little higher than a car ,

I can always fit a second row of seats of I want to carry more people
But on the whole it's a very good all round motor

cheers for replies guys didn't like that one from first post. going to see another one tonight.

[url= http://www.morels.co.uk/ford-transit-280-swb-tdi-in-oxon-for-sale-2313944 ]linky here[/url]

it would be a day van for eating, changing etc in.

T4 SWB only vehicle for 4 years. Don't wish to ever own a car again. I use it for work and go away in it 2 weekends out of 4 so well worth it's value to me. Drove a Transit SWB a lot over summer for a job I was doing, seemed like a good van to me. If you have specific needs for them they can't be beaten. Tootling down the motorway in my armchair of a seat keeps me very chilled.

Pictures please Hopk1ns 🙂

I've been considering it for years. Every time I've changed cars I've had a look and never done it. Usually had large hatchbacks or estates to compensate.

Switched earlier this year to having a van as my weekend vehicle and a car for commuting rather that a biking/commuting car that was always filthy and a weekend car that was never used.

Got a 6 seater crew cab SWB low transit and absolutely love it. Back seats are wide enough to sleep in (I'm 5'9). Air bed fits snugly in there and all biking kit goes in the seperate rear area.

Managed to fit 6 people and 6 road bikes in, two or three bikes had front wheels off but all in the vehicle and out of site when we stopped anywhere. Full camping and biking kit in for weekends away with room to spare. Absolutely love it.

Fuel wise it's mid 30mpg which is great (commuting car gets 23!). Comfy enough but seats could be better. Might swap the driver's seat next year.

Wouldn't be without it now. Not sure if I'd want one as my only vehicle as I love cruising in to work in a V8 armchair 😀

The question is - if it doesn't take 4 people and 4 bikes safely and comfortably, What are my other reasons not to use a large car?

You can't get changed in the back of a large car.

You can't store 4 bikes in the back of a large car without them being broken down and without them being visible.

You can't fit 4 bikes in any car without removing parts.

You can't throw bikes in the back of a car filthy and sweep it out when it's dry (well in most cars).

You can't leave a bike (out of sight) and full gear in the back of a car (and still have room for day to day use) in case you make a last minute decision to ride.

You can't fit a massive chest of drawers in the back of a car when passing a charity shop and spot some that would store loads of biking gear.

Once you've got a van you wonder how you coped with a car. Have had various Volvo estates so pretty big motors but the fact I can leave the bike in it and store filthy kit right out of the way has been fantastic. People wouldn't get into my last car as it was so dirty (bike always went in the boot) and I usually had to wipe the seat down before heading to work on Monday. With being able to get changed in the van and always having spare clothes in it I never seem to get it so filthy...

Got me a tranny!

Now you have your sexuals sorted
what van you getting

Are you here all week?
🙂