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looking into getting a Caddy Panel van, the smallest of the range from what i can see. From my understanding you can fit two bikes in the back at a push? does anyone have any experience of these vans?
I saw you can take the front wheels off and attach through axle mounts to the floor which looks like the best option, does anyone know if two bikes would fit in the back using these mounts?
any info appreciated, thanks.
At a push? iirc 6 + a **** load of kit was a push. 2 was just fling em in and go
sweet, thats the answer i was hoping for haha
SWB will need the front wheel turned. LWB MAXI will go in straight. If thats a deciding factor.
Get a maxi, go in easily and long enough to sleep in nice van, the older ones up to 2010 are meant to have better engines
Thanks for the feedback guys, i'll do a bit digging. I was looking at the maxis as well ££
Get a maxi, go in easily and long enough to sleep in
6'2" here and slept in my old SWB plenty of times, with bulkhead removed, as it's pointless on a fun van anyway.
the older ones up to 2010 are meant to have better engines
Read up on the injector problems, some folk had a total nightmare on vans pre-2013 (IIRC 63 vans were the first to have issue addressed)
I've had 7 in the back of mine, all with wheels off though
I have the VW Maxi van without bulkhead.
As mentioned above: perfect for bike transport.
In the back: mine has a bed on the left side, right side for the bike. Great fun for small vacation tours. The van is not insulated (hot like shit in the summer!!!) and the sound when driving is like "driving in a big tin can". But for me it's a big fun vehicle. When it's too hot I have a tent with me and put that up.
Two bikes in the Maxi: then the "bed" goes away...
Ive just been given a quote for a new smaller Caddy pannel version, should be suffice for me and is more in my budget. Should meet my needs and be a big improvement for carrying the bikes, of which their is usually only two. The ability to use it for weekends away up north and a couple of nights sleep is also a big plus.
Probably worth noting that the rear suspension is like this, but feels less advanced:
i've had a caddy for 6 years, i have thule roof mounted bike rack attached inside cross ways on the floor which i used almost daily, then the second xc bike fits along the side, only need to take wheel off with my enduro bike. great van, never had a problem, gets an aux adapter kit for cd player and you're sorted. i need to cut a hole in bulkhead to fit in for sleeping, but i'm 6ft
Probably worth noting that the rear suspension is like this, but feels less advanced:
haha. Fun.
Yes - this design allows to carry a fat payload. It's a van! Love this kind of rear suspension. Had it on my old Ford Pickup and now on the Caddy.
Best example of good car design: Ford Model T. This fantastic - and durable - car had this rear suspension as well. Best ever.
"Feels less advanced": maybe true. But great, great design!
Yes – this design allows to carry a fat payload. It’s a van!
It's a relatively soft spring then a massive bump-stop - it's half-arsed. At least you can flip the axle to get it slammed though.
Model T is famous for it's manufacturing technique, not realiability