[Closed] Can someone explain VW Transporter Models?

The T-600 had rubber skin and was easy to spot

T26 / T28 etc is the payload of the T5s & T6s.

So their lightest is 2.6Tonnes max weight and their heaviest 3.2Tonnes.

Actual payload will vary based on the empty weight of the van.

If you're building a camper don't get a T26.

Oh Kombi has a row of seats in the back and windows in the slider / panel opposite the slider.

The highline etc are trim/spec levels. Don't know what all the differences are.

Ah-ha! Cheers Phil.

T26 t28 is the gross weight of the van 2600kg etc

I do some transporters as a sideline so any questions let me know. What are you looking for - van, camper, car replacement etc?

Kombi - is a 5 or seat model with 2 rows of seats and middle windows.
Shuttle - is 8 or 9 seats and windows all around.

T26, 28 etc is max weight. Don't discount t26, even if converting, a full conversion with pop top etc generally 2300-2350kg so plenty spare for most and easy to up-plate most to 2800kg as a paperwork only exercise.

Startline > trendline > highline > sportline are models. The range was described as this from 2013 on. Don't just look at the name though as any model can have any option e.g. a startline can have aircon which is only standard on a highline etc.

T32 has different suspension to the lighter payload models. Handy to know if you are thinking about lowering your wagon.

a startline can have aircon which is only standard on a highline

Like my T30 Startline which has aircon along with the 140 engine and 6 speed box. When I was looking I pretty much ignored the model name and went for spec of the actual van.

Expensive, really expensive, ****ing expensive and, **** me, how much....

Just browsing at the moment. Mrs Blackflag is keen on the whole camper thing after another failed camping trip (highlands = rain yet again)

There is a place round the corner from us that seems to do a really good and reasonable conversion service. Finding the base van is a minefield (but becoming clearer). And yes this is ******** expensive.

My trendline T32 has the same spec as a highline.
Apparently the original buyer wanted a sunroof, which was not available on a highline, so he went for the trendline and ticked all the options boxes to get it up to highline spec.
Sounds like a bloody daft system to me.

Is there something that's effectively a higher spec Kombi? We've had a Kombi before and the rear seating area is very basic, so is there something thats still 5 seats (assuming captains chairs up front) but nicer in the back? All the seats of the Caravelle/Shuttle wouldn't be needed. I suspect that there isn't?

Mashr not really. But a shuttle and take rear seats out vat option get a kombi with carpet lining and insulated rear, makes it feel much more car like and reduces noise.

whilst a VW is cool other vans are more cost effective for a conversion if you dont need/want the badge.

I`ve just done a LWB vivaro and while its deeply uncool its dead good.

So long as your not building your camper conversion out of lead I struggle to see how you could get enough stuff in such a small space to hit 2600kg for that to be a problem.

The other things to bear in mind is the the T32 (gross laden weight 3,200kg as said already) is a slightly different van.

It has uprated brakes and suspension for a start and requires a class 7 MOT. Not a massive issue as it only costs a few ££ more to MOT but will reduce the number of test centres you can use. It will also restrict some of the available modifications (if that's your thing). The required load rating of wheels is higher (only an issue if you want everythign to be as it should be) and suspension lowering options are a little more restricted.

My last Kombi was a T32 and it was fine. I'd have another if the right van came up but the search for my last one was focused on T28 & T30 as I had a fairly free choice.

Only a very limited number of T32 have different brakes, most are as other vans. It's the 180 or 204 bhp vans that all have them.
Suspension is different but that's it in terms of components.

Once you convert it to a camper on the paperwork it becomes a class 4 Mot again.

So long as your not building your camper conversion out of lead I struggle to see how you could get enough stuff in such a small space to hit 2600kg for that to be a problem.

That's not the payload, though - it's the total weight of the van, fully loaded and driving down the road. I'm not sure what an empty van weighs, but say for the sake of argument that it's 2000kg. Elevating roof and carpet lining might weigh 150kg or more. Another 100kg for the rock'n'roll bed. Furniture, what? another 100kg? A full 50l water tank and gas bottles, say another 75kg? Fill the tank with diesel - another 50kg. So you're now at 2575kg. And then the driver (80kg), passenger (70kg) and two kids (60kg) climb in, promptly taking it waaaay over the weight limit and risking your licence as soon as you put it in gear and release the handbrake.

Yeah, ok, a bit OTT and the weights are all pure guess work/illustrative only, but you can see how easily it can add up, especially once bikes, surfboards etc get thrown in.

I think the T32 suspension can affect ride/noise. Our T5 is a Kombi so hasn't any sound insulation and is also a T32 and 180. I find it quite noisy and I think the suspension is partly responsible. More is not necessarily better. Changing the tyres helped considerably though.

What’s the limiting factor between the different max weight variants? Is it just suspension or are the chassis strengthened too?

The vw price premium complaint is commonplace but utterly irrelevant. You get it back plus more when you come to sell again. The only issue is the upfront purchase, but the beauty of caravan, motorhome and campervan financing meaning you can take out finance for a longer period means you can get monthly payments down to an affordable level so after a few years due to the slower depreciation of the vw based vans means you can sell for more than the outstanding finance. The advantage of the ve vans are they are a bit smaller so more convenient for driving, and there are a lot of aftermarket off the shelf mods and kits available so much easier to convert and mod. Also they are cooler, not a necessity, but a nice to have.

Iirc our T5 T28 SWB has a kerb weight of 1800kg (give or take a few kg) so you were left with a max payload of 1000kg ish.

Wobbliscott suspension is the only constant change, nothing else and nothin structural.

Phil - see my post above full conversion total weight generally 2300-2350kg

I`ve just done a LWB vivaro and while its deeply uncool its dead good.

It's anti-cool is what it is, and everyone knows that anti-cool is cooler than normal cool. Hiace driver 😎

Phil – see my post above full conversion total weight generally 2300-2350kg

Which only leaves you 250-300kg which isn't that much.

2 adults = 150kg+
Our 2 bikes and rack are close to 50kg
Food/water = 20kg+ (we carry about 50kg of water but realise we're probably a minority).
Dog = 12kg

Which leaves 68kg max for other stuff (which might include a couple of kids etc).

As i say phil read my earlier post, it's also possible to uplate a t26 to 28 just as a paperwork exercise for a couple of hundred quid if it's needed. Mostly your number assumptions are wrong and for most even a t26 would be fine without replating and for anyone with the replate.

Transporters are not cool. Boring retired people chunneling on about depreciation values or fat blokes in hoodies asking you why yours isn’t lowered or why no alloys? People who spend the money on trips are way more fun. I’ve got one but am not retired or fat yet.

I'm considering getting one next year. I tick the box as I'll be retiring although I'm not fat.
A fair few of my mates have them so have been advising me of the desirable specs to start out with. They LOVE talking about their vans. So far I'll be looking for a T28 or T30 SWB with the 150ps DSG (so it doesn't feel like a van to drive) & a tailgate.
What are the sensible (if any) suspension lowering options? Still maintaining a decent ride but less roll without the slammed look. I quite like the look of slightly oversize steel wheels too.

PS I've been told that it's mandatory to wave at every other VW van you see. Is this true?

150ps DSG (so it doesn’t feel like a van to drive)

Not really sure how that'll help

PS I’ve been told that it’s mandatory to wave at every other VW van you see. Is this true?

I've had this happen to me on one particular day, when every single Transporter (and there seemed a lot that day for some reason) was waving at me. Never happened before or after. I didn't wave back as I don't at randoms in vans

As i say phil read my earlier post, it’s also possible to uplate a t26 to 28 just as a paperwork exercise for a couple of hundred quid if it’s needed. Mostly your number assumptions are wrong and for most even a t26 would be fine without replating and for anyone with the replate.

Fair enough on the replating, that definitely is a good option.

Which of my numbers do you think are wrong?

Now that we've sorted out spec levels (and to save me from starting another thread) what's the sweet spot in the range in terms of ownership/reliability.

Say I want a 5.1 onwards, (maybe a T6) is there anything to avoid in terms of exploding intercoolers, Adblue, DPF's, snapping driveshafts etc..?

Is there any downsides to a DSG? Do they ever munch themselves?

We had a 2.5 130bhp T5 for 7 years and it was mint. Noisy and rugged compared to new stuff but it was trouble free and took us all over Europe. My girlfriend is dying for us to get another one. I don't care about the badge but I've driven all shapes and sizes of everything available and as much as I hate to admit it, a powerful T6 with an autobox is the best by far.

My favourite option on the new vans is the fully opening sun roof. They probably haven't filtered down to our budget yet but it's amazing driving a van with the wind in your hair!

Waving no more sadly as it was fun about 8 years ago but new breed of owners are hands down. Unless same model and colour on the old models then give ‘em a flash and a wave.

Is there any downsides to a DSG? Do they ever munch themselves?

Just make sure you do the oil changes at specified intervals and it should be right.
Mate did over 300k in his taxi T5 and never had any issues with his. Mines on 75k and changes as it should

As i say phil read my earlier post, it’s also possible to uplate a t26 to 28 just as a paperwork exercise for a couple of hundred quid if it’s needed. Mostly your number assumptions are wrong and for most even a t26 would be fine without replating and for anyone with the re-plate.

Fair enough on the replating, that definitely is a good option.

Which of my numbers do you think are wrong?

I suspect he meant my numbers [the perils of two different Phils! 😉 ] I did say that they were plucked out of the air for illustrative purposes only, and my point was only to illustrate to Trailrat that the all-up weight of the van is not the payload, which can be quickly eaten-up.

It's good to know that the 2.6t van can be easily re-plated to 2.8t. I'd say that even if you *can* get away with 2.6t then that's still worth doing, 'cause you won't be visiting a weighbridge every time to load up.

It's also worth noting that a tow bar bike rack will have a disproportionate effect on rear axle loading because it's cantilevered off the back. Which won't normally be an issue but could be if you're near the limit anyway.

Anybody know what the difference in weight is between a LWB and SWB? Because I definitely fancy the extra space of the former, but need to be careful as it'll both reduce payload and increase the scope for loading extra stuff in.

One thing with the DSG box is they seem have made a software change in the T6.1 to meet the emissions std that has made a 'feature' that existed worse. Specifically reversing uphill - i just got my MY19 Cali Beach and went manual as the test one i had wouldn't do it - as in, would not reverse uphill safely. It's widely reported now and i expect can be fixed with a DSG update. My old DSG golf was a bit on/off in reverse as well but not as bad as the van i tested.

I suspect he meant my numbers [the perils of two different Phils! 😉 ]

Maybe? 🙂

Either way, I still thing a T26 is a bit tight. Admittedly I've never weighed ours, I keep meaning to though.

my point was only to illustrate to Trailrat that the all-up weight of the van is not the payload, which can be quickly eaten-up

Oh im aware of the difference between tare gross and payload.

It does just seem that vw people like to make their conversions out of heavy stuff

My daily conversion rolls over the scales at 2900kg. And it's over 7m long

I don't have 20 kg of gas on board though

I’ve been told that it’s mandatory to wave at every other VW van you see. Is this true?

Splits, bay windows and T25 / T3 then yes. Anything later than that then it's a no.

Oh im aware of the difference between tare gross and payload.

Fairy 'nuff. I certainly agree that many of the plywood conversions you see are a lot heavier than necessary. ISTR that VW use honeycomb-cored board for the furniture in the California to save weight - but that's probably one of the reasons that they're so eye-wateringly expensive! I imagine that a decently crash-worthy rock'n'roll bed must be pretty heavy too, so if you can manage without rear belts that must help.

My daily conversion rolls over the scales at 2900kg. And it’s over 7m long

Impressive! 🙂

Oh and although it may seem like it, it's not mandatory to put huge VW logos all over it or a sticker that says "Transporters - Campers In Disguise"

I always wave and more often than not I get a wave back. Keeps me and little 'un happy on a journey.

Splits, bay windows and T25 / T3 then yes. Anything later than that then it’s a no.

No later than the old stuff waving is still a thing. Though you only wave within your van subset so I would only wave at T5’s. I learned the hard way getting nothing from T4’s and T6’s. I didn't At first thought it was a bit naff but started doing it, a little bit of nice light hearted fun on the roads instead of the usual angry knuckle dragging boy racers determined to ‘make progress’ no matter how heavy and congested the traffic in their hot hatches.

Not all T32 are class 7 for MOT either, mine is a T32 Shuttle and is Class 4, also M1 so car speed limits apply.

I try and wave, makes it friendly out there in an ever unfriendly driving world. If that makes sense. Ours is a Caravelle, as above Class 4 and MPV on the V5. Just don't get a 180 BiTDI version, hopefully get ours back today after a new engine.

Also interested in this topic. With the speed limits is it as simple as M1 = car limits or are there wrinkles around the weight limit ratings that come into play even if it's a factory kombi?

Car limits are M1, so Shuttle and Caravelle, have heard that some Kombis are also M1 but not sure.

M1 and N1 are taxation classes. M1 = car tax based on emissions (so is quite high for a T5) and N1 is commercial so a standard £240ish (with a couple of exceptions). Shuttles and Caravelle are both M1 while combi and panel vans are N1.
Any M1 vehicle under 3.5 tonnes should have same speed limits as cars (60/70/70)
Most N1 vehicles under 3.5 tonnes will have van speed limits (50/60/70)
HOWEVER. Some N1 vehicles can be driven at car speeds provided they meet the criteria of a Dual Purpose Vehicle. Many SWB Kombis fit this description as do some 4 motions. In the case of kombi it is down to a combination of windows, number of seats, amount of load capacity and maximum kerb weight. In the case of the 4 motion it is down to maximum kerb weight and having 4 driven wheels.

Have a read of the official documentation....

(From the .gov.uk website)

"Dual purpose vehicles
A dual purpose vehicle is a vehicle constructed or adapted for the carriage both of passengers and of goods and designed to weigh no more than 2,040 kg when unladen, and is either:

constructed or adapted so that the driving power of the engine is, or can be selected to be, transmitted to all wheels of the vehicle
or

permanently fitted with a rigid roof, at least one row of transverse passenger seats to the rear of the driver’s seat and will have side and rear windows - there must also be a minimum ratio between the size of passenger and stowage areas"

@welshfarmer that's very comprehensive, thank you.

Shuttles and Caravelle are both M1 while combi and panel vans are N1.

There was a period with factory T5 combi's being registered from new as M1 on the V5. Not 100% sure when it ceased, except that it stopped by the time T5.1 came along.

My '07 T32 combi is registered as M1. Get the higher speeds but also the higher taxation.

Welsh farmers post also relies on it having been registered correctly at purchase.

It's hard nee impossible to have the speed limit changed after the fact even if all the dual purpose vehicle criteria are met.

Try explaining the dual purpose vehicle to a speed camera, or critically the numpty in an office trying to enforce the fine.

My 16 year old sailed through its MOT yesterday. Hurrah to a happy summer of chugging along.