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Morning all,
I "potentially" have around a 5k inheritance coming my way and am thinking of using this to finally get myself a van. Currently driving an 08 Focus estate which has been ace however the MOT (end of Jan) stands to cost me a grand which I'm really not sure I can justify.
I've been after a van for ages but one thing and another has always got in the way so now may well be the time.
So thinking that a crew cab design as it would be my everyday drive and would also suit solo adventures with me and the bike, camping trips for me and my son (17), adventures with me and MrsSH and family size adventures with all 4 of us.
Removable rear seats would give me the space and flexibility to do most of things I could set my mind on. The back seat could be a folding RnR type affair to form a double bed when its me and MrsSH, there would be room behind that for whatever kit we needed for camping when its the whole SH tribe. If its me and the boy then we can both crash in the back or camp outside and plenty of room for when its just me. Alternatively three individually removable seats that can be used accordingly.
Obviously would need to insulate and panel out the back to make it a bit nicer, pop some lights and power outputs etc in and then that in my wonderfully simplistic mind would be about that. Maybe...
So as I'm typing this its perhaps becoming clearer that a Transit/Transporter size affair would be better suited than a Connect/Caddy?
So what are the thoughts of those who know better?
So what are the thoughts of those who know better?
that 5k isn't a big budget for a transit/transporter without it coming with more work needed/problems than your focus
A rock and roll bed is not easily removable. You'll also struggle to get bikes with that too.
Vivaro or Transit custom will get a lot more van for £5k. Proper crewcabs are unlikely to have flexible seating (not 100% as I've never driven one) and a good tested rock and roll bed is likely to be north of £1k. If you put the R+R right at the back (unsociable) you may be able to get bikes in the middle, if you move it forward a bit you may be able to give yourself a short garage to load the bikes sideways, front wheel off.
I normally recommend to stay away from minibus style vans as they have too much glass, but you could look at Tourneo style minibuses which *may* have removable and/or sliding seats.
Get a LWB Vivaro/Trafic/Primastar. I had a SWB and the extra room now means bikes roll in with wheels on. I've built a cabinet/bed down one side (but haven't carpeted yet). Feel free to fire me an email and I can take some photos and hopefully help you decide what you want!
OK so perhaps scrapping the RnR bed idea but we would definitely need to be able to seat 4 people which would need at least one seat in the back depending on whether the front has two or three.
For that budget I’d look at a LWB scudo/Dispatch Kombi. Plenty of room for your needs and will be in much better condition than any VW (money pit) or Ford van (rust pit).
Garaging bikes inside and being able to camp is a tall order. I’ve not tried it yet with my t5 as I usually use a toball rack, but I suspect they’ll take up much more space than I imagine.
My Vivaro (just about to be written off due to my own stupidity) is a SWB with a full width rock and roll bed (fully insurance certified) at the back. If I'm just off biking then front wheels off can fit 3 or 4 bikes in front of the rear seat (takes the rear seat out of use but double front passenger seat means this works fine). Proper camping with me and Zoe (plus dog) the bike goes in a bike bag and slides under the seat/bed. this set up has worked well for us for a couple of years.
I know Trafic/Vivaro/Primastar have a poor reputation for reliability but mine (2012, 135k miles) hasn't missed a beat as a daily driver. Depending on what the insurance say, I'm probably getting another one...
Vivaro/Trafic LWB all the way. mines great. as with schmiken above i`ve a bed down one side that folds out and a cooker opposite and i can still get 4 adult bikes in (with teh frontwheels off) or 3 full bikes. Really comfey for passengers too.
Lwb tourneo or similar would be best.
I've got a new ish swb. 6 removable rear seats (heavy and pain to store but flexible).
I've got two of http://www.decathlon.co.uk/Buy/817169 7">these camping beds from decathlon that I use with 10cm inflatable mats.
Cheap, really comfortable and space underneath for storage. Having two singles means that you can use one or both as required.
A van of this size means that it isn't spacious with two but manageable for a couple few days. In good weather it's fine. For solo trips it's more than enough space for one with a bike inside. I did a week touring around Wales in mine this summer.
My other half made up some thermal blinds. I can fit an electric cable under the boot lit which means that I can run an oil filled heater and air heater if needed (and campsite camping). The camping element has probably cost me £400 in kit so is a real budget way to turn it into something that I can comfortably sleep in.
A t5 shuttle can vebhad for that money, no need to insulate and removable seats, cheaper to insure and car speec limits, cheaper tunnel/ferry and toll crossings too
Vivaro LWBs are nice and seem to go on and on and on.
A 5 grand t5 shuttle smells like a step on the path to personal insolvency to me. The millennium falcon would have fewer miles and less bits hanging off. I love my t5, but Christ it needs constant attention. Today's farce manifests itself as an electric sliding door that will no longer close using the interior handle. Yes, the child lock has decided to reverse operation and allow my little darlings to escape but not close the door behind themselves when they get in.