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After the sad demise of my bmw shed that has been a faithful bike/dog hauler for the last few years the hankering for a van is strong.
Looking at a max of £10k and something in the medium size range so that I can stand up inside (used to have a T4 and found the constant stoop annoying at 6'3") as well as being able to store bikes inside with out having to remove wheels etc.
Would never be a fully jazzed up camper but certainly will put a basic sleeping platform and leisure battery setup in it.
Budget/space requirements mean no transporters and most crafter's/sprinters are longer than I need.
Currently looking at transit customs but concerned that the usual ford rust issues will still be present.
Also considering the nissan nv400 as a slightly more refined version of the fiat Ducato and derivatives.
Any thoughts/horror stories gratefully received.
Two very different sizes of van.
Parents have a basic camper in an nv400 it's not bad.... But the second shaft in the gearbox is a weak link. Towing in 6th gear doesn't do it any favours but outside that it's not needed much. But it's several steps back on interior features and cab comfort over a custom. But you can stand. Bought because it was a partner van to the renault master at the time but about 4 grand cheaper new..... But although they say that - they don't direct part share on alot of things you would think they would.
Transit customs.....small (or ugly in the taller sizes) rust ,wiring issues and easy stolen.
I'd probably buy a Ducato.
Two very different sizes of van.
I did wonder if it was a typo and should have been “Connect”
Most Transit Customs are the H1 height (2mtrs external) which is no good for standing up, you'll find it harder to locate a decent H2 Transit Custom especially at sub £10k.
All vans have security issues and are too easily broken into - not just restricted to Fords.
Rust - the current Transit Custom is a big improvement over previous Ford vans. TBH anything would be an improvement given how bad the old ones are. I don't see many rusty Customs around.
I did wonder if it was a typo and should have been “Connect”
Connect is the even smaller one. I wonder if the OP means the normal Transit, i.e. bigger, non-Custom version. Also assumed NV400 rather than NC400...
Annoying autocorrect. Should have been nissan nv400, there are a few close to me in the smaller h1l1 or h2l2 sizes which look to have pretty similar internal sizes to the transit custom.
Looking at the H2 in the custom, beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that. 🤣
The Ducato was where I started looking but advice from mates was that it's worse to drive than the nissan as an even older base platform.
Looking at the H2 in the custom, beauty in the eye of the beholder and all that. 🤣
Yup, looks of the H2 probably keep the prices lower than the H1s - end of the day it's a van though 🤣
Happy with my H1 L2 Custom - worth seeking out a L2 H2 as the extra length helps, fnarr. 5.3mtrs means its only slightly longer than big SUVs and no different to drive than a L1. Custom nicer to drive than my 2004-era VW T5 although I've not driven a NV400 to compare. Nicer than the Vivaro etc though.
Not trying to be an argumentative tosspot, but how often do you expect to actually need to stand up in the van? Is the height a firm requirement?
Assuming it is, have you considered the Renault Master as well? I know a couple of people with them and they seem a very useful size for camping / bike storage.
The Ducato was where I started looking but advice from mates was that it’s worse to drive than the nissan as an even older base platform.
I think take one for a drive rather than take second hand advice. The ducato / boxer platform has been around for a while - I think they drive pretty well. The NV400 isnt exactly a spring chicken - some of the manufacturers that have been using that platform have moved over to the Boxer / Ducato platform instead now - so the new Movanos are now boxers. I've only driven the really big RWD NV400 / Movanos - remember the cab being comparatively cramped compared to its competition with the bulkhead impeding the seat adjustment.
I've recently switched to a boxer after years (and years) of merc vans - all the way back to the old T1s - and I really quite like the drive, getting back in a sprinter seemed really quite wallowy by comparison. I'm really surprised at how flat the boxer corners - not sure if its the wider track or the lower floor - even fully loaded (mines racked so the weight is up the sides of the van not flat on the floor) it just doesn't roll about at all.
At that sort of size nothings going to be a sports car. The transit custom will be a bit nippier just for being smaller but I've found them to have a very harsh ride and quite fatiguing over distances. Especially A road and country driving - the sort of places you'd go with a bike - it feels like its sitting at the top of the suspension's stroke - every bump feels like it has a double impact - or like theres too much air in the tyres. Its a shame because the previous generation of transits were really comfy.
not my experience at all. Mine's a 2013 plate and (touch wood 😃) not had an issues. (Agree the stock security is pants, not unique to Fords though, and easily/cheaply sorted by an auto locksmith or actually pretty easy to DIY). IME it's the perfect size for a daily-driver (which mine is), swallows bikes & camping kit obviously, yet still easy to park in a normal bay or on street.Transit customs…..small (or ugly in the taller sizes) rust ,wiring issues and easy stolen.
again, not my experience, love driving mine! Really comfy, king o' the road position, all mod-cons! Done loads of holidays to rural areas, no complaints at all, much prefer it to driving a car in fact.but I’ve found them to have a very harsh ride and quite fatiguing over distances. Especially A road and country driving
I had a 2014 Transit Custom Limited for 3 years, was great. Really good cruiser for long journeys, suprisingly comfortable, loads of equipment. The ride was a bit crap on badly surfaced roads due driving with light loads on leaf springs at the back, but it is a van ultimately.
Mine had no signs of rust apart from some where an idiot previous owner had put self tapping screws through the wheel arches to fix ply lining. (Why would you do that?!). Needed a tiny bit of sanding and rust treatment to sort but was no fault of the van.
My mate has just bought a new MWB crafter to replace his "old" 2016 plate.
It had 180K on it, (he put 150k of those on over last 3.5 years -mostly motorway miles)
Kept on top of servicing, was due to have something near the back replaced which was going to cost a couple of £k.
Other than that, it was a good workhorse which he drove quite hard and was carrying at least half of ton of kit most days.
Mine had no signs of rust apart from some where an idiot previous owner had put self tapping screws through the wheel arches to fix ply lining. (Why would you do that?!).
His brand spanking lined out van has this.....terrible but got a good additional bit of discount last minute because of it
Mine had no signs of rust apart from some where an idiot previous owner had put self tapping screws through the wheel arches to fix ply lining. (Why would you do that?!).
Its how the ply lining kits are typically designed unfortunately - theres not really anything on the van to fix to. On the walls you can fix to the ribs but on the arches and the floor the only fixing option is through the bodywork.
All good information, especially that the drivers compartment might be cramped given that I'm tall.
Wasn't planning on standing up in the back being a definite need, more that I had a T4 and found it annoying when being used for trips of more than a couple of nights particularly when the finest Scottish weather kicks in.
We have vivaro/traffic at work and they also feel lacking in height for me.
Also interesting that the custom sounds like it's crashy on lesser roads, the jumbo transit at work is pretty good and hasn't rusted so far.
Sounds like some test drives required.
Ha, custom ride quality alternative views didn't show on my phone until after I posted 🤣
All the more reason for a test drive then.
Its how the ply lining kits are typically designed unfortunately – theres not really anything on the van to fix to. On the walls you can fix to the ribs but on the arches and the floor the only fixing option is through the bodywork.
Putting a self tapper through a wheel arch is not the only option, its just the easy, lazy option people do when they don't care what happens to the van in a few years time.