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I'm a bit of a van newbie but have really got used to my old basic vivaro for carrying stuff around (including tandems!).
Main problem is, it has no rear seats (3 people is a bit cramped) and no windows either. Don't really think it is worth converting, but am thinking about my next vehicle. Is it practical to take seats (and bulkhead) in and out of a minibus version as required so I can alternate between carrying more people and having a bare van (and potentially camper)? Don't expect to do this all the time, just occasionally (eg when parents come to visit by train, currently we can't all go out for the day). Camper with rock and roll bed is an option for passengers but again I would want to be able to pull it all out for van use.
Fit removable seats and some windows to your current van? Gives you loads of flexibility.
Look for a crew cab. Side windows, rear seats, sometimes a diesel heater. Full bulkhead between the seats and the dirty bit but easily removable.
It's pretty easy to fit side windows even though it's daunting taking a grinder to the shell. Quick release seat points and a double bench is a fair chunk of cash.
Current van is basically bangernomics so I'm not keen to spend a wedge of cash on installing seats etc when it might fall apart any time. If the 2nd row and bulkhead on a newer van comes out easily (and reversibly), then that sounds like a goer. Say, something like:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VAUXHALL-VIVARO-LWB-FACTORY-DOUBLE-CAB-CREW-DAY-KOMBI-SURF-VAN-6-SEAT-NO-VAT/272091908675
looks like it's bolted in place, but I've not seen one close up.
Have a look at at ex-network rail welfare vans, best of every world apart from being a bigger van. Cheaper than a normal van as well if you shop around.
A mate has a vivaro crew cab, done a few long road trips in it. I don't think you would ever remove that triple seat bench. And even if you did and had help lifting it out of the van, you'd need a load of space to store it. It's not designed to be removable easily.
I've got a T4 kombi (this is STW) with the 2+1 rear seats. I've taken 1 or both of them out a few times to help friends shift sofas etc. Seats are big/heavy but have quick release mushroom bolts, the same fittings as in the caravelle. I got an ex-AA kombi, so the rear seat / belts were factory fit so no problems with insurance etc.
Another option might be something like a reimo variotech seat / rail, but £££
I've got similar to Jeff, VW T4 kombi with factory fitted rear seats and windows.
On the the V5 it states Body type=van/side windows, Taxation class=diesel car and vehicle Category=M1. What do you all reckon it is classed as, car or van for speed limit purposes?
I've removed/refitted my bulkhead(newer shape Peugeot Expert), and there's no way I'd want to do it on any sort of regular basis. Mine is bolted in place, I've no idea if you can get quick release ones though.
Regular isn't really necessary, once or twice a year would probably be enough. 90% of the time it's just two of us. I'm just wondering if it is really a reasonable thing to do.
The bulkhead on a Vivaro is riveted in two places and otherwise has around a dozen bolts. You can drill out the rivets so that you could make a removable bulkhead. It's fairly light but would require storage when not in use. I just binned mine.
....... binned it ?
Should have put it on eBay I remember getting forty quid for the one I took out.
Also when cutting out for the windows just use a jigsaw not a grinder....... those red hot sparks will ruin the paintwork
@Simon It's a Diesel Car and I'm paying that lumpy road tax, so I assume that buys me car speed limits like a VW Caravelle.
It's a car for road tax, and a van for LEZ, it would cost me £100 to go into London...
It's a car on the severn bridge, a van on the M6 toll.
Is it a var or a can?