[Closed] What's the point of a T5 type van?

you can't get a motorbike in an estate

Bigger than a car, not a big van size. Also it's a +20 in the lifestyle points 😉

Large estate car works but isn't perfect. I've used one for years, bikes in, sleep in, carrying kit etc but it only really works for a few nights at a time. Works well if you're camping though. Bikes inside nice and secure.

T5 can do all that comfortably. You'll also not get more than 2 of you with bikes inside for a trip in a car but LWB kombi will swallow 5/6 guys and bikes and kit comfortably - brilliant for longer trips away.

However, for most I reckon this is the main reason...

Also it's a +20 in the lifestyle points

😆

But I'm struggling to see any sensible argument to buy something like a T5, compared to, say, a large estate car???

its bigger.

Cos you're not only, like... TOTALLY AWESOMEZ dooood, but you also have a large income and a sensible appreciation of German automotive engineering

It would take a lot of nights in a b&b to cover the costs of a t5.

I admit to kind of liking the idea of being using them as an overnight van, but the alternatives are actually better.

Same footprint as a car, but more useable space?

[img] [/img]

Fair enough on the motorbike 😉

Looks like style (and massive cost) over substance otherwise, especially as they don't actually look very big...?

Surely the crew cab / second row of seats robs most of the advantage of a large load area - and its a hell of a lift to get anything on the roof (eg kayaks)

Judging by some of the overtaking maneouvres that a couple of T5's were carrying out on the way home from Fort William last night, the whole point of them seems to be that you are instantly a driving god.

Judging by the amount that are parked up near my house in the evenings they are the ONLY van that you can fit your kite surf/wind surf kit into.

Looks like style (and massive cost)

Oh, and with your finance head on they cost a bit more to run but your average T5 tends to depreciate like a helium balloon.

A 10k t5 3 years ago is still a 10k t5 now! Compared to a 10k car which would have lost 6k in that time, big estates have even worse depreciation.

Oh, and with your finance head on they cost a bit more to run but your average T5 tends to depreciate like a helium balloon.

It makes your voice squeaky?

We're getting a T5 in about 3 weeks its currently being converted into a raised roof campervan. We had a Bongo but its thirsty, elderly, thirsty, small and thirsty. So we've decided to go a bit biggerer, with less fuel usage and more perceived surety of driving 2,000 miles across Europe and back without major problems (which we didn't really have with the Bongo). And hopefully if something does go wonky, then it'll be a vehicle that someone relatively local with have at least seen before...
It is quite a lot of money though.

I guess you don't pay extra up front for your residuals?

I guess you don't pay extra up front for your residuals?

Is it something to do with sludge?

everyone goes on about the amazing residuals/lower depreciation, do you not pay for that when you pick up your expensive second hand van, getting more on the resale is a false economy when you pay more up front.

We're all aware of the irony in decrying T5 drivers for paying over the odds for brand and lifestyle happiness. When at the same time paying way more than we need to for our bicycles. It's the same thing surely?

When at the same time paying way more than we need to for our bicycles. It's the same thing surely?

MSP - Member

It would take a lot of nights in a b&b to cover the costs of a t5.

Company T5 ftw

Estates really don't compare to vans imo. 3 bikes and 3 people in ours at the weekend. Twin captains chairs up front, and the 2-seater left in the back, acres of room for all involved, mud is easily swept/mopped out. 3 long bikes in without a single wheel off or whatever, plus kit, plus pressure washer. Nothing being scratched against each other whilst loading/unloading or just general driving and it take seconds to get it all in. I would properly miss not having a van

When at the same time paying way more than we need to for our bicycles

Do we? Oh, okay then...

They are bigger. They can sometimes be less plush and more 'mucky kit n kids' friendly with rubber floors and boot you can chuck bikes and curver boxes in.

I would love one.

But I cannot justify one over the Galaxy we currently have, with added bike and canoe rack, as the vans are most definately more expensive to buy and run.

not exactly an answer to your question, but this thread was very helpful for me:
http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/help-needed-convincing-the-missus-that-a-t5-multivan-is-the-ideal-car

And to give you a short answer from a recent convert - all the comfort/toys of a car, but massively, massively, more practical (esp with 3 kids, dog, bikes, etc etc to cart about).

I gave up on "pushing on" driving many years ago (peaked with a Scooby-doo STI), so having a big bus that is massively practical is awesome!

Had one for a few years now as my only car.

Plus points for me:
- Ideal for trips away. Throw everything in and go. No worries about muddy kit on the return either.
- Can be modified to make it comfy to sleep in.
- Makes a good place to get changed, hide from midges and drink tea
- Great for multi-sport trips. I can take the bikes away but if I end up going hiking or whatever there's somewhere secure for them.
- SWB T5 fits in a standard car parking space and under the normal car park barriers.
- I like the driving position
- It's useful for DIY missions or collecting furniture the wife bought off Gumtree

Downsides:
- More expensive to run than a car.

I don't use it day to day for commuting. If I needed to do serious everyday miles I probably wouldn't have it.

edit: double post glitch

A van is a wonderful thing for anyone into biking or other outdoorsy stuff.

Avoid the T5 lifstyle tax by buying a Citroen Discpatch, Scudo etc. Get a shiny new one for the cost of a 5-6 year old T5.
It's just as good.

tomd, everything you said was the same for a bigger transit except for the under the barrier thing. LWB Med High, fitted in all carpark spaces.
Took 6 bikes permanent double bed, space, seats and room for lots more. Better MPG than most of the big petrol cars suggested in a STW What car thread and cheaper than a VW.

The T5 just gives you the feel cool things

To borrow from above:

[i]Had one for a few years now as my only car.

Plus points for me:
- Ideal for trips away. Throw everything in and go. No worries about muddy kit on the return either.
- [b]Has been[/b][s]Can be[/s] modified to make it comfy to sleep [b]and live[/b] in.
- Makes a good place to get changed, hide from midges and drink tea
- Great for multi-sport trips. I can take the bikes away but if I end up going hiking or whatever there's somewhere secure for them.
- SWB T5 fits in a standard car parking space and under the normal car park barriers.
- I like the driving position
- It's useful for DIY missions or collecting furniture the wife bought off Gumtree
- [b]Costs the same to run as a car.[/b]

Downsides:
- [b]None really[/b]

I [s]don't[/s] use it day to day for commuting. If I needed to do serious everyday miles I probably would[s]n't[/s] [b]still[/b] have it,[b] as they're vehicles that are designed for serious every day miles[/b]. [/i]

A van is a wonderful thing for anyone into biking or other outdoorsy stuff.

Maybe if you're pathalogically embarassed about getting changed in public, terrified of dirtying a car, and addicted to tea...?

EDIT I may be trolling.. but only mostly.. people seem to think they are essential items but they aren't. Cars do just fine, they drive better and are more economical.

T5's are built like tanks but drive like cars. Transits are built like cars but drive like tanks. The closest alternative to a T5 is probably the Vivaro/Traffic but they aren't anywhere near as robust and reliable.

The T5's are expensive to buy but you do get what you pay for. Mine is just coming up for 330000 miles and its still running sweet..

nice try molgrips nothing nicer then getting changed in a dry warm place out the pissing rain and being able to not have to get naked in a cold wet public car park (unless you enjoy that sort of thing), pack more bikes in and the gas BBq and the stove and the other spare bike, and hang up your wet gear and more.....

Hell no idea about the tea

Anyway all fine without buying a T5, plenty of good vans out there.

Edit to the economy point
30-32mpg for the transit, as good or better than plenty of cars people suggest in here.

Avoid the T5 lifstyle tax by buying a Citroen Discpatch, Scudo etc. Get a shiny new one for the cost of a 5-6 year old T5.
It's just as good.

It's really not

If you don't need to put long things in or sleep in it, then have a good look at Transit Custom DCIV, better in every way except auto gearbox & BHP.
I ended up with a new kombi for that reason, The DCIV has a fixed bulkhead & non-folding rear seats and i need the ability to shift timber & sheets of ply round.
I have been looking at getting a kombi bed to turn it into a cheapo camper. But other than that the Trannys are better & cheaper. Remember, it's a 10 year old van now. Although there are loads more options for making T5's sick & phat etc.

Several surfboards, bikes and a buggy can be wheeled straight into the back. Room for 3 full sized child seats, labrador and 2 adults too.

Excellent utility vehicle for carting all our crap about.

My riding mate bought on in May last year. So far it's taken 4 or 5 of us for long trips away to the Alps and the Pyrennes. And day trips to loads of places in the UK. We tend to pick a new location every two or three weeks. It a LWB T5 and takes all the bike and gear with no drama, is comfortable for long (15 hour!) trips away, cheap on the train and zero hassle in terms of bike storage and security.

Off to the Ardeche in Sept... another long trip and apart from the smell of 4 blokes, it'll be a breeze. Not sure I'd want one, but it's brilliant to have a mate who does! Definitely ridden loads more interesting locations.

Mike my T5 is 11 years old, bought cheaply 3rd hand off a mate and on a whim and is covered in dents and smells a bit. Cool doesn't come into it. Did your Transit run on the fumes of your self righteousness?

Having a nice van (and I'm not saying T5s exclusively) is basically one of those things where if you don't have it, you probably don't miss it, but once you've had one, you wouldn't give it up (and probably kick yourself for not getting one sooner).

nothing nicer then getting changed in a dry warm place out the pissing rain and being able to not have to get naked in a cold wet public car park

Ah I see, you're a delicate little flower, ok I get it 😉

30-32mpg for the transit, as good or better than plenty of cars people suggest in here

Still shit though, around half of what I get in my nice big comfy car.

no diesel, like most vans, do you use the oil from your shoulder chip?

Just saying other options available

[i]Off to the Ardeche in Sept... [/i]

Just got back, can recommend a cracking campsite

cheers molgrips, it' just nicer than doing the dance in the car park, that and a bigger van being able to stand up straight is a really nice thing for the back. really made a difference, I know 32Mpg isn't awesome for a big diesel estate, had VAG TDI's before but for the compromise it was good. Still much better than most of the big petrols people want in here.

After much deliberation I joined the Vee Dub club by buying a T5 recently and love it,a few mates have them already so it made sense,and lets be honest they look pretty sweet too don`t they.Mine sits in my warehouse during the week and functions as a weekend toy,biking fishing and outdoor stuff loaded and ready to rock,best of both worlds really.

After much deliberation I joined the Vee Dub club by buying a T5 recently and love it,a few mates have them already so it made sense,and lets be honest they look pretty sweet too don`t they.Mine sits in my warehouse during the week and functions as a weekend toy,biking fishing and outdoor stuff loaded and ready to rock,best of both worlds really.

Can we get this point settled once and for all - they do not drive like cars.

Thank you.

For me the benefits of a van (T5 os similar) is the ability to carry the family or 5 adults in comfort and still have lodds of room for kit. Way more room than an estate, and more room/comfort for 5 adults than an estate.

Just back from a family camping trip. 3 bikes, all camping kit, beach kit, walking kit, etc for a family of 4 (including a toddler and all they bring) away for a week of camping and outdoor activities. Plus all bikes and kit stored 'securly' inside the van, no racks, worrys about security and visibility etc when left.

I have an older T5, but if my budget was a little more I would have seriously looked at a much newer Transit Custom.

My only regret is not buying one sooner. I came so close to getting a T4 around 15 years ago, but bought a 90 and went down the dark Land Rover path for a number of years.

Cars do just fine, they drive better and are more economical.

Depends what car you're comparing it to. My T5 dtrives way, way better than the wifes Scenic, and returns about the same MPG (30+/-) as her Scenic and the Focus I had before the T5.

If I was to have a van I would love this.

Legend, I agree with you subject to a minor amendment...

Can we get this point settled once and for all - they do not drive like [b]modern[/b] cars.

They drive nicely for vans, ride reminds me of a Volvo 240 estate (not that that's a bad thing, the 240s were great cars)

Out of interest, for those who own / have owned - how many are self employed?

Many of the kit van owners around here appear to be small business owners, and I suspect their "lifestyle choices" get offset against tax 😡

Avoid the T5 lifstyle tax by buying a Citroen Discpatch, Scudo etc. Get a shiny new one for the cost of a 5-6 year old T5.
It's just as good.
It's really not

How come? Genuine question..

I suspect their "lifestyle choices" get offset against tax

😛

rkk01 - Member

Out of interest, for those who own / have owned - how many are self employed?

Owned a Caddy (still better than an estate for me) and the Mrs has had a company Vito and a company T5. So all paid for in one way or another

How come? Genuine question..

I've driven both, quite a bit. Every Scudo derivate I have had the misfortune of driving has been noisy, rattly and pretty crappy. cheap seems to be the only plus point. My mates had to had a ratchet strap holding the sliding door closed so it didn't deafen you with wind noise at anything over 20mph.

Not specifically a t5, but there's no way you can compare the practicality of a van to a large estate....

Mate of mine used to have a van as his company vehicle - can't remember what it was - might have been a LWB Merc of some description (Sprinter?). It was brilliant. For his brother's stag do, we managed to get 10 bikes (might have been 11) in the back of it and there was still room for 6 of us to sit in the front for getting to where we were going.

While it was in for a service he had a much shorter VW van and that was still practical, but not as practical as the Merc.
Obviously it had it's downsides - a bit noisy, thirsty, harder to park etc. but if you make frequent use of the space, I think they are a great thing to have.

As for the getting changed in the rain/ making tea comments there have been many a time when I have had to get changed in the freezing cold, pouring rain in a car park when I would have loved the comfort of a van to pile into & get changed while pouring out a flask of hot beverage and possibly eating a slice of cake.

Of course a van isn't essential, but then neither is most of the stuff we have in this life so that's a pretty pointless argument about why you should just stick with a big estate over a van, for example.
If you argue that, you might as well argue that a large estate isn't 'essential' and you might as well just have a small hatchback etc.......

[img] [/img]

I have always fancied a Renault Traffic with the lowish floor but have it fitted with a remote door mechanism and fold out ramp so you could ride straight in.

have some pride man! bunnyhop in ffs!

I am too old !!!! and lack skills

Judging by the numbers of T5's that rock up to most MTB events (plus the wannabe's in their trannies and the like), the van thing seems to be very popular within the sport. (wouldn't be without mine now :))

but there's no way you can compare the practicality of a van to a large estate

Depends on how much crap you feel the need to cart around really. I'm prepared to buy a roof box to go on my family sized saloon car if we need it, and we haven't yet. That's with two kids now 3 and 6, camping since the first was 6 months old.

Ok so we don't windsurf, but we do bike.

I've recently bought a VW T4 off someone I've known for years. He's had the can ages so although it's an 03 plate with 210k I do know it's been looked after.

It's got a poptop, mini kitchen behind drivers seat, full width bed with three seat-belts 12volt circuit for lights and gadgets plus an inverter.

Its so unbelievably amazing to be able to drive off somewhere eat sleep ride drink tea. All at will. We had a van years ago and are happy to park up in cheeky roadside locations. We all either walk or ride to school and/or work in our house so it only gets used for fun. If you don't 'get' what a vehicle like can do for you then that's fine. But it's the best, just seeing it on the drive is a massive stress buster!

Mollie - sometimes, you're going to have to accept that not everyone agrees with what you think is right. We're getting a LWB T5, there's only 2 of us! We're even going to put bikes on a rack on the back! But we're going to sleep in it, cook in it, drive across Europe in it, go to events in it, and maybe even visit both mine and her parents in it. It's not going to be as economical as our Focus estate, nor as fast, but we can stay in interesting places, we won't have to pitch and strike a tent all the time - maybe 10 minutes from arriving to ready to sleep, and about the same time from deciding to leave. Works for us, and we get to be rude about those people who haven't joined the scene, even though we always said we wouldn't do it. 😳

Don't get me wrong, I "get" the style and the "kit" concepts...

They do look good for bikes & camping, but family kayaking requires length and or roof space, and it that respect something like a Mondeo estate looks like a hard act to beat???

Surely putting up with a few rattles and zero cool points in something like a Vivaro or Scudo more than makes up for the however many thousand pounds you save in their purchase.
I had a Transit LWB high roof for a bit. I loved it as I could stand up in the back to get changed after a ride in the dry. It was a works truck.
T3/4/5/6 are "cool". But are they worth the difference in cost compared to the next van? Probably not.

I just got this auto T5 below last week for work/trips away/bikes inc. carrying motorbike occasionally, seems okay so far touch wood. Always had Hiace vans before because they are so reliable but a busted foot last year meant I had to get an auto and this seemed the only choice (people warned me off Vitos). Was more expensive than a similar aged Hiace but I guess will always be worth more if I flog it at some stage.
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/321/17983756524_aa64ac33e6.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/321/17983756524_aa64ac33e6.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
I carry kayaks occasionally and a folding front seat makes this possible without having to fart about with roof racks. I'm well aware of the 'scene' and didn't really want to be part of it, but cracked when the auto option became a necessity. Time will tell if I stick with it.

Mollie - sometimes, you're going to have to accept that not everyone agrees with what you think is right.

I am only trolling 🙂 It's because I think the T5 lifestyle love fest is a bit silly. It wouldn't be half as bad if people talked about all vans the same way.

As for driving across Europe blablabla - all fantastic things to do, and there are many ways to do them. It sounds as if the T5 is the ONLY way to do it dahling oh you simply MUST yah... Hence the ribbing.

we get to be rude about those people who haven't joined the scene

And you used the word 'scene'! Aargh!!1

I know, good isn't it?

Is this a good time to mention the T5 I saw yesterday with the plate

T5 00 YEA

I drive a VW California as my co car and sometimes eschew a night in a hotel for a night ride and cheeky camp in the van. It's my only vehicle and has served as boardroom, child entertainment centre and family wagon. We have had 18 nights away in it as a family and my daughter loves it. I'm sure there are better cars and I've had a fair few fast ones inc 911s and an RS4 but as I poodle around in my old age it suits me fine. Saying that there are a fair few around and at the GT7 the other weekend the car park looked like a VW dealership. At least they get used.

I've run a T5 and a Vito over the last 7 years and now have a Volvo est. I would have my T5 back in a shot, and infact i'm just waiting to see how the T6 is price wise, spec, etc. Been a LTD company means a van is a very tax efficient way of running a big vehicle, if you need one. They're not all that good on the juice, but no worse than a big MPV. They are THE most comfortable way of doing big miles with or without 5 people, and if you have a young family, they are second to none in terms of practicality.

Now you may ask why haven't I got one now? and I have to ask myself that question everyday. Truth, when I have the T5, VW had a lot of problems with the DPF, and mine was no exception, and the Vito........ they are just plain sh!te.

We're toying with the idea of one to replace the SMax, more as a weekend camper that we can pop off short notice for the weekend for family getaways, up into the Peaks, Derbyshire and beyond. Far less expensive than running an estate car and a caravan/camper van, and wouldn't have to live with the disadvantages and limitations of a large estate car - which have all the downsides of a big car, whilst not really being big enough when you need the space. They are the worst of both worlds, the SMax is too maybe to a lesser extent. You still need roof racks/tow bar racks, bike transport options that you need with a smaller car, so the extra volume of the estate doesn't solve your interior space problem. However though a T5 or similar would be massively compromised as a daily driver, it is perfect when we need the space (camping, biking, tip runs etc.). I don't do huge mileage so could live with the poorer driving dynamics. So for me the upsides due to the practicality appeals more than the downsides of it being a daily drive. Obviously it'd be a used one, new ones are just silly money.

Far less expensive than running an estate car and a caravan

How'd you work that out?

There are clearly advantages (and disadvantages) of van over caravan, but running costs?

Weve got a T5. Its a camper/day van conversion, but also the daily driver now.

I like driving a van because you are higher up, and its boxier. Much more comfortable in busy motorway traffic, as you can see a mile ahead over the tops of everyone else. Though in the car when i had it, i didnt have to slow down for corners for fear of sliding across the bench seat. a drivers seat with bolsters would be nice.

Its nice being able to put bikes in whole (I found a way of lashing down two bikes, where they wont move and touch each other, or the interior of the van, bed etc.

the "VWs are better" thing is utter BS IMO. Its fashion.

We have a Ducato at work which has had a VERY hard life, and it's still tight as it should be.
The two things that make a difference are:

1: you can ALWAYS get rid of a T5 (i saw one for sale with 600k on it!, where as anything else, you will struggle to give it away past 150k miles.

2: because they are fashionable "lifestyle" vehicles, T5s get treated like cars. People know they hold their value and are therefore more prepared to spend money on it. Other vans get treated like vans.

Ive never seen a Mercedes that isnt a rust bucket, and ive not heard anything good said about a vivaro/traffic, but i think whatever you bought, if you treat it as you would a car, anything will treat you reasonably well.

We had one for about 4 years, put about 70k on it, and still sold it for more than it cost.

I only sold it at the time because I got given a nearly new one for work (5.5), which I had for about a year, and did a lot of miles in.

When I left that job the one thing I didn't want was another van. We bought a big,ms lightly older high spec diesel estate.

I would never have another one. They drive like crap compared to a decent car, they arn't very comfortable, and you nearly always become the designated biking driver, as you have the van.

Give me a quiet, comfortable car any day of the week.

last year the GF and I were toying with the idea of an estate that we could at least sleep in if we needed.

after some deliberation we started looking for a van.

considered many, yet kept coming back to the Transporters. Vitos were rusty. Transit Custom was too new. Traffic/Vivaro was a bit plasticy. Having driven Ducatos and the like for work I didn't fancy spending any more time than necessary in them (very tinny and not very refined).

ended up with a LWB Caravelle with all the bells and whistles. so far we have been away for weekends and short hols more often than we would have had we an estate car. the freedom of being able to just pull up somewhere and cook, sleep, change and relax is great. if you assume we had bought a nice motor for 10k and had always gone to a B&B or hotel then within the last year alone we are not far off the purchase price of the T5.

i can carry five people (removed the rear bench) with bikes without having to use the rack. i can carry five people plus luggage and five bikes with the rack.

we can still get into underground carparks (common here in Germany) due to the height.

being a van it does mean that i tend to drive in a more relaxed style, but then that is fine by me. had enough speeding tickets whilst driving high powered Autobahn munchers.

it returns over 40mpg (6,7ltr/100km average over 4000kms) even when cruising at 65/70mph (normally set cruise control to 110kmh), although i generally avoid driving through town during the rush hour. if pootling along country roads or through road works at 50mph it returns 4.8ltr/100km (almost 60mpg!) 🙂 . it is refined, cabin noise is not any louder than my mates 3 series BMW (which incidentally has similar MPG figures).

the plan is to fit a sliding bed/bench set up in the back behind the 2nd row of seats. that way i can still load sheets for work and get bikes and other bulky stuff in there and lock the van. then at some point a pop-top as, [s]decadent as it sounds, putting your trousers on whilst sitting down is a pain[/s] we want to go away camping with friends and family.

yes, it is an investment, but it's not a motor we use for commuting and we don't have any other financial commitments.

oh, and check out the plate!

[img][url= https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7593/16907410237_2cf493a6a7_z.jp g" target="_blank">https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7593/16907410237_2cf493a6a7_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/rL3U24 ]MTB T5[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/72344643@N00/ ]sod_the_taxman[/url], on Flickr[/img]

i photoshopped the plate 😉 however, it is similar, but does not mention the model, just my riding prowess.

Mol grips, caravans cost money to run don't they?...insurance, servicing a loan, paying to park it in a field somewhere etc. not as expensive as a van, but an additional cost over running another vehicle, which for a large family caravan needs to be a substantial car with a high enough towing weight. Then you've got the faff of getting ready to go somewhere...picking up the van from the farmers field, loading it up etc. when you want to use it, so not quite as 'ready to go' as a van. And after all that you're stuck at 60mph on the motorway.

I do wonder if a lot of people who buy T5's have bothered to drive the new generation of vans from Renault, Vauxaul Ford Etc.

The T5 is an old van now. The new Trafic and Transit custom have better engines and drive trains etc. Will be interesting to see what the new T6 is like.

I have just ordered a new Trafic Sport to replace my old 13 plate Trafic sport. Its a 140PS model with all the toys for the price of a 3 year old lower spec T5.

I really wanted the Transit Custom Sport but that was 8K more than the Trafic when all the deals were taken into account. I can trade cool for 8K !!!

T5's are nice vans however but they are not the only vans that drive well and have a nice cab now, but they do look cool if thats important.

As for vans in general, I wish I bought one years ago 🙂 I used it for push bikes and transporting motorbikes and its brilliant.

Bazzer

At a gnats chuff under 2 metres and a recognised lifestyle vehicle, the T5 is actually a great van for crossing France, as you can travel the Peage as a car at half the price of other vans. If, for some reason, it tries to charge you van rate, just press the button and shout "camping car", and the operator will change your rate to car. Same goes for the Severn bridge. Just make sure you have a side window or 2.

I have a 2008 Vivaro sport SWB. Initially i loved it, it drove so well with a lot of power and having a big changing area for me in the rear was a game changer up here in baltic Scotland.

Then i had a problem with the injectors. A manufacturers design fault resulted in water being able to get into the engine bay and sit on the engine. This obviously corrodes the injectors. Before i found out about it being a design flaw i replaced one of the injectors, then 2 weeks later another one went so i put it into Vauxhall which after 6 weeks of dilly dallying i got my van back with 4 new injectors.

It now runs flawlessly, yes it's true that it does not drive like a car but i really don't care. I have a fold out bed in the back, leisure battery wired in with lighting so it is ace for weekends away and i am going to fit a captains chair next week and ill be finished.

For me i love the freedom it gives me. i kitesurf as well so when the weather is not so good having a van is a god send.

i had a Passat estate for 5 years previously so i can compare the 2. The van wins hands down for my lifestyle 🙂

[url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/official-van-conversion-thread ]Link to my build thread[/url]