[Closed] Any small vans that'll take an 8x4 sheet?

Just for info, an 8x4 sheet "just" fits in a SWB T5, so I guess looking at anything smaller is futile.

The Chrysler grand Voyager will. As will the equivalent Toyota/ honda (Odyssey?). I think the Hyundai i800 will to.
They have very clever seats that fold right out of the way to allow for full 4x8 sheets plus you can take 7 friends with you.

Pretty sure a galaxy will too.

I had a sheet of 8x4 in a mondeo once. It sort of fit (went diagonally across the car and above my head). After that I used the roof bars

long wheel base connect will do it - passenger seat folds down flat and cage swings around to allow sheets to slide in diagonally
not sure if this is an option or available on all models ?

The Transit Connect L2 has a specially designed bulkhead so you can get a couple of 8x4's in right up to the corners of the loadspace apparently. Never actually tried it, but have used the load-through feature for 8 foot scaffold planks and they only poked through a few inches so I reckon it'd be right.

Love my newish van.

NV200 ? With front seat folded

Cheers folks. So it may be possible with a couple of models then. I'll have to do more digging.

It's not like I carry them all the time but it would be handy for sure.

I feel like if I had a proper big van, I'd just fill it with more rubbish and maybe general costs would increase over something smaller..

Ah, sorry I didn't spot the price limit bit and car/van preference, I was too excited about having actual product knowlege!

NV200 ?

Doubtful. Mine is roughly 1.22m between the wheelarches and 2m to the backs of the seats. A bit of diagonal experimenting might prove me wrong though

one size up from the blingos the second generation (2007 - 14) scudo/ dispatch etc in long wheel base let you get an 8x4 flat on the floor but not on edge. In that size they're almost transit size but pretty cheap by comparison on the used market and feel smaller to drive - lower driving position and lower centre of gravity

The advange with going a smidge bigger than that - a full size tranny (but not the latest model) is you can transport boards on their side... so that you don't have to unpack all your stuff to get a board in / out.

A lot of current models of bigger vans have the bulkhead intruding into the load space now (probably as a result of having more crash safety up front) - the bulkhead slopes backwards so although they'll quote the load space as 2.4m its only the floor that is that size (sometimes achieved by tucking under the seat bases) not the space as a whole

Another option though... going a bit smaller / lower rather than bigger. The vauxhall astra vans are dead cheap to buy and run - I bought my one for £1000 and ran it for 5 years, getting 60mpg. They've got a slightly longer load bed than the blingo but a lower roof (and a longer roof for a longer roof rack) means flinging boards on and off the rack is much easier than it is with a blingo or transit sized van

1971 Dodge Polara station wagon, 8x4 fits flat on the floor and fits between the rear wheel arches. One I've the best cars I've had but a bit strong on fuel!

The advange with going a smidge bigger than that – a full size tranny (but not the latest model) is you can transport boards on their side… so that you don’t have to unpack all your stuff to get a board in / out.

That would be amazing. I do like having a smaller vehicle in a lot of ways though. Wonder if a proper van might get flack from being parked up in front of the neighbours house all the time... 🤔

I was going to suggest the NV200 too, it's a nice looking van, but if it is too small, maybe go for a long wheelbase versions of Transit Connect or Caddy.

Actually, a friend has a new Citroen mini-van (Partner?) and that's really well fitted out. For the money, that's a good choice if they do a LWB version.

Wonder if a proper van might get flack from being parked up in front of the neighbours house

there's no law against it. To all intents and purposes a tranny doesn't really take up any more road space or 'view' than a Berlingo. With small vans you lose a lot of the potential load volume to engine and leg space. A transit is less than 2ft longer than a belingo ( just a couple of inches longer than a mondeo) but has 4ft more load length just from configuring the cab and engine bay differently.

From the answers above... a few people are giving recommendations without ever having put an 8x4 board in a vehicle 🙂 certainly not the ones they are suggesting. A lwb connect or caddy is going to give you about 8" more than you can get in your blingo

The smallest vans you'll get boards into are:

Boards in flat on the floor:

LWB Dispatch / Scudo
SWB Vivaro

Boards in on edge

SWB Transit
LWB Vivaro

But choosing between them of running cost I doubt there's much appreciable difference (with the dispatch the bigger engine is more economical than the small one) and your neighbours would be able to tell they were different sizes either.

that should be 'wouldn't'

The Transit Connect L2 has a specially designed bulkhead so you can get a couple of 8×4’s in right up to the corners of the loadspace apparently.

Wasn't this the big selling point of the Renault Traffic and equivalents - was the only standard van that would take an 8x4 upright

I've had full plasterboard sheets diagonally on edge in a SWB Vivaro / Traffic / Primastar. I think you need a no-bulkhead model to do it tho.

The Transit Connect L2 has a specially designed bulkhead so you can get a couple of 8×4’s in right up to the corners of the loadspace apparently.

Wasn’t this the big selling point of the Renault Traffic and equivalents – was the only standard van that would take an 8×4 upright

Bloody hell, I feel like I'm going to have to go to B&Q and buy a sheet of plasterboard just to test it!

Also have a nv200. Pretty sure you can't get a 2.4 sheet in the back. Great van though (although ours is the 7seat MPV).

Wasn’t this the big selling point of the Renault Traffic and equivalents – was the only standard van that would take an 8×4 upright

You can only do it with the long wheel based version - they quote the load space as something like 2.9m for that model but thats only on the floor the bulkhead leans back quite a bit and 2.44 fits quite snugly on edge. The older shape transit could do it in a shorter van but the new one has the same issues as the traffics and its only the LWB that can get them in on their side. Corner to corner is pointless if you have plans to carry other stuff really fine if its only once a while but if buying or using wood is what you do thats not good enough. I can't see the point of a van that size that can't easily carry the standard unit of measure for the materials you'd use it for.

Anyway OP just dive right down that slippery slope. Transits are a gateway van (Maccruiskeen former SWB transit owner turned XLWB Sprinter owner with roof rack for carrying 7m steel sections)

If you take the plunge I'll show you are really clever (if I do say so myself) quick build rack for transit size van that makes them really quick and easy to pack and access, but call also be removed in a few minutes.

Monkeyboyjc remarked; Also have a nv200. Pretty sure you can’t get a 2.4 sheet in the back. Great van though (although ours is the 7seat MPV).

Would you mind removing all of your back seats and buying a sheet of ply to see if it'll fit in over the weekend? 😉

I like those Nissans.

Some interesting reading thanks everyone.

Would you mind removing all of your back seats and buying a sheet of ply to see if it’ll fit in over the weekend?

it would have to be all of them - you'd need the front seats out to get a sheet in :-). They're only 2m long in the back. Some of the van versions have a folding bulkhead / passenger seat which gets you more length but the opening it creates isn't full height so a sheet wouldn't fit through.

Currently looking at vans myself. The other day I had to do a double take in the yard at Jewson as someone loaded multiple sheets of ply into a previous generation LWB Transit Connect with the aforementioned hinged bulkhead and folding seat. So it's definitely possible. Maybe not ideal if you're constantly loading up with full size sheets, but great as an option every now and again if it's raining.

What about a normal car and just use something like a box trailer when you need the extra size..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tow-A-Van-Box-Trailer/283332252999?hash=item41f7eb1547:g:JocAAOSwYTtcNOzR:rk:32:pf:0

Wonder if a proper van might get flack from being parked up in front of the neighbours house all the time

Might be worth checking your deeds, ours forbid commercial vehicles. Terminology is probably a bit "grey" but our neighbours would definitely cause us grief so I've had to refrain from buying a van and have a big estate car instead.

Shirley you can own what you want if it is parked on public highway? Deeds may be an issue if shared driveway rather than 'real' road?

Our deeds exclude commercial vehicles (and livestock!) from the estate. It probably could be tested as it may be deemed to prevent someone from earning a living etc, but who wants to go through all that.

Anyway OP just dive right down that slippery slope. Transits are a gateway van (Maccruiskeen former SWB transit owner turned XLWB Sprinter owner with roof rack for carrying 7m steel sections)

If you take the plunge I’ll show you are really clever (if I do say so myself) quick build rack for transit size van that makes them really quick and easy to pack and access, but call also be removed in a few minutes.

Be interested to see that anyway 😊👍

Don't think I ever photographed it (don't have that size of van anymore) but when I get an idle moment (April) I'll knock up a quick sketch. Everyone racks their van on the right to keep the side door clear - counter intuitively I put it on the left - sheets go on the right as you can only get them in and out the back door anyway - and the rack is made so you can reach all your tools from either the back or side door without having to clamber into the van - it means everything is is accessible even if its full to the gunnels

They actually make good sleeping bunks too so I've overnighted in the back on long journeys to site even with all my kit on board

Undo 2 screws and the whole thing comes out if you need to carry something bigger

You Can Get a full sheet diagonally sideways/crossways in a LWB caddy.
Just (well a few actually) but you’ll be packing everything else around it.
You can just do it with a SWB Vivaro too - diagonally but upright.
Be warned though - the moment you box in the arches on a LWB then they won’t go in flat. They are designed to just fit that size.

I'd also like to see those rack plans maccruiskeen, the shelves in my van are a PITA to use when bikes block them, and it's a big old stretch to reach them from the slider.

Used to get 8x4’s in our old (G) reg Astra. Ok the boot would need to be strapped down, and the exhaust fumes would blow back inside but we got away with it😁

SWB Trafic takes sheets upright at an angle, you have to be careful with the side door though as it catches the boards. Need to load them from the back with the side door shut.

It's actually kind of surprising how many vans DON'T easily take 8x4's, considering it's such a common cargo for many vanists.

Be warned though – the moment you box in the arches on a LWB then they won’t go in flat. They are designed to just fit that size.

On the continent sheets are usually 2.4 x 1.2 dead (like plaster board here) rather than rounded up to imperial which is what can cause the tight squeeze between the arches

So - by popular demand (a mandate of two)

This was a quick fix to pack an exhibition that consisted of large exhibition panels and boxes of exhibits - it was only supposed to be used for one trip to avoid having to hire a luton and pay more for a ferry - but it stayed in for 5 years.

Basically... screw two horizontal battens to the bulhead and two to the door side of the van at the heights you want your shelves to be.

Then make a ladder-frame to go in the middle of the van - screwed to the floor and with the uprights spaced to meet the ribs on the roof - fixed with angle brackets and screws and again with rails at the height of your shelves. This frame only needs to span from the back doors a line level with the back edge of the side door.

Then two ply shelves slide in along those runners - span the gap between the side door and the bulkhead and locate on the the front battens. I put a 3x1 upstand along the inside edge as a stiffener and to stop stuff slipping off the side. A single screw down through the ply into those front battens is all thats needed for the whole thing to stay put. You can then strap sheets to the right hand side of the van and the ladder frame gives you lashing points as well (handy for bikes) Space the height /width of the shelves to suit your kit (mine were sized to use with removal crates) You can then reach everything from the doors when the van is fully packed.

If you need to make room for larger objects the shelves can slide out and you get a space the full width of the side door accessible from the side. A few screws and the frame is out too if need be. If it works with the dimensions of what you'd put on the shelves - making the division work so that the shelves fit flat on the floor on the right when you remove them from the rack is wise, allows you to save having somewhere to store them when not in use

[IMG] [/IMG]

[IMG] [/IMG]

Might be worth checking your deeds, ours forbid commercial vehicles.

Depends on how a 'commercial vehicle' defined. On the logbook, MOT cert etc a car or a transit-sized van will both say 'Private/Light Goods'. They're not a different class of vehicle. If you go over 3.5ton and into Operator License territory part of the license application deals with the address the vehicle will be kept and gives neighbours scope to object.

By other definitions a company car is a commercial vehicle, as is a hire car. Different agencies (VOSA or whatever they are called now, the DVLA, HMRC, your insurers) will all have different ideas as to what or what isn't a commercial vehicle in their terms

Good idea that Macruiskeen 👍

one size up from the blingos the second generation (2007 – 14) scudo/ dispatch etc in long wheel base let you get an 8×4 flat on the floor but not on edge. In that size they’re almost transit size but pretty cheap by comparison on the used market and feel smaller to drive – lower driving position and lower centre of gravity

Been looking a bit closer at the Dispatch/Scudo.

My workshop landlord has an L2 Scudo. He reckons you struggle a bit getting an 8x4 in due to the way they ply line the wheel arches.

I have to say, seeing it in front of me and next to my Blingo, it's kin mahoosive! 😳

Mind you, despite what he said about difficulty finding parking, he won me over with tales of driving it to the Alps with a couple of motorbikes in the back.

My ideal choice would have, tailgate boot for rain cover, bench passenger seat, 2 rear side doors.

I'm looking at Transporters too, but I guess you pay Volkswagen tax on them. Seem to be a few under 5k though.

Anyone have any experience with the Dispatch/Scudo? L2 model?

So, In the last few days I've looked at 3 Toyota Hiaces, and today I went and looked at  Merc Vito.

So far, the Merc is winning me over, mainly as it has twin sliding doors which I think is very useful if you want it, and it's got a tailgate boot which I've grown to love on my Berlingo for rain cover.

It's a 2007, 110k 2.2 and at £3.5k. Anyone care to share some experiences with a Vito or indeed a Hiace?

Looks a bit like this...

We have a Vito at work, we all like it. Drives well on motorways,gear change on manuals is a bit lumpy but something you get used to. Rear wheel drive so turning circle seems good, but gets stuck in fields easily, don’t ask how I know that.
8x4 laying flat on floor or diagonally stood up, won’t fit in our mwb stood up along side of van.

Anyone care to share some experiences with a Vito

Never owned one but used to hire frequently in 9 seater guise when I owned a swb sprinter. The main thing that struck me was .... even though in load terms the Vito is a smaller van it seemed to take up just as much room in manoeuvring terms as the sprinter.  If anything she sprinter feels smaller to drive - in swb form they turn like a taxi

Swb sprinters are more numerous and less sought after so you might be able to get a younger / better spec sprinter for your money.

It’s a 2007, 110k 2.2 and at £3.5k. Anyone care to share some experiences with a Vito or indeed a Hiace

Use to drive hiaces an awful lot on surveillance, great vans. We found them very, very bullet proof, reasonably quick and ok to spend a few days in (that's a few days in it without a break!). One of my all time favourites, much prefered it to the vws and vitos which came after. I've instructed Mrs kilo that when I die I want one instead of a hearse.
I seriously considered getting one for biking duties but couldn't justify it to the wife at the time

Most folks I talk to are saying a vito will rust to bits and is very thirsty.

Any truth in that?

From what I've read, the older, older ones had the rust issues, and particularly the white ones that used water based paint.

I think they solved the rusting problems when they brought out that version you posted up there. A Hiace will still probably last longer though.

Any truth in that?

yes - rust 'a lot' rather than 'rust to death' perhaps - mercs or any kind, not just white vans,  of a certain vintage,had to a tendency to rust everywhere you could see but not so much anywhere that really mattered - they generally stay structurally sound but look like shit. Around 2007 / 8 there was an improvement  -  if you're looking at anything of that sort of age it'll be completely apparent by now which side of that improvement a particular example is.

Although mostly cosmetic -  on vans where it can practically rather than aesthetically problematic is corrosion around door handles or around surface mounted hinges and the numberplate lights on on rear van doors. I used to have to 'slam' the doors on my sprinter very carefully!.

I think they solved the rusting problems when they brought out that version you posted up there.

no they didn't - they sorted out the rust problem during the run of the one up there - early examples had problems, later ones didn't - that model came out in 2003 and ran til 2014 - the rust problem was solved somewhere in the middle of that run. 2007 is possibly on the wrong side of that fix.

To be fair it didn't look that bad. It had bits here and there. Lots of tiny stone chips on bonnet, none of which seemed to be rusting.

Worst was a few bubbles and spots around the rear wheel arch..I noticed a bit of touch up paint in a couple of spots, then in the cab I noticed a little bottle of maroon nail varnish 😂

Still, as said above, if it had serious rust problems, I reckon it would be obvious.

It's this one by the way.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201904197146186?advertising-location=at_vans&postcode=b930ef&model=VITO&page=1&radius=5&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&onesearchad=New&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=Used

that's the SWB/compact model... you'll not get an 8x4 in the back will you?

They are galvanised from 2006 onwards.
I have a Sept 06 with 222000 miles on now with no rust.
Been a fantastic van and I’d definitely replace it with another.
Things to look out for are leaky injectors (look for black gunk around injectors), water hose comes through rear wiper motor and can develop a leak.
Prop shaft might need balancing around 150000 miles.

They are galvanised from 2006 onwards.

if its a model on the cusp of that date though you need to be wary - the number plate shows when it left the forecourt, not when it left the factory.

aside from the injector leak / gunk issue which can be difficult to spot of a cursory inspection as (unless its been lost over the years) theres usually a plastic cover over that part of the engine. The other thing to look for is, although not compulsory until 09, merc had started to fit DPFs earlier (my 57 plate merc has one but my 58 plate peugeot doesn't) and they can be an expensive buggering headache. - look for a bizarre Heath Robinson bong at the very start of the exhaust where it leaves the engine bay.

I'm not really clear as to whether you're allowed to take them off at that vintage (I've spent the money now so **** it) in MOT terms. Its a bit of a cleft stick - they're an expensive pain to have so theres some merits in buying a van too old to have one fitted - but... increasingly ... there'll be places over the next few years that you can't drive (without paying) without one - although some places are jumping straight to Euro 6 so you can end up doubly damned and paying to maintain the DPF and unable to drive in certain cities anyway.

Another thing the bloke said (he seemed a nice bloke and we shared an interest in motorcycles) was that sometimes the glow plug light would stay on a while. Seems that this is common and can mean new glow plug relay, glow plugs, or do nowt.

Hiace every time. As said before, bullet proof and used extensively in parts of the world where roads are very casual and often, brutal. It may rust, certainly not as soon or quickly as the Vito and generally shows in areas that have been repaired poorly, so if no obvious signs of scrapes or dings and panel shut lines are good, that’ll help it’s longevity.

I’ve driven both, often laden with things like woodstoves and associated install gear and the Hiace felt the better to deal with the loads and driving it.

HTH

Cheers Slackalice. It does help.

Most of my Facebook friend poll are saying Volkswagen.

I really like how the vito has twin sliders and an 8x4 slides neatly flat under the seats.

Not sure how a Hiace or transporter would compare here, but the Vito does seem to be getting less votes.

I really like how the vito has twin sliders and an 8×4 slides neatly flat under the seats.

Hmmm, I'll have a look at my NV200 later because the bulkhead is removeable which might give you the extra 1/2m under the seats. I think that the seats are mounted up on a high frame tho (there's a drawer-thingy under the driver, and the jack under the passenger). I won't be taking the bulkhead out, just a look 🙂

The thing about a VW is that you’ll need to buy a big box of drive shafts to pop in every 40k miles.

I’ve had a glow plug light on in mine for about 2 years now, goes on and off.
Code reader says it’s the no.2 plug but have just left it. It still starts fine.

Yeah, I mean the Vito started first kick, drove really nicely, gears seemed 'tight', brakes were good, handbrake was weird.

The Nv200, I had kind of ruled out as looking at one the other day, it didn't look much more spacious than my Berlingo really. Didn't have a 3 seater front either.

The Nv200, I had kind of ruled out as looking at one the other day,

8 x 4 won't fit under the front seats in any case, 2m x 1.22m is about it

Cheers for looking timba. Shame as I really like them. Kind of settled on a 3 front seater though.

Ok, I'm very close to hitting the button on a Toyota Hiace, but I still have a niggling doubt that maybe I should be going Transporter.

I think both swb vans may not fully take an 8x4, but they both probably would diagonally, on edge at a push. Anyway, I think my initial focus on that has waned slightly as realistically, with tools in too I'd need a lwb, and I don't want one.

So, anyone care to pitch in with some final thoughts between a Hiace and a Transporter and sway me one way or the other?

For a measure, the Transporter I'm looking at is a 2007 2.5 tdi, 125k at £4750, and the Hiace is 2010, 2.4 I think, 95k and £5380. 👍

I had a sucdo and could fit a 8x4 diagonally. Never tried on the floor.

both probably would

Dont accept probably or other people’s ideas of what ‘should’ fit (see suggestions of an nv200) and the manufacturer figures can’t be trusted. You’re own tape measure is the only thing to trust. And and in the actual van. All the models you’re talking about come in 2 or 3 different lengths and little details like a different bulkhead options or different arch liners can mean stuff either does or doesn’t fit . And given ply sized fluctuate a bit being too snug between the arches can stop you using the length under the seats

Even people who say they’ve ‘had an 8x4 in the back’.... an 8x4 what? Plasterboard sheets are a fair bit smaller than plywood but they’re both “8x4s”

So, anyone care to pitch in with some final thoughts between a Hiace and a Transporter and sway me one way or the other?

I'd avoid a Transporter of that age. The 2.5 engine is a dog and has already been pointed out you'll need to budget for a box of driveshafts.

Hth

The 2.5 engine is a dog and has already been pointed out you’ll need to budget for a box of driveshafts.

Hth

my driveshafts are fine. everything else has been replaced...

Even people who say they’ve ‘had an 8×4 in the back’…. an 8×4 what? Plasterboard sheets are a fair bit smaller than plywood but they’re both “8x4s”

Well that's handy to know. I was hoping to get a sheet of ply in the back of mine this weekend!

My SWB T5 would take 8x4 sheets of ply flat if I rested them on the wheel arch liners if that makes sense?

Yeah I think so. I read about someone who put a false floor in up to that level and so was able to lie them flat in there.

As long as they fit betwixt the arches, I reckon I'm resigned to perhaps having them stick out of the back door a little and cover them with a placcy bag or something. It's not like they are my main daily cargo.

8x4 sheets of OSB will fit in a SWB T5, either lying flat as above, or standing vertically on a diagonal if you drop the passenger seat forwards and flat (assuming its a double passenger seat and double rear seat).

if you don't any rear seats then they will slide into the gap between the passenger seat and the drivers seat.

8×4 sheets of OSB will fit in a SWB T5

Osb comes in two different sizes of 8x4 - some are 8x4 imperial like ply, some are 2.4x1,2 metric like plaster board (says man who framed for one and had 50 sheets of the other delivered!

^^^ oops 😂

I swore a lot!

And the worst thing is I now can't remember which grade is which size so its a mistake I'll probably make again in the future too. Theres different ratings for water resistance (OSB2 and OSB3) one is presumaby sized metric on the assumption that it'll be used on the same frames that have plasterboard on the other side.

Worse than bloody USB-C!

I now can’t remember which grade is which size

It can vary with thickness too... most(!) wood sheet is 2440 x 1220 (nominally 8x4), but I've found OSB3 in 9mm, 11 and 18 at this size and 15mm OSB3 from the same yard at 2400 x 1200

there'll be no more of that after Brexit.

Well, I bought one. 😳

Went for a decent test drive, underneath and all sorts of checks, mot history, vehicle history, knocked the price down, gave them my #Radwagon (Berlingo) which I'm upset about but there you go.

Hoping to hell I've got an ok one. Seemed pretty good driving back from Nottingham yesterday, except a few very slight knocks when slowing into islands mainly. It passed an mot the day I bought it though so hopefully all is well steering/suspension-wise.

An unexpected bonus is, it seems that an 8x4 WILL fit in the back. Either flat on the floor, or diagonally upright. 👍🙂

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Incidentally, I don't know what the dark stain is in the back but there's a hook above it so most likely that's where they hung their victims to bleed out. 😳

Looks pretty good. Approves.

there’s a hook above it so most likely that’s where they hung their victims to bleed out.

all the black Hiaces I've seen in the past have been the euphemistic 'private ambulance' 🙂

that roof rack is a bit of a bonus too.

Oh I've just noticed, does that have no side sliding doors? Slight PITA to be climbing in the back to retrieve stuff from the bulkhead end.

looks like there's a side door there to me - on the passenger side.