Unbiased van choice

[W.olly]

Hi folks, now i love Iveco Daily`s, that is from driving them years ago, but since then i have drove Transits, they are ok, maybe just fed up of them, Now we are looking at getting an old, 2002 -2004 van for a camper conversion, i prefer the Daly XLWB but then the cost for repairs used to be high when the third generation came out so its concerning me if to get one or not as with an old van it could need a lot doing, although i will be checking over what i can or get somebody to check the engine over atleast as that is the costly area. I dont mind doing what needs doing to get it a good one but not spend another grand or so doing it.

Now a Jumbo Transit will do, just not as big as the XLWB daily. cheaper aswell i think to repair....?

What opinions is there on the Daily van`s, or maybe others to look at, i want one wide enough to get a bed across the back, the daily is 1.8m wide so a short **** like me at 5`6" will fit.


Bring on the fishing weekends ))

 

[DrDeAtH]

What about a sprinter? Bigger than a jumbo transit.
other than that, you are looking at a Citroen relay/peugeot extra

 

[dunk]

just my opinion, i would go for the mk2 lt 1999 - 2006 model or sprinter of same shape, both have good engines, the lt uses cambelt on the 2.5ltr, cogs on the 2.8, the sprinter has timing chain, gearboxes are same in each make as are axles, both makes are reliable if they have been serviced correctly, plenty of room in the cargo area, lots of info for converting into campers on the net, plus spares are available and at keen prices, the lt is more home mechanic friendly than the merc as regards electrics and diag equipment, go for the lwb for max room, there are some rot boxes out there but look at the door edges and panel seams including the roof, and scabs on the panels, find a good one and it will last,
what ever you chose run the reg through the lez (london congestion zone) site to see if engine is compliant other wise you will get stung £££ for going into london if its not, even if you dont intend to go near london there are plans to roll this charge out to other cities,

i have had dailys in the past and to keep my views on them short i`ll just say never again by choice,

 

[octo0072000]

Remember if you want to register it as a camper the bed has to be 6 foot plus all below
more info in link
http://www.campervanlife.com/building/legal
suggest you join here
http://sbmcc.co.uk/forum/


What makes a 'Motor Caravan'?
For a vehicle to qualify as a 'Motor Caravan' in the UK in the eyes of the DVLA the following permanent fixtures must be present:

1. Sleeping Accommodation
   • There must be a bed with a minimum length of 6ft or 180cms
   • The bed must be an integral part of the vehicle living accommodation area
   • The bed must be permanent or converted from seats (the bed can fold away during the day)
   • The bed fixtures must be secured directly to the vehicle floor and/or side walls, unless it is over the drivers cab compartment.
2. Door
   • There must be a horizontal sliding door or an outward opening rear or side door.
3. Seats and Tables
   • There must be a seating area for diners to sit around
   • The table can be fixed or detachable
   • The table must mount directly to the vehicle floor or side walls
   • The table mounting must be secured as a permanent feature, either bolted screwed or welded. The table itself can be detachable.
   • Seats must be secured directly to the vehicle floor and/or side walls
   • The seats must be secured as a permanent fixture, either bolted, riveted, screwed or welded
   • Permanently secured seating must be available for use at a table
4. Water Container
   Note: DVLA do not state any requirements regarding water storage. However, most insurance companies state that the water tank should be onboard, or under the chassis. However, some insurance companies are happy with an external water container that can be moved, such as those used with a caravan.
   • The vehicle must have an onboard or external (e,g, under the chassis) water container
   • Note: The insurer Adrian Flux requires the water container to hold 6 gallons / 27 litres.
5. Storage
   • The vehicle must have at least one cupboard, locker or wardrobe
   • The cupboard must be an integral part of the living accommodation area
   • The cupboard must be a permanent feature, either bolted, riveted, screwed or welded
   • The cupboard must be secured directly to the vehicle floor and / or side walls
6. Cooking
   • The vehicle must have cooking facilities powered by fixed gas, electric hob or microwave oven
   • The cooking facilities must be secured directly to the vehicle floor or side wall
   • The cooking facilities must be a permanent feature, either bolted, riveted, screwed or welded
   • Gas and electric hobs must have a minimum or 2 cooking rings. Microwave ovens must have a power source (don't just fit one that can't be used)
   • Gas cooking facilities with remote fuel supplies must have the gas supply pipe permanently secured to the vehicle structure
   • Gas cooking facilities with remote fuel supplies should have the gas bottle, fuel reservoir secured to the vehicle structure
7. Outside
   • The vehicle must have at least one side window
   • New! Since 2011 the DVLA are now asking that the vehicle look like a motor caravan from the outside. The details are yet unclear what is required. More information will appear here when available.

 

[dunk]

might convert my lt, i like section 7 outside......
, does that mean a few decals, a tv aerial, bike stuck to back door, fancy wheel trims, a stick on vent, and maybe an awning rail on the nearside, i`ve already got the side window in, its in me front door,..... not surprised its still unclear yet

 

[blenkie1]

What happened to the LDV?

 

[dunk]

i never had one

 

[octo0072000]

outside rules have been updated since 2011 now outside just needs windows at least one on each side behind the drivers seat
has been loads of grief about it

 

[octo0072000]

What happened to the LDV?

Olly never seems to finish things as we all know

 

[W.olly]

What happened to the LDV?

Its beyond repair, i had a real good poke about and not worth the hassle, so engine and box is out and its of to the scrappers this week.

I think i have gone from an Iveco Daily, only due to the cost of repairs realy, and lots seem to go wrong.

What i could do with, which is a big thing, is the MPG the vans do,

 

[W.olly]

Olly never seems to finish things as we all know

Dont be silly, i just dont start them lol.

 

[octo0072000]

Its beyond repair, i had a real good poke about and not worth the hassle, so engine and box is out and its of to the scrappers this week.

I think i have gone from an Iveco Daily, only due to the cost of repairs realy, and lots seem to go wrong.

What i could do with, which is a big thing, is the MPG the vans do,

think 25 Mpg a fully built camper van will weigh a lot more than you think

 

[sparkysy]

We did an LT35 02 plate about 4-5 years ago not quite wide enough side to side to lay out for me so the bed went longways! Good vans all round, as mentioned body loves rust, and some bits are expensive, but they last well ours has just done 300 000 miles and has had usual service intervals by me about twice a year, new clutch dual mass flywheel, 2 cam belts and tensioner kits new alternator new starter motor usual stuff really. Worth a look at ours was only 2grand to buy and had been looked after. Did all the work ourselves even windows, loved doing it, now I get loads of T4/5 transporters brought round for various add ons, they are a bit small for me tbh I like headroom. Good luck with your mission and happy fishing!
Sy

 

[W.olly]

think 25 Mpg a fully built camper van will weigh a lot more than you think

Thats what i was thinking on from the transits i drive, well drove for years, but the Iveco are known to get 30mpg easy even with a load, my 2001 daily did with a 1 ton payload.

 

[the snooper]

Olly never seems to finish things as we all know

yeah he should change from w.olly to gunna and he should purchase a round tuit but reading the other threads he probably got one years ago

 

[W.olly]

Great fun fitting out isnt it Sparky, i loved fitting out my boats, spent every weekend at the boats for months on end faffing with them.

 

[the snooper]

Thats what i was thinking on from the transits i drive, well drove for years, but the Iveco are known to get 30mpg easy even with a load, my 2001 daily did with a 1 ton payload.

get a Mk5 transit better on fuel then the newer ones, but slowwwwer

 

[W.olly]

round tuit

what one of them then Snoop

 

[the snooper]

what one of them then Snoop

 

[W.olly]

PMSL kida, SWMBO agrees, to many projects and not enuff.....
leaky tap hasnt been fixed for 8 years since i fitted the bathroom lol