big vans

[frank horton]

A friend has had real troubles with the VW crafter D engine...2ltr...just had a brand new one fitted and it's started to burn oil and loose coolant on it's first trip to Greece....
She is now pretty fed up.....as it only got as far back as France.....then had to be towed....she did what the dealer recomended to limp back home to the UK.....
this lady know's what shes doing and been driving back and forth for years.....in slightly smaller trucks.....min of 12 trips per year.....

She now wants a newer vehicle........
So either a Sprinter or an Iveco.....??
it has to be the largest load capacity van......not the heavy spec model.........

I'm so long out of modern vans, I had good luck with my 2002 Sprinter with a 2.1D engine.......god knows what they are like now....
all this electronic crxp......

any recommends......Dont think toyota make a van that big......hahaha....

 

[Alan Reynolds]

I know Iveco dailys have an unreliability reputation but I’ve had mine for 15 years and it’s been completely reliable and rust free apart from the outriggers that need attention with small plates due to a design fault that hold moisture in the bottom. My friend who got a Merc sprinter has had no end of trouble with engine, brakes, rust outbreaks from everywhere, turbo x 2, intercooler, and has probably spent as much on it as the purchase price.

 

[Redsailor]

Unfortunately any modern diesel van is either good or bad depending on pure luck, the will of the almighty or just the weather. So someone will recommend a vehicle based on their own experience, good , bad or ugly. I have a 2013 VW Crafter camper that has been no end of trouble. Best van was an old Transit with no electrocrappery to fail. One just had to weld it up for the mot every year!

 

[dobbslc]

Dont think toyota make a van that big......hahaha....

They sell smaller ones but they are really a re-badged Peugeot / Vauxhall! What the hell are they thinking?
I have the Vauxhall version so know it's not a re-badged Toyota as it's ****

 

[Cato]

I don't know what the latest versions are like, but Iveco were always down a bit on load weight as the vehicle empty is much heavier than the competitors. That aside, with anything in the modern/new bracket you're into an expensive world of hurt when something breaks.

 

[Ali]

 

[Nomad]

My ex has an Iveco Iris (a luxury coach based on a Daily)
It was great* for many years. Leaving it parked up for a couple of years on grassland during lock down has created lots of rust bug problems.
*The motor is a turbo diesel but to me it always felt like the turbo did very little.

 

[nickk]

Watching and listening with interest,I have a 2010 transit rwd,nice to drive and have lunch in,but would really like an LT again,’96-06, solid build,no electronics.

 

[mtt.tr]

I put 30k in a year, in a works sprinter was a lovely van. Everything else seems a bit crap in comparison

 

[Bornfree]

The highest payload van is the Citroen relay 35 L2 H1

 

[sparkysy]

I have an LT35 02 plate that is starting to get a bit rusty now but they are solid vans, mine has done 255 thousand miles and apart from the usual things needing replacement at this age it has only once let me down and needed recovery!
Modern engines are carp in comparison, even the newer sprinters have their issues!
Sy

 

[m_c]

How much newer?

 

[premmington]

A friend has had real troubles with the VW crafter D engine...2ltr...just had a brand new one fitted and it's started to burn oil and loose coolant on it's first trip to Greece....
She is now pretty fed up.....as it only got as far back as France.....then had to be towed....she did what the dealer recomended to limp back home to the UK.....
this lady know's what shes doing and been driving back and forth for years.....in slightly smaller trucks.....min of 12 trips per year.....

She now wants a newer vehicle........
So either a Sprinter or an Iveco.....??
it has to be the largest load capacity van......not the heavy spec model.........

I'm so long out of modern vans, I had good luck with my 2002 Sprinter with a 2.1D engine.......god knows what they are like now....
all this electronic crxp......

any recommends......Dont think toyota make a van that big......hahaha....

Hi @frank horton

Sure she has rang me about this - do they do "pet food" and tow a trailer?

If so - she has had several engines in this van from the phone call.

---------

Be honest 2.0 VW crafter is the best of the big van bunch.

I am sure they are on a O licence - tacho. If it is the same people?

 

[Alan Reynolds]

3e

My ex has an Iveco Iris (a luxury coach based on a Daily)
It was great* for many years. Leaving it parked up for a couple of years on grassland during lock down has created lots of rust bug problems.
*The motor is a turbo diesel but to me it always felt like the turbo did very little.

You’re right about the turbo. Not exactly Lamborghini performance.

 

[tom2207]

3e

You’re right about the turbo. Not exactly Lamborghini performance.

The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long.

 

[dobbslc]

Was that out of Watership Down?

 

[fizzy]

I have been renting Sprinters long term for the last 3 years.
The SWB model is nicer to drive than the LWB and can carry 300kg more. Not so scary in crosswinds either. Still a big van - far bigger than your average.
I wouldn't buy one though!
Every one I have had the side door plays up. Locks fine but then you have to climb inside to unlock. That was fine until the rear doors jammed Couldn't get into the van for days until the side door finally released - now have duct tape over the contacts.
Mechanically seems reliable enough but I get the engine management light on from time to time. Also a nasty burning smell when the DPF goes through regen but the underbody seams look like rust traps waiting to happen.
A mate has a very old Fiat Ducato - never lets him down.

I also had a rental Crafter and that was using loads of water at 50,000 miles. Good old German quality eh

 

[GRW]

Was that out of Watership Down?

Nope. Blade Runner.
(I have my anorak on today)

 

[GRW]

We had a 2L crafter with a hydraulic-ed engine in with our mechanical boys a while back.
Once out & with the ancillaries removed - it looks like a bloody lawn tractor engine. Dinky, light & looks way too Michael Mouse to be hauling a loaded LWB Hi-Top parcel van.
Personally I'd not be keen on any of the new stuff.

I've someone else said though...a mint low miles pre-06 LT35 would be lovely please!

 

[Cato]

Nope. Blade Runner.
(I have my anorak on today)

"and you've burned so very brightly Roy."
Brilliant film.