Vans

[reb78]

I managed to write our BMW off a few weeks ago. Everyone was ok and the insurance have paid up.

I am moving a lot of stuff back and forth from Hertfordshire to Cornwall at the moment and this is likely to continue for a good few months - year (s) so I was actually wondering about a van as a replacement for this time. This would save continuously hauling trailers around with the Land Rovers unless we have to move something really big. I have only driven Fords offerings when it comes to vans so thought i would ask you guys which you would go for? I guess the criteria are a medium size transit type van, as good economy as can be achieved for that type of vehicle, comfy driver position, reliable within a budget of £5-7k (or lower). We have an Ifor horse trailer (think this is rated to around 2.5 tonnes) and a 16ft Ifor flatbed (rated to 3.5 tonnes). It would be good to be able to tow these (at least the horse trailer) if possible, but might not be feasible with the size of van I am looking at.

What are your thoughts/experiences?

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Run your finger down the list and stop whenever you like.
Currently running a traffic. It's ok no major issues.
Transits security is an issue. Deadlocks are worth considering.
For any van for that matter
Buy on age condition and service history. And comfy seats lol.

Next van will be an iveco.

 

[Wendelspanswick]

I've put about 60,000 miles on a 10 plate Trafic, apart from a clutch slave cylinder going and a MAF sensor it's been brilliant, it hauls myself and my gear up a steep rutted track to get to my holding without any problems.
I get around 36mpg from it, normally only lightly loaded, drives like a car, plenty of grunt to pass OAP'S out for a sight seeing trip.
From memory the towing limit is 2 tons.

 

[dan treg]

we have renault trafic 2.5 dci the more powerful version think about 150 bhp . useful for towing

 

[frank horton]

HI Reb, guess others will help,
personally had real good luck with a Merc Sprinter..........loads to choose from ex lease owned.........don't bother with anything French, electronic are rubbish but the mechanicals are as good as the rest be it Transit etc.......
I got a long wheel base, high top 312 model I think, (single rear wheels) for the same money as a medium.......and reg pulled trailers like ur's to and from SW France ...... well overloaded with out probs.............
I think the DVLA has part of their site for trailer / van ratings.........
all I ever did was to put assister springs on the back, I needed it to look level for the Police......moved my entire workshop over........plus loads'a stock.......
mine were actal springs but now they do an air assist system......our tractor transport man has such a system absolutley brill u'd never know how much weight u have on, it's just the tyres that give the game away.........
fully loaded thats with a bridgeport mill and literally tons of other stuff had to run the tyres at over 100psi.......hahaha..........
the Sprinter is highly rated......
good luck

 

[dan treg]

as above drives more like a car than the transit we also have but to be fair its only 85 bhp so is slow

 

[pedrobedro]

Front wheel drive Transit is a good choice, newer the better.

 

[steviec_lj]

Had a 96 LWB Sprinter, that was fantastic, stuck to most roads like glue and went like stink. Rotted through eventually, then snapped the cam belt and destroyed the engine.

An 01 LWB Movano, that was alright. Went through Aux Belts quickly, front wheel drive let it down. Died when a mate flooded the engine, literally - in about 6ft of water!

An 05 XLWB Daily, that loves to eat fuel filters and tyres. Exhaust system routing is poor and fumes easily entered the cab in traffic. Rapid and comfy.

Finally, an 08 Vito. That’s cost me 2 injectors, a set of glow plugs, front and rear brakes.

Whatever you end up with won’t sit right with someone else, and there will be a list as long as your arm of potential problems..

 

[8ob]

My thoughts are with the trailers you intend to pull, you are firmly into twin wheeler territory if you want to get close to legally towing those trailers which eliminates all the front wheeldrive stuff. Rattle @Justme `s cage, he would know more on this subject

Bob

 

[gaz_moose]

as bob says you need to be into bigger vans as Renault traffic based vans can only tow 2t. so look what things like Iveco dailys, renault master/ movano's can tow.

 

[arther dailey]

iveco daily twin rear wheels,legal to tow 3500kg,the only van that is, obviously that is if your license,cpc,operators license etc is up together......I heard rumours there are other makes, but over the years I have put staggering mileage on them. be aware to be thorough in your checks when you buy any van though, they are treated worse than can be believed( dangerously overloaded,unserviced, etc) if in any doubt walk away..

 

[reb78]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I may need to forget about the trailer part as my fear if I go too large is that the van will not be particularly economical (as far as vans go).

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Thanks for the advice so far.

I may need to forget about the trailer part as my fear if I go too large is that the van will not be particularly economical (as far as vans go).

Depends what you call economical

My 04 plate ldv convoy.
Ex Long wheelbase hi top down plated 4 tonner With a Ford duratorq
Reguarly gave me 35mpg fully loaded with tools and materials. More on motorways

 

[reb78]

Well that’s better than the 23mpg from my 110 200tdi!

 

[p0689109]

As et.u etc I have a 2002 400 convoy and have had mine remapped. They are not fast but it does motorway speeds and with the remapping the tractability and consumption is greatly improved. There is a chap in Stoke on Trent near me who sells them, normally ex councils and white (I got mine from him, all boarded out in plywood and well kept) and now he mostly has Maxus. Not bad prices.

 

[Ruffian]

Vw t5 1.9tdi long wheel Base,
Reterning 44mpg on a run, about 36 round town, (remapped to 140bhp)

Would recommend mapping.

 

[Kayos]

i've owned or driven all types of van over the last 20 years and the best advice I can give is pick one you like the look of

One firm had a fleet of Trafics and several broke down constantly yet mine did 30k without issue and i wasnt nice to it

 

[wristpin]

Definitely rear wheel drive for serious trailer pulling.