View Full Version : Vans/Campers/Cars??? Advice please!
Hi All,
Looking at replacing my gas-guzzling, non-towbar-having car with a suitable wagon that'll serve for a few years TDs/race action.
It'll need to be usable as a bike lugger (obviously), more than bearable to sleep in (so no empty panel vans), and small enough not to destroy relationships with my neighbours (no motorhomes!). And cheap.
Ideally I'd be looking for a Merc Vito with side windows, a double bed, heater, workbench, and spot for the bike! Can't really imagine there's going to be much around for under £4k but worth a try.
There's also the option of a Golf estate + trailer type solution, but nowhere to store the trailer at the moment. :(
Free bikini-waxing for the best suggestion!
Cheers,
Ali
have a chat with Nbs996, he was using an early Espace for the same purpose, maybe he still is ... CK & AK used their one on occasion as well ...
May be worth a look .....
Cheers for that oh-magnificent-one-of-the-donutshttp://www.xboxworld.com.au/forum/images/smilies/doughnut.gif
If I had the neighbours for it I'd be in this:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=14256&item=4529427979&rd=1
oi, where did u get the donut smiley ???????
Originally posted by DIBBLE
oi, where did u get the donut smiley ???????
Ya like that??? How about this thenhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/skins/Alabaster/images/Smilies/f_donut.gif???
http://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/skins/Alabaster/images/Smilies/f_donut.gifhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/skins/Alabaster/images/Smilies/f_donut.gifhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/skins/Alabaster/images/Smilies/f_donut.gifhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/skins/Alabaster/images/Smilies/f_donut.gifhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/h2g2/skins/Alabaster/images/Smilies/f_donut.gif
woo hoo .....
antonye
24-Feb-2005, 18:03
Ali,
As donut-man says, an Espace will easily fit a bike in the back with the rear seats removed. Don't know if you'd be able to sleep in it as well, but they're available cheap and cheerful now.
Getting an old(ish) transit and the boarding out the back works wonders. If you then cover the sides with cheap stick-on carpet tiles, this helps not only deaden the noise but keeps it warm too. Just cut flaps where you need access to mount points and you're away.
'ello, did somebody shout?
haven't slept in the espace yet, but I plan to leave the bike outside under the gazebo and use a camp bed in the back for DD rounds. Will fit 2 in easy enough if your good friends!
We have a MAK1 folding trailer that goes in the boot. Nice bit of kit, pricier than a fixed no doubt but I got sick of dragging a trailer about with nothing on it half the time. Price is around £550.
http://www.mak1.info/
Henry
knew you'd be along soon, and the gazebo is a great idea as u need somewhere dry to work on the bike, I guess the monnie will go in a lot easier than the 996 ...
chicken
24-Feb-2005, 18:19
Similar to the mak1 but cheaper. Quite tempted myself but would have to get a car I could sleep in!!!
http://www.bikelug.co.uk/
the 996 needs the screen taking off, but the monster should fit straight in altho I've not tried it yet.
the gazebo is mostly somewhere to keep the rain off Pete while he's guarding the bike over night.
I can recommend a P reg transit!
:smug:
Ali - Alan reckons you might just get away with the bikini faired monster for height in an espace. It would fit fine once in, but a bit tight when going through the rear door (but takes seconds to remove anyway!)
C - with a cheap Espace still for sale......
nathanhu
25-Feb-2005, 00:12
how about one of these
www.knaus-yat.de
Thanks all for all the suggestions. :D
Looks like I'm narrowing it down to a Marc Vito, ply-lined with a double bed and space for the bike (like the carpet-tiles suggestion Ant), or a boring car + tow bar + folding trailer that can go in my tiny front garden. Heart says van, head says car.
Special thanks to the offers from Ruthie & TP for use of their wagons/trailers. I'll almost certainly take either of you, or both of you, up on that offer in the near future!
In the few weeks while I sell the car I'll be keeping an eye on fleabay in case any more of those tasty race-vans come up.....
Cheers,
ali
dickieducati
25-Feb-2005, 12:00
Originally posted by CK and AK
It would fit fine once in, but a bit tight when going through the rear door (but takes seconds to remove anyway!)
ooooh errrrr! have we gone off thread here? :o
beancounter
25-Feb-2005, 12:03
Trust an Essex boy to lower the tone
Another good place for race vans, etc. are the classifieds in Bikesportnews. There are several in this week's issue.
JasonBoswell
25-Feb-2005, 13:20
Originally posted by nathanhu
how about one of these
www.knaus-yat.de
now that is fantastic... for the DD racer that has everything. How much are they?
antonye
25-Feb-2005, 14:54
You want one of these:
http://www.caravans-for-sale.co.uk/adverts/130/13049/
Originally posted by antonye
You want one of these:
http://www.caravans-for-sale.co.uk/adverts/130/13049/
Funnily enough I just found £61k in my back pocket! How's that for a coincidence.....
What you really want is one of these-
Sleaps 4, centrally heated, air conditioned, fridge, cooker, hot and cold running water, toilet and seperate shower, bike rack at the back to hang the race bike on and a tow bar for when you really have to use a trailer-and NO it's not for sale.........;)
John
[Edited on 25-2-2005 by Monty]
Originally posted by Monty
What you really want is one of these-
Sleaps 4, centrally heated, air conditioned, fridge, cooker, hot and cold running water, toilet and seperate shower, bike rack at the back to hang the race bike on and a tow bar for when you really have to use a trailer-and NO it's not for sale.........;)
John
There's no room here for the smug & self-satisfied. Or the jealous, so I'm off..... :lol:
ps: pictures please.
Sorry Ali, I hit 'post' rather than 'attach', went to edit it and add picture and you had already replied-picture now added.
Don't do what Johnny B and I did at the start of last season and think it will be ok to sleep in a tent-2 wet race meetings soon had me buying the camper..........
John
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