Buying a Van
 

I'm chopping in my Freelander as I no longer need a 4 wheel drive because I shall be living on a properly made up road and can't afford to shop in Harpenden any more so it's surplus to requirements.

Up until about an hour ago, I was thinking hatchbacks, 1.6 + to tow a bike trailer, pref. diesel, pref. under £7K. But honestly I don't like cars much and can't think of any good reason why I shouldn't just buy a van. It's what I need because I don't want to tow my bike but reckon I could manage, with assistance, to get it in and out of a van.

Ali's due here in about a half hour, bringing my car back and we're going out to look at vehicles. Any suggestions on what to avoid, what to go for? All constructive comments welcome.

Having owned a van for a few years, they do have drawbacks as well as advantages.
Insurance is the main one...it's probably twice as expensive to insure a corresponding van versus car.
If you're wanting the best of both worlds, some of the people carriers will take a bike as well as having the creaturecomforts ofcars too such as the Renault Espace & Ford Galaxy to name two.
The one thing I really did not like about my van was visibility - if you're ever trying to pull out of a junction the view to the nearside is useless if the junction isn't at 90 degrees and sometimes pulling out can be a bit dodgy.
I'd suggest taking a couple for a decent drive before you make up your mind.
Hope the arm's a bit better.
Cheers
Andy

Ruth Transit vans today are more like a car, once you have got use to the size. Power steering, heated screen, mirrors,etc. What you have to concider is insurance and service costs. Its a commercial vehicle, so garages want a piece of your profits:sniff:

I think Nick's got the best idea.

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by Jon]

Tesco's are doing van insurance now, so you can get an online quote to get an idea of the insurance costs

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by electricsheep]

Hmmmm...been thinking along these lines myself and am starting to look more along the lines of a diesel estate car of some type instead.

Just another idea.

As was said - test drive as many as possible!

Good luck - Frank:devil:

:D:devil::borg::mad::):(:D:frog::saint::bouncy::pu zzled::yawn::sing:

Hehe ive got a Company van and they pay for everything, sorry not very constructive. :P

/ian

I have been thinking alot about switching to a van -

pros
easier to load the bike (you can use a long ramp)
bike is out of sight
bike is dry
loads of space for gear and tools
easier to drive than a car + trailer

cons
insurance
mpg
vision at junctions (although you can usually take a different line)
space to park the van

The pictures I have seen with bikes loaded into people carriers look very cramped, but I have not seen one in the flesh.

I guess it comes down to how many trackdays and trip for servicing that you do, compared with normal car type trips

I have a VW Transporter 2.5 turbo diesel. It does 30mpg all the time, cruises at 85mph, is comfy quiet and even handles ok.
It is no bigger or harder to park than a large 4x4 or people carrier, and fully comp insurance is less than £300.
Main cons are that people seem to think it's a works van so it's ok to smack their doors into it at car parks, you pay high tolls for it because it is classed as a commercial vehicle even though it isn't being used as one, and poor visibilty at times, although, to be fair, you do get used to that.
Another option is those slightly smaller vans you can get now, they're quite good. And you can buy a van from VW which has windows in the side and extra seats in the back, which you can click in and out as required. It's called a kombi.
Personally I'd steer clear of transits and the like as they are very poor quality, not a patch on VW and Mercedes, which hold their money for a reason!

You might think from that I like my van, I do!!

:lol::lol:

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by desmojen]

I have 1 VW transporter (99) and 2 transits.(02)

The trannies have been no trouble what so ever. The VW is a pain in the a$$. It going for yet another trannie.:)

Thanks for all those replies. Jen, I read yours after looking around this afternoon and thinking that the VW Transporter seems the ideal size and not as boxy as the transits. They're about the right price and, if your experience of driving yours is as good as you say, I'll be test driving one v. soon. Had to drive my Freelander back here though and can't yet manage the gears with my left hand. Was having to lean across to change gear with my right so I'll be waiting a few days before test driving any, it seems.

I'm now hooked on the idea of a Red VW Transporter with the double doors. Camper vans, transits and cars like the Espace will only come into the equation if I don't rate the VW when I test drive it. :sing::sing:

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by Redruth]

Some vans have a higher rear than others....the transit being one. The merc sprinter is considerably lower, and so easier to load!

Andy, I take your point but I'm thinking with a wide ramp and the van properly cushioned inside, I'll be able to ride the bike straight up the ramp and into the van. Just need to get a 'mind your head' sign for the top. Haven't checked this out yet so don't all knock me down in flames - I like to make my own insane statements and then discover that they're rubbish - don't need any help with that.

Ruth,to be honest i doubt if you would want or be able to ride a bike straight into the back of a van. Alsorts of horrible things spring to mind if you drop the clutch or miss the brake while cramped over the saddle. You can all way venture round my Tranny Van if you want . Regards 4D

my transit is ideal for work/play. much better than my old mazzda e2200.

Based on my very limited experience of watching others do it, and helping loading my own bikes into vans, I don't think it's as easy as you think.

Not being funny, Ruth, but wasn't it you that was saying the other day you weren't prepared to tackle a paddock stand (apologies if not)?

I'd gently suggest that putting a bike on a paddock stand is much easier (especially for one person) than manoeuvering it up a ramp into a van.
I'd say that, apart from from the brawny and/or experienced, it was a 2-person job.
And I've never seen anyone ride a bike up a ramp (well, apart from Evil Knievel:lol: ). Headroom issues, I assume, and/or ramp stability. If it was feasible, I'm sure they'd all do it.

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by moto748]

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by moto748]

Bloody ell, you aint even bought it yet, and your putting cushions in it!! :lol: Whats next curtains??

If you need any help on the "white van man" technique, gis a shout. :lol::lol::pig:

Yes moto, that was me. I'm just so much more confident when the engine's running and I'm on it than when it's not and I'm standing next to it. I just have to get over this hurdle of thinking I can't manhandle the bike though. Otherwise I'm going to be relying a lot on other people and that's not always convenient.

I've developed a real mental block about my bike trailer though so this van thing is the alternative I've come up with.

And as soon as I get the paddock stand (and can use my left arm properly) I shall be practising putting the bike on and off it. I'll be leaving it in its track fairings, which are already damaged on the left side, so can't do too much more harm, until I've mastered it. ;)

I was pretty nervous aboout a paddock stand too when I first got my bike. That and a flip-up stand too...
Especially as I'm just a slip of a lad, not like some of the pie-eaters around here...:lol:

But I'm OK with it now (although, funnily enough, I nearly had a "moment" a few weeks back when using someone else's stand, obviously with a slightly different movement).

But shurely with a trailer you "can" ride the bike straight on (I'm sure you could on the ones I've seen)?

Ruth the transit is lower than the VW. It also has a higher roof. I walk mine in to the van with the engine running. It is an art, but I have had years of experience.

Cheers Jon but I don't really want a transit. You're shorter than me. You could stand up in a VW, I'm sure! :devil:

PS thanks for doing up my trousers the other day :devil::devil:

I was thinking bout a Mercedes Vito today after seeing a couple in the paddock at Brands, black, AMG wheels and lowered .... oh yes indeedy ....

But, Dibble, could I get one for the price of a Freelander? I'm not spending any extra dosh on this. I'm keeping the spare cash for a 2nd bike.
:devil:

Explain please why one of our BHC personel is being assisted in this way Jon 4D

I watched the CSS staff ride 10 R6's up onto their truck (much higher than a van I would guess about 4 feet high) it was almost to scary to even watch. let alone do !!

You can get wide ramps where you could ride up and put your feet down. I just walk up alongside and use the engine.

You can get long folding ramps that make it easier

Rob

Ruth, there are many things that i would try, some more daft than others but there is no way i would ever even think about riding a bike up a ramp and into a van. I've seen people push them up after taking a good run at it and it scares me silly! You need to have absolute confidence that your going to make it, you cant stop half way for a breather or if the wheel wanders off the ramp. Now my trailer is a piece of cake to load and unload. I can easily do it on own. When i weigh up all the disadvantages of a van verses a car and trailer then the car and trailer wins every time.

Having said all that, if Nelly is reading this then can I hire your van off you matey?

Because I use a Van every day for work, I know the short comings and the advantages of Vaning.Personaly I would have a car any day.buy another car with a trailer.:eureka:

Rockhopper, what trailer are you using as most seem to be quite difficult to load single handed.

Marko, Rockhopper, I have a trailer. I don't want to use it.

I'm excited about owning a van. It just seems so practical. And luxury if the dog and I go away anywhere together. There'll be room for the dog and a bike in the back. And a tent. Yes, I'm even thinking I'll do camping!

It must be the effect of living in Hemel Hempstead. And I've only been here a couple of weeks! :o:o

Yeah, my last one was a pain in the tits as well, cost us a fortune! However, they drive so much nicer than transits, even the new ones, and they are faster too! :devil:

As for loading Ruth, drive it up the ramp by all means, but don't be sitting on it!
Stand next to it and use the engine to pull the weight of it up the ramp. Personally I prefer to have a second set of hands and just push it in.

If you do decide to try driving it in, make sure someone is videoing it! :D

I'm not sure what make my trailer is, its on semi permanent loan from my neighbour. It'll take 3 crossers but only one road bike. Its got checker plate decking so you can push the bike up then put the side stand down while you strap it on.

Yes they are faster Jen, but at least the doors don't fall off:lol:

I bought a transit and I got the insurance very cheap with a company that specialise in motorcycle transporter insurance.
Mileage limit is 5k per year but very cheap, also no commuting in it.

£280 a year for me - 29 years old.

If you want to know who it is let me know.

I just felt the transit suited my needs better overall, bearing in mind that I can't take the car without leaving Ange and the kids stranded - a huge con for the trailer option.

[Edited on 28-3-2005 by TP]

Cheers Tony. Insurance is a necessary evil. I have to say I don't let that sway me too much when choosing a vehicle. If I did, I'd never have bought a Ducati in the first place!

But I'm definitely going for the VW badge now. A Transporter, the dark red, went past me when I was walking the dog this evening and they're quiet, not like a transit. Once again, it's a thing that's fixed in my head and will take some serious negatives to shift it in favour of something else.

Mind you, this time last year I was feeling like that about 'winibego' style vans and didn't end up getting one - mainly lack of funds though, not lack of determination.

For the love of God Ruthie don't bloody ride yer bike up the ramp!!! By all means use the engine to run it up, but not while sitting on it! Less 'mind your head', more 'mind your entire body'.....:o

I must admit I've never had any probs loading a van alone as long as you've got a couple of bits of foam handy and a decent ramp/plank.

I'm also running the van/car debate around my head at the mo. I know all reasonable thought points to a used Ford Focus/Audi A4 or similar, but I can't get it out of my head how much I want a van! :D

Time (and the bank manager) will tell....

Ali

I have a Citreon Dispatch Hdi that I bought a couple of years ago for work and general carting of all types of junk about. Its a great thing and very useful indeed and I dont think I could be without it now. It drives like a car does loads of miles to the gallon and will cruise at 90mph all day. I used to do the trailer thing but got sick of it especially when the weather was bad. Its not the biggest of vans but I used to easily get my 996 in and can now get the Multistrada in without too much trouble.

More often than not if I have to nip out I jump in the van and not my lovely Jaguar XJR (Supercharged 390 bhp!) I have found myself wondering whether to get rid of the jag and buy a nicer van and another Ducati to go with the Multistrada!

As for insurance I was quite shocked at the time as I could not add the van to my existing policy and had to start afresh with Zero no claims bonus. I tried a load of insurers who all wanted an arm and a leg until a friend of a friend told me to go to NFU (National Farmers Union) who were by far the cheapest. I think they give you 1 years NCB to start with.

We looked at a Dispatch today but couldn't work out if you could get one bike in, let alone two...

I measured my 900SL when I got home and it looks like it'll go in (202cm long with the bars on full lock).

Cheers,

Ali

My brother has a Vauxhall vivaro (same as renault/nissan) and it is brilliant to drive ,just like a car and quieter than my company car as well

I ended up with the bike in a diagonal fashion in the dispatch with the handlebars on full lock. It seemed to be the easiest way to have the bike to strap down securely. One of my mates got a Vivaro 18 months ago and had done 70k miles in it and still loves it. I am considering one myself as I cannot get a 7 foot pool table in the Dispatch without having to tie the back doors to. The Vivaro just swallows the same table easily.

I Rent fruit machines, pool tables, juke boxes etc to pubs and clubs in case you are wondering why the pool table thing is a factor to me!

Martin

Her hands were full of course:P