Buying a van?

[dan_bo]

And don't forget VED ( road tax for cyclists). That will cost you a lot more with a van.

Yeah that Chrysler ran at £280 for VED. The golf cost £35 and will still take two bikes.

 

[KneesUp]

Could you clarify the requirements? Does it need to seat five and fit in five bikes at the same time?

 

[400bhp]

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify a couple of things:

I am not buying a C4 Picasso or people carrier.

Insurance-so long as I'm not paying significantly (i.e. more than another £400 say a year on top of about £300 we pay now) more that what we pay now I am not bothered.

My understanding is that VED will be about £200 a year on a van registered before 2009 (which it will)

I have an estate now. Although the bikes are fine on the bike trailer it is a compromise. I'd like them out of site and away from the elements.

I would like room for at least 3 people and 6 bikes. I like to have flexibility. I don't want us all cramped up on 3 seats in the front of a van. I'd like rear seats.

I would consider the crew cabs, like a ford ranger.

I am not buying a C4 Picasso or people carrier.

I am not buying a C4 Picasso or people carrier.

 

[dan_bo]

Thanks for the replies. Just to clarify a couple of things:

I am not buying a C4 Picasso or people carrier.

Insurance-so long as I'm not paying significantly (i.e. more than another £400 say a year on top of about £300 we pay now) more that what we pay now I am not bothered.

My understanding is that VED will be about £200 a year on a van registered before 2009 (which it will)

I have an estate now. Although the bikes are fine on the bike trailer it is a compromise. I'd like them out of site and away from the elements.

I would like room for at least 3 people and 6 bikes. I like to have flexibility. I don't want us all cramped up on 3 seats in the front of a van. I'd like rear seats.

I would consider the crew cabs, like a ford ranger.

I am not buying a C4 Picasso or people carrier.

I am not buying a C4 Picasso or people carrier.

Have you considered a 'people carrier' style of vehicle such as, perhaps, Citroen's C4 Picasso?

 

[KneesUp]

Job jobbed. 5 seats, in a van, with a ramp to get the bikes in, for £6k or less depending on how well you haggle.

 

[400bhp]

Hmm, might have changes my mind on the peaople carrier.

Seat Alhambra looks ginormous. Take the last row of seats out and jobs a good un.

 

[Amanda P]

We run crew cab pickups at work. You won't get six bikes in the back of one, not no way not nohow - unless you're prepared to have them stick out of the back (and then they're not out of the elements).

Old ones can go cheap, but good luck finding a crew cab in 2WD. 4WDs are very thirsty beasts. If you must, buy the Toyota - the others are built to last around 60,000 miles for the fleet market; they fall apart after that.

 

[fossyant]

Mitsi L200 Warrior then !!! Big Spot Lights, 'roo' bars, you know you wanna !!!

3 people and 6 bikes - greedy !!!

 

[KneesUp]

Hmm, might have changes my mind on the peaople carrier.

Seat Alhambra looks ginormous. Take the last row of seats out and jobs a good un.

Hmm, might have changes my mind on the peaople carrier.

Seat Alhambra looks ginormous. Take the last row of seats out and jobs a good un.

In that case, Honda FR-V?

 

[Beebo]

How about a Volvo?

 

[Andrew_P]

When I was thinking of doing this it would have been between a Mercedes Vito LWB with Crew Cab or a Vauxhall LWB Vivaro with crew cab the latter offering the best value for money but being more white van man style.

Not sure about the full 6 bikes in it though? Vito Dualiner LWB

 

[KneesUp]

When I was thinking of doing this it would have been between a Mercedes Vito LWB with Crew Cab or a Vauxhall LWB Vivaro with crew cab the latter offering the best value for money but being more white van man style.

Not sure about the full 6 bikes in it though? Vito Dualiner LWB

View attachment 43298

Six bikes and not much else, but I reckon they'd fit on the basis that I can get two in the width of one removed seat in our car. It's easier if they go opposite ways around rather than handlebars together, and it's easier still if you loosen the stem and turn the bars.

 

[MarkF]

I've recently thought about doing similar but I don't want a van as my only car, I hire vans every week for my work and I've never found one I've enjoyed driving or one that I'd want to own. I've decided to buy a box trailer.

 

[Andrew_P]

Looking at it I think you are right they could well fit.

Wish I hadn't looked at this thread now as it has re-ignited the thought of getting one just being able to put my bike and the kids bikes in the back drive somewhere do the riding etc really appeals. I have a tow bar rack which is brilliant for stability but a pain in the backside faffing around and shouldn't really put a carbon bike on it. The other reason I wanted one was relatively low risk parking at Cafes etc as well. Plus on holiday safeish bike storage, ha talking myself back in to it again!

 

[Hacienda71]

Motorcross stylee van, something like this.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/57-Stream...mpers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item43c8bfce1d