Van recommendations please

[stevent]

Guys

As those of you who know me know, I've been in a quandary for a while about replacing my trusty dual purpose WR250R with a lighter, more powerful enduro-spec bike like the WR250F.

I'd need to get a van for transporting the bike. So, what are the smallest vans you can get two bikes into?

I've read online recommendations such as Fiat Scudo, Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert - does anyone have any experience of these or other similar vans?

I don't want a massive transit cluttering up where I live. I'm also thinking I'd rent it out to cover the costs - there are websites set up for this such as easycarclub.

Any thought on getting a small van, welcome.

Steven

[big yellow tractor]

Steve,

Maybe broaden your reach and ask the same question on the main TRF forum, HUBB and ABR. I've seen bikes crammed into the most unlikely vehicles at some events.

I used to be able to get two DRZs and all the gear for a week away in my Hyundai H100 which was like an old HiAce.

IMG_5117 (Medium).JPG

The only experience I have with modern vans is that my mates have Vivaro type or SWB Trannys. I have a LWB High-Top Tranny so no room issues.

I was going to build a box trailer so took a mixed sample of bike sizes to decide on the dims. If I find the spreadsheet, I'll post it here then maybe you can look at van dims on 'tinternet. If you want to keep it narrow, you'll need a long(ish) one. The other thing you can do if you've got the height is get the first bike in forwards and up on a ramp (like you'd use to get under a car) so that the bars are high enough to get the rear of the other bike under (easier to do than explain I think)

Colin

[big yellow tractor]

Might need an update, but will give you some idea

[GDAS]

Steven,
I used to run a Ford Transit Connect Long Wheel Base. This was high enough to fit an enduro bike, but only long enough to carry a single bike diagonally.
I currently run a short wheelbase Renault Trafic (similar size to Transit) which I'm very happy with, easily fits two enduro bikes. The Scudo/Despatch/Expert is somewhere in between the Transit Connect and the Transit size-wise, and I think it can fit two enduro bikes (see linked thread http://forums.mxtrax.co.uk/showthread.p ... MX-bike-in)
One thing I've learnt is that it makes a big difference to have a solid bulkhead - the cab is much quieter at motorway speeds.
Graham

[Billy]

Just rent one when you need to.

[mudeevee]

Just rent one when you need to.

Not a great idea - for your wallet!

I did that for about 6 months prior to getting the T4 - If you need a van for a Saturday, you need to pick-it up on the Friday, take it back Sunday - so for 1 days use, it costs about £70.... For me it was every other weekend! That's why I took on a T4, it was far cheaper and I could take other people and etc etc

One point to think of Steven - If you want to use the van inside London's 'Low Emission zone' (thanks Boris), you'll need something newer than 2002 (I think - although that may have been recently updated to 2005)............ 1000 - 1500 pounds won't get you a lot of emission friendly van.............

[stevent]

Thanks for all the replies, much appreciated


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[Stewie]

I've read online recommendations such as Fiat Scudo, Citroen Dispatch and Peugeot Expert - does anyone have any experience of these or other similar vans?

I'm on my second Citroen Dispatch now, tried not having a van for a while and just using the trailer hated it so brought another Dispatch, they're great! small enough to use as a car comfy as well, but big enough to sleep in at events, so no need for a tent and fits 2 enduro size bikes.
Easy to work on and cheap as chips, mines a 51 plate and can go inside the LEZ.

Home from home

Just a pop-up gazebo next to the van and Bob's your uncle

[stevent]

Stewie, fantastic. Main thing I wasn't sure of was whether two bikes in. Looks like a whole lot more gets packed in too

Any reason for going for the Dispatch over the Expert or Scudo?


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[Stewie]

Apparently and I have no evidence to the contrary, the Citroen is reputedly the best build quality, although they all come as the same base model
Phil had the Peugeot with the HDI enginge ( or their equivalent ) and it has a lot more power than the 1.9 normally aspirated.

[Stewie]

Ah found them, I knew I had these pic's somewhere.....
All this fits into a Dispatch

As if by magic....

[mudeevee]

Was there room for you