what transit should I buy? and what to look out for?

[stoney]

Hi all

Im after some advice I run my own business trading and customising motorcycles, I am also into a bit of camping/touring/festivals etc. Im thinking of building up a simple camper (no water toilet etc) that I can either fold the seating/beds up out of the way or remove easily. I think I probably need a lwb semi high top possibly a minibus (better to kit out as a camper?)

Questions I think I need answering

1. load length for swb and lwb (need a minimum of 2metres length for bikes)
2. comfortable motorway cruising speeds?
3. fuel consumption?
4. floor height?
5. best engine to look for?
6. how much should I look to spend?
7. What to look for when buying?

Anything else I should know/look for or general advice would be appreciated

Cheers
Stoney

[heraldcoupe]

1. load length for swb and lwb (need a minimum of 2metres length for bikes)

Working in old money, the SWB loadspace is about eight foot long, about 10 foot on the LWB.

2. comfortable motorway cruising speeds?

All depends on model and engine. I'm currently running a 190 Turbodiesel, and that will sit at the legal limit all day with a decent load. On the other hand, I've had 2.5 direct injection models which are pretty much flat out at not much above that speed, and won't even get to 70 with a load on. The models from 150 up have stronger running gear, and generally a lower axle ratio.

3. fuel consumption?

Most of mine have done around 25-30mpg, depending on load and driving pattern. The current 190TD is the most economical, doing 30mpg repeatably on all kinds of runs.

4. floor height?

Sorry, don't know off the top of my head. The heavy duty models are quite a bit higher than the lighhter ones.

5. best engine to look for?

I steered clear of turbodiesels for a long time, fearing maintenance nightmares. Now I have one, I will find it difficult to go back to a DI model, this is just so much more useable!

6. how much should I look to spend?
7. What to look for when buying?

I'm probably not the best person to comment, all of my Transits have been cheapies, so I have little grasp on what the market for more presentable examples is like! Suffice to say, you will find a DI model with reasonable MOT and scabby bodywork from £300 upwards. Turbos will cost a bit more though,
Cheers,
Bill.

[Simon-L]

Hi all

Im after some advice I run my own business trading and customising motorcycles, I am also into a bit of camping/touring/festivals etc. Im thinking of building up a simple camper (no water toilet etc) that I can either fold the seating/beds up out of the way or remove easily. I think I probably need a lwb semi high top possibly a minibus (better to kit out as a camper?)

Questions I think I need answering

1. load length for swb and lwb (need a minimum of 2metres length for bikes)
2. comfortable motorway cruising speeds?
3. fuel consumption?
4. floor height?
5. best engine to look for?
6. how much should I look to spend?
7. What to look for when buying?

Anything else I should know/look for or general advice would be appreciated

Cheers
Stoney

I am doing something not dissimilar to you. I went for a LWB semi-high 190 Smiley in the end and am pretty happy with it.

Having cleaned it out for a camper van conversion, I realise now that the roof height at approx 7 foot (from the road) is the comfortable minimum head height. I have carried motorbikes in it and think a lower van would be a real struggle for loading. Also I am 6 foot 2 and have to stoop a little standing up but can sit/move around comfortably.

I almost went for a SWB for easy of parking, but I am so glad I didn't now as I can get a full double mattress in the shag mobile and carry two passengers relatively comfortably (if I get really lucky lol).

The 2.5 DI banana engine is economical enough and can stay between 70 and 80 moderately loaded and that is without the EGR modification having been done yet.

So far any parts have been cheap and readily available too, along with masses of good advice.

I paid a grand for mine which bought a very good van.

[93fxdl]

if you want it for shifting bikes and a part time camper i would advise against a minibus as when you have bikes (or anything of value) in it the lowlifes can see whats in the van also when using it for camping you would have to rig up blinds or curtains also when loading a bike in one misshap and a handlebar pops a window also some insurance companies can be "funny" about minibuses
ttfn glenn

[Britishbulldog]

if you want it for shifting bikes and a part time camper i would advise against a minibus as when you have bikes (or anything of value) in it the lowlifes can see whats in the van also when using it for camping you would have to rig up blinds or curtains also when loading a bike in one misshap and a handlebar pops a window also some insurance companies can be "funny" about minibuses
ttfn glenn

Agree'd

For security purposes the less these theiving tw@ts can see the better, my old mk5 (below) had rear tinted windows but if you looked hard enough you could still see inside,

I would recommend a LWB semi high as you'll appreciate the extra room, not only for the bikes but when your touring, especially if you have an accident in the rear if something falls or breaks free from the load straps

One thing to bear in mind, a lot of festivals won't allow campers just tents!

[trigger]

Another idea would be to put a divider in the back so the section where you keep the bikes has no windows and then just have a couple of windows with curtains for the camper part.

[Retrohowla]

Ive done something very similar
I wanted a transit to convert to a camper and still be able to get my motorbikes in for trackdays etc.
I ended up going for a mk2 lwb but only as it was the best price with the least rot.
I had a 2.0l pinto in it to start and although quite nippy for a lwb transit it was too juicy
I then fitted a 2.5di (70ps) and this was good as gold apart from on the steeper hills where it became a real drag
I have now fitted a 100ps turbo unit and it goes really well and i wouldnt go back to a normal di now
I had a swb mk4 before this and it just wasnt big enough to convert and get bikes in.
My mk2 now has oven, grill, hob, 3 way fridge, 240v 2000watt inverter, double bed/4seater bench seat, storage although limited and i can still get a gsx1100 in the back, the only downside is the floor height, i have to use a very long ramp as its quite high.
Go for a 100 or 120 semi high roof or similar and i am fairly sure the floors are slightly lower