Time to make the change into a van

Hi guys, so my POS ford focus estate is on its last legs and isn't really cut out for the abuse I give it so its time to venture into the world of VAAAAAANNNS

So I need it to have 3 seats for when I drop the two little ones off at school, and to be able to load 3 meter lengths of copper/wood etc but I don't want a stupidly huge thing.

SO im looking at the Dispatch/expert/transit custom sort of size and was wondering what other PH's thought of their vans in this size and what to avoid and what essentials it needs.

Also whats with the ply lining? is that literally to protect the metal or does it help drown out clattering of stuff etc?

Thanks in advance

Van newbie