Anyone know anything about vans?

[Mark.]

Finding the interweb not very useful. So thought I'd open it up here.

I want to find out if there are any panel vans out there with a load bed of 14 feet (that's 4.3m for you up to date people)or more from the panel behind the seats the the back doors. I'm thinking LWB will be required but no idea which to start looking at, the only one I can think of the the Mercedes Sprinter.
It'd have to be second hand and quite cheap.

All the specs I've seen give the carrying are in cubic feet (or metres).

[martinrpeachey]

Look for a van that used to belong to a carpet fitter. They have to take 15 foot rolls sometimes.

The LWB Iveco Daily/Fiat Ducato vans are pretty good, the Iveco HPT has a lot of grunt too making it good for some steer-from-the-rear action

[Mark.]

Top tips thanks.
I'm guessing any van is able to have a basic conversion done, so thinking the 14 foot boards can go on a tray up top and then underneath you could have a small bench/sofa/bed and a beer high energy drink/fruit/other good things fridge?

I'm thinking along these lines, but not sure this meets the 14 foot rule.
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/big-stuff/o...

[martinrpeachey]

That's gonna be at least 12 foot...?

[Mark.]

Yes I didn't think it looked quite long enough. Will take a look round your earlier suggestions. I'm in no rush, I'm really just kicking some ideas around.

[Paul.B]

If 14' is an absolute requirement I think you are going to struggle. You've looked at all the obvious candidates and 12' is about as big as they get.

[Huntsman]

Is this about very big trainers?

[Mark.]

14 foot is absolute minimum, as the boards are - well 14 foot long. So need to go in with rear doors shut.
The only other thing I thought about is a Luton type van or a 7.5 ton one - could make quite a nice mobile home in the back too!

Ben, it's Friday - you lost me with the trainers bit mate

[Deisel Weisel]

This is a useful site for specs, inc load area dimensions: http://www.helpfindmea.co.uk/vans/specs/

[doorman]

I think the Sprinter is the way to go Mark, our Roller doors get delivered in such a vehicle up to 5400mm long, with passenger seat removed.

[LouD86]

Sprinter as said with no bulkhead and passenger seat removed.

Sprinters/Crafters LWB and Jumbo Transits are what is know as 4m vans, 13ft 1 rear bed. Sad? I sell vans for a living, so hopefully I can help a little. The XLWB Daily's will have the space you want, whilst keeping a bulkhead however.

Some of the Luton's won't do a much better job, unless your very lucky, its hard to find a proper size one these days, everything is MWB/LWB. Nightmares. If I can help, please feel free to drop me a PM

[Herbs]

We needed a van to take 4m lengths of grass and there were only 3 that would take it that we found, the lab Sprinter, Iveco and one from VW that I cannot remember the name of.

[doorman]

Herbs said:

We needed a van to take 4m lengths of grass and there were only 3 that would take it that we found, the lab Sprinter, Iveco and one from VW that I cannot remember the name of.

You need a lawn mower not a van (spelling error)

[Mark.]

Thanks all - Lou I might give you a shout if this progresses.

We would need all the seats up front and also the baulkhead behind so that rules out anything that requires the front seats to be missing

[Billywizz74]

Hi mate. Ive owned a VW grafter and now have a 61 plate Citroen relay. As far as loading, unloading and overall room in the back I think the Citroen is the best. I prefer the way the VW drives but overall the Citroen wins hands down. It now has 79000 on the clock and im still on original tyres and brakes, I have it serviced every 10,000 just because Im fussy and I want it to last along time. The fact that its front wheel drive and there for sits lower at the back is really useful for loading heavy bits. Hope this helps, any questions welcome.

[Herbs]

doorman said:

Herbs said:

We needed a van to take 4m lengths of grass and there were only 3 that would take it that we found, the lab Sprinter, Iveco and one from VW that I cannot remember the name of.

You need a lawn mower not a van (spelling error)

Definitely grass - the artifical kind

[pad58]

Herbs said:

Definitely grass - the artifical kind

With your username

[doorman]

Herbs said:

doorman said:

Herbs said:

We needed a van to take 4m lengths of grass and there were only 3 that would take it that we found, the lab Sprinter, Iveco and one from VW that I cannot remember the name of.

You need a lawn mower not a van (spelling error)

Definitely grass - the artifical kind

Ha ha, that put me in my place then, sorry

[Johnnytheboy]

We have a Transit Jumbo (the biggest panel van size) and I'm pretty sure the load length is about 14-15ft. Can measure to be sure next week if you like.

[LouD86]

Johnnytheboy said:

We have a Transit Jumbo (the biggest panel van size) and I'm pretty sure the load length is about 14-15ft. Can measure to be sure next week if you like.

4 metres and 1". Sad, I know. lol

Mark. said:

Thanks all - Lou I might give you a shout if this progresses.

We would need all the seats up front and also the baulkhead behind so that rules out anything that requires the front seats to be missing

Yup, Relay/Boxer L4 (rare) or XLWB Iveco Daily. Does it need to stick in the 3500kgs licence too??