LWB van or coachbuilt?

[D_G]

We are seriously looking at getting a van, only need a two berth so either a converted LWB or short coachbuilt. It'll be outside all year round so leaning towards a LWB or are the coachbuilt ones good for it?

If coachbuilt we would probably go for a 4 berth just for the extra space although due to parking limitations it'll only be a meter or so longer.

Any advice welcome, cheers

[Scrump]

I prefer a lwb van as often park in normal car park spaces when visiting cities, tourist sites etc. I have found coachbuilts to sometimes be a bit too wide to be able to park. Not always the case but often enough to make me stick to vans.
Having said that there are now lots of slim coachbuilts so the difference in width is negligible or even non exisiting, I ordered a new van last year and was tempted by some of the new slimline coachbuilts.
The squarer shape of coachbuilts does give a more usable space inside, vans have an awkward narrowing of the sides as they go up.
The other reason I prefer vans over coachbuilts is the ability to open up the big side door and rear doors on a van as opposed to a single small door.

[Escort3500]

Scrump said:

I prefer a lwb van as often park in normal car park spaces when visiting cities, tourist sites etc. I have found coachbuilts to sometimes be a bit too wide to be able to park. Not always the case but often enough to make me stick to vans.
Having said that there are now lots of slim coachbuilts so the difference in width is negligible or even non exisiting, I ordered a new van last year and was tempted by some of the new slimline coachbuilts.
The squarer shape of coachbuilts does give a more usable space inside, vans have an awkward narrowing of the sides as they go up.
The other reason I prefer vans over coachbuilts is the ability to open up the big side door and rear doors on a van as opposed to a single small door.

Much the same for us. We downsized from a 7.4m long Burstner coachbuilt to a 6.4m campervan as we found it a pain to negotiate many of the more rural roads in the UK we like to visit (although our van still won’t fit in a ‘standard’ 2.4 x 4.8 space). The new slimlines we looked at were slightly wider than a panel van, though not much in it. But, like you, the big benefit for us is the side and rear doors; we found the coachbuilt built a bit claustrophobic by comparison and not as practical. Our van also has a huge overcab skylight, which is brilliant.

[mart 63]

Depends on how long you use it for on trips. We spend 5 to 6 months a year in our A class, probably 3 to 4 months of that in 1 trip. Couldn't imagine doing that long in a PVC.

[D_G]

Thanks for the replies, it'll be used for a few days / weekender type trips rather than a continental tourer. We are definitely leaning towards a van I think.

[POIDH]

I bought LWB high roof T5.
My reasoning:
- high roof was warmer and much more storage than pop top.
- I'm on Calmac and Stena ferrys regularly and this was cheaper than larger coachbuilt or XLWB van.
- I can park in usual size parking spaces, fit on my drive way and commute to work in it when needed.
- our plan (and reality) has been 2 week maximum trips once a year, a further week, but mainly weekend or long weekend trips. For this we didn't need any bigger.
- we are quite outdoory sports and simple folk - we don't have a TV in the van, we don't need a BBQ and chefs hat, or multiple posh stepping out clothes etc.

[Escort3500]

D_G said:

Thanks for the replies, it'll be used for a few days / weekender type trips rather than a continental tourer. We are definitely leaning towards a van I think.

As they’re not cheap to buy, it would be worth hiring one for a week to see how you get on with it. Friends of ours did that and concluded a coachbuilt would suit them more.

[D_G]

Thanks, we've used our Serena MPV for quite a few trips so not so much a question of if we want a van but which option.

Went to look at some this afternoon, the coachbuilts are actually really good inside but we've definitely decided to compromise that for a van. The main reasons, it's going to live outside, our friends had a coachbuilt with damp problems and repairing a coachbuilt if damaged is a much bigger problem. For our first proper van I think it's the best option.

Thanks everyone

[Scrump]

There is quite a difference between a Crafter/sprinter/Ducato type van and a transporter. When I referred to lwb I was thinking the former (with fixed bed etc).

[D_G]

Yes LWB Ducato is what we have in mind

[micky metro]

just traded a roller team zefiro 675 7m,for a wildax solaris xl 6.4m, which i should, hopefully pick up late next month, i found the zefiro to big and too wide, also it had a large double bed above the cab, which made it unpleasant to drive as due to it's height and length, 7m, very sensitive to sidewinds and passing large hgv's on mororways etc, my new van is fiat ducato based, it has cab controlled folding mirrors which i think is a great feature for narrow lanes etc and is only a few inches wider than a t5 vw.

[D_G]

Thanks, your input and everybody else confirms what we think. One van in particular has come up so we'll see how that goes.

Cheers all

[Truckosaurus]

D_G said:

Yes LWB Ducato is what we have in mind

The LWB Ducato is 'only' 6m long so just about fits in a normal parking spot.

Also, the internal layout matters as much as overall length.

I am just back from a week away in a rented MWB (5.4m) Ducato and that actually felt more spacious than the previous XLWB (6.4m) Ducato (an Adria Twin) I'd rented last year.

The Adria had a used the extra space to have a larger bed and a wardrobe. The smaller van actually had a longer kitchen unit and a wider bathroom making in more usable.

[POIDH]

D_G said:

The main reasons, it's going to live outside, our friends had a coachbuilt with damp problems and repairing a coachbuilt if damaged is a much bigger problem. For our first proper van I think it's the best option.

Thanks everyone

I think this is a much underrated benefit to a van. Far fewer seams, less spaces for water to pool or be forced into etc.
I took heard a few too many coachbuilt and caravan damp stories...

[Steve Kimberley]

Truckosaurus said:

D_G said:

Yes LWB Ducato is what we have in mind

The LWB Ducato is 'only' 6m long so just about fits in a normal parking spot.

Also, the internal layout matters as much as overall length.

I am just back from a week away in a rented MWB (5.4m) Ducato and that actually felt more spacious than the previous XLWB (6.4m) Ducato (an Adria Twin) I'd rented last year.

The Adria had a used the extra space to have a larger bed and a wardrobe. The smaller van actually had a longer kitchen unit and a wider bathroom making in more usable.

The L3 6m Ducato would struggle to fit most 'normal' spaces, I fear. My previous 5m Toyota van just fitted nicely. My current L2 5.4m Ducato overhangs most. I guess it depends if you can overhang over a pavement (if comfortable with that) or a grass area?

[D_G]

Done a deal on a 6m Ducato. Excited to get it in the next couple of weeks, we'll get a train up and drive it back as it's 250 miles away.
I'm sure once we have it there will be more questions...

[LJF_97]

D_G said:

Done a deal on a 6m Ducato. Excited to get it in the next couple of weeks, we'll get a train up and drive it back as it's 250 miles away.
I'm sure once we have it there will be more questions...

Good luck with the sale. Are you going to document your conversion?

[glennjamin]

Great choice we've got a Ducato 6m with rear lounge area , spent months looking a various layouts before choosing this one. Great as a day van and great as a touring van ......Off to France in June for 4 weeks...Enjoy your new Van