Used 7 seater mpv/suv as a day van ?

[smallzoo]

We were originally looking at campervans but soon came to realise we are not the camping kind lol but we do love our days out

So..we thought of a half way house. using a 7 seater mpv/suv as a day van

Remove the middle row of seats, room enough then for our two dogs , pop in one of those mini kitchen pods with a sink, stove and fridge and then we can park up somewhere nice sit on the back seats, open the sliding door and pretend we are camping !

The obvious choices are an Alhambra/Sharan/Galaxy but there maybe other 7 seater suv/mpv's ( or even vans like the Berlingo ) which would work as day vans ..

Any other suggestions of something that might fit the bill... or even comments from people who have done it !

cheers

[Evanivitch]

The Stellantis electric vans in the XL size with the older 48kWh battery and newer 52kWh battery cam be had for a steal.

Hut depends what you need in terms of range and weight.

[ADJimbo]

SsangYong Turismo / Rodius.

[magpie215]

Jdm options

Nissan elgrand Toyota alphard Honda Elysion etc etc

[South tdf]

Feels like Groundhog Day as this was the same post you made last week?

[Davie]

Anything is possible. There are plenty people travelling the world and camping in little more than a Toyota Yaris. It really comes down to your budget and needs and what you're willing to tolerate or what you want to do with it. The whole day van thing evades me, I'm not even really sure what that is, seems a bit of a broad spectrum depending on your views. Some see day vans as fully blown campers, ie kitchen built internally, rock and roll bed, electrics etc and others see a day van as an empty ex British Gas Caddy with nothing in the back.

I guess a MPV would be cheaper to buy, though again depends on what your budget is... but you could pick up an old Vivaro for a couple of grand but a proper van is also subject to vans speed limits so that's a factor as is the lack of rear seating, if needed. I guess an MPV would give you the options to have it as a big car or as a small van or you could fit your own mini kitchen / pull out bed etc. Again, really comes down to whether it's big enough for your needs.

I say this as a fully paid up VW Transporter type... but I don't really consider it a day van, more so as I don't know what that is. Mine started off as a Shuttle, so 9 seats but it usually runs with only the two in the middle thus gives loads of room for bikes and general chaos. I see it as a massive estate car rather than a day van but I suppose how it's used means it probably nearer the latter... and I'm debating fitting some sort of modular pull out bed assembly as it's long enough to sleep in without removing the middle seats. It's classed as an MPV too so no MOT / speed limit limitations.

I think it's very much down to your individual needs, budget and usage... only you'll know if you like something MPV based and if it'll be adequate for your needs. I can see the appeal, I'd rather drive a nice spec Galaxy over a crap old 1.6D Vivaro, but I like the extra capacity of a proper van based platform even though it lacks the refinement and handling. Pro and cons.

[POIDH]

As someone who has camped in the back of a Galaxy on more than a few nights and now owns a Transporter LWB, plus has helped sons convert both a Transit SWB and a Combo LWB, I would remind you that it is all a compromise.

Even a 'huge' Galaxy has curved sides, more 'padding' for internal comfort, dipping roof, plus a stepped floor. Compare to a van and you have more vertical sides, lower flat floor and generally a few more cm all around.

In the Galaxy with all seats flat you can sit up nicely - but sitting up to get dressed or have a brew on an upturned box with a heat shield on is not brilliant. Seats are in the wrong place, it is not as tall or wide as many other vans internally. It certainly is not the 'turn the seats round and have a cuppa' that you can have in other similar sized vehicles.

I personally would look at some imports - things like a Honda Stepwagon are same size and cost as a Galaxy, but many have spinny round front seats, removable middle row etc etc.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-details/202...

https://ebay.us/m/j7Fka6

https://ebay.us/m/WIv7o7

[smallzoo]

Thanks..I looked at the elgrand and alphard but then I have seen so many posts saying insurance and parts can be a nightmare as its an import ?

Is that true ?

[magpie215]

smallzoo said:

Thanks..I looked at the elgrand and alphard but then I have seen so many posts saying insurance and parts can be a nightmare as its an import ?

Is that true ?

Generally insurance may be a little higher but in my opinion worthwhile due to the better condition of the vehicles I.e lower mileage and virtually rust free in comparison to similar age u.k vehicles.

Some Parts can be an issue but in.my experience you soon tap into the owners groups and that leads into where and how to get things repaired and parts sourced.