T4 or similar as an everyday car also.
Discussion
First time posting in the 'tents, caravans and motorhomes' section of piston heads but I am seeking a bit of advice.
I have recently started hill climb and sprint racing, have a little fiesta st for this, but I am looking for a small van to camp when the races are a bit further away.
All well and good bit it would mean selling my everyday car for this, I live very close to work so 99% of the time rode a bike/walk so the car doesn't get used very often for this. I do sometimes, once a month or so, carry out site visits but these are 50 miles away max normally.
I like the idea of a t4 sized van, not only for the racing but just to pack up with the wife and dog away for the odd weekend as well. So in short could a t4/vivaro sized van be used as an every day car?
Thanks all
I have recently started hill climb and sprint racing, have a little fiesta st for this, but I am looking for a small van to camp when the races are a bit further away.
All well and good bit it would mean selling my everyday car for this, I live very close to work so 99% of the time rode a bike/walk so the car doesn't get used very often for this. I do sometimes, once a month or so, carry out site visits but these are 50 miles away max normally.
I like the idea of a t4 sized van, not only for the racing but just to pack up with the wife and dog away for the odd weekend as well. So in short could a t4/vivaro sized van be used as an every day car?
Thanks all
Hi - as an "owner" of a T6 camper, I can only comment really on the driveability of the van. I presume you're considering kipping in the back of it when you're away?
The T6 is an accomplished bit of kit. Drives like a car, just on stilts. Often have the feeling I'm just driving a big Golf and can't see how the T4 would be much different, just obviously a little more elderly. We do 500km trips in the T6 quite easily from Frankfurt down to the Alps and get out feeling pretty fresh as well as using it to pop to the shops as it's our only vehicle in Frankfurt.
If you are considering kipping in the back, that's a completely different ball-game though. Bear in mind that unless you insulate it and board it out well, it'll be pretty cold and miserable in there even in the summer. Consider insulating it and maybe adding some form of bed and mattress and it could work better but I'd be more inclined to go for a conversion unless you're good with DIY. Conversions do, however, come at a cost with the inevitable VW "tax".
HTH
The T6 is an accomplished bit of kit. Drives like a car, just on stilts. Often have the feeling I'm just driving a big Golf and can't see how the T4 would be much different, just obviously a little more elderly. We do 500km trips in the T6 quite easily from Frankfurt down to the Alps and get out feeling pretty fresh as well as using it to pop to the shops as it's our only vehicle in Frankfurt.
If you are considering kipping in the back, that's a completely different ball-game though. Bear in mind that unless you insulate it and board it out well, it'll be pretty cold and miserable in there even in the summer. Consider insulating it and maybe adding some form of bed and mattress and it could work better but I'd be more inclined to go for a conversion unless you're good with DIY. Conversions do, however, come at a cost with the inevitable VW "tax".
HTH
The SWB versions of Transporters (or similar) fit into normal sized parking spaces so can be used easily enough for routine driving.
If you're not using it for commuting then it sounds a perfect solution. You could always rent a car for your monthly work trips if you wanted to keep the miles off the camper.
If you're not using it for commuting then it sounds a perfect solution. You could always rent a car for your monthly work trips if you wanted to keep the miles off the camper.
I drive a manual SWB T6 as a daily, 50 mile round trip commute.
As said above, it drives just like a car and gets into all parking spaces easier with a better turning circle and visibility. Goes into most multi storey car parks too (2m clearance)!
Not sure on your budget but look for a T5 too (2004 onwards) as they are much better and probably not much more money. 1.9 TDi engines are fairly bulletproof & very well tested.
As said above, it drives just like a car and gets into all parking spaces easier with a better turning circle and visibility. Goes into most multi storey car parks too (2m clearance)!
Not sure on your budget but look for a T5 too (2004 onwards) as they are much better and probably not much more money. 1.9 TDi engines are fairly bulletproof & very well tested.
I'm finally biting the bullet and picking up a VW T5.1 shuttle LWB this weekend after spending many years using my big family car as a tow barge for the race car. I wanted to be able to spend the weekend in the race paddock and chill out after a race and have a beer and BBQ and also to not have to get up at silly o'clock in the morning to travel for sign on and have hassle finding space in the paddock to park. I'm just planning to put in a bed platform to leave room for tools and spares, a leisure battery to run a portable fridge for the beer and bacon (and charge the gopro/laptop). Cooking will be done outside on the BBQ on a nice day so no need for kitchen units etc taking up space. By having the Shuttle version of the T5 it still functions as a big family car with room for the kids and camping kit, and is classed as a car so can do 70mph!
The VW should be able to fit in a normal parking space (but might overhang a little if LWB) and if standard height with no pop top should even get into multistorey car parks. As vans go they are fairly car like so hopefully not too much of a shock but i will miss my BMW550i going to a 2litre diesel!
The VW should be able to fit in a normal parking space (but might overhang a little if LWB) and if standard height with no pop top should even get into multistorey car parks. As vans go they are fairly car like so hopefully not too much of a shock but i will miss my BMW550i going to a 2litre diesel!
drmotorsport, looks like I have the same idea as you. Gave it a go in a tent and saw others in camper vans, they do look like the ideal compromise.
I will keep looking, there doesn't look like a lot in it between a t4 with a bed and cupboards to a t5 that needs a bit of work on. I suppose it depends on how lucky I feel to get a good one.
I will keep looking, there doesn't look like a lot in it between a t4 with a bed and cupboards to a t5 that needs a bit of work on. I suppose it depends on how lucky I feel to get a good one.
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