Ok racers, van options, your opinions sought

[Pumba]

Ok I have been thinking about transport to move the buket and my road bike round the place when the need arises.

Currently I have a Mazda Bounty space cab 2.6L turbo diesel which has been great, plenty of power, and plenty of usabale space in the cab with the suicide doors to access the space part of the cab, drives like a car, and has room for two bikes (well maybe not two litre bikes with fairings, but anyway) it has been great for moving every thing around, but anyone that has had a ute knows the issues, security with all your tools and spares and bikes exposed to anyone where ever you stop, and last meeting when I had to take all my tools out and dry them off after consitant heavy rain wasnt all that fun.

So there you have it, that is the back story.

Now I am not really convinced in myself that I want a van, all the vans I know are noisy, ratterly pieces of crap that belch black smoke as soon as they are loaded and cant handle for shit. So I guess what I am asking is what options are out there and what are you using?

As this would be only vehicle, apart form the road bike, so it wouldnt be used for commuting every day but would be used for those round town type erands, and I quite regulary make trips to the Waikato or Taupo durring the summer.

Wow, I think I am starting to ramble on now, so I guess it is question of what do you have, and do you have any recomendations on what I should be looking at.

[gixerracer]

I bought a 2004 turbo transit and I said I would never own 1 but once I test drove it I couldnt not buy it. You could park a Toyota inside it and it goes Orsum. I bought one of those dividing walls and that stops all the smell and noise and helps with the heater in the winter lol. I also use it every day for work well not every day but hope to get that busy one day mine is mid roof long wheel base so a bit of a prick to park in town but ither than that you couldnt get a better van

Ok I have been thinking about transport to move the buket and my road bike round the place when the need arises.

Currently I have a Mazda Bounty space cab 2.6L turbo diesel which has been great, plenty of power, and plenty of usabale space in the cab with the suicide doors to access the space part of the cab, drives like a car, and has room for two bikes (well maybe not two litre bikes with fairings, but anyway) it has been great for moving every thing around, but anyone that has had a ute knows the issues, security with all your tools and spares and bikes exposed to anyone where ever you stop, and last meeting when I had to take all my tools out and dry them off after consitant heavy rain wasnt all that fun.

So there you have it, that is the back story.

Now I am not really convinced in myself that I want a van, all the vans I know are noisy, ratterly pieces of crap that belch black smoke as soon as they are loaded and cant handle for shit. So I guess what I am asking is what options are out there and what are you using?

As this would be only vehicle, apart form the road bike, so it wouldnt be used for commuting every day but would be used for those round town type erands, and I quite regulary make trips to the Waikato or Taupo durring the summer.

Wow, I think I am starting to ramble on now, so I guess it is question of what do you have, and do you have any recomendations on what I should be looking at.

[Gubb]

Last week at Turners Auctions they had a Fiat Ducato van that was an old Ambulance. Had solid floors with no wheel arches, cupboards where to oxygen tanks and medical supplies went, Was big enough to almost stand up in. I couldn't help but think it would have been perfect if I was involved in racing.

I think it went for $5k with 200K on the clock.

Awesome van though.

But sorry, I don't know how this story helps you.

Turners does have some decent things turn up every now and then that go pretty cheap though. Have a looksee.

http://www.turners.co.nz/Pages/Home.aspx

[Virago]

Get in here:

http://www.hauraki.co.nz/Competition...il.aspx?id=663

[trailblazer]

why not invest in a fully covered trailer then you don't need to get a van.

[Pumba]

Get in here:

http://www.hauraki.co.nz/Competition...il.aspx?id=663

I should listen to Hauraki more

[Pumba]

why not invest in a fully covered trailer then you don't need to get a van.

Small section cultered up with enough shit already so a trailer isint an option

[lostinflyz]

pretty much if it smells bad, smokes a bit, eats some oil, doesn't drink water, has no heating, looks beat up and has 500+ thousand K's its just reaching its prime. did i mention the noise.........

[NinjaBoy]

I had the same dilemma. The van would be my only vehicle which I would use to get to work etc... I ended up getting a Hiace Supercustom. This is essentially a People mover in a Hiace Van shell. All the upmarket features of a People Mover eg. air-con , heater, 15inch car wheels not Van wheels. Fully lined with carpet and roof lining so it is less noisy. Just took out the seats and ala Race Van !

The turbo diesel gives it some oomph for overtaking and can quite happily cruise at the speed limit or above. It drives like a Car and handles best with a bit of weight in the back. Security is not an issue with tinted windows and remote central locking of all doors.

[CookMySock]

all the vans I know are noisy, ratterly pieces of crap that belch black smoke as soon as they are loaded and cant handle for shit.

Any of the modern toyota hiace 3.0 turbo diesel vans go like a haunted shithouse. You will pay a bit more for them though, but drive one and you will be convinced.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-293002395.htm

Steve

[trailblazer]

Small section cultered up with enough shit already so a trailer isint an option

fair enough well a hiace super custom it is then awesome van with plenty of power to cart your race bike and gear around.

[Scuba_Steve]

Now I am not really convinced in myself that I want a van, all the vans I know are noisy, ratterly pieces of crap that belch black smoke as soon as they are loaded and cant handle for shit.

Says the person driving the Mazda ute! All I can say there is stop driving Mazda & Mitzi vans...

Nissan & Toyota are your best vans, Nissans are generally slightly cheaper but just as good if not better as being Nissan they use a chain cam instead of a belt.
I drive Nissan Caravan DX (LWB & High roof) I can fit 4 bikes + gear & 10 mates in no worries.
If you go Nissan Caravan/Homy/Urvan or Toyota Hiace you'll be pretty much right. petrol/diesel I would put down to your personal choice but go turbo if going diesel for obvious reasons.

[SWERVE]

I put a vote for the transit. They have transported 10000,s racers around the world for decades. Mercs & VW are bigger & more comfortable but at a price. Trouble with jap vans is lack of height and engines only really good for 300/350000 k. My transit is now on 490k and goin strong.

[codgyoleracer]

An Austin JU250 with apple boxes for seats, no top gear & no reverse gear. Was a shit van , but the memories & the beer drunk in it going to / from race meetings were the best ever.
Otherwise a V8 powered Hi Top, Long wheel base Hiace.........

[Biggles08]

pretty much if it smells bad, smokes a bit, eats some oil, doesn't drink water, has no heating, looks beat up and has 500+ thousand K's its just reaching its prime. did i mention the noise.........

Sounds like 'Bones' our old 1988 Ambulance from Ekatahuna...202 Holden with a tri-matic.....noisy as F@3k, eats oil and drinks petrol like a your uncle dad! Mint!