What van should I get to transport the bikes?

[Mystic13]

I'm selling my trailer due to a lack of room. So I need something to move motorbikes in. The maximum number of bikes will be the adult one and a couple of kids ones.

So I'm seriously thinking about a van (older and cheap). Ideally I'd like to spend no more than $5k.

Those of you who run vans or have had them;

- what are the pros and cons?

- if you have one now would you get another for taking your bikes places?

- what van would you recommend?

I'm not wanting a LWB. (I think), but diesel, Transit sounds good, late 90's. I like a little bit of a nose out front as perceived better protection. VW Transporter mid 90's.

Does anyone have 4wd vans and what's the guts?

I'm looking for pearls of wisdom so if you have never used a van for this purpose then...

Thanks.

[Smifffy]

HTH

[Wannabiker]

If you are thinking of diesel, stay away from anything beginning with an "M"...Mazda, Mitsi etc...

[Latte]

Do the sums on petrol vs diesel, diesel rego on a commercial is the same as a 1000cc bike now.

[Scuba_Steve]

Diesels get screwed like big bikes.
I wouldn't go Transit but others may argue that, I've never had a good experience with them tho, shit performance, shit reliability. I also hate the "nose" on them but thats a aesthetic thing.
I personally like the jappa's Nissan & Toyota, reliable, never break & cheap to run.

[CHOPPA]

I have a 1998 Ford Econovan done 180ks $5k If your interested I can give you more details on saturday. Im taking it as a trade for 5k so thats all I need for it

[k14]

My 2c, buy a Hyundai H100. I have had one for 3 years now and it is such a great piece of engineering. It just clicked over 410000km last week on the way to chch. Yes I have had a few problems with it and had to replace a couple of things (gearbox, alternator, starter motor, radiator, water pump) but the price of them is so cheap that you can still pay for all that stuff and come out ahead in terms of other vehicles. I paid 2k for mine with 335000km on it and even if the engine blew I would probably just get a second hand engine to swap over (probably ~$1500 if I got mechanic to do it) and keep going. They are very easy to work on too.

It's a diesel and consistently gets under 10L per 100km. No matter how much I thrash it the fuel consumption hardly seems to change. It will sit at 100-110 all day long. Up hills it will usually drop down to ~70k but apart from that it is solid. Good back space too. Can fit 2 bikes easy and 3 is do able although I haven't had to try it. Seats are a bit uncomfortable but most vans are.

[Henk]

Have an econovan Maxi at the moment, have previously had another one of these and a Hiace. Both earlier vans rusted out (Get that when you buy cheap shitters).
The Fords are probably nicer to drive and are about 2 inches taller and six inches longer, doesn't sound like much but makes loading dirt bikes and associated crap a lot easier. All have been LWB and you say you don't want that but you can get three full size dirt bikes in which is a bonus. Also van = 100k max legal speed, trailer = 90.
Have done the trailer thing and had mates doing the ute thing. As a toy hauler you can't go past vans, easy to load, some security and at the end of a cold wet ride you can just throw all the wet gear in the back and sort it out when you get home, tilt up rear doors can also give you some shade and a dryish place to hide from the rain or get changed at the end of the day. Never had a 4WD version and from what I've seen I wouldn't bother, much less height in the back and more to go expensively wrong. All vans seem to handle like refridgerators though so don't expect to enjoy driving it very much if you do get one.

[gonzo_akl]

I've just done this same thing, and pretty much for the same reason around the lack of room for a trailer. I considered utes, but settled on the van because I felt the bikes would be more secure when we travelled out of town, tinted windows, and I managed to get one with an alarm fitted. Bit more peace of mind.

I ended up with a Toyota HiACE 2.8 litre diesel regular wheelbase. The extra length would be a nice to have but it comes at a premium. 2 side doors also makes life pretty easy. bit gutless on the hills but seems to cruise at or around the speed limit effortlessly.

Initial thoughts are that it is the best way to go. It fits 2 full size MX bikes easily and I reckon I could get a 3rd one in as well. Bought a big plastic bin for all our gear so all pretty easy to pack up and go.

Downside, as mentioned they aren't the most fun things to drive, the thing that bugs me the most is that they are bloody noisy and I have trouble talking with my son. Any suggestions on quietening then down would be welcomed.

[snapperhead]

Something different but maybe worth pondering on. A flatdeck ute. I took my hayabusa to Pukekohe on sunday on mine. easy peasy. All the crash protection up front and drives like a car. petrol motor, easy and cheap to work on. good mpg too. And sooooooooo many other uses when bikes aren't on the move. Just putting my $ 0.02 out there.

[k14]

Downside, as mentioned they aren't the most fun things to drive, the thing that bugs me the most is that they are bloody noisy and I have trouble talking with my son. Any suggestions on quietening then down would be welcomed.

I got some old carpet they were throwing out at work and put that in the back. Also have some more that I have been meaning to put on the sides of the back too. Carpet made big difference, still have to turn stereo up loud to hear it though!

[Scuba_Steve]

Downside, as mentioned they aren't the most fun things to drive, the thing that bugs me the most is that they are bloody noisy and I have trouble talking with my son. Any suggestions on quietening then down would be welcomed.

I love driving vans, petrol 1.5l late 80's Vanette has to be my favorite.
The only way I've found to quieten the diesel vans so far is to turn up the music, unfortunately this won't help your predicament. You can try carpeting/sound deadening any metal part of body but at the end of the day it's a van and as such was built with function only in mind.

[gonzo_akl]

I got some old carpet they were throwing out at work and put that in the back. Also have some more that I have been meaning to put on the sides of the back too. Carpet made big difference, still have to turn stereo up loud to hear it though!

Thanks Guys, I will try the carpet, was thinking that something to deaden the sound in the back would help. Otherwise I might just have to get the the hearing aide #1 son keeps telling me I need.

Cheers

[soundbeltfarm]

I bought some sound deading sheets off tm. they are not stick on but i have a piece of carper down on top of it and man what a difference it has made.
i doubled up over the engine from the seats back to a foot past the engine covers. them single cover to the rear of the van.
got some self stick sheet for the wheel arches and a tip i got from a local stereo installer is you dont is to stick an offcut on the outside wall skin to break the acoustics and now my van is way way more quieter.
he said you dont have to go overboard like on the sales brochures like dyna mat.
all up i have spent 250 and it is the best money i have spent on the van.

[blossomsowner]

I have had two nissan homy vans, last one was a 95 lwb 2l petrol. Underpowered when loaded up but they still get you there ok. No speeding tickets either. Very reliable and easy to drive.........recommend these and hiace and hyundai h100. Also mazda/ford are ok. good luck