Base van choices

[JOG]

Everyone will have an opinion and a view, so here is mine:

It is great that you’ve stepped back from being dazzled by the first shiny conversion that came up in your price range! Now that you are challenging yourself with that “what do I actually want” questions, it is even better that you are researching, reading and asking questions!

My suggestion would be to look for 150bhp DSG regardless of whether as a base van or a converted van.

 

[Chris1983]

Dunno mate - but I guess you don't need to fill your water tank until on site.

All I would say (which I think I started off by saying) is that if you bought a T28 and the weight was a problem, its not the end of the world - there's a relatively inexpensive remedy.

All useful advice

 

[ginkster]

Thanks for advice folks

This is who I used. Van Weight Engineering. Dee and Claire were great and my T28 now has a max mass of 3150. I don’t need that much but certainly now have no worries of accidentally going over 2800kg with kit, 4 people, dog, 4 bikes etc.

 

[Drive Wayne]

This is who I used. Van Weight Engineering. Dee and Claire were great and my T28 now has a max mass of 3150. I don’t need that much but certainly now have no worries of accidentally going over 2800kg with kit, 4 people, dog, 4 bikes etc.

Very jealous you got up-plated to a T31.5, I've only got a T31! It is indeed another anxiety I don't have any more. My T28 weighed in at 2440kg before wifey, nipper, me and the doggo got in, plus 2 bikes, and red wine and Guinness. I'm pretty sure we would have been extremely close if not over the legal limit.

 

[drinfinity]

The work car park is also very tight for space and that 400mm can become the difference between a space that works and having to leave on the street in not the best area.

The 5km commute is compromising the comfort of a 4-5 person campervan, and will likely cause very expensive engine trouble. I’d get a LWB camper and a bike on cycletowork scheme, or a tiny EV that you would need to plug in once a month.

 

[Sackmycook]

I believe it'll always be a T28, just certificated to carry higher.....

I'd be carrying that certificate around with you in case your stopped by Vosa etc

 

[Drive Wayne]

I believe it'll always be a T28, just certificated to carry higher.....

I'd be carrying that certificate around with you in case your stopped by Vosa etc

We have an official special metally plate with all the new weights displayed, but yes once a T28 always a T28 but 'special'!

 

[Sackmycook]

We have an official special metally plate with all the new weights displayed, but yes once a T28 always a T28 but 'special'!

Does that fit over the original?
Or does this have to remain in-situ?

 

[Bav]

The 5km commute is compromising the comfort of a 4-5 person campervan, and will likely cause very expensive engine trouble. I’d get a LWB camper and a bike on cycletowork scheme, or a tiny EV that you would need to plug in once a month.

Got to agree re the camper side of things - probably agree re the engine side of things too, it's just that I'm fortunate enough not to need to use my van as a daily.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Does that fit over the original?
Or does this have to remain in-situ?

It was bigger than the original, so it wouldn't fit at the back of the engine bay, mine is visible if you open the drivers door. Tricky finding a big enough flat space to adhere to, by the door hinge works well.

 

[ginkster]

I believe it'll always be a T28, just certificated to carry higher.....

I'd be carrying that certificate around with you in case your stopped by Vosa etc

As Wayne says, you get a new weight plate (the original stays in place as well) plus the V5 changes to show the new max permissible mass and revenue weight. It’s still called a T28 though but with new clearances. The engineer sends a report to DVLA who issue the new weights and amend the V5.

 

[ginkster]

Very jealous you got up-plated to a T31.5, I've only got a T31! It is indeed another anxiety I don't have any more. My T28 weighed in at 2440kg before wifey, nipper, me and the doggo got in, plus 2 bikes, and red wine and Guinness. I'm pretty sure we would have been extremely close if not over the legal limit.

Think of the extra 50kg of wine I can carry….!

In reality one would never get near the 3150 as it would have to be perfectly balanced to avoid exceeding one or the other axle weights (1600 front, 1550 rear = 3150). It does give a healthy margin over 2800kg though which is what I was after.

 

[z1ts]

I have 35k to spend/ risk

No you don't. You have 35k to invest in a way of life!!

I'd go for DSG as others have indicated.

Also, TSI if you can find one (I couldn't....!)

Also, if it's any comfort I went for SWB purely for aesthetics even though my usecase probably would necessitate a LWB for other people (I'm an expert 'squeezer' now!)

Any way, welcome and enjoy!

 

[JoshB_]

I wouldn’t get too fussed over mileage. It’s not the be all and end all. I was the same when I first started searching but after actually going out and looking at some vans there were some with sub 30k on that looked absolute dogs. Blatantly used as a fancy wheelbarrow! There was one on 49k that was a great spec with windows already in, but it had been pulled pillar to post, it must have had a previous conversion ripped out or something (I think a disability van that they’d unconverted).
My eventual purchase has 86k on but drives like new.
Don’t be put off by a van with more miles than you’d like. It’s not a car. At least go view it.

 

[Sharpe]

I’d look for a TSI if you’re using it on short journeys like that. Had mine for 6 years, commuting 2.5 miles each way daily. Shame you weren’t looking a couple of months ago - mine fitted very closely to your spec

 

[JoshB_]

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[mcmac74]

I get that diesel isn’t ideal for short journeys. I heard similar warnings when I bought a diesel kuga six years ago and no issues (I assume) because it gets 3-4 blasts on the motorway a month…touching wood. I viewed a 17 plate highline conversion yesterday and the salesman was adamant that I shouldn’t be concerned as long as it’s getting a bi monthly blow out on the motorway or similar….but then he was a salesman.

If I were to still go for a T6 diesel, are there any particular types that are less likely to be offended by the short daily commute? Does a DSG make this any easier? There are a lot of highline TDI on auto trader at the mo…is that an engine characteristic I should avoid or no concerns? BHP make any difference? Any other considerations?

Cheers

 

[JOG]

150 bhp DSG would be best…..but I am biased as I have one. I also have a 140 bhp manual which I also enjoy driving.

If you are giving the van a runout a couple of times a month, then the daily short commute is less of an issue.