When I change my towcar in a couple of years, I am considering getting a commercial vehicle. Something like a ford transit with a double cab giving me 6 seats and plenty of space for all the tat in the back.
What do you think? Do these vans make good towing vehicles? Does anybody have any experience or advice (good or bad) Let me know
I'm a builder and,at times when wifey has car,i use the Transit to pull the caravan.Have been refused entry to some sites so beware. ( Full roof rack,ladders etc dont help but is sign-written with land-line not mobile numbers )
FWIW, while I've not been refused entry to any campsites with a "normal UK caravan" behind our Citroen Dispatch panel van, I have been required to remove the Dispatch from the premises (i.e. park it outside the gate) once sited up.
There's a lot of prejudice against anyone towing with a commercial vehicle. However, provided your Transit isn't signwritten, you shouldn't have issues at CC or C&CC sites.
Beware some manufacturers stipulate towing with a commercial vehicle will invalidate your warranty, Bailey are one such company. Apparently the suspension is not designed for caravans and can cause damage to the caravan.
As far as the pikey angle goes. I can understand where you're coming from Bessie. But I only use CC & C&CC sites so I wouldn't envisage a problem.
Geoff it wouldn't be signwritten. More likely I would "pimp my ride" a little. Tinted windows, flared arches, nice alloys and metallic paint with maybe a little artwork.
Not too sure about the warranty Ali, would have to check that. However the timescale that I am looking at is perhaps changing in 2 years so maybe the warranty will be long gone by then.
Just thought that a commercial type vehicle would be more suitable than a family car when you take into consideration what I carry on extended breaks. Roofbox with all the beach gear & windbreaks & recliners. 4 bicycles and usually 3 sets of golf clubs. Plus all the usual tat.
Have towed with my transit van(white unwritten) & it tows very well indeed,no weight issues for most vans but you are restricted by which sites will accept you.Have also towed with my transit minibus,no problems being accepted anywhere.We had a Torneo style bus,nine seater,last two rows fold down flat which still leaves six seats & loads of room in the back.A bus might be a better option than a van.
Years ago there was a problem with A frame breakage on caravans being towed by vehicles such a Land Rovers (Series models, pre 90 & 110) because they basically had very harsh rear suspension that transmitted every vertical shock to the A frame, eventually fracturing it.
I am very surprised that they still think it an issue - it might be if you towed it with a large truck with rear leaf springs, but a modern Transit has a ride quality near to that of a car.
------------- Obsessed with German engineering - proud owner of a Hymer, a Mercedes, and a Radius recumbent bicycle.
Geoff it wouldn't be signwritten. More likely I would "pimp my ride" a little. Tinted windows, flared arches, nice alloys and metallic paint with maybe a little artwork.
Also, your Transit would have side windows for the second row of seats, which I suspect would make some difference - particularly since you intend making it look more like an outdoor enthusiast's private transport than a builder's truck.
As others have said, you would probably be best going for the Ford Toureno if you are planning to use it as a "recreational" vehicle.
We tow with a Vauxhall Combo van, the site we go to at Crooklands has no problem with that as it is a small van (although they do state no commercial vehicles), but we had been there with the tent a few times so I guess they know we aren't pikeys.
Our "Pikey " mates towed with a transit but have now got a Renult van with crew cab seats never been a problem towing or with any sites we have used but I have noticed some dont accept commercial vehicles.Must twitch a few site owners when we ask "Do you accept twin axles? Commercial vehicles ie a vans? Dogs?
They use it for their dogs and the kids bikes,even bought his compressor in it to blow up dingy on site then slung in back of van to take to the beach,also doubled up as a changing room!