best base vehicle (1 Viewer)

[ips]

This is my 1st MH so no real comparisson however I have driven dozens and dozens of different vans and trucks over the years so I reckon that my Transit 2-2L 140bhp is the absolute dogs doo dahs.

Very comfortable driving position
Excellent looking (IMO)
Excellent build quality
Great spec, cruise, air con, elec windows & mirrors
Goes like stink
And great fuel economy
Reasonably cheap servicing and spares

I would definately look specifically for a tranny base if I ever change vans.

1 - What do you think is the best (or indeed worst) base vehicle
2 - What base vehicle has yet to be used as such and would make a good un

 

[Peter James]

The Vokswagen Transporter looks best build quality to me - but costs about £10,000 more than a Sevel Ducato/Boxer/Relay for a much smaller van. (based on the prices in Brownhills) Is that worth it for a vehicle that doesn't do much mileage?

As far as I know, only the L2 and L3 Sevel vans are being used by the professional converters.
I have no idea why they don't use the L4 ? (just like the L3 but a foot or so extra length behind the back axle)
I have an L4 and find the extra 2 cubic metres of space very useful.

 

[RichardnGill]

The best base vehicle will depend on your budget, size of van and what you want to do with the van.

We had a 2007 Transit 2.2 130Bhp and hated it, as the driving position was no good for me. The cornering was also very poor with a tallish body. Now these problems might not be relevant if you are not to tall and have a low pro.

At the moment we have a Tag alko Fiat. The driving position is fine and it goes round corners very well. So it suites me.

I would like to Try a Merc next but on the size van we wanted they are a lot more expensive.

I would spend more time worrying about getting the layout I wanted though than the base vehicle. after all most people only drive then 5,000 miles a year.


Richard...

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[activecampers]

The Ford Transit wins "van of the year" for a core reason And as its designed to be abused by couriers/builders it has an easy life as a campervan.

That said, some of the smaller engines are hard work, I recently drove a white hire one to the NEC and had foot flat to the floor for a lot of the way! So the engine matters.

Mine is a 125bhp 2L turbo -which is plentiful and a superb drive. The 100 is harder and the 85 is, erm.... slow. The newer 2.2 come in bigger engines, the 115 is okay and the 140 is a joy!

In terms of luxury, Ford do a Trend pack, which as standard I believe has: crusie, leather wheel, stereo/cruise on wheel; 6 speed; auto lights; auto wipers; elec mirrors/windows; heated mirrors; heated front screen; hill-assist; bluetooth; mp3 connectivity....

So its actually better than our car!

Also, if you are flush, you can get an AWD version of the transit.....

 

[Douglas]

I don't know which is the best base vehicle but I have decided never to own a front wheel drive one again.

Doug...

 

[motorhomer]

I have experience of 3 vans, the first was based on merc 316, the others 2 both 3 ltr peugeot boxers.

The peugeots, in my opinion, are far superior to the merc, much quieter, smoother, corner better and in my experience much more reliable - the merc needed a call out 3 times whilst on the road.

But other people swear by mercs, and transits, and i agree with the contributor that said the most important thing is to be happy with the living accomodation, that's where you spend most of the time.

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