Ford Transit Custom

[dobbyhasfriends]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Lots to look at!
but I can’t help lusting over the Leighton Vans T6 transporters ?

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yea they are nice vans but quite expensive.

depending on the amount of gear you plan to move in the back, I would certainly consider having a bulkhead fitted because if you do crash, all that stuff in the back turns into missiles... even if you have to brake hard it can be scary if all that weight moves around

 

[Dirtnvert]

The nice thing about the fords van/truck is ,if you look way up under the dash above the pedals behind the steering wheel, there is a switch to activate the heated tailgate.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Yeah I’m not a fan of the blue bits.
Mrs H hates it. And all vans.

Ah, but once she realises how easy it is to get in and out. How comfy it is. How much space there is for everyone and you can even get changed on the move if you need to.

And the big one... All the great crap she can get you to bring straight home when you go shopping rather than have it delivered.

 

[Doomanic]

@Zimmerframe You forgot how horrible they are to drive.
@Rob Hancill you currently drive a premium SUV, all vans are a step down in comfort, ride quality and fuel economy.

Spoiler

Cue all the vanboi fanbois trying to convince you they are as good as a car...

If you really need the space, get a cheap van and keep the posh car.

 

[R120]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Lots to look at!
but I can’t help lusting over the Leighton Vans T6 transporters ?

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Big ££££££ for them - maybe wither tapping them up for some sponsorship though, they sponsor a lot of MTB'rs and got to be a fair bit of publicity from your Youtube channel

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Big ££££££ for them - maybe wither tapping them up for some sponsorship though, they sponsor a lot of MTB'rs and got to be a fair bit of publicity from your Youtube channel

Yeah ? Sent the boss a proposal earlier today.

 

[Dirtnvert]

The nice thing about the fords van/truck is ,if you look way up under the dash above the pedals behind the steering wheel, there is a switch to activate the heated tailgate.

Anyone find it? Keeps your hands warm when youre pushing it back to the dealer

 

[118]

Ah, but once she realises how easy it is to get in and out. How comfy it is. How much space there is for everyone and you can even get changed on the move if you need to.

And the big one...

Ideal for 'dogging' too..

 

[stiv674]

Of course a van isn't going to be as nice to drive as a decent car, but they are so much better than a lot would think.

I've never had a 'premium' car but as I've already said, I don't miss my car at all.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Mrs H relaxes with a glass of sparkling waiting for Rob to come back from a shoot ..

 

[Doomanic]

 

[NULevo]

One of these perhaps?

Ford Van Sport | Custom Sport Vans - MS-RT

Ford Transit Custom MS-RT R-Spec automatic review – a week at the wheel | Parkers

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

One of these perhaps?

Ford Van Sport | Custom Sport Vans - MS-RT

Ford Transit Custom MS-RT R-Spec automatic review – a week at the wheel | Parkers

Really nice! Those MS-RT conversions look ace. Ideally need 5/6 seats in whatever I get.

 

[NULevo]

Really nice! Those MS-RT conversions look ace. Ideally need 5/6 seats in whatever I get.

I believe you can spec a second row of seats as pictured in the review

 

[YrianX]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Lots to look at!
but I can’t help lusting over the Leighton Vans T6 transporters ?

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This look dang sweet Rob

Though if you hold on a little while longer, then get the new Mercedes EQV Electric that's coming

I just got an Electric myself, and they are SWEET!

 

[Zimmerframe]

It's got an electric tail gate ! Which, with the correct additions, is also know as a powered bike lift/stand ! That surely must be on everyones list ...

 

[YrianX]

Great with alternative uses

 

[Beekeeper]

And as it’s electric you can charge the bike battery without needing to run the engine ??

 

[Madmountainman]

I have a 2018 LWB Vivaro Limited Crewcab, which i've converted into a rather spiffing day van, with king size R&R bed, hot water, shower, cooker, large fridge and loads of off grid power. It's the best driving vehicle i've owned, brisk, very quiet and smooth and returns over 40mpg on a run.
It has sufficient bells and whistles to make life aboard comfy, whereas the Fords have loads of kit, some of which is likely to go wrong at some point in the future, especially the heated seats. I do like the Custom's, but i'm tall, so find they have a lack of headroom. The T6 is ok in that department, but the legroom is very poor.
My R&R is set back a little, so rear storage is reduced, but i can get my barge in on an angle, with the front wheel removed. It is a seriously comfy, relaxed and quiet drive. I did the Exmoor Explorer earlier this year, drove to London for an ebay purchase afterwards and then drove back home to Devon, all in the same day. I wasn't tired and could've easily stopped for a kip if I had been.
I also looked at the offerings from other suppliers, but if you look at 10 year old Crafters/Sprinters and Vito's, they're all bleeding rust from various points. If you look at a 10 year old Vivaro, they pretty much all look mint, which is down to having a galvanised body. Those early models did have a reputation for gearboxes made from chocolate, but the later versions don't have many reported faults, other than the injectors seizing, which is due to the small drain holes in the windscreen trough getting blocked and the water flows over onto the head. Other common issues on the Fords/VW's are dual mass flywheel failures, drive shaft failures, numerous electrcal gremlins, rusting door hinges, leaking windscreens etc. Take a look at Honest John's website and the list is very long for both vans, but the Vauxhall has barely a bad word against it, hence why I bought one.
I have been hearing good things about the new Crafter, which is being built back at VW, but is a lot more expensive than my Vivaro, for only a marginal increase in space. I also drive a Sprinter for work and it's rattly, has a noisy diesel engine, lacks modern car comfort and refinement, so I certainly wouldn't buy one of those.

 

[R120]

I have one golden rule for vans, decent armrests and cupholders, and for me that's where the Vivaro fails, non adjustable armrest that sits too low, and cupholders that the windscreen restricts what you can put in - the are a bargain though, especially as Vaukhall has now switched to the PSA platform so plenty of deals to be had

 

[Madmountainman]

I have one golden rule for vans, decent armrests and cupholders, and for me that's where the Vivaro fails, non adjustable armrest that sits too low, and cupholders that the windscreen restricts what you can put in - the are a bargain though, especially as Vaukhall has now switched to the PSA platform so plenty of deals to be had

I have no problems with using Waitrose coffee mugs in my cup holders, but I can see where other cups might struggle. I wasn't aware the competition had adjustable arm rests, but I find mine is ok for me. All vehicle purchases come down to individual preferences/choice and, for me, the Vivaro won out on cost, reliability record, ergonomics for a tall driver and a box shaped body that gives you a defined practical interior space. The T6's sloping sides lose out on that point, with both the Ford and VW A pillars giving a feeling of a cramped cabin accordingly. I was a rarity in the modern car world, buying my van outright with cash, but it did secure me a price i've failed to see any other, same spec, Vivaro come any where near since.
The new PSA van is a whole lot smaller and I do not fit in the drivers seat, as it's way too cramped for my 1.98m. They do look nice though.

 

[R120]

I have no problems with using Waitrose coffee mugs in my cup holders, but I can see where other cups might struggle. I wasn't aware the competition had adjustable arm rests, but I find mine is ok for me. All vehicle purchases come down to individual preferences/choice and, for me, the Vivaro won out on cost, reliability record, ergonomics for a tall driver and a box shaped body that gives you a defined practical interior space. The T6's sloping sides lose out on that point, with both the Ford and VW A pillars giving a feeling of a cramped cabin accordingly. I was a rarity in the modern car world, buying my van outright with cash, but it did secure me a price i've failed to see any other, same spec, Vivaro come any where near since.
The new PSA van is a whole lot smaller and I do not fit in the drivers seat, as it's way too cramped for my 1.98m. They do look nice though.

Each van has their pluses and minus's, the Vivaro are hard to beat for capacity and value, I personally dont get on with Transporters as I find the pedals are in a weird position for me and give me calf cramp on long journeys,

 

[Lee]

Anyone got one, specifically the crew cab version? Wondering how useful the space in the back is for bikes and stuff.

I think I'm going to get a van at some point in 2020 and replace car, but will definitely need 5 seats! Transit seems like a good option....

Hi Rob

I've bought one but not the crew cab version and I love it, so glad I got it. We got it for days out with the bikes and/or dog and the priority was absolute ease with the bikes, just wanted to be able to push the bikes in and secure them, no messing. I now use it as my main car whilst the wife uses the BMW, I prefer the Custom, if we were going overnight I'd take the motorhome which has a garage.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you get.

 

[Rob Rides EMTB]

Hi Rob

I've bought one but not the crew cab version and I love it, so glad I got it. We got it for days out with the bikes and/or dog and the priority was absolute ease with the bikes, just wanted to be able to push the bikes in and secure them, no messing. I now use it as my main car whilst the wife uses the BMW, I prefer the Custom, if we were going overnight I'd take the motorhome which has a garage.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you get.

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Amazing! So much space you have there.

 

[Lee]

Amazing! So much space you have there.

Thanks!
Plenty of space to get cleaned up and changed after a ride, bonus.

 

[Zimmerframe]

Amazing! So much space you have there.

And so ... Rob enters the dreamy world of SPACE .... Uhmmm .. so much space .. more bikes ... who cares about parking ..

New thread ... recommendations for a crew cab hook loader ...

 

[dobbyhasfriends]

even with the van rammed with tools its no problem to get em in..

 

[stiv674]

Mine is primarily for work but I've made a few alterations to make it nicer for weekend use...

 

[Paul Mac]

Hi Rob

I've bought one but not the crew cab version and I love it, so glad I got it. We got it for days out with the bikes and/or dog and the priority was absolute ease with the bikes, just wanted to be able to push the bikes in and secure them, no messing. I now use it as my main car whilst the wife uses the BMW, I prefer the Custom, if we were going overnight I'd take the motorhome which has a garage.

Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy whatever you get.

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That looks neat, what is the A frame bike holder you are using?

 

[Lee]

That looks neat, what is the A frame bike holder you are using?

Thanks Paul

It's the BikeStow available at the website below, at first they look expensive but once you have one, it's so easy and quick to use and extremely well made, I'm very happy with it.

Gallery — BikeStow