Those with Vans

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ApolloStorm

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So I am looking to replace my current vehicle with something more appropriate for transporting my two GSD.
I currently drive a Seat Ibiza hatch- fine with one, but two is beyond pushing it! especially with all my show gear when we are out and about!
I'm stuck in a decision as to which way would be best to go;

Van: looking at something like VW caddy, kitted out in the back with cages and storage etc.
I'm regularly at shows and taking them places so this is brilliant for storage and safety etc.
downsides are that I'd not be able to take more than one passenger- I'm single & human childless so it doesn't happen often but has happened! Also some luxuries I would miss from my car- nav, heated seats, bluetooth etc. though I suspect you can get vans with these?

Car: I would be looking at some mid sized estate BMW 3 series sized, enough room in the boot for both dogs and space on back seats for show kit. would be advantages to getting proper dog guard/tailgate to contain and reduce the *hair* in the car! Could take multiple passengers/ is future proof. Comes with all luxuries & is less specific to dog-life.

those with vans - do you miss a car? and those with cars do you wish for a van?
both isn't really an option as much as I would love, as its twice insurance & tax & MOT.
 
I drove a mini MPV with rear seats removed and cages/crates. Didn't miss not being able to take passengers lol and could put seats back in if required.
Upgraded to a long wheelbase 7 seat VW last year. I've used the rear seats once, they're mostly used to store more dog gear. Would always go for a van.
 
I have a berlingo multi space for one GSD. I have removed the back seats, only OH and myself. Lots of room in the back and you could kit it out with cages or dog guards. The best thing about it is the sliding side doors. In the hot weather you can park and just open them in a normal parking space to keep the dog cooler if it is caged.You could easily get 2 in my vehicle and it would be very comfortable for them with front and rear guards. Oh, and it has bluetooth. Drives well and I can't really criticise anything about it.
 
I loved having a van (Berlingo) and had I had the budget for another, I'd have gone up to a transit (2 dogs) for a bit more space for hanging waterproofs etc. Modern transits have all mod cons :)

I didn't miss not having a car although there were a couple of occasions whereby we could have used another vehicle with more than one passenger seat. It was awesome for the horses as well for bedding etc (I could take my crates out quite easily). I miss having a van for that reason although the Dacia is a much nicer drive for the commute and I can get 7 bales of shavings in it. Had I the money I'd have gone for a VW Transporter.
 
Before I had my van I had a Freelander with the back seats folded up and dog guard behind them, so only had the front seat only, this was big enough for 4 Border Collies, but was pushing it when I had 5. I've had my Vauxhall Vivaro for 5.5 years, have 4 crates in the back fitted by Moonfrost, plenty of storage space, room for 2 passengers at a squeeze.
 
We have just got a VW touran, fits two greyhounds, 7 seats (not with the dog in it) and with all the back seats down has a huge boot space.

Not the most glamorous car in the world, but does the job very well and we’re really happy with it
 
We have an electric Kangoo and we love it. If you only need two seats and often carry a lot of stuff, vans are fab!
 
Not dog related but we have a VW caddy and it’s lovely. It has everything you’d get in a VW car, so Bluetooth etc. If I didn’t have kids I’d definitely have one. There are benefits to not being able to give anyone a lift!
 
I have a VW caddy with large double cages and storage. It is fab and I wouldn’t go back to a car. The only potential draw back is I can only take 1 passenger but I mostly view this as a bonus.
D7BC0547-161A-40F3-AAF4-D35CAC69929A.jpegD7BC0547-161A-40F3-AAF4-D35CAC69929A.jpeg
 
ApolloStorm said:
That looks fab! exactly what im after! Maybe a Van doesn't have as many drawbacks as I am anticipating!
Click to expand...

the only drawbacks are finding one without VAT, unless you want to give that amount of money away, and insurance. you have to get commercial insurance, not many offer it and some (not mine) mean your no claims accumulated while you have the policy wont be transferred to a non-commercial policy later on. If you buy sh I recommend getting it checked out properly.
 
one thing to consider is if you want something like a berlingo, peugueot partner, kango those types which are basically vans but have side windows or if you want a real "van" which doesn't have side windows. Side windows can be opened for ventilation, they may have a disadvantage in that the dog can see out and may get agitated, they have a great advantage if you live in an area with lots of road junctions and want to see through the side window as you are driving. When I was choosing side windows were top of my list because of our road junctions and loose animals on our roads. Ours has a tailgate that opens upwards and that provides shelter/protection from the sun if you want to sit under it or open it for the dogs to look out. Worth considering how you want your rear door to open.
vans with windows are great. I can get 8 bales of shavings in the Berlingo which is more that I can squeeze in the landrover.

ps. interesting how people are not concerned with having spare seats for offering lifts. :D:D:D
 
You can get plastic welded boxes so that the dog cannot see out, if it's that way inclined. I do have rear tinted windows in mine but I have affixed silver foil sheeting between them and the boxes with strong magnets so that the sun isn't beating in on them. But can be easily removed if need be.
 
Its getting ever so tempting to go for a van like pictured! though if i can find a car version with tinted windows I may go for one like that
 
Try looking for the Maxi Life or Maxi Life Mini.

As mentioned there are other van/MPV crossovers, the Citroen Berlingo or Nemo multispace, Renault Kangoo, Peugeot Partner or Bipper/Tepee (which was one I was seriously looking at) are good alternatives, also the Fiat Quobo or Doblo, Ford Torneo Connect.
 
I would always go for a caddy over other similar models. Mine is a standard wheel base trendline TDI. Come with various gizmo as standard including air con and rear parking sensors. The only extras I added were sat nav and tow bar. The cages are bespoke made by Steve Tubb in Coventry. He will make to your requirements and fit including ply lining and rubber flooring.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Steve-Tubb-Fabrications/195549727497477
 
My Caddy has dual climate control, heated seats, automatic gearbox, leather steering wheel, fancy schmancy lights, parking sensors, you name it, bought second hand so not my choice but I needed the first three and a tailgate and this fitted the bill. It does also have sat nav and bluetooth, as long as you don't get a base level van, and it's less than maybe 10 years old, you'll find these on the better spec vans. My Caddy has the 140ps engine which is much better with the auto box (DSG) than the "standard" 102ps, though the latter is a great engine for manual and for ordinary mileage. I do a lot of motorway miles.

Personally I'd not give another small van house room (I'd have a new Vito in a heartbeat), the build quality is way above anything else, but VW are arses to deal with, no problem if you're beyond warranty. You don't have to use main dealers even if in warranty of course but dealing with them has never been straightforwards.
 
I love the Citan as well. I went off the Vito when I was stuck behind one at an event, on a very steep hill, then had to exit through a muddy gateway, not a fan of RWD :p I know you can get them in different configurations these days.
 
sbloom said:
My Caddy has dual climate control, heated seats, automatic gearbox, leather steering wheel, fancy schmancy lights, parking sensors, you name it, bought second hand so not my choice but I needed the first three and a tailgate and this fitted the bill. It does also have sat nav and bluetooth, as long as you don't get a base level van, and it's less than maybe 10 years old, you'll find these on the better spec vans. My Caddy has the 140ps engine which is much better with the auto box (DSG) than the "standard" 102ps, though the latter is a great engine for manual and for ordinary mileage. I do a lot of motorway miles.

Personally I'd not give another small van house room (I'd have a new Vito in a heartbeat), the build quality is way above anything else, but VW are arses to deal with, no problem if you're beyond warranty. You don't have to use main dealers even if in warranty of course but dealing with them has never been straightforwards.
Click to expand...

Interesting I’ve always had excellent service from VW and my dealership are very understanding. Yes I did buy new and paid in cash (thanks to an inheritance)
 
ApolloStorm said:
So I am looking to replace my current vehicle with something more appropriate for transporting my two GSD.
I currently drive a Seat Ibiza hatch- fine with one, but two is beyond pushing it! especially with all my show gear when we are out and about!
I'm stuck in a decision as to which way would be best to go;

Van: looking at something like VW caddy, kitted out in the back with cages and storage etc.
I'm regularly at shows and taking them places so this is brilliant for storage and safety etc.
downsides are that I'd not be able to take more than one passenger- I'm single & human childless so it doesn't happen often but has happened! Also some luxuries I would miss from my car- nav, heated seats, bluetooth etc. though I suspect you can get vans with these?

Car: I would be looking at some mid sized estate BMW 3 series sized, enough room in the boot for both dogs and space on back seats for show kit. would be advantages to getting proper dog guard/tailgate to contain and reduce the *hair* in the car! Could take multiple passengers/ is future proof. Comes with all luxuries & is less specific to dog-life.

those with vans - do you miss a car? and those with cars do you wish for a van?
both isn't really an option as much as I would love, as its twice insurance & tax & MOT.
Click to expand...

Most vans are fully loaded with A/C Sat NAV, Decent sound system, blue tooth USB ports etc, so a caddy would be well worth a look!
 
I had an older Berlingo and despite regular servicing it died at 115K miles-it wasnt really built for what I was doing (long commute). It was very economical and parts were cheap. The newer ones have better axles (and are bigger)-a friend's parents has the MPV version and they take out the back seats for hay pick ups etc. I'd not go smaller and I'd probably not go for another Citroen.
 
I swapped a Toyota hilux pickup truck for a Volvo XC70. Boot space for two male GSDs and comes with dog guard as standard usually (mine didn’t fit some reason so I bought a Guardsman one). Loads of toys in the XC70 and a lovely smooth ride. It’s not as practical on my single track, potholed roads as the truck and I’ll definitely have another pick up in the future but I’m very happy with the Volvo for now.8D2EFA57-D963-4D55-9D21-87DB949D4F68.jpeg
 
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MotherOfChickens said:
I had an older Berlingo and despite regular servicing it died at 115K miles-it wasnt really built for what I was doing (long commute). It was very economical and parts were cheap. The newer ones have better axles (and are bigger)-a friend's parents has the MPV version and they take out the back seats for hay pick ups etc. I'd not go smaller and I'd probably not go for another Citroen.
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A lot of the time a bigger engine is better, hence I went for the 140ps, smaller engines work too hard on long journeys but I'm sure it wasn't just engine parts as you mention the axle. I do like VW build quality (mostly, the gas springs on the tailgate are rubbish, replaced on both Caddies I've had and still very poor).
 
I have a little citroen van. The suspension parts go fairly easily if you are going to be driving up bumpy country tracks etc but its very cheap to keep in general and plenty of space in it for my three dogs.
 
sbloom said:
A lot of the time a bigger engine is better, hence I went for the 140ps, smaller engines work too hard on long journeys but I'm sure it wasn't just engine parts as you mention the axle. I do like VW build quality (mostly, the gas springs on the tailgate are rubbish, replaced on both Caddies I've had and still very poor).
Click to expand...

Mine has the double van doors rather than the tailgate, no problem with these. I don’t like tail gates as I tend to bang my head on them and if you shut it after rain you can easily get soaked from water trapped by the window, number plate slot etc
 
satinbaze said:
Mine has the double van doors rather than the tailgate, no problem with these. I don’t like tail gates as I tend to bang my head on them and if you shut it after rain you can easily get soaked from water trapped by the window, number plate slot etc
Click to expand...

I have to have one if I want to saddle fit in the rain, the back 1m of my van is essentially my work bench :), but yes, I did soak myself the first time I used it in the rain!
 
We have a Peugeot Partner bought new in '06 and still going strong despite around 150k miles on the clock - cheap as chips to maintain and run. It's called the 'Dogmobile' as that's what it is used for. It's brilliant for the hounds as huge flat boot with loads of head room for them. Good for tip runs too!

My 4x4 has a great boot but unless back seats are down it's not great for the dogs due to slope of tailgate and back seats.

OH has a VW Transporter as well but it's full of windsurfing gear and no room for the dogs. It's long wheel base and high so a right pain for 'normal' life whereas the Dogmobile goes everywhere.

Yes we have far too many vehicles....!
 
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