Help, our dream has always been to own a transporter, next year with a lot of hard saving we should be able to get one. However there are plenty of alternatives and want to make sure we are going for the right one
We are 2 adults, 2 older children and 2 dogs, we would have an awning, to sleep us adults or children. We do not mind having a van then getting the conversion done and then later on adding pop up roof etc.
It will be my car probably unless we get one at bottom of budget, and will average 5000 miles a year, i do some short journeys so will need good mpg. We are not the best at mechanics so will need reliable,
I have seen T4s, T5s, Fords, Mercedes, Bongos. Our neighbour has a T28 not converted and really like that, have also seen a few surf buses with just the bed and even that would be fine until we convert
Our budget will be between 8k upto 14k, what on earth should we go for and where are the best places to look, e bay, auto trader etc ?
Firstly, I think your budget should be enough to get you a respectable 'ready to go' van. However, your requirements would be for a van with 4 proper (belted) travelling seats and this might reduce your options.
I'm a bit suspicious of some eBay ads. Maybe I'm over-cautious, but it's a lot of money to be spending.
However, there's no harm looking there and also on Autotrader motorhomes.
There are a number of suitable looking vans on Autotrader, but all with high mileage. For economy, I'd go for a diesel.
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I'm just having a T6 converted...mine's a T30 panel van...be careful if you go for anything lower as the weight of the conversion plus your gear soon mounts up...my converter recommended at least T30.
The conversion is a costly business if you're getting someone else to do it, but if you're handy, you could have a go yourself...have a look at the T4/5/6 forums...theres loads of good info on there.
Our Autosleeper is on a T4 diesel, we get about 30mpg & have 110K on the clock. Helps if you have (or are) good mechanic, we need the AA about once a year (e.g. gear box linkage - we now carry the plastic ties for running repairs). T4s aren't made any more so finding some spares can take a bit of tracking down (e.g. speedo cable), but we've not been beaten yet. Look out for rust, that's been an issue at most of our MoTs (found lots of expanding foam under the door sills).. And check the age of the tyres, having had blow-outs of tyres that passed the MoT but were older than recommended.
The mechanic who came out last time (our 2nd fan belt in 2 months - there are 5 sizes for a T4, so we carry a spare) patted the bonnet, said the recovery truck back at the garage was a T4 with 300K on the clock.
Whatever van you get, you'll all have so much fun. A valid point by Capt Lightening about seatbelts, our Autosleeper layout has no rear belts.
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Topic: T4 or not T4
