Anyone used a 4x4 transit?

Nos4r2 · 30 January 2008, 23:50

I'm thinking about doing a cheapy camper conversion on an old (mk3) 4 wheel drive transit to use as a tow/launch vehicle. Has anyone got any experience of using them?

Nasher · 31 January 2008, 00:03

Nos Hi

Somebody I knew a while back had one, just because he liked the thought of carrying 'stuff' around, and could go off road with it.

All I can remember about it is that it was a bit gutless, and was of similar proportions to a block of flats

It was, I think ex-BT or Southern Electric, and the floorpan was about 3 feet off the ground, I don't know if they are all jacked up that high though.

He got rid of it as it didn't go off road well, it was too big, it was slow, and used too much fuel.

I'm sure it would be great for the right job though.

Nasher.

Lets go boating · 31 January 2008, 01:26

i'd say its a good idea personally, as you have the 4x4 grip on the slipway, plenty of room inside, and speed doesn't really matter, because your towing and you can't go fast anyway. ud probably have to lower the towbar abit but you probably know that anyway. all in all id say its a good idea, as lots of people tow with transit vans, as they tow great, from past experiance, not sure on fuel, doubt it will be that bad, but thats the only issue for me, not i think it will be bad, as i just don't know.

cheers mf

Nos4r2 · 31 January 2008, 01:51

After doing a bit more research it looks like this idea is a no-no due to insurance problems.Can't find anyone who will insure a conversion as a camper unless it's a full conversion with a dining area,cooker,water tanks,toilet etc. This is far more than I wanted to do to one. All I wanted was bed/cooker/sink as I wanted to be able to take one of the bikes on holiday with us.

No-one will insure it as a van either as with a semi conversion it's classed as a modified vehicle.

What a pain.

Lets go boating · 31 January 2008, 01:55

what the idea now then m8

Nos4r2 · 31 January 2008, 02:04

Dunno! I'm still thinking of selling my 4x4 as it's been screwdrivered twice now and with what's been scratched in,it's obviously personal. I don't know who's doing it though. Problem is,until I find out who's doing it,it's pointless me getting another vehicle for the tosser to ruin.

Anything I get will have to either be used as a day to day vehicle or I'll have to pay for storage for it.It occured to me after I posted the last that I can't use a camper as a day to day vehicle as it won't fit under the car park barriers in several of the places I work.

Limey Linda · 31 January 2008, 02:58

Suggestion Nos.
Don't do a conversion. Get a couple of camp beds, a camping stove, and a porta potty. plastic buckets make good sinks. Put some used carpet on the floor. You can then use it for what ever you want. I had a buddy in Nevada that travelled 10,000 miles a year with this set up. A bit primative but VERY practical. What do you want? a pot of flowers in the window! and some chinzy curtains.

Lets go boating · 31 January 2008, 03:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Suggestion Nos.
Don't do a conversion. Get a couple of camp beds, a camping stove, and a porta potty. plastic buckets make good sinks. Put some used carpet on the floor. You can then use it for what ever you want. I had a buddy in Nevada that travelled 10,000 miles a year with this set up. A bit primative but VERY practical. What do you want? a pot of flowers in the window! and some chinzy curtains.

thats a great idea, but i think hes opted out of it now.

hope you find the scumbag nos and keep posting ideas

Nos4r2 · 31 January 2008, 09:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Limey Linda

Suggestion Nos.
Don't do a conversion. Get a couple of camp beds, a camping stove, and a porta potty. plastic buckets make good sinks. Put some used carpet on the floor. You can then use it for what ever you want. I had a buddy in Nevada that travelled 10,000 miles a year with this set up. A bit primative but VERY practical. What do you want? a pot of flowers in the window! and some chinzy curtains.

You're right. That'd be a good idea had I not realised I can't get into staff carparks!

Colin F · 31 January 2008, 18:49

what about a mazdo bongo or ford freda?

they have fold flat rear seat and a pop up roof tent and 4wd...
2.5tdi

4k ish if you look around i think.

i really liked the idea of one of these but can't really justify another vehicle.

Limey Linda · 31 January 2008, 19:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

You're right. That'd be a good idea had I not realised I can't get into staff carparks!

What is a staff carpark? Please? Surely there cannot be a height problem.

Nos4r2 · 31 January 2008, 19:44

It's just a car park at a place of work-but several of them have height restriction bars on.

Nos4r2 · 31 January 2008, 19:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colin F

what about a mazdo bongo or ford freda?

they have fold flat rear seat and a pop up roof tent and 4wd...
2.5tdi

4k ish if you look around i think.

i really liked the idea of one of these but can't really justify another vehicle.

I did consider one but as I'm having problems with vandalism at the moment I don't want to spend £4k on one just to get it resprayed. Hence the thought of the mk 3 transit. No-one notices if a transit is scratched!

ian parkes · 31 January 2008, 20:06

My nieghbour had a 4wd transit conversion . they are pretty solid and reliable . He used to tow small swing shovels etc and it was slow but good for pulling some considerable wieght .

depends on what engine it has I guess , the non turbo 2.5 di was fine if you werent in a hurry but very good on fuel. Mine never did less than 30 mpg whatever i did with it .

codprawn · 31 January 2008, 20:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

It's just a car park at a place of work-but several of them have height restriction bars on.

Nearly all the car parks in the Swansea area have height bars to try to stop the gyppos coming in.

Our local park and ride has been invaded by about 100 caravans. They actually used an angle grinder on the locked steel gate. The police were called and did NOTHING. They have been quick enough to prosecute parents and kids using the same gravel car park for a bit of quad biking though!!!

eilean mor · 31 January 2008, 21:06

hi,
i knew a friend who had a 4be vw camper, said it was great, no getting stuck in muddy fields,
but I also knew some folk who used a 4be transit, and it had double wheels on the back, which meant lots of jumping about on snow, as they wouldnt sit in the tracks made by the front wheels, - just one of the simple things I wouldnt have thought of.