4x4 Panel Van & RIB towing?

[willk]

Has anyone on here any experience towing/launching with 4x4 panel vans?

There are a few around and I wonder would they be an alternative to a commercial spec 4x4 for rib related activities?

Ford do a 4x4 Transit but the Mercedes Spinter 4x4 was the van that got me wondering.

On the upside, they're spacious and comfortable (unlike a LR 110).
They're probably a little more frugal with fuel.
They can tow 3500kg braked (with the right spec)
They can be specced with a switched low gear range (4x4 with low range adds about 6k to the price overall)

Downside, they have a 13m+ turning circle, but so does the LR
I'd look more like a pikey

So, any thoughts or experiences?

[Downhilldai]

Get a white one.

[Erin]

It'll also need some really bling alloys and fat tyres. Don't forget tinted windows and make sure you fill the load area with a big sub.

Are we being helpful? Is this the kind of advice you were looking for

[Channel Ribs]

There was and probably still is a guy who tows boats for a living and he used a 4x4 van, he reckoned it was the only thing for long hauls for all the reasons you have given.

For me though, a LR109 every time!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Get a white one.

So is that because:

1. Better resale value
2. Cooler inside in summer
3. I'd look even more like a Pikey
4. Your van is white too...

[willk]

Originally Posted by Erin

Are we being helpful? Is this the kind of advice you were looking for

Your response has amply fulfilled my expections

[Erin]

I suppose one advantage compared to a car 4x4 is that the vans tend to have more of an overhang at the rear which might save your back tyres from getting too wet if slipway launching.

[willk]

Originally Posted by malthouse

For me though, a LR109 every time!

Don't get me wrong, I love my 110 (and she loves me) but as the cruel grip of Time settles on us both, I fear that long distance towing will be beyond both our respective chassis.

I live about 40 miles from most of my regular launch sites, so the 110 is kept busy all season. This can't be a problem for you, in fact I'd imagine that you don't visit fourth gear too often

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by willk

This can't be a problem for you, in fact I'd imagine that you don't visit fourth gear too often

Fourth gets a regular outing, the speedo is very unreliable and sometimes on a long sweeping bend it still reads 35 and I find myself engaging the overdrive. But with the tilt flapping and wheels rumbling it probably feels faster than it is.

[willk]

Originally Posted by malthouse

Fourth gets a regular outing, the speedo is very unreliable and sometimes on a long sweeping bend it still reads 35 and I find myself engaging the overdrive.

Sorry Martin, I meant fourth in the high range box

[gotchiguy]

Originally Posted by malthouse

Fourth gets a regular outing, the speedo is very unreliable and sometimes on the long sweeping bend it still reads 35 and I find myself engaging the overdrive. But with the tilt flapping and wheels rumbling it probably feels faster than it is.

Corrected for you

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by willk

Sorry Martin, I meant fourth in the high range box

lol

[Jizm]

I've nearly always used my van for towing and launching, currently a FWD MK6 transit but had mk5s etc. No problems thus far but only used on proper slips and on the plus side, storage for the boat cover, trailer board etc and a changing room!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Jizm

No problems thus far but only used on proper slips and on the plus side, storage for the boat cover, trailer board etc and a changing room!

Yes, I find that I have little trouble in filling the 6' loadbay of the 110 with "essential equipment"

My towed weight tends to be quite high (often loaded with 225L gas) and some of the slips aren't exactly clean or low angled, hence my interest in the 4x4 angle.
That and the fact that the approaches to the willk residence can require all wheel drive/4x4 when it snows.

Now, another question, what decides how much a van can carry internally if it is towing it's maximum permitted load? I expect that the regs will apply here in a similar way to the UK.

[Jizm]

Originally Posted by willk

Now, another question, what decides how much a van can carry internally if it is towing it's maximum permitted load? I expect that the regs will apply here in a similar way to the UK.

Mine has a maximum train weight of 3500kg, and a fully laden weight of 2800kg so when the van is full I can only tow 700kg but in it's usual state (about 2100kg) I can tow about 1400kg, does that make sense?

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Corrected for you

Paff!

[Mollers]

I've considered a VW T5 4motion. Not managed to get past the consideration phase though.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Jizm

does that make sense?

I'm thinking about it

I wonder what bit Merc play with to get the max towable weight up to 3500kg. I know they beef up the hitch connection to the chassis, and they refer to certain engine/drivetrain requirements, but remain vague as to the details. Does this mean that they increase both the Max Train Weight and the Max Fully Laden Weight to achieve the required margin. Normally the max towable weight is 2000kg.

I'm confused, one tends to take these things for granted with a 110

[Jizm]

Originally Posted by willk

I'm thinking about it

I wonder what bit Merc play with to get the max towable weight up to 3500kg. I know they beef up the hitch connection to the chassis, and they refer to certain engine/drivetrain requirements, but remain vague as to the details. Does this mean that they increase both the Max Train Weight and the Max Fully Laden Weight to achieve the required margin. Normally the max towable weight is 2000kg.

I'm confused, one tends to take these things for granted with a 110

A LWB transit 350 mk6 (3500kg laden) has a max train weight of 5500kg and an unladen weight of around 1900kg so technically can tow 3500kg legally if empty. Hence why you see so many towing diggers and plant around the country!

[willk]

I think the fog is lifting