Hi there,
I'm looking to get as big a van as possible, under 3m high but at least 4m load length (back of driver seat to rear doors), that will serve the following purposes:
To use as a back up day van for transporting furniture etc
To use for storage
To use as a 9 seater (Driver + 2 up front and 6 fold down seats in the back) for road trips etc
To use as a camper (seats will also double as a fold out bed)
I'd like to go for either:
Ford Transit Jumbo/ELWB
VW Crafter LWB/High Roof or Maxi/Super High Roof
Mercedes Sprinter LWB/High Roof or Maxi/Super High Roof
I want it to be 3.5t GVW Max and driveable on a B license and looking for 4 wheel max, so no twin rear axle.
As far as I'm aware, if a van is to be used to carry passengers in the back, it needs to have windows and seats with belts. Since the likelihood of finding exactly what I want for sale second hand is I imagine zero, I have the following options:
1) Buy a minibus, and take out all seats and fit custom seats - Problem is that most minibuses will be over 3.5GVW and will probably have a higher selling price
2) Buy a crew cab and take out bulk head behind passenger seats and re-line walls and floor to be uniform throughout.
3) Buy a regular panel van and add windows (not sure how big they need to be?), remove bulk head if present behind driver seat.
Which option will have the higher overall cost depends on what kind of van I can buy initially, but I'd like to know the cost estimate to add custom seats and to add windows if necessary and any other necessities I may not be thinking of.
Due to popularity of these vans in the UK compared to Ireland, I will most likely have to buy in the UK and import so will need to take import costs into consideration and also have any customisation done to an approved and accepted standard.
Please see the attached image for more details. Any feedback and cost estimates would be brilliant.