So my commodore is in the nursing home with dementia... and I've been googling vans as a replacement. I'm keen to find something second hand with a few criteria...

Hold lots of boards and sails
Tow at least 1.6T, prefer 2T
Auto so my wife can use it too
No sleeper, I'm not aloud out after dark
Decent service pricing
Diesel or Petrol

I've used Car websites and found a few that match my hard criteria.

VW Transit nice and compact
Toyota HiAce has a nice lot of room with forward seats and no nose
Merc Ambo looks quite roomy! Call the wind doctor, it's an emergency. Woo Woo
iLoad doesn't have the towing capacity
Ford Transit has a few fans

Vertical tail lift is good for a bit of shade...
Long noses are better for safety (maybe)...
Compact vans fit in stack up car parks...
Long high vans fit more stuff...

Any advice, what have you got and what do you like about it?
Any good load out ideas? Efficient space use is always good!

if you're buying a new one, the Toyota Hi-ace, new shape, check it out on line.

Which ones can tow 2T? Didn't think any of those could

Errr. These ones!
YEAH!! At last a real van.

Have 2015 Nissan 350 which is 2 liter petrol automatic. It has a certified 3 seater bench seat with seatbelts and folds and rotates forward for max space. I need the seating for kid and friends. With roof racks for boards if nreded it has plenty of internal space.
That style pushes more air and reflects on higher cost than hatchbacks.
The Toyota's were so much more price wise and yes lower resale but more affordable.

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olskool said..
Errr. These ones!
YEAH!! At last a real van.

You won't pull chicks in that bad boy. Possibly one from Nimbin

Probably not new... to expensive for salt water!

1.8 T towing vans

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berowne said..
So my commodore is in the nursing home with dementia... and I've been googling vans as a replacement. I'm keen to find something second hand with a few criteria...

Hold lots of boards and sails
Tow at least 1.6T, prefer 2T
Auto so my wife can use it too
No sleeper, I'm not aloud out after dark
Decent service pricing
Diesel or Petrol

I've used Car websites and found a few that match my hard criteria.

VW Transit nice and compact
Toyota HiAce has a nice lot of room with forward seats and no nose
Merc Ambo looks quite roomy! Call the wind doctor, it's an emergency. Woo Woo
iLoad doesn't have the towing capacity
Ford Transit has a few fans

Vertical tail lift is good for a bit of shade...
Long noses are better for safety (maybe)...
Compact vans fit in stack up car parks...
Long high vans fit more stuff...

Any advice, what have you got and what do you like about it?
Any good load out ideas? Efficient space use is always good!

Most small Vans have a small Tow Ball weight Rating. I gave up looking for a Rear wheel drive with 160kg ball weight that could tow my boat. Most have a maximum of 150 kg ball weight with many Only100kg . Australia towing rules use 9-11% of weight being towed for safe Tow Ball weight.
There are larger Vans that can tow if you do not mind the 2.3 m height.
If you do not mind a manual the new Hiace has 1.9 T and 190Kg ball weight and rear wheel drive. Auto is only 1.5 T.

insurance is void if you exceed regulations.

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Goood Cocky2 said..

berowne said..
So my commodore is in the nursing home with dementia... and I've been googling vans as a replacement. I'm keen to find something second hand with a few criteria...

Hold lots of boards and sails
Tow at least 1.6T, prefer 2T
Auto so my wife can use it too
No sleeper, I'm not aloud out after dark
Decent service pricing
Diesel or Petrol

I've used Car websites and found a few that match my hard criteria.

VW Transit nice and compact
Toyota HiAce has a nice lot of room with forward seats and no nose
Merc Ambo looks quite roomy! Call the wind doctor, it's an emergency. Woo Woo
iLoad doesn't have the towing capacity
Ford Transit has a few fans

Vertical tail lift is good for a bit of shade...
Long noses are better for safety (maybe)...
Compact vans fit in stack up car parks...
Long high vans fit more stuff...

Any advice, what have you got and what do you like about it?
Any good load out ideas? Efficient space use is always good!

Most small Vans have a small Tow Ball weight Rating. I gave up looking for a Rear wheel drive with 160kg ball weight that could tow my boat. Most have a maximum of 150 kg ball weight with many Only100kg . Australia towing rules use 9-11% of weight being towed for safe Tow Ball weight.
There are larger Vans that can tow if you do not mind the 2.3 m height.
If you do not mind a manual the new Hiace has 1.9 T and 190Kg ball weight and rear wheel drive. Auto is only 1.5 T.

insurance is void if you exceed regulations.

Good reminder Cooky, thanks

Googling gets you some fun places...
Who ya gonna call... wind bustas
$5k @ bringatrailer.com/listing/1969-oldsmobile-ninety-eight-cotner-bevington-ambulance/

Budget?

I don't think your saltwater excuse is very good for not buying a new car.

+1 for the new Hi-Ace .. depreciation is the biggest cost and this will be ahead of the rest .. unless you buy something cheap, hence old and unsafe.

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On this theme. What about an old hearse?
Call it the Wind Reaper.

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Imax1 said..

olskool said..
Errr. These ones!
YEAH!! At last a real van.

You won't pull chicks in that bad boy. Possibly one from Nimbin

Aw come on man leave my past outta this! ! Was hoping to score a gothic or swampy chick with this colour scheme.

Not diesel whatever you do.
Unless you like a $5k TO $10K SURPRISE

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Cocky2 said..

berowne said..
So my commodore is in the nursing home with dementia... and I've been googling vans as a replacement. I'm keen to find something second hand with a few criteria...

Hold lots of boards and sails
Tow at least 1.6T, prefer 2T
Auto so my wife can use it too
No sleeper, I'm not aloud out after dark
Decent service pricing
Diesel or Petrol

I've used Car websites and found a few that match my hard criteria.

VW Transit nice and compact
Toyota HiAce has a nice lot of room with forward seats and no nose
Merc Ambo looks quite roomy! Call the wind doctor, it's an emergency. Woo Woo
iLoad doesn't have the towing capacity
Ford Transit has a few fans

Vertical tail lift is good for a bit of shade...
Long noses are better for safety (maybe)...
Compact vans fit in stack up car parks...
Long high vans fit more stuff...

Any advice, what have you got and what do you like about it?
Any good load out ideas? Efficient space use is always good!

Most small Vans have a small Tow Ball weight Rating. I gave up looking for a Rear wheel drive with 160kg ball weight that could tow my boat. Most have a maximum of 150 kg ball weight with many Only100kg . Australia towing rules use 9-11% of weight being towed for safe Tow Ball weight.
There are larger Vans that can tow if you do not mind the 2.3 m height.
If you do not mind a manual the new Hiace has 1.9 T and 190Kg ball weight and rear wheel drive. Auto is only 1.5 T.

insurance is void if you exceed regulations.

I'm guessing the difference in towing weight between auto and manual is to protect the auto transmission, but how are autos any unsafer for towing the extra weight? I would have thought maximum SAFE towing weights should be the same?

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Mark _australia said..
Not diesel whatever you do.
Unless you like a $5k TO $10K SURPRISE

Yes, be very careful with diesels. Do your sums about how much of the fuel economy benefit is eaten up by typically higher pump prices of diesel vs unleaded. Factor in typically higher purchase prices, and the potential for catastrophic injector failure costing several grand (more for 'exotic' diesels). Stay well clear (or do lots of research) on anything with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). I learned that lesson the hard way.

There's a lot to be said for well proven petrol engines, particularly with timing chains rather than timing belts (to avoid those super-expensive services where belts are replaced). They may guzzle fuel and littler but on every other aspect of running and maintenance costs, they may see you come out way ahead....

^+1 what he said. Diesel is in no way a better option any more. Fuel cost,service cost n initial purchase price kills any fuel economy gains.
Just sayin

Get a transit van & then you can use the transit lanes

VW T5 has 2T tow capacity. Mine has easily towed that across the country twice!
get the 2.5L 5cylinder diesel. gear driven cams so no belts or chains to replace.

Hello, Berowne,

Some Interesting van vs. engine points were raised here that might help you: www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/New-Toyota-Hiace-van-to-be-released-mid-year?page=1

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actiomax said..
Get a transit van & then you can use the transit lanes

Transit Lanes... LOL

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Bertie said..
VW T5 has 2T tow capacity. Mine has easily towed that across the country twice!
get the 2.5L 5cylinder diesel. gear driven cams so no belts or chains to replace.

The Tow Ball weight is legally only 100KG for the Transporter.

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Cocky2 said..

Bertie said..
VW T5 has 2T tow capacity. Mine has easily towed that across the country twice!
get the 2.5L 5cylinder diesel. gear driven cams so no belts or chains to replace.

The Tow Ball weight is legally only 100KG for the Transporter.

Well my towbar is rated to 200kg down and 2000kgs. As stated on my compliance sticker on the door frame.
The towbar is not genuine VW, from some mob in SA.

Maybe its coz I have the transporter LWB 4motion it allows more? dunno but it tows heavy loads amazingly and u can still even overtake trucks if need be!

This ball weight thing varies from state to state, in WA its only 10% so that is obviously safe if you have a brain.
Other states want 15% so hey ........

The ball weight limit could very easily be increased with air bag suspensiion added to rear.
Or, as per big caravans a load levelling hitch (torsion bars) so the ball weight is perfect.
Its all possible.... if you really need to.

As long as the trailer weight does not exceed the vehicle weight of course, its really not fun when the tail wags the dog......

Mark, i dont think the addition of airbags changes anything legally (eg ball weight) here in Qld. Just makes it a comfier n level ride. A Blue plate certified modded suspension may be the only way.

Found a cute lill one!

all electric too!!



Not sure about the Milage!

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berowne said..
Found a cute lill one!

all electric too!!



Not sure about the Milage!

Can't you share power on modern phones nowadays , should double mileage .

Diesel is now a no no. In order to hit emissions targets they are squeezed to within an inch of their lives. Most 2.5-3L (esp turbo diesel motors) are only good to 150-200K's. The days of a diesel work horse lasting to 400K and running on cheap fuel are a memory. Id vote for the Merc sprinter ex Ambo. Lots available so prices are competitive , almost all are well maintained being ex government , lots of space inside with easy access, very customisable, good suspension, high load capacity, often with awesome aircon, German reliability, and you get to feel important driving one. If the family agree you can squeeze a fully rigged up rig inside (smaller sails not 9&12Meters) so pull up at the beach and just tension up and go!

I don't understand why vans, which have 1 tonne load capacity, have such small allowable ball load.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/Toyota-Hiace-1999/SSE-AD-6004928/?Cr=0

3.0 litre Turbo Diesel engine
Rotating seats, so can be easily changed from windsurfing mode to people mover within seconds
Exists as a 4wd (as well as a 2wd)
Plenty of towing power and beefed up pedders conversion allows you to tow most things.
Lots of electric things including
-lots of sun/moon roofs, windows, retracting mirrors, built in compressor fridge between driver and passenger seats, electric curtains.
-front and rear aircon
-dark tinted windows
-fully lined interior that dampens road noise
-long body that even hold sups (up to about 9ft) without them encroaching into driver/passenger area
-many upgraded features that don't exist in regular Hiaces.

-Highly recommend!