Advice needed...

[Hot Wheels]

... following thursday nights little mishap my parents have obviously seen enough and thrown an ultimatum down.

I have to get 4 wheels before I get another bike or I find somewhere else to live 

Thing is I had been contemplating things before this happened, and am thinking I want to get a small van for transporting bikes in. I should have enough money to get a van and a decent trackbike, and then possibly something for the road as well (although that may have to wait a couple of months so I can add to it with some of my wages).

So I need advice on what van to get.

I'll be using it as my transport as well as for trackdays so will need to be easy to drive and econimical, so I'm thinking mercedes vito size maybe? I don't want to spend too much on it though so nothing too new. I'll want to be able to fit two bikes in it at least as well as kit like wheels tyres tools paddock stands 6kva generator etc

So what do you all suggest as I've got no clue at all about vans really.

[paxovasa]

The bigger the better as you will be surprised by how much stuff you need.. As for the type I would go for a transit as parts are easy to come by.

You could always go down the small van and bike trailer route..

I guess I am of no help what so ever

[Mags]

IF you were Pete I'd say a ford KA as im sure hed get a bike and a mattress in there, but id go long wheel base transit or a Merc .

[scooby]

The bigger the better as you will be surprised by how much stuff you need.. As for the type I would go for a transit as parts are easy to come by.

You could always go down the small van and bike trailer route..

I guess I am of no help what so ever

scratch that,you's be suprised how much you can get in a small van 

most transit size vans will get 2 bikes and most of the kit (6gva gennie will be a squeeze,but why so big  )

so anything along those lines,vivaro,transit.....

[Hot Wheels]

why so big a gennie, I was given it FOC

I had been looking at either transits, vito's or VW transporters as possibilities but like I say haven't really a clue so thanks for the advice so far

[rotax81]

you will struggle with a vw transporter.
i have had 2 bikes and all the kit in mine but it was very tight.
the wheel arches mean the bikes are very close in the middle with narrow gaps either side.
if you sold the gennie and got a smaller one then yes.
otherwise a transit/merc sprinter size would be the one.

[Andy W]

Have you passed your car test then Tom? Missed that one if you have.

[mc101]

Renault Traffic/Vaux Viaro LWB - easily carries two bikes, tools, generator, tyres and kit for a 5 day trip in Europ. Still small enough to park easily in town centres :-) 

Get the high roof option if you can - standing up makes life much easier for loading and unloading.

[Gaz]

Pretty much what has been said already, Transit/Vito/Trafic (and similar). I would say you need a compromise between:
 - as small as possible (for using as a daily transport); and
 - as big as necessary (for two bikes and large genny).

A standard SWB lo-roof transit (and equivalents) will fit two bikes in fine (maybe even 3 if they're narrow bikes, and you're not putting anything else in). Medium hi-roof gives better standing room (useful for getting changed in the van at trackdays etc. Even I have to stoop in a lo-roof).

I wouldn't worry about long- or extra long-wheelbase unless you're transporting 6 bikes, or you're living in it.

[Legzr1]

Cheap diesel estate and a 2-bike trailer?

[MO55 RCN]

van and good mpg HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA!!!!

my lwb high roof is great but i  use it every day and it can be thursty... as legz says think about and estate and a trailer

[TARMAC TERRORIST]

What is your budget?

Vans can start fom as low as 2K (Buys something half decent) to 20K.

[too tall ken]

i get 36mpg from my vivaro 1.9cdti however i drive it. got 95l pon the clock and not missed a beat since i got it. fits 2 bikes and kit easily enough and plenty of room to kip in too.

[Hot Wheels]

I was planning on spending around £2k to leave me enough for a decent trackbike and some insurance money as well as some funding for a few TDs, reckoning I should have about 9-10k overall to play with once I sell my nice bits as well.

[Gaz]

once I sell my nice bits as well.

HW, prostituting yourself is not the answer, I've been down that road and it doesn't lead anywhere