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• PRO

  Seth Burgess January 12, 2015 at 10:47am

  Are you set on a transit? Or do you just need a large van?
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    John Bates > Seth Burgess January 12, 2015 at 11:01am

    Hi Seth

    Thanks for the quick reply - Transit seem both popular and reliable.

    I'll probably be buying second hand so want something that will be low cost to maintain too.

    Happy to hear other suggestion for vehicle - especially size

    Although I'm happy towing a caravan -  I'd rather not have a trailer combo for work, not yet anyhow
    • PRO

      Seth Burgess > John Bates January 12, 2015 at 1:56pm

      Any of the up to 3.5t offerings from Renault/Citreon (and their brand engineered spin offs) to mercedes and Iveco would all be good choices. Obiviously your budget dictates that.

      
      Obviously though if your prefered garage is a Ford Specialist then a Transit would be the best choice.
• PRO

  Adam Pilgrim January 12, 2015 at 3:22pm

  How big a vehicle you need depends how much you need to get into it!

  Personally I will never, ever have another Transit after having one a few years ago which was a complete and utter pile of scrap (indeed I sold it for breaking only in the end) perhaps I was unlucky though.

  Common issues on the 90 hp T350 (one of the most common larger transits) include timing chain tensioner failing and wrecking the timing chain/whole engine, starter motor and fuel pump issues, immobilizer and key problems, dual mass flywheels collapsing destroying the clutch in the process....

  Several of these issues can be multiple hundreds plus to fix and that's before you have any issues with rust.

  What budget did you have to spend as this will greatly affect available choice.
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    John Bates > Adam Pilgrim January 12, 2015 at 4:40pm

    Thanks Adam - I guess one bad experience is enough to put you off.  So will look out if I come across that model - thanks for making me aware

    I had two ford cars over the years - they drove well and never let me down.
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  Simon Perry January 12, 2015 at 4:20pm

  Hi John, I think the transit is a good bet and wheelbase depends on how much kit you carry.

  I bought a 2005 swb medium roof from a white van specialist in my area 18 months ago when I started my garden maintenance business which they had taken in from an 80 year old gardener. Not because he was retiring but because he wanted a high roof van so he did not have to bend so much!

  It has been a terrific van - very reliable and beauty of Transits is that you can do most of the maintenance yourself and spares are easily available from several internet sites specialising in Ford spares.

  The Vivaros and Renaults are pricey to service and for spares.

  SP
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    John Bates > Simon Perry January 12, 2015 at 4:45pm

    Thanks Simon - helpful advice

    spoke to another gardener today and he said useful if you can get a 6 ft panel in the van. Will have to check if a medium roof allows that - as I guess the dims depend on year/model
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      Kieran Ray > John Bates January 12, 2015 at 5:13pm

      John if fence panels are to be considered I would get a mwb medium roof. Tr and stay with the t280 unless you need the extra weight a t 350 can take as they are a bit more juicy. If you have the space get a lwb medium roof as what eversion van you get you always want 1 bigger.
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        Michael Ashley > Kieran Ray January 12, 2015 at 7:51pm

        got a swb med roof and 6 foot panels will go in bit has to be on the diagonal  nice van had it a year and it suits me very well
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          John Bates > Michael Ashley January 12, 2015 at 9:40pm

          Thanks Michael - I guess it (fence panels) would be a rare occasion - but nice to know they can fit (in a fashion).  Thanks to say that you're happy with the SWB med roof - as from my visit to a transit centre the other day it was my favourite, but I just wanted to make sure it wouldn't be too limiting