Considerations for surf/camping van.

[MrAlex]

Hi All, I have been reading a lot of old threads and got some really great information, these forums are great. I am wondering if anyone can give me advice on the various options I am looking at.

I am after a van that I will drive from Melbourne to the coast (150kms) every weekend to go surfing. Mostly staying the night and I would prefer to sleep in a van than stuff around with a tent like I currently do. Other things I'm thinking.

• Budget is 7-$15000
• Ideally two seats in the front so both of them are pretty comfy for the drive, as opposed to a bench in the front. I will probably buy swivel bases for them so they can face backwards.
• Im guessing the 2.5L diesel is overkill and more costly to maintain.
• I really want some seats in the back to carry an extra person or two, probably in the middle rather than the far back. That way longboards can still go inside the van and the front of them can sit on top of the middle seats. Ill build some kind of rack along say the left side of the van for the boards to sit on.
• I will also build a bed at the back. If I get a van with bench seats in the middle section, i can fold them up and extend the bed so its long enough.
• SWB would be preferred but LWB is not totally crazy.

From what I have read here I think the thing I want is a SWB T4 or T5 with a bench seat in the back, 1.9L diesel manual. I was looking at a multivan but I noticed they are 600kg heavier and not as well suited to modification in the back. There is a decent looking petrol version that pretty much meets these requirements. Does anyone know the implications of the petrol engine on efficiency and maintenance?

Another thing, there are quite a few vans out there that have everything except the back seats I need. Does anyone know of a place in Melbourne where I can get a bench or some buckets for the back, and get them installed legally?

[MrAlex]

A seat like this in the back would be perfect! Anyone one where to buy one and have it installed?

[Gold Coaster]

These are available in Melbourne at the moment but not sure about installation regulations.

Volkswagen VW Caravelle VAN Transporter Middle CAR Seats Fits 1993 2003 Model in Niddrie, VIC | eBay

Another option is a rear seat that folds down to a bed when needed. We have one of these in our campervan and when it's down there is lots of storage space underneath. When we take our canoes we just lay them on top of each other on the bed. They come up on eBay from time to time.

[MGV]

I tried doing that weekend surf commute for a couple of years (Surrey Hills to Torquay, Jan Juc, or Anglesea) & found the most rewarding solution was to move back to NSW! Surf is way more consistent, crowds are no worse, water temp requires only a 3/2 steamer on the coldest days & i'm 1km from either Newcastle beach or Bar beach!

Probably not the solution you're looking for, though!

[MrAlex]

Hi Guys, thanks for the responses. Oh cool so caravelle seats look much better for me that the transporter ones. Does anyone know where in Melbourne can fit and approve that kind of thing?

GoldCoaster, yes the back seat folding into a bed is an appealing option, but with high back seats it will be impossible to fit lots of boards in the van. The boards are 9-10 feet long, so will only fit with a low back bench seat in the middle, or one of those caravelle seats that dont stretch the width of the van.

[Sunny43.5]

We currently have two vans for sale my sons 1997 T4 it is a petrol 2.5 manual which you will find from most members to be one of VW's best engines I have done the van up with loads of extras not found on many base models , sound proofed and fully carpeted electric sliding sunroof power windows with auto close when the doors are remote locked aftermarket cruise control and a killer stereo . We have an extra factory bucket seat that I never got around to fitting but would be an easy job it is fully trimmed to match the front seats 15 inch roof mount DVD player mags and lowered 40 mls $6500 . Then we have our other van a 2004 T5 2.5 turbo diesel auto only 145000 kays we have owned it since new . It also has much the same layout as the sons one except that it has two bucket seats mounted down the drivers side as we used to use the van for transporting our two disabled kids so it has wheel chair tie downs and tracking system on the pass side . full factory glass with cruise sunroof all the usual extras $14500 you can see the T4 here please note I have removed one of the two subwoofers and retrimmed the box and side trim Transporter, Multivan, Caravelle Photography Thread - Pics only! This the only photo so far of the T5 taken a few years back but it still looks the same today Transporter, Multivan, Caravelle Photography Thread - Pics only! $14500 Forgot to mention I fit my longboard right down through the centre .

[MrAlex]

Hi Sunny, both those vans look great but you are in Queensland! I'm in Melbourne

[Gold Coaster]

Easy MrAlex, just Jetstar up ..... then a road trip home! A little further to travel but I did the same to Canberra from the Gold Coast to get what I was looking for and it was well worth the effort. Don't forget that it's oh so easy to pull over for a snooze in the back when you're heading home.

I'm sure that either of Sunny43.5's vans would be a good buy if they have what you are looking for.