Hi folks,
I know this forum is for cars but I'm trying to get an honest opinion on the Renault trafic van. My plan is to convert one into a people carrier. I need a big boot where I can use the top half as a boot and the bottom half for my 3 dogs. This is the best solution I can come up with without getting a dog trailer. Anyone got any other idea's? Does anyone know what the fuel economy, reliability is like? Any advice would be really grateful
Thanks
Edited by Pugugly on 11/05/2009 at 23:36
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What year? I don't know much about the present Trafic but the old ones were ok, petrol ones gutless 2.1 diesels good. But all models can suffer from gearbox problems.
Ive onwed 3. My garage owner friend tells me that there are so many differnt types of gearbox being the main problem
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They were one of the many vans we test drove recently. We ended up getting a VW Transporter as we preferred it and as there were astonishing lease deals - £190 a month for a brand new van!
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Are you sure that you will ever get it insured?
Seatbelt mountings will also be a problem, as if an insurer will take it it on they will probably require unattainable certification.
p
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Why not look at existing van-based MPVs such as Mercedes Vito, VW Caravelle etc. which have seats and importantly seatbelt mounts already installed. Very easy to have a fabricator make up a boot/cage for the rear I'd suggest.
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You don't say what your budget is, but the older full size MPV's could easily be converted for your purposes. Something like a Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra or Espace with the appropriate seats removed, and a cage / load shelf fabricated to fit. Should do the job fine.
A friend of mine is heavily into motorcycle scrambling, and his bikes travel to meets in a decrepit 1993 Espace 2.1 diesel with all the seats removed, that he picked up for £350 with a shot clutch (he's a mechanic by trade). Perfect tool for the job, and much more comfy to drive than any dedicated van. He's built a ramp to get the bikes in and out, welded ratchet strap anchors into the floor to secure them, and generally turned it into a tool for a job. If it gets dented or scratched, he doesn't care.
Another friend used to use a Grand Espace with a home made cage for carting his four Great Danes around.
A big MPV is what you need, IMHO.
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Or even a minibus!!
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Or if an Espace/Galaxy is too small, try and find a Traffic Minibus (or similar) and unbolt the rear seats. Job done!
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folks thanks very much. Didn't think about the minibus as I was hoping to stay SWB. but good thinking about the seat belts. MPV modified may be the way to go. Just need to remember to leave room for the kids!! looking at 2007 models upwards
Ta everyone
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A Mercedes Vito Dualiner or VW Transporter Kombi may be what you are after? 2 rows of seats, behind which is large boot space with no side windows in the rear-most panels. I must admit they look quite attractive to me in a workman-like no-nonsense manner
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You need to look for a Trafic Crew Van. Similar to the MB and VW options, 2nd row of seats with window in sliding door, with rear space with no windows. Brand new there are a number of different models available.
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