As i am improving at windsurfing and have also started to SUP when the wind is down i am desperate to kit out a van with some shelves and take my windsurfing/SUP kit with me everywhere i go... just in case conditions dictate a diversion to the water.

SO.. i am wondering if anyone has an opinion about which vans are the best to kit out with shelves? Everytime i'm at Pelican Point i see an enviable array of vans. The guys with vans are getting extra time on the water that i am not.

My missus is 4 months pregnant and purchasing a van which only has a front bench seat for 3 is not going to win me any brownie points. HOWEVER, if i can purchase a van that can have seats in the back (preferably individual seat(s) rather than a rear bench seat), then i will be able to strike a combination that keeps everyone happy.

Can i find a Van that can do all the following;
2-3 freeride windsurfing boards (longest 265cm)
1 SUP Board 360cm
4+ sails, 2 masts, 2 booms, box of bits and tricks.
Rear seat for baby/ toddler/ kids/ wife
Good security so i can park it anywhere and my stuff won't get flogged.

Any thoughts?
Toyota Hiace? VW? iLoad? Mercedes?
iLoad is my first choice for a van but the seating configuration is not ideal for my purposes.

If anyone can share their van kit-out stories that would be awesome.

If the SUP has to go inside the van then you will be limited to looking at more commercial vans with no seating in the back, unless customised. However if the SUP can go on the roof then you can start looking at passenger vans which sound more like what you will need.

Gos, another thread here, maybe Jonesy's iMax config ? Pretty sure he had the seats moved a bit to suit his needs.
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/Best-van-for-windsurfing/?SearchTerms=vehicle

www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Windsurfing/General/VW-transporter-vs-Hyundai-iload/?SearchTerms=vehicle

you mean this? fits 4 kids, Mrs and a selection of toys, all Professionally done seats certified belts etc,
id like to make a shelf on RHS side to put sails under then board on top...one day.
Rear seats are 'crew cab bench seat' from front to replace the crappy standards 3 seat bench.
The RHS side middle on the iload as a separate single seat, so just remove that.

It takes 10 min to remove the rear seat then the middle slides forward on tracks, can fit a DB mattress in then.

Board wise...all my windsurf boards (1 x wave 1 x Slalom) are under 240cm.
My SUP is a 9ft 6 Naish, it can fit in where the SB is and on its side with nose between two front seats, so ditch the race Sup and get a multipurpose board, my next sup prob will be even bit shorter.

Generally I pick one toy for the day based on likely hood of weather and where i'll be...tennis.kite and gym gear are optional extras!
as are the love truck curtains...I have a custom fly screen made for the rear also. Rear seat head rests removed as I normally just thrown the Sup in over the top.

Roof racks are there for the annual trip to Yamba when toys have to go on top and camp gear etc goes inside...apart from that the roof racks don't get used.

If I was doing again from scratch I'd look for seats that fold flat, that way the bed is always set up, you can do this set up in any van really, and I think it makes a pretty good compromise.

Think I saw somewhere the new ford transit custom transporter all the seats (6 x 1 in the rear) can fold or be removed individually, which is a great idea.

* oh and Gos, just a tip...you think it's just one ...then you blink and you have a whole tribe! So may as well plan now!...they get you that way in the end!

What are people's opinions on old Australia Post vans as windsurfing vans? They certainly seem like they would be secure and massive if nothing else...

Good morning, Moose,

Re ex-AP vans: as with everything second-hand…Ya pays ya money and ya takes ya chances!

My observation of AP vans is that they are in continual stop and start mode, so the driveline (clutch, driveshaft universals/CV joints and first and second gear synchros in the gearbox) can be expected to be in very worn condition, as will be the brakes. Surprisingly, I’d expect the engine to be in rather better condition, simply because it is at operating temperature all of the time.

If you were to allow “repair money” in your budget, an AP van might be the way to go, if it can be bought cheaply enough. Also, keep in mind that if you drive a front-wheel-drive van, the repair cost to the clutch and gearbox can be higher as these items are difficult to get out, whilst a deep engine repair requires the whole power pack to be removed. AP should be selling their Ford VM Transits now, displacing them in favour of MB Sprinter sand Renault Masters. The Ford VM was a much better van than the previous Ford models (in terms of durability and reliability) and has the advantage that parts and service are readily available from Ford and second-hand parts dealers.

You might also consider buying from an ex-rental fleet, such as Orix, where, at least, all the regular services are carried out.

Remember: Ya pays ya money and ya takes ya chances!

Hope this helps.

WindmanV said..
Good morning, Moose,

Re ex-AP vans, as with everything second-hand…Ya pays ya money and ya takes ya chances!

My observation of AP vans is that they are in continual stop and start mode, so the driveline (clutch, driveshaft universals/CV joints and first and second gear synchros in the gearbox) can be expected to be in very worn condition, as will be the brakes. Surprisingly, I’d expect the engine to be in rather better condition, simply because it is at operating temperature all of the time.

If you were to allow “repair money” in your budget, an AP van might be the way to go, if it can be bought cheaply enough. Also, keep in mind that if you drive a front-wheel-drive van, the repair cost to the clutch and gearbox can be higher as these items are difficult to get out, whilst a deep engine repair requires the whole power pack to be removed. AP should be selling their Ford VM Transits now, displacing them in favour of MB Sprinter sand Renault Masters. The Ford VM was a much better van than the previous Ford models (in terms of durability and reliability) and has the advantage that parts and service are readily available from Ford and second-hand parts dealers.

You might also consider buying from an ex-rental fleet, such as Orix, where, at least, all the regular services are carried out.

Remember: Ya pays ya money and ya takes ya chances!

Hope this helps.

I know the postie bikes are regularly maintained . Not sure if the same goes for the vans.