VW transporter 4motion?

[Tim Kelly]

Has anyone got any experience with the 4motion VW vans? I want a van that can launch the boat easily enough and 2wd vans don't cut it. I don't expect the VW to compete with a landrover in deep mud, but in slick conditions, especially with weight distribution issues, like you get on boat slips, I think it would be adequate. Anything to be wary of? Are they generally reliable?

Edited June 13, 2016 by Tim Kelly

[TONY R]

We have a T30 Just the standard 2wd, i can not help with the 4wd part but the vans generaly are quite a decent van, not as tough as the LT35s and sprinters but still ok.

I can not imagine the 4x4 systen in these VWs being any different as regards reliability.

One other option depending what you want is a cittroen balingo the newish ones, i saw one at Flanbourgh the other day launching a boat, was talking to the owner who was looking at my bike and asking questions etc. Aparently these Little cittroens have some form of dif locker set up, and they are good at getting about in the mud etc, if these little vans are big enough could be an option.

[dodeer]

I was a passenger in one in Latvia whilst hunting and we went down lots of forestry tracks and across some fields. It's not in the same class as a proper 4wd but I'd rate it like a Subaru where you'd be happy most places but not deep mud or rutted ground.

[Trevorevans]

One of the older versions came out on the green lanes with us when I had a Landrover. He was behind me in most of the lanes so I would wait when the going got a bit rough just incase I had to attach him to the rear of the disco and laugh at him, that never happend, I was genuinely amazed at where it would go. Not sure about the new models though.

[Tim Kelly]

Thanks for the info. The Berlingo would be too small for my work, the VW is a bit bigger than ideal, but will work. I have a dispatch at the moment which is an ideal size, but can't find anything similar which would cover all the bases as well as the transporter.

[TONY R]

Thanks for the info. The Berlingo would be too small for my work, the VW is a bit bigger than ideal, but will work. I have a dispatch at the moment which is an ideal size, but can't find anything similar which would cover all the bases as well as the transporter.

Like i said we got the T30 normal 2wd its ok, but no idea on the 4wd ones.

I run the van into fields ok and unload an Atv i use for lamping and i have managed to get about in and out the fields with no problem. $wd version must be better.

as for the Citroens it looks like they do your dispatch in this diff locking system, the guy i was speaking to said he used it for shooting and fishing and says its good off road for grip.

I have thought about a Cactus with this system on for the wife.

 

Link here to the Despatch

 

http://info.citroen.co.uk/assets/pdf/new-cars/dispatch-combi/brochure.pdf

[Tim Kelly]

Thank you, that's interesting. Not convinced it would help too much on a steepish loose slipway though as the weight it at the back with the boat hooked up and the lack of weight over the front wheels is the difficulty with front wheel drive, regardless of the traction control setting.

[TONY R]

Well i do think you have a valid point re the front wheel and traction, but it wont sit there spinning like a normal car or van, i have an LSD in the back of the terrano and i can not remember the last time i needed 4wd.

Big thing off road is ground clearance just go to a classic car trial watch those slightly raised road cars with open diffs going up hills on slippery conditions quite well, ok they are modded but its suprising where you can go.

[team tractor]

You tube them off road. The gear box is designed for off road . People assume it's for road going but it's really not.

Every so often you'll have the big energy companies by a batch then sell them 3 years later so keep an eye out.

I'd love one but I haven't the money to buy new and that's what I always do plus at £450 a year (I've heard) road tax as its a 4 motion it's a killer plus less mpg.

 

I've had

2 T4's

2. T5's

2. Foxes

1. Caddy pick up

1. Caddy van

I love my current t5 140bhp kombi and after 4 years I don't regret it.

[Tim Kelly]

Well i do think you have a valid point re the front wheel and traction, but it wont sit there spinning like a normal car or van, i have an LSD in the back of the terrano and i can not remember the last time i needed 4wd.

Big thing off road is ground clearance just go to a classic car trial watch those slightly raised road cars with open diffs going up hills on slippery conditions quite well, ok they are modded but its suprising where you can go.

 

You may well be right, and if it was rear wheel drive with the traction control I expect it would work well, but I don't see how front wheel drive could overcome the lack of weight over the wheels when you're on a steep slope with all the weight over the back wheels. I expect it would be a great solution though for most other situations where the extra traction would be needed. On you tube there are some proper 4wd Dispatches, I believe a company in France or Germany do a kit and you can buy a van from them that they've re-engineered, but it looks like an expensive and potentially awkward way to skin the cat as spares would inevitably be more difficult to get hold of compared to a factory standard system.

You tube them off road. The gear box is designed for off road . People assume it's for road going but it's really not.

Every so often you'll have the big energy companies by a batch then sell them 3 years later so keep an eye out.

I'd love one but I haven't the money to buy new and that's what I always do plus at £450 a year (I've heard) road tax as its a 4 motion it's a killer plus less mpg.

 

I've had

2 T4's

2. T5's

2. Foxes

1. Caddy pick up

1. Caddy van

I love my current t5 140bhp kombi and after 4 years I don't regret it.

 

Thanks, I'll keep my eyes open. There seem to be 4wd transits that look like ex utility companies around too.

[dodeer]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hc7qqIEnLVM