Choosing a van for vanlife (saving you time, money and stress)

[@LiamTheTerrible]

My hero ❤

[@LuxFlyer]

Outstanding video - you've given me a definitive steer away from the Sprinter. Thanks!

[@Aboutavan]

You’re very welcome, I can’t comment on the newer sprinter from 2018 onwards as I’ve not worked on those! Glad the video helped in some way :-)

[@TamaraVagabonde]

precious infos !!! thank you my dear !

[@Aboutavan]

🙏 thank you for the comment, I’m pleased it helps!

[@RustyRoseAdventures]

Great video Adam! Citroens etc are great but yes the engine is the weak point I’d say. Also you forgot iveco daily! Pretty popular especially the new one! Very informative though

[@Aboutavan]

Thanks Max, yes I agree - I wanted to keep it to 3 ;-) the Iveco is a good choice and it is getting more popular however I felt transits are still a larger choice for most! I do like the new Iveco, depending on the next layout I go with it could be my choice however I’d probably go for a 5.5T as they’re not the lightest vans as a XLWB.

[@JonnoDoesStuff]

Thanks! This is such a great video, I've learned an absolute ton. The vans you've listed are a little too big for what I'm after. Do you have any recommendations for anything smaller. Is the Vauxhall Vivaro a smaller Movano?

[@Aboutavan]

Hey Jonno, sorry I’ve only just seen this comment. The vivaros are nice vans, my brother has 3 of them and I find them nice to drive, economical and with they’re pretty reliable, the bodies are galvanised so don’t seem to suffer with too many rust issues, depends on the year you’re looking at, I’d avoid the 1.6d model and look for a 1.9/2.0.l variant.

[@maxinethomas9355]

Can you give me your thoughts on the Vauxhall Vivaro high top please

[@Aboutavan]

Hey maxine, what year were you looking at?

[@maxinethomas9355]

Thank you for your reply. To be honest my budget is tight so the older the better

[@Aboutavan]

The vivaro is a niced size van, the older ones have some issues with the fuel pumps/filters, my brothers use vivaros for years and has found them to be good vehicles, I really enjoy driving them, they’re front wheel drive so have a little bit of room under the load space. Really good on fuel and very easy to park. Easy to get parts for as like the Ducato this body shape was used as the Renault traffic, Vauxhall vivaro and the Nissan Primstar.

[@adriansolomon6805]

Vivaros,traffic,nissan all suffer from EGR valve and injection problems. Also the injectors rust in tight

[@aaronjames0587]

can you answer my question from the last video please buddy! 👍🙏

[@Aboutavan]

Sure! Sorry I’ve been busy all day with this video 😅

[@aaronjames0587]

thanks man another video full of great info!

[@Aboutavan]

@@aaronjames0587 thank you! Pleased to know you're enjoying the videos!

[@aaronjames0587]

@@Aboutavan I am! this video cuts out half way through you explaining something. is there a part 2 coming or has something gone wrong lol

[@Aboutavan]

I’ve just realised it’s cut about 45 seconds off!! I’ll see if I can stitch it on, I was just saying make sure you check everything before buying it, its easier to solve faults before you’ve handed money over than trying to get dealers to try and fix stuff a few days or weeks later! You didn’t miss much 😉🙏

[@carlsadventures2361]

I'm possibly looking at the Peugeot boxer at the end of this year I'm just wondering which is the best engine to go for out of the 2.2 or the 2.0 Hdi which one is the most reliable. ?

[@Aboutavan]

The 2.2 engine is a good engine, it has a timing chain not a belt like the newer one. Your main consideration will probably be buying a euro 6 or 7 vehicle depending on where you live and where you’re planning to go, with all of the new low emissions zones popping up a 2.0 ad blue would be the easiest. When looking I tend to see more of the 2.0 ad blue engines that have had new engines so they may be more susceptible to engine rebuilds.

[@Maceromi]

Which do you think is the best engine for the Citroen / Ducato/ Peugeot Boxer etc?

[@Aboutavan]

I’d avoid the more modern AdBlue 2.0 engine in those, if you look around on eBay there are so many vans at less than 100,000 either needing engine replacements or have had engine replacements. Personally I’d prefer the 2.3 fiat engine as it’s been well used by the Fiat group and is the same engine used for Ivecos which seems to have proven itself as a strong unit.

[@tenners3258]

There's a reason Hiace vans are popular all over Aus,Africa,the Far East,etc. They're massively over engineered. If you're a single person , they're more than big enough. I've owned and driven vans(for work)for over 30 years ,I think your advice on checking a second hand purchase is excellent,but (happily for those who know them)you've missed out one of (if not THE )best.I It sounds crazy but unless you're buying something under 5years old,your much,much better off with a good 20 year old than a not so good 10 yr old,as they are far more simple to fix.Always buy privately,and look for service history.If you can find a self employed sole trader, who's not a builder,(a florist would be brilliant!) then that's what you're looking for. [ Yes,I run a 20 yr old Hiace,150,000miles,and I expect it to last at least another 10 years.]