Theoretical question

So you've got a Fisher Fury and a Yamaha XJ6N and your thinking of going touring europe for a year.
Can't decide which to tour with - Car or Bike.
So why not take both - in the back of a big van.


The car weighs 550kg
length O/A 3360mm (11ft)
Width O/A 1630mm (64"

Bike weighs 205kg
Length 2120mm (83.5"
Width 770mm (30"

Taking these factors into consideration along with fuel consumption, reliability, ease of use - for example parking up and manouverability on camp sites, towns and villages etc. Also the possibility of sleeping in the van overnight when not camping or staying in B&B's.
Space for tools, clothes, camping gear etc. And what ever else you consider a factor in choice.

Full UK driving licence since 30years ago
What van/vehicle would you choose?
Budget circa 15K

Best choice's for me so far are:
VW crafter xLWB - bit tight for space and a bit long too.
VW crafter, Luton bodied with 500kg tail lift with extended ramp - good - space and sleeping over cab. Bad - fuel consumption?

What would you choose?

[Edited on 26/3/12 by Tommy P]

You need a driver for your Van to pick you up if you break down, (me)

I don't have a 15K budget(!), but, if I had I'd either look at a 7.5T (garage in rear for both), or a smaller 4-5T van (Iveco or somesuch) with the bike in the back of that - and towing the car in an enclosed trailer. Plenty of really nice things out there for both suggestions, with toilets and all that nonsense.

My budget allows the car in a trailer, behind a near-death Transit Hi-Cube with the bike in the back. Bunk bed with associated living rubbish all forward, rust hole in the floor (right rear corner) for bladder relief. Has worked well on many European excursions.

Mmm not keen on trailering, mainly cos it's an easy invitation to nick it complete with car while your off playing on the bike.
plus manoverability factors.

Joe: If I had won the lottery, you know you would be my designated tour driver in the biggest artic I could find for circa 200k - fully loaded of course, with a few cars and bikes, but sadly that's not going to happen.
So back to reality, and work for some -

PS. I am doing my book-keeping - honest

My Bongo bus, see Ebay.....
Room for the bike inside and room to sleep 'upstairs' and tow the car on a trailer. Job jobbed.

My uncle works at be nfield van centre where I live and says the crafter is the worst van on the market at the minute !

He's a fitter and gets all the warranty jobs and say he gets around 5 crafters to 1 transporter

The engine isn't a vw engine if I remember correctly !!

Just a little bit to investigate before u spend ya mullah

Cheers Alan