Volkswagen Crafter in Australia

[shogun2]

Hi Ben,

I have a T5 Multivan, 7 seater. I do not recommend it, as it is too small, but it all depends on what you have to carry (or is that the proverbial kitchen sink?)
I have seen lots of different vans used for theatrical work and band use, but don't really have any recommendations, as it depends on the gear load. Lights, staging, audio, personal gear - make a cubic meter assessment first.
Couple of suggestions - I would definitely go one of the new diesel engines rather than petrol, and make sure you can stand up straight in the van. I hated loading vans where I had to bend down ...
Cheers,
Rod

[shogun2]

... and put a tow bar on it!

[benjackson]

Thanks Rod

Well the Daily normally has 4560 internal length for the cargo, we've taken off about 1.5 metres for the extra 4 seats and we're left with 3metres length, and the standard width of 1800 and height of 1900. Cubic metre is 15.6.

I'd love it to be at least an extra 500 cargo length and an extra 500 to 1000 extra in the passenger section.

So that's anywhere from 1000 to 1500 longer cargo, about 5500 to 6000 in total.

The T5 is obviously smaller than the larger VW models, including the new Crafter I think. Unless I didn't read the T5 page properly.

We can stand in the daily, that is definitely important I agree. 1900 would be minimum height as I'm about that tall. I think the Daily can have a higher roof of 2100.

So it's really finding something that will accomplish that. We have quite a lot of gear for each show, it's more like the amount of gear in a major musical rather than a band on tour.

I wonder what sort of vehicle with a van style covers the >16m3 range? I can't find anything.

Thanks for your post and I hope someone else has some ideas too.

[phaeton]

Hi Ben ,
The Crafter goes right upto 17m3, the spec is called L4H3 (= Length 4 Height 3) goto www.crafter.nl then click the specificaties(top horziontal bar ) then scan over versions which interest you

LxWxH
7340x1993x2990
Interior Height
2140

car licence = 1015kg payload
truck licence = 2515kg payload
(could be different for Australian spec Crafters )

[Seano]

All the new Crafter, Sprinter & Daily vans have a 17m3 LWB high roof van in their range. However, whether the importers bring them in is another question.

The only one here is the Sprinter and the biggest versions are the 5 tonne vans which is high roof guise have load areas of 4300 long x 1780 wide x 2140 high or 15.5m3.

I think I'd be looking at a smaller van and a trailer in order to get what you want.

[phaeton]

VW Crafter and MB Sprinter were co-developed so share same shell, the differences are in engines, transmission and front design.

heres MBs Aust. Sprinter specs http://www.mercedes-benz.com.au/downloads/Panelvan5.pdf

[benjackson]

thanks for your replies. I think that extra roof height gives a lot of extra cubic meterage but none that's actually useful given that some of our items are 'long' so it's the length that counts really. 3metres isn't enough, need more 3.5 metres or more. Given that the amount of space for the passenger section is kind of fixed (and preferably would be able to be larger than our current van) it seems there doesn't exist an enclosed van with a larger cargo area.

The trailer idea seems good, have considered it, it's just maneuvering it around, backing up to loading docks etc...

looks like a custom fit out of a larger minibus will do the trick, but be expensive... let me know any other ideas.

[phaeton]

Crafter specs http://www.crafter.nl/pdf/Crafter_50%20GB%20L4H3.pdf

Hi Ben,
what about 3 seater (bench seat) in front cabin and 4 in another bench seat ? some vans fit 4 seater bench seats.

Good Luck

[DubSteve]

Looks very nice and mean good quality to it I might add.

Also has a smile on its front when you look at it.

[shogun2]

Ben,
I think the exercise you are undertaking is a "piece of string". Whatever you get you will use. I know we did, and I was a roadie and sound engineer for too many years. It may be time to invest in two vehicles - one for the people and another for the gear. Then you can make sure you get what you need for both. I know it means two drivers, but possibly a small price to pay for the flexibility and the advantage of getting a proper small truck with pan on the back - all usable space up to the roof, and a far more comfortable van for the people. (and you're not air conditioning the equipment!) And you have additional security for the gear in the truck.
BTW, where do you travel?
Cheers,
Rod

[Seano]

Yep. I Think I'm with Rod on this one. It'd cost you more and need a bigger drive team but you'd be able to grab a standard roof LWB T5 Transporter (gear) and a SWB T5 Kombi (crew).....only other alternative is the trailer option......or a much bigger truck.

[phaeton]

Has anyone spotted a Crafter on dealer lots yet ?

[VWT5TDI]

the crafter looks heaps better than the that truck haehaehahe...

[smithy010]

Bit concerned that it's been done by merc based on the sprinter. I've heard only bad reports on the sprinter....

I also think having a volkswagen truck (constellation) is a bit wrong... i dunno, from the Point of view of a volvo truck driver, it just doesn't do it for me..

[phaeton]

Bit concerned that it's been done by merc based on the sprinter. I've heard only bad reports on the sprinter....

I also think having a volkswagen truck (constellation) is a bit wrong... i dunno, from the Point of view of a volvo truck driver, it just doesn't do it for me..

Lets hope there are no quality problems this time round Crafter is built in the Mercedes factory in Germany.
LT2 was built in VW's Hanover plant

VW are fairly new in truck & bus scene, prior to late 1990s VW used components from Chrysler and Ford.

Since establishment of Resende factory in Brazil they have leaped technologically with their own platforms and parts.
Constellation is the 1st clean sheet design though.
BTW VW is in Top 10 for trucks in sales worldwide

You may not like VW now but by 2009/2010 we should see them flood the market if VW Australia gets its wishes