VW Vans Questions

[farmer]

Hi,

Researching VW 4motion Vans and I'm just wondering what the exact difference between the transporter, caravelle, multivan and transporter kombi vans are? Are they inherently the same vans just with different marketing spins? Or are there real differences between them.

I'm after a 4motion that will be used as daily driver/the 'dad parent' car/and farm and house restoration runabout.

Another question, safety is important to me (well, my wife really) and I see that the Transporter recently got a 4 star ancap rating. Do the others also have this same rating? Are any of the VW vans available with side head curtains?

Lastly, how are the VW vans for towing? Would they tow a horse float or a trailer laden with wood or rocks?

Thanks guys. Hoping for some positive answers!

[gregozedobe]

Welcome aboard, lots of helpful people and useful info here, especially if you look at some of the older threads and do searches.

AFIK the mechanicals are the same, the differences between the models are trim and equipment (and there are substantial differences in price too). If you want to get specific details you need to pore over the brochures from a VW dealer (and even then they "reserve the right to change specs without notice").

My van has side curtain air bags (an extra cost option), but I don't know whether they cover the head area or not. I believe ESP is now available on all models (it wasn't available on the bare van when I bought mine).

If you want to do heavy duty towing and dirt work I don't think I would recommend a T5 (not even with 4motion). Compared with the Landcruisers I had before I bought the T5 ( a 75 series then an 80 series) the T5 doesn't have the separate chassis and heavy duty suspension and drive components of a "serious" 4WD, nor does it have good ground clearance and underbody protection.

I'm not saying that a T5 can't tow heavy loads, just that isn't their real forte (and watch out for quite small tow ball weights with some tow bars too).

I rate the T5 as optimised for made road driving, and adding 4motion gives it "light" dirt capability (but at the cost of extra $$$, weight and fuel consumption). I do love my (2WD) T5 as a highway cruising campervan extraordinaire

Sorry if this dampens your enthusiasm, but it is much better to be aware of this stuff before you hand over any money and start signing contracts.

I know that some T5 owners will disagree with me on some of the above points, and they are also entitled to their opinions

[Transporter]

You can also get the off road suspension and the rear diff lock as option.
I wouldn't take mine over the Simpson Desert but T5 is more than capable for light duty off road.

Take one for the road test if you already haven't done that.

[farmer]

Just before I start searching this forum more thoroughly, how would the 4motion handle wet paddocks with slight inclines? I'm not talking serious off road but I've got 15 acres I'd like to get around in.

I haven't looked at the 4motion system in depth yet but will soon.

[phaeton]

I did research in my VW Brochure Archive; there is a difference in rear suspension - Commercial's (Transporter/Kombi) have rear miniblock springs & telescopic shock absorbers vs Passenger's (Caravelle/Multivan) semi trailing rear axle & coil springs.

The NSW Ambulance Services use the 4Motion T5 for its country areas see article http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ead.php?t=5946

[Transporter]

Just before I start searching this forum more thoroughly, how would the 4motion handle wet paddocks with slight inclines? I'm not talking serious off road but I've got 15 acres I'd like to get around in.

I haven't looked at the 4motion system in depth yet but will soon.

With the correct tyres and diff lock I don't see any problem. My van doesn't have diff lock and when I tried it in the mud I enjoyed it and van went quite nicely. Hardest job was cleaning it from the mud.
It drives better on the wet road than on the dry one.
When I replace my T5 I will order one with off road suspension, upgraded shockers and diff lock. Also second battery is good option to tick together with second sliding door.

[farmer]

thanks guys.

[Floorshow]

I did research in my VW Brochure Archive; there is a difference in rear suspension - Commercial's (Transporter/Kombi) have rear miniblock springs & telescopic shock absorbers vs Passenger's (Caravelle/Multivan) semi trailing rear axle & coil springs.

The NSW Ambulance Services use the 4Motion T5 for its country areas see article http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/newf...ead.php?t=5946

Whats the difference between miniblock springs and coil springs?

[farmer]

okay, one more to add to the confusion. Crew Van.

So we have

1. Transporter
2. Transporter Crew Van
3. Caravelle
4. Multi Van
(plus Kombi which obviously doesn't apply)

What is the difference between a Caravelle and a Multivan?

I've ordered some brochures from the VW site.

Am I better off getting a Transporter and specing it up in regard to back seating seeing as I want it for a work/family mix?

[Golf Loon]

Get a manual one and have a long trouble free life.

I think caravelle has just seats, whilst multivan has other extras.

Id get the cheaper transporter and option up a seat in the back.

[farmer]

I imagine that there would be no safety features in the rear for specing up a transporter though.

Can a caravelle still be used as a workhorse?

[4wheels]

4 Motion

I have a T5 Trakkadu (camper) with 4Motion & diff-lock. I've taken it to Cape Yorke and other off-road trips, and have been very impressed with its traction, even on the original road tyres.

It's only limitations for off road use are ground clearance and under body protection, both of which can be improved with modifications. But for just running around a paddock I'm sure it would be fine. This is exaggerated by the LWD, so choose a SWB unless you really need the extra space.

It's very comfortable towing (car on trailer; 1.5+ tonne), but watch out for the towball weight limits, especially for a horse float. Mine has taller rear springs now, and I'm sure would handle more than the 100Kg specified on my Hayman Reece bar, but then you have to consider legal/insurance issues if any-thing goes wrong.

Brian

[Transporter]

okay, one more to add to the confusion. Crew Van.

So we have

1. Transporter
2. Transporter Crew Van
3. Caravelle
4. Multi Van
(plus Kombi which obviously doesn't apply)

What is the difference between a Caravelle and a Multivan?

I've ordered some brochures from the VW site.

Am I better off getting a Transporter and specing it up in regard to back seating seeing as I want it for a work/family mix?

Have a look at the Crew Van.
The rear seat is removable and it has upholstery at the back. When you order a new van you can customize a lot and any option you think of is better to buy at the time of ordering, than buy latter on through the spare parts (much more expensive). And I would get the factory tow bar.

[phaeton]

What is the difference between a Caravelle and a Multivan?

Am I better off getting a Transporter and specing it up in regard to back seating seeing as I want it for a work/family mix?

The Caravelle does not have the ingenious Rail seating system that the Multivan has which lets you slide seats forward and back, tables in and out with ease etc.
Saying that I don't know whether the seats in the Caravelle vs Multivan are the same weight or not.

Crewvan is the pick unless you want a LWB Caravelle.

Whats the difference between miniblock springs and coil springs?

I think one is tranlated as leaf springs and the other is just normail coil springs

[Seano]

All T5's share the same suspension setup, regardless of type.......I think the difference occurs in the much bigger Crafter with rear suspension type depending on the specified axle load.

My first prefence would always be the dual cab but otherwise I'd be gunning for the Crewvan 4Motion with the optional centre sliding windows, right sliding door, ESP, side & curtain airbags for driver and front passenger, full side trim in rear, lumbar support & height adjustment in front seats, roof rack rails, cruise control, rough road suspension and diff lock.....but that is a solid swag of dollars!! Six and a half grand of options on top of forty six grands worth of van.......plus on roads.