Hi

Can anyone recommend a van suitable for dog showing, would need to accommodate 2 adults and 2 children and 2 show trolleys.  Have looked at a variety of cars but none big enough unfortunately so think we may have to look at a van.  Fuel consumption is a huge factor with the price of diesel permanently rising !

Many thanks in advance
Miranda

Doblo but the MPV type?    Only group 3 insurance so very cheap to insure and the 1.9TD is fairly economical to run.

Thanks looked at these yesterday but it only has 2 seats in the front so by the time we leave 2 seats up at the back it doesn't leave room for the two trolleys let alone any of the stuff.  Did look at the Multipla but my dad is not keen on Fiats so he may need some persuading although it won't be him driving anyway LOL

Cheers
Miranda

The back with seats up for the kids, (or split seat for just two) should have plenty of room for trolley's and dogs. 

Have seen the kitted out with up two 4 cages or two cages and room for storage underneath/on top (your trolleys).

Seen the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner and Renault Kangoo the same, but the doblo is a bigger vehicle.

I'm sure you can get the back seats with a 2 + 1 split so you could load stuff at the side and then you'd have a bit of room at the back for dogs.  My Doblo comfortably gets 3 Large Munsterlanders in the back boot area and I've had 4 dogs in there and they weren't cramped (Lab, Hovawart & 2 x LM's).

The brand new Berlingo is bigger than the previous model.  Have you looked at the Peugeot Expert or VW Transporter? 

What kind of show trolleys are they and what size, there are a vast range of them and this information may give posters a better idea of the space that would be needed.

I've got a Ford Tourneo Connect van. They are hard to get hold of but worth looking for. Two of my friends also have this van.

I use the KIA sedona, seven seats 2 x air conditioners front and back.
2 adults, 2 kids, 3 x GSD's and space to spare.
You have diffrent enginw types to compare.

Thanks for all the recommendations so far will look into those :)

One trolley is 41 inches high the other is 34 inches high, if need be we would get another 34 inch high if we found a suitable vehicle and sell the other one.

Many thanks
Miranda

I've a kia Sedona and don't like it :( Lots of little niggly things about it.  the road tax is high and fuel consumption is not great (diesel)

Boot size though it's good, but mine has a lip to it so makes getting the car cage in and out difficult (well for the OH as I don't take it out).  the seats are good as they are all single seats.

I have the new style Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, If you know what length and width your trolleys are I'll let you know if they'd fit in the back with the middle seats up.

Thank you will try and get the dimensions :)

Miranda

Here are the dimensions of our 2 trolleys.

23 wide x 34.5 length  x 32 high

23 wide x 34.5 length x 41 high

Many thanks
Miranda

I know it's a bit on the large side for many people, but we love the Vito, especially if you do any camping or such like, plenty of room for kids, dogs plus all associated equipment though they are expensive

I can get 2 cages about that size in my Ford Galaxy with the 2 very back seats out, there is still room for bags etc in front of them.  This still leaves 5 seats so you could also take one of the back row seats out or just fold it right forward giving extra room.  I have a 1.9TD automatic which does about 35 to the gallon but it is an 02, newer ones and manuals are a bit more economical.

We have a peugeot Boxer Van,mid wheel base,hi top.Has 5 seats big enough fo show trolleys,our rig as we work our dogs and cages for 6 Mals.

Hi Miranda, just been out to measure the car, you wouldn't get your two trolleys in side by side, as the width of the back door is 42" at the bottom and you would need 46". Length and height not a problem, but no use if they don't fit widthwise - no grand picasso for you! :-)

Ford Galaxy? Depends on size of crates, but I've had 3 adults and 3 Cavalier size trolleys and show gear in there before! eta: possibly not big enough with your size trolleys, sorry!

I can get two trolleys in a Grande Espace but only 3 seats.  My trolleys are large though.  Depends which trolley you have.  If you have "show trolleys" as in the ones that have detachable wheels, you may be able to get both trolleys in with 4 seats up (two at the front, 1 middle, 1 back, which gives you a large gap along the other side).

Most car showrooms will let you try your trolleys in the cars.  I've been looking for a while but sadly need a 4x4 where I live so can't have the Espace (but I borrow my parents Espace when I have to).  DH wouldn't let me have a van & to be honest it would have driven me mad in the snow not being able to get out of my drive.  Kids must go to school come what may ;-)

Thanks everyone I really appreciate all your help :)

Miranda

I have a peugeot expert, I find it quite fair in fuel consumption, and also roomy enough for a couple of crates, if not 4 if you want to put them ontop of each other, plus room for bags, trolleys etc etc

There is s road test in Our dogs this week for the new Doblo, which is bigger than the old ones, and has a few useful features making it more useful for dog carriage.