Hello all,

I've finally decided that I can't live without a dog van and wondered if anyone has any of the above ones that they could comment on. I will have to get 3 crates in the back (a double doored one and one lengthways behind it), and although I know the width measurement of the combo across the back between the wheel-arches, I'm having problems getting the length measurement.
If anyone has compared these three (and also a vanette or a doblo van), please let me know.  My local vauxhall dealer thinks I'm stalking him!  I was going to get a scudo size van, as I will have to have one with at least one sliding door, but I just can't stretch to the next size up!!

Cheers in advance everyone!

Ali:)

my friend had a berlingo with 4 smallish cages in, it was good.
i have a renault extra van, but if i got another small one id get the renault kangoo,(next /newer model on)ive been so impressed with my renault,its fabalous

Fiat Doblo, bigger than those 3 you've mentioned, really good all round vision and I can get 3 Munsters (Ok no cages) in there with space to spare!

Yep, has to be the Doblo :) We have the MPV version and, with the seats down, we can get  a Newfie, a Bernese Mountain dog and a large Rottie X in and still have room for one or two more (so won't need to upgrade when I finally persuade the OH that we need another dog :D ). Evenwith the rear seats in place, our two (the Newfie & the Rottie X) have plenty of room.

Very economical to buy (even brand new), to run and to insure. We looked at the Berlingo etc to but the Doblo just has so much more interior space.

I've got the Berlingo.  A nifty little van but not much space.  Great for throwing the dogs in after going swimming etc. but wouldn't be much room if I put cages in etc.  If you say you're a breeder, groomer or whatever you can get the insurance cheaper as a commercial driver or that's what a couple of insurance companies said :d

Shaynlola, does that include a soggy SWD? :d

>Shaynlola, does that include a soggy SWD?

:D :D :D

I definitely have room for a SWD, soggy or otherwise :D Mind you, there'll be even more space when the OH leaves me for bringing more dogs home :rolleyes: :P I will keep working on him, though. He's bound to have a moment of weakness sooner or later :D

I had a peugeot partner combi, not the van, but it is the same but with windows!

The Citroen Berlingo and the Peugeot are exactly the same car, built in the same factory but with a different badge!  Both have the peugeot engines, which are reknowned for being the best diesel engines.

The kangoo did not do a 2.0 HDi with air con which is what I wanted and I prefer peugeot engines.

Bought it on line for £2.4k less than list price.  Fantastic car, very reliable, good mileage and very roomy, I miss the head room now I have a Ford Focus Estate (company car)

today i had a nosey in the electric mans ford tranist connect. like a mini transit, with a side door, looked a little bit longer than the berlingo etc & defo wider,not as big as the scudo types though.

Hello all,

Thanks for all the info. I went to look at the Ford Transit connect. There is a longer wheelbase semi-high top one which I'd LOVE, BUT its a bit too new for me, and therefore a bit too much dosh.

I've been nosying for a while now, it seems that if I wanted to go as big as a transit, I wouldn't have a problem, there seem to be loads of them around, but the smaller vans are more expensive.

I must say i'm very interested about the commercial drivers insurance though. I also own a Volvo which I will have to keep for longer journeys with the whole family (other half/kids etc), so this will be a secondary insurance, which is bound to be loads more money! If I bought another car, I could just add it to my existing policy, but as a van is classed as commercial, I'll have to have a new policy with 0 no claims bonus - bummer! as I'm up to 8 years + on my car policy.

I'd like to go and measure a doblo, they seem a bit wider than the others, but I can't find anyone near me thats got one, so I guess I'll just have to start stalking the man at the Fiat garage.

Any other comments? please keep them coming.

Many thanks everyone - Ali :)

my car was classed for commercial insurance when i got it 4 1/2 years ago but i didnt use as commercial,so i rang around and tesco insured it bye £200 less year,

and tesco as been very good at paying out and dealing with cliams too

Ali,

I have 3 Munsters in my Doblo without the back seats down.  Even the windows are great in the Doblo, I have the MPV type, the back ones where the dogs sit flip open to let air in, the back ones (Where people sit) slide open & the front ones are electric.   My years fully Comp insurance on the Doblo was just over £160, it's only insurance group 3! (I think!  )

Tesco were no good for myself with the van!  It was a work of art finding insurance for it at a reasonable price

This is where the MPV versions of the Vans are so handy and popular as you don't have this hassle of them being classed as commercial.  You have many like this in Holland, nearly every van type is available in this format.

Gosh only £160 for fully comp, thats great, ive got a Mitsubishi Lancer Estate (W) reg and my fully comp is over £300 a year and that with full bonus.  Just might have a look at the Doblo. and maybe change cars.

You do not need to measure in person, just get on line and ask for the brochures on the models and makes you are interested in, the full spec with heights. widths and lengths are included so you can do comparison shopping at your leisure......... ;)