[Glen]

Can anyone advise on whether  double doors or tailgate is best?
Tailgates are easier to source but I think double doors are more secure and look better.

Also , the engine size and HP?

Thanks in advance

[Paul Coleman]

Can anyone advise on whether  double doors or tailgate is best?
Tailgates are easier to source but I think double doors are more secure and look better.

Also , the engine size and HP?

Thanks in advance

I've never had a larger van with a tailgate.  I did have a Nissan Sunny for years though.  I found that the tailgate would catch on the ladder and it could be hard to open the tailgate sometimes if the ladder was fouling it.  It may be with a longer van like a Hiace that the ladder can be located further forward to avoid this.  Or maybe a roof rack/bars are available that clear the roof by a greater margin.  That was the only thing I disliked about a tailgate though.  The pluses were that there was a clearer rear view (no bulkhead and single window at rear) and that I could keep dry more easily if I did a car boot sale  .  It may be that you don't even carry a ladder as I know many WFPers don't.

[Dave Willis]

Engines are 2.5 and they only do two power levels. I have the tailgate model. Doors are better if you use ladders 'cos you could use a roller on the back of your roof rack if you wanted. I'm used to the tailgate so it doesn't bother me. I do miss the extra sliding door my Despatch had and the extra speed it had too.

[Jeff Brimble]

Hydro,  Toyota or Dispatch, which would you have again  ?

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

sure they r 2.5 in the diesel
supposed to be bullet proof
japs build gud engines
defo double doors 

[Dave Willis]

Hydro,  Toyota or Dispatch, which would you have again  ?

Toyota.

 Despatch was good - perfect for a sole trader. Just always have the niggle in the back of your mind that it's French and one day it might break down. Never did though and went like a rocket 120hp hdi. I had the older shape, it had more useable storage space in the cab for odds and ends, under seat trays, overhead locker area and door pockets than the Toyota but the middle seat is a hell of a squeeze.

Toyota has a higher payload, more cabin space for driver and passengers but only has a lap belt for the middle seat. A nice lazy lump of an engine. Try and Google Hiace breakdown issues - I couldn't find any  

[Mist A Bit]

hiace best van ever. like the hilux you could park it in the sea like top gear did and it will still start next day.

[Glen]

sure they r 2.5 in the diesel
supposed to be bullet proof
japs build gud engines
defo double doors  

Thanks Gav. Why are you so convinced about double doors?

Hydro,  Toyota or Dispatch, which would you have again  ?

Toyota has a higher payload, more cabin space for driver and passengers but only has a lap belt for the middle seat. A nice lazy lump of an engine. Try and Google Hiace breakdown issues - I couldn't find any 

Would there be scope tp change this to a three point seat belt?

[Smudger]

I'd go for the tailgate if wfp -  we have a van with barn doors and quite often have to take the reel out if we cant park in the right place, with the tailgate the reel stays in the van all the time - occasionally needs a slight tweak left or right.

Darran

[Dave Willis]

Never take my reel out ever.

[Gav Camm lammy 283]

sure they r 2.5 in the diesel
supposed to be bullet proof
japs build gud engines
defo double doors  

Thanks Gav. Why are you so convinced about double doors?

Hydro,  Toyota or Dispatch, which would you have again  ?

Toyota has a higher payload, more cabin space for driver and passengers but only has a lap belt for the middle seat. A nice lazy lump of an engine. Try and Google Hiace breakdown issues - I couldn't find any 

Would there be scope tp change this to a three point seat belt?

barn doors easier if you still carry
ladders my opinion
i looked at the hiace van earier in the yr
could av had it 199.00 a mth + vat lwb 2.5 diesel
was a gr8 looking van
vw looks less money 

[Glen]

sure they r 2.5 in the diesel
supposed to be bullet proof
japs build gud engines
defo double doors  

Thanks Gav. Why are you so convinced about double doors?

Hydro,  Toyota or Dispatch, which would you have again  ?

Toyota has a higher payload, more cabin space for driver and passengers but only has a lap belt for the middle seat. A nice lazy lump of an engine. Try and Google Hiace breakdown issues - I couldn't find any  

Would there be scope tp change this to a three point seat belt?

barn doors easier if you still carry
ladders my opinion
i looked at the hiace van earier in the yr
could av had it 199.00 a mth + vat lwb 2.5 diesel
was a gr8 looking van
vw looks less money  

Thanks. Do you mean that a tailgate door would have to be closed in order to get a ladder on/off? Is that a significant problem? Could you not just take the ladder off/ put back on before opening the door??

Also, any thought on replacing the middle seat lap belt with a three point shoulder belt?

[DaveG]

I find tailgate door much easier to work with...and I take my ladders off of the SIDE of the van :

[Glen]

Thanks. Is it not straining on the rear door to be constantly opening and closing?

[Glen]

What about the Hyundai H1-Is it as good as the Hiace with better fuel economy?

[edward1]

 never had any issues at all with the hiace .
and doors seem to work well.