4x4 Panel Van & RIB towing?

[willk]

Has anyone on here any experience towing/launching with 4x4 panel vans?

There are a few around and I wonder would they be an alternative to a commercial spec 4x4 for rib related activities?

Ford do a 4x4 Transit but the Mercedes Spinter 4x4 was the van that got me wondering.

On the upside, they're spacious and comfortable (unlike a LR 110).
They're probably a little more frugal with fuel.
They can tow 3500kg braked (with the right spec)
They can be specced with a switched low gear range (4x4 with low range adds about 6k to the price overall)

Downside, they have a 13m+ turning circle, but so does the LR
I'd look more like a pikey

So, any thoughts or experiences?

[Downhilldai]

Get a white one.

[Erin]

It'll also need some really bling alloys and fat tyres. Don't forget tinted windows and make sure you fill the load area with a big sub.

Are we being helpful? Is this the kind of advice you were looking for

[Channel Ribs]

There was and probably still is a guy who tows boats for a living and he used a 4x4 van, he reckoned it was the only thing for long hauls for all the reasons you have given.

For me though, a LR109 every time!

[willk]

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

Get a white one.

So is that because:

1. Better resale value
2. Cooler inside in summer
3. I'd look even more like a Pikey
4. Your van is white too...

[willk]

Originally Posted by Erin

Are we being helpful? Is this the kind of advice you were looking for

Your response has amply fulfilled my expections

[Erin]

I suppose one advantage compared to a car 4x4 is that the vans tend to have more of an overhang at the rear which might save your back tyres from getting too wet if slipway launching.

[willk]

Originally Posted by malthouse

For me though, a LR109 every time!

Don't get me wrong, I love my 110 (and she loves me) but as the cruel grip of Time settles on us both, I fear that long distance towing will be beyond both our respective chassis.

I live about 40 miles from most of my regular launch sites, so the 110 is kept busy all season. This can't be a problem for you, in fact I'd imagine that you don't visit fourth gear too often

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by willk

This can't be a problem for you, in fact I'd imagine that you don't visit fourth gear too often

Fourth gets a regular outing, the speedo is very unreliable and sometimes on a long sweeping bend it still reads 35 and I find myself engaging the overdrive. But with the tilt flapping and wheels rumbling it probably feels faster than it is.

[willk]

Originally Posted by malthouse

Fourth gets a regular outing, the speedo is very unreliable and sometimes on a long sweeping bend it still reads 35 and I find myself engaging the overdrive.

Sorry Martin, I meant fourth in the high range box