Decisions...

[JoshB_]

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/van-details/202508065203774?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios-app

 

[DaveD]

Tailgate has it's drawbacks, the biggest being the space you need behind the van to open it, I wouldn't see having one as a deal-breaker

On a few occasions I've wanted to load a pallet of goods directly into the rear of my van using a forklift but can't because I've got a tailgate.
Probably not an issue for most people, but a small drawback for me.

 

[WinFreak]

I think it's a real shame they never updated or modernised the look of the barn doors since the T5 and it makes a brand new T6.1 look like it's 25yrs old

Oh and a good thing about a tailgate is you can shelter under it when raining

 

[T6ChrisO]

Tailgate - Looks better
Barn Doors - More practical

Tailgate as mentioned above, can shelter and cook underneath it (as you can with barn doors if you get ones of those covers, but not as ideal)

Purely for aesthetics, I prefer tailgates.

 

[Lubrown]

If Barn Doors were so great, VW would put them on Shuttles/Caravelles/California’s etc…

There’s a reason they don’t. Don’t let the tailgate envy crew sway you otherwise!

That argument works both ways.
Choice is always the best option.
I have no envy, I just enjoy my barn doors as that’s what the van has. Simple pleasures…

 

[Sasquatch]

I've got a tailgate and to be quite honest wouldn't lose a minutes sleep if awoke to find it had barn doors instead. Top or side hinged theyre still just doors.

 

[JoshB_]

That argument works both ways.
Choice is always the best option.
I have no envy, I just enjoy my barn doors as that’s what the van has. Simple pleasures…

It’s all in jest mate.

To be fair, I was adamant I was having a LWB, 150bhp 6 speed with Tailgate, but now I’ve actually got it I don’t feel like it’s superior in any way (the space to open tailgate does piss me off sometimes). Drove a mates T5 1.9 Tdi, and a 102 T6 that was fully converted and they’re just vans…
The only thing that I’m actually glad I did plump for was the T6.1
That electronic steering is damn good, I can throw my LWB round like a Fiat 500.

 

[DXX]

You can’t split your head open on a barn door unlike the can opener corner on the tailgate.

 

[Sackmycook]

You crack your head on the roof threshold either way when climbing in the back

 

[mattius]

My biggest regret to not getting a tailgate is the storage for a table and chairs

Rain comes in sideways in Scotland so it's not much good as a shelter

 

[dubber36]

Tailgates are better for bike racks if that's your thing.

 

[DXX]

My biggest regret to not getting a tailgate is the storage for a table and chairs

Rain comes in sideways in Scotland so it's not much good as a shelter

Even with rain at a slight angle it still ends up inside unless you hang a tarp over it.
It’s OK for having a shower under if there’s zero wind.

 

[Lubrown]

Tailgates are better for bike racks if that's your thing.

Yes, our barn door van came with the Fiamma hang on cycle carrier but it can only take two fairly narrow fairly short bikes. No good for modern MTBs.
We had a Westfalia removable towbar fitted for the same price a tailgate bike rack costs. Obviously we then had the expense of adding a cycle carrier but that’s transferable to any towbar equipped vehicle and I can now borrow my brothers trailer too!

 

[CAB]

I've got a tailgate and to be quite honest wouldn't lose a minutes sleep if awoke to find it had barn doors instead. Top or side hinged theyre still just doors.

Bloody hell! If I woke up to find someone had swapped the doors on my van I'd be beside myself with worry! Or puzzlement!

 

[CAB]

So I have the opportunity to buy one vat free, so up to I think around 26k...

Must be:

SWB
150bhp

Ideally:

Indium Grey
DSG
Tailgate

Would be nice:

Heated seats
Upgraded Stereo
LED

The "would be nice" are all easily do-able upgrades.

 

[T6Paul]

So I have the opportunity to buy one vat free, so up to I think around 26k...

Must be:

SWB
150bhp

Ideally:

Indium Grey
DSG
Tailgate

Would be nice:

Heated seats
Upgraded Stereo
LED

Great choices, mine has all of the above and more, but isn’t for sale!

Good luck with your search

 

[ben5560]

The "would be nice" are all easily do-able upgrades.

Yeah I think that's why I don't have them so high on my list, in addition to things like double Captain's chair

 

[ben5560]

I think I'm looking for a very sought after combo it seems, I believe the guy at that van place - when I get a grey DSG in stock, 'I'd be lucky to have it a week'

 

[ben5560]

Bloody hell! If I woke up to find someone had swapped the doors on my van I'd be beside myself with worry! Or puzzlement!

Yeah true and pros to both, to be honest maybe more on barn doors - things don't fall out, don't need 6ft clearance.. and I don't get this whole thing of 'somewhere for shelter if it's raining'... I'm not wild camping, and if it's raining I'm inside! And ok, the rain shower or shower attachment thing is cool... But again, I'm not planning on doing that!

 

[ben5560]

Yes, our barn door van came with the Fiamma hang on cycle carrier but it can only take two fairly narrow fairly short bikes. No good for modern MTBs.
We had a Westfalia removable towbar fitted for the same price a tailgate bike rack costs. Obviously we then had the expense of adding a cycle carrier but that’s transferable to any towbar equipped vehicle and I can now borrow my brothers trailer too!

Yeah that was another concern, but the OEM tailgate one can not hold bikes over 17kg per rail, so useless for our EBikes!