i have always wanted a van that can fit two sup boards inside and still have 4 people sitting. But without needing to be an extended van that is a pain to park. Anybody got any ideas or pictures on how they have fitted out vans to make this possible . Can a standard VW microbus or Hyundai transporter work ? Seats moved to one side in the back. Problem is I still need space for 2 teenagers and their lpads (lol), my wife's 10'6 all rounder plus my 9'surf sup. Probably not enough length in a regular transporter style bus ? Obviously I don't want to pay a fortune and I'm happy to do a bit of custom work myself....
Select to expand quoteLondon said..
i have always wanted a van that can fit two sup boards inside and still have 4 people sitting. But without needing to be an extended van that is a pain to park. Anybody got any ideas or pictures on how they have fitted out vans to make this possible . Can a standard VW microbus or Hyundai transporter work ? Seats moved to one side in the back. Problem is I still need space for 2 teenagers and their lpads (lol), my wife's 10'6 all rounder plus my 9'surf sup. Probably not enough length in a regular transporter style bus ? Obviously I don't want to pay a fortune and I'm happy to do a bit of custom work myself....
Why inside? Heat kills sups so leaving them in the car is the easiest way to get a delam. Racks with silvered vented boardbags are the easiest way to transport them.
I find on a Saturday morning at 7 am I have to strap my board on roof racks. drive to my friends place . Take board off. Strap both boards on. Drive to surf spot. Un strap at surf spot. Surf. Re strap both boards. Drive to friends house unstrap both boards . Strap my board only for drive home. Unstrap again at home.
So I would love to throw wetsuit and boards into a van and go...but not sure if the will fit.
I won't leave boards in car during the heat of the day. Understand it gets hot.
Short surfboards are easy to fit inside, but sup boards much longer and bigger.
I've got a long wheelbase transporter / caravelle.
A 11' Nalu fits on the passenger side with the seat laid back.
It fits with a 2 person seat in place drivers side in the second row.
You would probably fit two shorter, say 9'ish boards down the side with the front seat in use.
Please keep in mind anything not secured (very well) will become a missile in the event of an accident (heaven forbid) I've seen the results, NOT good.
Select to expand quoteLondon said..
I find on a Saturday morning at 7 am I have to strap my board on roof racks. drive to my friends place . Take board off. Strap both boards on. Drive to surf spot. Un strap at surf spot. Surf. Re strap both boards. Drive to friends house unstrap both boards . Strap my board only for drive home. Unstrap again at home.
So I would love to throw wetsuit and boards into a van and go...but not sure if the will fit.
I won't leave boards in car during the heat of the day. Understand it gets hot.
Short surfboards are easy to fit inside, but sup boards much longer and bigger.
Tell mate to drive himself and put your board in your car. I fit a 10ft longboard style sup in my land cruiser when on my todd. Which is pretty often as previously mentioned I have no mates 
or none that like surfing with me as I go to obscure breaks.
I can fit 2 sups ( 9'7 and 8'10) inside my X-Trail and still have room for one passenger directly behind the driver's seat. I still have perfect all round vision with this setup.
I used to have an old prado and the X-Trail is actually way better for carting stuff around, it's design and layout just makes it really convenient, I couldn't do 2 sups and a passenger in the prado. Mine is an 07 the latest X-Trails look a bit naff though!
Would love a van to be able to throw boards into and just go, life goal...first world problem I know but putting them on and off all the time gives me the s**ts when my mates just throw theirs in and away they go.
Slow down, enjoy life more.
It doesn't take much time to tie a board on the roof.
Chill, relax.....
Just do the front tie down first, and don't get distracted......
I had a smaller 2-places bench seat in the rear of my Toyota Hi-Ace so that I could put my boards on the side along the driver side. I could fit a 10' board.
i.imgur.com/FiYnq.jpg' />
My "Chevy Chase" approach to transporting my 12 footer without racks. Yes I am aware of the risks.
I have a 2007 Toyota HiAce Commuter Van. Fits in normal carparks.
Mine seats 5 plus driver = 6 seats. (it came with the 6 seats and a wheel chair lifter -- I sold the wheel chair lifter in eBay)
Seating 6 people (including driver), I can fit 2 SUP's (11'4 Naish Nalu and 10' Naish Nalu), 2 waveboards (windsurfers) and my 8'4 mini-mal surfboard, 3 windsurf sails, a boom, 2 masts, 2 paddles and wetsuits ect, and with still plenty of room for bags and stuff. All this fits without blocking off doors, its all out of the way, so no moving things to get into seats ect.
The 11'4 Naish Nalu sits up high in the rack, way above your head, so its up out of the way.
The van itself isn't that high (2.285 m - from memory). So most importantly it fits under the Maccas drive through.
Aaron
Select to expand quotehilly said..London said..
I find on a Saturday morning at 7 am I have to strap my board on roof racks. drive to my friends place . Take board off. Strap both boards on. Drive to surf spot. Un strap at surf spot. Surf. Re strap both boards. Drive to friends house unstrap both boards . Strap my board only for drive home. Unstrap again at home.
So I would love to throw wetsuit and boards into a van and go...but not sure if the will fit.
I won't leave boards in car during the heat of the day. Understand it gets hot.
Short surfboards are easy to fit inside, but sup boards much longer and bigger.
Tell mate to drive himself and put your board in your car. I fit a 10ft longboard style sup in my land cruiser when on my todd. Which is pretty often as previously mentioned I have no mates or none that like surfing with me as I go to obscure breaks.
Yeah and dolphins can't stand you either!
I like carrying my boards inside the van too using a strap to hold the boards high up under the roof. But tying them on the rack is super easy and quick using bike inner tubes to hold them on super fast secure and no damage to the boards. No knots to tie just loop them over the ends of the rack or around the bar and back through itself with a small stick to hold it. Much better than rope
I have a LWB T5. 3 seats In front. Camper conversion.
i can get the 8'6 hypernut in with out projecting in to front cab, my 10' stylemaster has to balance on passanger head rest.
A 9'4" long board can go in on the floor up to the back of the drivers seat.
Mine go in back of van for reasons you state, unless on a road trip then on roof.
So answer could be an ISup or short board ;)
Select to expand quotetomooh said..
I like carrying my boards inside the van too using a strap to hold the boards high up under the roof. But tying them on the rack is super easy and quick using bike inner tubes to hold them on super fast secure and no damage to the boards. No knots to tie just loop them over the ends of the rack or around the bar and back through itself with a small stick to hold it. Much better than rope
My mate did this with his surf boards, he got a shock when they were bouncing down road in his rear view mirror.
Here's my new set up, Tarago 7 seater with a 10'x28" down one side and 2 seats in tandem behind driver. I fit a 8'x31" on top of the long board ,and plenty of room for stuff in the space the back seats fold out of. Can see the left mirror with both boards in.
And this is my previous set up, a Mazda MPV 3.0L with 2 seats in tandem behind driver. Note, all the rear seats are individually mounted and come out completely, they are a bit awkward to remove, but it makes a very hand vehicle.
very envious of this quiver.
