My best friend Gareth recently got married, so I did what any best man would and bought him a 200,000 mile van!
If you don’t take a Van Flex photo, was there really a wedding taking place?
My friend Gareth and I are very similar in many ways – we like cars, motorcycles, eat, do handicrafts, and are generally obnoxious. We love vans too. When Gareth and his current wife, Aurelie, announced the date of their wedding (November 21st in rural France), I thought to myself, “Fuck it, go big or go home,” which is why I started my hunt for a van as the ultimate van wedding gift.
But why a transporter? Last year Gareth attended a couple of motorcycle track days on his beloved Triumph Daytona 675, where he hit the track, smashed the motorcycle for the day, and then drove home. I’ve done this a couple of times myself, trust me when I say this isn’t the ideal scenario – anyone who’s done a trackday will know how easy it is to screw up a turn and lose a bike. So the last thing you want to do afterward is the drive home, which is why a van is a must.
The traffic meant they could take over 5 weeks worth of stuff with them
In addition, Gareth and Aurelie’s wedding was to take place in a castle in rural France. To get there in your Jaguar I-Pace would have required numerous charging stops along the way, not to mention the masterful Tetris skills to get luggage, decorations, and a dog there for five weeks. Here, too, the answer is always “van”.
Choosing a van was a breeze. Gareth and I have experience with Renault Trafics (we traveled around Europe in one I bought for £ 140 when we were around 22 years old). the auction for £ 1270.
Michelin Agilis tires were fitted to the van shortly after purchase
Satisfied with my purchase, I drove my Honda CBR650R to the south coast the next day to pick it up. With the help of the previous owner to lift the CBR to the rear, I buckled the bike and drove home without a breakdown. The van pulled well, was comfortable, reasonably quiet, fuel efficient and even had reversing sensors.
All it took was a set of new tires powered by four Michelins Agilis boots, complete with curb protectors, no less. And because it’s so common, we’ve also changed all fluids to make sure the van is ready for weddings and road trips.
The van even made it to Ile De Re after the wedding.
That was all two months and three thousand miles ago, and I’m happy to announce that the van is still doing fine. Okay, the roof is leaking and there is a little howl from the turbo, but Gareth loves a project. So, if anything, I did him a favor by getting him a (slightly sticky) 204,000-mile Renault Trafic.
Plus (and rather selfish) I now have a friend with a van, which makes Gareth the most useful person I know.
