[henchard]

VW Transporter vans are available in 4WD. They are known as Volkswagen Transporter 4motion

Fairly expensive though.

That will be what the 4x4 campers are based on then 

Yep here is ours

off to the Laugharne weekend next weekend, then France and Spain for 3 or 4 weeks then Baltimore Fiddle Festival in West Cork. And thats just before the middle of May!

[hughesy]

There used to be 4x4 transits dunno if they still make them. Can't see many old ones being still around due to the tranny's rust problems. There was also a mercedes sprinter in a 4x4 version but probably rotted away even quicker than the transits. If you really need 4 wheel drive the cheap option is an old discovery. Cheap to buy, not too bad on fuel and easy to fix when something breaks. Stick a trailer behind it if there's not enough room inside.

[Drummournie]

I remember those 4x4 transits, we had one on trial at work back in '92 it was converted by county ( they of tractor fame), but as everyone's said I don't think any will be still running today.

Don't underestimate a front wheel drive van with proper snow tyres though, it looks shocking but I have a Berlinger withsnowtyres on and it's fantastic in the snow!

[Hassle]

one with 13,000 miles

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/list/21/transit%204x4%20/

[hughesy]

Or what about a 110 or 130 Land Rover with an ex military ambulance body, they're massive.

[harefarm]

Land Rover Discovery also do vans called 'Commercials'. I have a D1 300 TDI and does 30+ mpg. I just take the back seats out and I have a van - just 4 x 10mm bolts. We can get 8 poultry crates in there.

[MelRice]

I can recommend the Honda CRV....get the diesel one though as the petrol ones guzzle fuel. They have a 4x4 that only comes on when it detect slipping so your not driving in 4x4 unnecessarily.

[moony]

Depends how much you are wanting to spend. 4x4 commercials are the probably the way to go. Renault Kangoo do a 4x4 van although they are rare but there is one on ebay at present. Subarus in general are brilliant in the snow and on mud. We had a Forester and it was fab plus very unbreakable. If you want to spend a bit more Skoda Yetis are very good and as economical as most small diesel cars. There are also various 4x4 estates that give decent economy and are great as long as you dont want to do much off road as the ground clearance isnt the same as a proper 4x4.

[funkyfish]

Thanks so much guys!

Prob going to go for a van as can cage out the back for the dogs and have room at the side for stuff/hay etc. Don't need to off road, just get through ice and snowy roads. Won't have the ground clearance for floods,  but at least I can afford the running costs!

I quite like the Peugeot partner and Ford transit connect (lwb).  Not sure if either are front wheel drive so more research  needed.

[Alistair]

Partner & berlingo van are basically the same van, make sure, and I mean make sure if its got more than 90k on it the cam belt has been changed, don't buy it if it hasn't got a receipt - should e done around 80k miles, partner is front wheel drive, just get the bog standard 1.9 deisel engine, don't get the more powerful one, its unreliable.

Loads of room in the back, don't worry about condition if the load space too much, a new ply line kits about 120 inc vat and akes it look almost new inside, I've also got the 50/50 solid/mesh bulkhead

There is one with a side door but they cst more, ihavnt gt one of those

Can't reccomend it enough, love mine, it's a 51 plate 100k on the clock, just keeps going, does around 35 to the gallon , it's bloody slow but once you've got the speed up its great, and it's dead comfy over distance, and the passenger seat converts into a table - which is nice

[smokingdragon]

How about a Mitsubishi Delica? Based on a Pajero' 4x4 2.8 turbo diesel and about 25 to the gallon. Huge load space and still have 4 seats.

[FiB]

I've got a peugeot partner, it's 2 wheel drive but good in the snow, put winter tyres on it, snow chains and a load of huskys in the back just in case you need a tow, what more?

Honestly though, I'm yet to get stuck & I know an electrician who has the same van who was out and about in his in the lakes last weekend who didn't get stuck?

I just think vans are better in the snow

Donna - there was a 4x4 vw van, dead dead rare though.

yep we have a berlingo (same thing) got winter tyres and absolutely amazing - OH got home on the worst Friday recently BIG snow and drifts North Wales.  Our last vehicle was All wheel drive (not QUITE the same I dont think!) a mazda Bongo.  Great van - but I wouldnt have taking it places Id take our berlingo.  I think toyota HIAce do a 4x4. But if you want a cheap pretty good coutry vehicle cant recomebd the berlingo/partner with decent tyres highly enough. Cheap too.  We also have a van (fiat scudo) - wouldnt be without it generally, but useless on the field/in mud/snow/frost.  I was snowed in!

[southernskye]

Ford do a Transit do a 4wd van, so do iveco and VW (the 4 motion already mentioned). All full sized vans. There are quite a few car derived vans VW caddy as well as those previously mentioned. Ssanyong also and I am sure there is a commercial SWB Shogun and Mitsubishi outlander commercial. Kia Sorrento also....not forgetting the land rover freelander commercial and Disco commercial.
Have a browse through this link.
http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/bodytype/four-wheel-drive/search?locationName=ISLE%20OF%20SKYE&latitude=57.2354490341&longitude=-5.8714705125&postcode=IV42
 
Rgds
Sskye