The Peugeot Boxer (and its sister vans, the Fiat Ducato and Citroen Relay) are the widest panel vans available in the UK without going to a heavy goods vehicle. The internal width of 2.05 metres gives you 15-30cm more space than a Transit Custom or Sprinter — enough to mount a transverse bed that actually fits two tall people.
This guide covers the width advantage, how it affects your build layout, and the trade-offs that come with driving a wider van.
Verdict
Choose the Boxer if:
- You want a proper double bed (transverse, 1.9m wide)
- You want a shower room
- You need the payload for heavy gear
- You're building a full-time live-in van
- You mostly drive A-roads and motorways
Choose the Transit Custom if:
- You're solo or a couple who don't mind a smaller bed
- You park in towns and cities regularly
- You use narrow roads (Scotland, Wales, Cornwall)
- You're on a tighter budget (Boxers are similar price but heavier on fuel)
The Boxer is the right van for a full-time build where interior space is the priority. It's not the right van if you need to park in Waitrose car parks or drive the Applecross Pass regularly.
The Width Difference
| Van | Internal Width at Floor | Internal Width at Shoulder Height | Transverse Bed Width |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peugeot Boxer / Fiat Ducato / Citroen Relay | 1.87m | 2.05m | 1.90-1.95m |
| Mercedes Sprinter (907) | 1.78m | 1.95m | 1.70-1.75m |
| Ford Transit Custom | 1.60m | 1.78m | 1.55-1.60m |
| VW Crafter | 1.78m | 1.95m | 1.70-1.75m |
| VW Transporter T6.1 | 1.50m | 1.70m | 1.40-1.45m |
The Boxer is 27cm wider than a Sprinter and 45cm wider than a Transit Custom at shoulder height. That extra 27cm is the difference between a bed that two people can sleep in comfortably and a bed where you're constantly negotiating for space.
What the Extra Width Enables
A Proper Transverse Bed
A transverse bed (mounted across the van, rear-to-side) is the space-optimal layout for a campervan. It uses the full width of the van for the bed, leaving the area underneath for a garage.
In a Transit Custom (1.6m wide at wheel arch height), a transverse bed is 1.55-1.6m wide — enough for one person or two very friendly people who don't move in their sleep. In a Boxer (2.05m wide at shoulder height), a transverse bed is 1.9-1.95m wide — a standard UK double bed size.
For tall people: A transverse bed in a Transit Custom forces you to sleep diagonally if you're over 5'10". In a Boxer, you can sleep straight across at 6'2".
A Full-Sized Shower Room
The Boxer's width lets you fit a dedicated shower room (wet room) without sacrificing bed size. An 80cm x 80cm shower tray + a cassette toilet + a small sink fits behind the driver's cab in a Boxer. In a Transit Custom, that same layout would leave you with a 1.2m wide bed — a single bed.
Garage Space Under the Bed
The transverse bed in a Boxer sits above a 1.9m-wide garage space. You can fit two mountain bikes side by side (handlebars turned), or a motorbike, or a full set of camping gear + folding bikes + a table + chairs. The Transit Custom's transverse bed garage is 1.55m wide — you still fit bikes but they need to be stacked or stored diagonally.
Driving a Wide Van
The Boxer is significantly wider than most vans on UK roads:
| Dimension | Boxer | Transit Custom | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width (without mirrors) | 2.05m | 1.98m | 7cm |
| Width (with mirrors) | 2.56m | 2.40m | 16cm |
| Width (with mirror fold) | 2.20m | 2.05m | 15cm |
On A-roads: Fine. The Boxer fits in a standard lane. You'll notice the width when meeting oncoming lorries on narrow A-roads (the A82, the A9 north of Inverness) — you need to slow down and hug the verge, but it's manageable.
On single-track roads: The Boxer is wider than most single-track roads themselves. You'll be using passing places constantly. The Transit Custom is more comfortable here. The Sprinter is in between — wider than the Transit, narrower than the Boxer.
In towns: The Boxer does not fit in standard UK parking spaces (2.4m wide). You'll hang over the line. In supermarket car parks, park at the far end where nobody cares. In multi-storey car parks, most are too narrow (2.0-2.1m width restriction) — check the height AND width before entering.
On ferries: You pay by vehicle length and width on most Scottish ferry routes. The Boxer is over 2m wide on paper, which puts it in a higher price bracket on some routes (CalMac, NorthLink). Check before booking.
The Boxer's Other Advantages
Payload
The Boxer has the best payload in its class. A standard 3,500kg GVW Boxer with a 2.2-litre engine has a payload of 1,400-1,600kg. A Transit Custom is 1,000-1,200kg. A Sprinter is 1,100-1,300kg.
More payload means:
- You can carry more water (60L = 60kg, not an issue)
- You can use heavier construction materials (solid wood furniture instead of plywood)
- You can carry bikes, tools, and heavy gear without worrying about axle weights
Engine
The 2.2-litre BlueHDi engine (140hp or 165hp) is reliable, economical, and has a timing chain (not a belt — no cambelt change needed). Real-world MPG: 30-35mpg mixed.
The 165hp version has plenty of power for a loaded campervan. It's not as refined as the Sprinter's OM654 but it's cheaper to fix when it breaks.
Parts
The Boxer/ Ducato/ Relay shares its drivetrain across three brands. Parts are widely available and cheaper than Mercedes, VW, or Ford. A brake disk for a Boxer is £30-40 vs £60-80 for a Sprinter. A clutch is £400-600 vs £800-1,200 for a Sprinter.
The Trade-Offs
Build Quality
The Boxer feels less premium than a Sprinter or Crafter. The plastics are harder, the seats are less comfortable on long journeys, and the cabin rattles more. The gearbox is notchy (especially compared to the Transit Custom's smooth shift). The steering is vaguer.
Rust
The Boxer is known for rust — worse than the Transit Custom, better than the 2006-2016 Sprinter. Check the rear wheel arches, the door bottoms, and the step area under the sliding door. The 2020+ models have better rust protection but haven't been on the road long enough to confirm.
Dimensions
The same width that gives you interior space makes it a pain to park. If you regularly drive in cities, narrow country lanes, or European mountain roads, the width is a genuine concern.
