big van or little van???

[Dave_]

Taking the plunge in a few weeks and working for myself, and im not 100% sure whether i'm going to buy a big van (got my eye on a VW T4 2.5 TDi they pull like a train) or a little van (VW caddy TDi, yes im generally a VW/Audi nut).

I had a Berlingo for 5 years with my ex employer and it was nippy, so great round town (like a car) but the downside was it was a bit small for storing kit and i found it was hard to keep tidy as there was never room (must admit tho wasn't allowed to put any shelving in, boss was adamant for some reason). Also a bit dodgy to drive with a big cable drum in the back.

I've kind of got my heart set on the bigger T4 transporter but i'm a little worried i may regret it. I'll be working in London a lot. But if i get a small van i think i'll be pushed for space.

Does anybody have trackers installed in their vans?? or dont bother as people thieve your tools and not the van?? any additional locks alarms etc? tools taken indoors overnight?? van vaults etc??

What do you drive? small van or big van and why??

Thanks everybody!

Dave

 

[telectrix]

middle size van i find best. look at the toyota hiace type van, big enough to get a 3m length in, frugal on diesel. run forever.

 

[wallyanker]

I drive transit connect long wheel base, side door is handy. Has roof rack for ladders, also cut a hole in the bulk head so I can get longer items in, 8ft flourescent tubes fit no problem

 

[Dave_]

I drive transit connect long wheel base, side door is handy. Has roof rack for ladders, also cut a hole in the bulk head so I can get longer items in, 8ft flourescent tubes fit no problem

Surely with a LWB Transit you can fit 8ft tubes no problem without cutting the bulkhead?? I was looking at LWB T4's as i assume (assume is a very bad word i know! i will test my theory before buying) i can fit 3 metre lengths of plastic pipe/trunking or some unistrut in the back and not on the roof... maybe even 3.75 metre lengths of metal conduit???? Sometimes its nice to chuck the steps in the back of the van after a busy day.... it would be nice to be able to do this with 8 tread steps!!!

 

[Dave_]

middle size van i find best. look at the toyota hiace type van, big enough to get a 3m length in, frugal on diesel. run forever.

Thanks mate i'll have a think. I agree on this somewhat, Like a Citroen Dispatch size van or something, but yes a hi-ace would be better being japanese.

 

[wallyanker]

Transit CONNECT LWB......Defo dont fit without bulkhead being cut, the tubes go through and above passenger's head to rest on tray part above windscreen. About 6 inch to spare at back doors.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

The van of vans......


TRANSPORTER!

Had one (t5 06 plate) but had to sell, 2nd vehicle and only 3 seats.4 in family!

Was gutted

 

[GT1]

I've just taken delivery of my T30 Transporter last week.
It's the dogs danglies...
It's brand new on a lease deal thru VW Commercial vehicles.
Until now been working out the back of my estate car.
Wish id done this years ago.

 

[CrazyScozzese]

VW. Had a Caravelle, had to sell, there was almost a fight between viewers who turned up at the wrong time and the bloke I sold it to cried at my house...seriously.

Big van, little van, cardboard box...or so it goes.

 

[Dave_]

Transit CONNECT LWB......Defo dont fit without bulkhead being cut, the tubes go through and above passenger's head to rest on tray part above windscreen. About 6 inch to spare at back doors.

Ah! if i read your post properly i would have read 'connect' ! i.e. not a big transit. I've just been looking at the internal dimensions of a Transporter and they are 2485mm load length SWB and 2885mm LWB. So either way if i want to store 3m lengths of whatever inside i'll have to cut the bulkhead. I think i'll go for a SWB then, easier to park, the LWB is over 5 metres long.

 

[Dave_]

I've just taken delivery of my T30 Transporter last week.
It's the dogs danglies...
It's brand new on a lease deal thru VW Commercial vehicles.
Until now been working out the back of my estate car.
Wish id done this years ago.

Im looking at buying at secondhand T4. I'd love a new T5 but not sure if it's worth it on a lease? Or whether i could get a lease as i havent been working for a year, ive been travelling round the world with the missus but now the bubble is about to burst. May fail a credit check or something. I can get a half decent T4 for 3 to 4k that should pull like a train..... how much would the lease cost me???

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Ah! if i read your post properly i would have read 'connect' ! i.e. not a big transit. I've just been looking at the internal dimensions of a Transporter and they are 2485mm load length SWB and 2885mm LWB. So either way if i want to store 3m lengths of whatever inside i'll have to cut the bulkhead. I think i'll go for a SWB then, easier to park, the LWB is over 5 metres long.

Yeah I had steel bulkhead which is great security wise but just lost that extra bit that you get automatically with an estate car, for example.

Maybe you can get a steel bulkhead with a hatch bit (seen this on fiats) ?

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Dave_

I paid 6k for an 06 T5 (standard, white, lined , but grubby) in 2008....so it was jusy out of the 3 year warranty.

I sold it 6 months ago for 6k. But it had been relined, new bits here and there, it was tidy and serviced to death since I owned it.

I think you could get a t5 for 3 or 4 k

 

[GT1]

You can pay what you want for a lease to be honest. Depends on your requirements.
My quotes came in anywhere from £240 upto £290 month.
But my van is now my only vehicle so it's not too much of a pain.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

You can pay what you want for a lease to be honest. Depends on your requirements.
My quotes came in anywhere from £240 upto £290 month.
But my van is now my only vehicle so it's not too much of a pain.

Watch out for HMRC mate, in their current electrician tax purge they are hot on private usage of business vehicles.