Van recommendations

[GentlemanFriend]

Hey all,

Looking to buy my first van and was thinking of the Peugeot 206 van as I'm pretty much solely on domestic stuff, so nt got a huge amount of kit.

Any thoughts, or recommendations of other small vans?

Cheers

 

[Amp David]

Theres small and then theres a 206 van. Even for just domestic, this would be tiny. I find the berlingo is perfectly sized for day to day work, but when on rewires its always crammed to the top with stuff.

 

[Short Circuit]

The peugeot is far too small for any trade, and can hardly be classed as a van for the load space it has. I had a Berlingo for a few years and that was canny. The smallest you should get is the astramax, but even then lack of height in the back will be a pain! I now have the Trafic, which is excellent, although thirsty!

 

[SSOTN]

We have a 206 van on our firm and can confirm they are absolutely useless.

 

[D80]

I've got a Fiat Ducato LWB High Roof van and even its a bit crammed at times - don't generally do anything beyond domestic and small commercial and generally have just about everything in stock. Also got the likes of my extension ladders inside the van.

For the money a Berlingo is pretty hard to beat if that's going to give you enough space. The side door is a must - beats climbing into the back of the van when the stuff can just fall at your feet!

 

[Lofty]

Had the Berlingo and found it too small. Once had it loaded and found that the rear suspension was just about bottomed out.
Also remember that getting one of the smaller vans with a side door does mean you lose some storage space but it is of course off set but not having to climb over or remove a load of gear. This was an issue with a '55 plate Caddy we had once.

Cheers,
Lofty.

Now got a LWB med roof Transit and as D80 says can get a set of ladders inside and complete lengths of trunking etc. can be awkward sometimes to park when doing domestic stuff

 

[AP Electrical]

Sold my vivaro and brought a ford connect, which looks the biz but is a lot smaller than I thought, kinda wished I'd have stuck with vivaro.

 

[richy3333]

Buy cheap, buy twice. Get yourself a Transporter. Whilst you think you wont carry much, it soon adds up. Sometimes wish I had a VW Crafter!

 

[piz]

Transporter quite cheap on a lease and 100% tax relief
at the moment

 

[stan794]

Buy cheap, buy twice. Get yourself a Transporter. Whilst you think you wont carry much, it soon adds up. Sometimes wish I had a VW Crafter!

Im thinking of a Transporter, what are they like on fuel consumption mate.

 

[piz]

I have 59 plate 1.9 diesel £100 average 530 miles

 

[highspark]

Renault kangoo 1.2 from 1998-2002 if you after a cheap to run van. Lots of these run on LPG na d you can pick them up for a grand or so!

 

[GentlemanFriend]

Cheers guys, just checked out the 206 in real life & can barely get anything in it - looked a lot larger in the pics I saw...! Looking like the Astra is in the top spot on the wish list now, although I will keep in mind the bigger guys, they just feel a tad over-size at the minute

 

[Amp David]

Buy cheap, buy twice. Get yourself a Transporter. Whilst you think you wont carry much, it soon adds up. Sometimes wish I had a VW Crafter!

Not always the case, didn't pay a lot for an 03 berlingo and still going strong with nothing wrong with it. Just got to know what your looking for when buying.


Its ok saying get this and that on lease or HP, but if just starting out or not got work booked in for months on end, the the payments soon catch up with you.

 

[Spazz]

To be honest look at your budget then look at several different vans, and get quotes on insurance on all of them, you will be surprised how much it is.

If you are looking new vans, go to the dealers and see if you can have a demo for a weekend or something - explain what you do and you might buy one off them, etc

They usually let you have a demo


Then when you get it home through all your stuff in the back and see if you think you need more room or not - even take it on a job or 2 if u have any during that time - dont trash it though! - lol

Its a good way to see if you like the drive, feel and size of them.


Good luck!

Personally Get a Diesel as well