Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[LeeH]

Any issues with the VW? I had one on hire for 6 months and it used a lot of oil.

It puts me off buying a used one if that's common. You could easily be below the minimum if you don't check it monthly. (I know you should, but many don't)

 

[Sparky Pat]

VW Crafter

 

[Rpa07]

Nice @Sparky Pat, what size did you go for? I saw a SWB the other day and with the high roof it looked ideal, especially in black!

 

[Sparky Pat]

Hi Rpa07
I drive a 3.5 ton, med length, low roof in white. In the past I have had 3.0 ton vans [1.0 ton payload] and found that I was regularly 100 kg to 200 kg over weight especially when I had a lad working for me. I have a customer with a weighbridge so regularly weigh the van
Then started to connect up turbines [5KW] for a customer and used to pile on everything I thought might be needed, and did not want to risk being pulled in by the ministry as we were travelling up to a 100 miles from home.
Hence the bigger van but even now that I am working on my own the van weighs about 3200KG. It is surprising what tools, cable etc add up to.

 

[telectrix]

my hiace is 3.5 tonnes fully laden. a bit slow though. lol.

 

[Rpa07]

Sparky pat is right about probably being overweight on the axles! Are there weigh stations that general public can use or is it a case of pleading innocence if you are pulled. Would make a regular clear out important.
Hi ace vans should be exempt because they rock. I started my service engineering in column change Hi Ace and absolutely loved them. 105 mph racing my mate in his alfasud on the M5 south.
Still looking out for one as a first van - do they have bluetooth Tel?

 

[telectrix]

nah, they have real teeth that bite. mine got 180k on the clock and i never have to top up oil.

 

[LeeH]

I'm shocked at the 2nd hand prices of the Transporter Kombi vans.

Ridiculous!

 

[Dave West]

2009 Renault Trafic! - But i think they're the same as the Vivaro just with a different badge

 

[JM ELECTRICAL]

Looking to buy a small panel van what would you guys recommend ?

 

[telectrix]

how small? and what price range?

 

[LankyWill]

I'm a Volkswagen -----, had a t5 from work at it was a reliable van. Now I'm self employed I have a caddy, you pay a bit more than most small vans but the reliability and quality is up there. My outlook is long range though as I bought the van outright, if I was leasing I would look more towards a berlingo and rag it!

 

[Rpa07]

Couple of grand/ small = ford connect
Couple of grand/medium = ex BT vivaro
I'm not saying a hiace because I'm still waiting to save my pennies to get one myself so @telectrix - keep that one quiet then there's more choice for me.

 

[telectrix]

toyota hiace for bombproof reliable, but the new pro-ace is a peugeot rebadged.

 

[Rpa07]

@telectrix - you and your mouth