Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[FatAlan]

Are you aware of the Ineos Grenadier? Available 20/21. Promising to take over where the original Defender left off

Ah, the Ineos Grenadier, that billionaire brexiteer Jim Rattcliffe was going to manufacture in Wales but for some reason now looks likely to be made in France ?

 

[littlespark]

Working out of my little fiesta at the moment. I need a van, maybe a cheap 2nd hand that hopefully limps through the next MOT? Or do I save up a little more and splash £2000/£3000?

Or I’m working from the boss’s VW transporter. Very lush! Lovely rack. Smooth interior. Probably nearer to 10k

Previously been in a Mercedes Vito, these seemed ample for light Swapping up and down the motorway.

Can’t your boss supply you with a van?
You’ll be getting all the “own vehicle” tax benefits, of course??

 

[FatAlan]

Working out of my little fiesta at the moment. I need a van, maybe a cheap 2nd hand that hopefully limps through the next MOT? Or do I save up a little more and splash £2000/£3000?

Or I’m working from the boss’s VW transporter. Very lush! Lovely rack. Smooth interior. Probably nearer to 10k

Previously been in a Mercedes Vito, these seemed ample for light Swapping up and down the motorway.

Any pics of the lovely rack and smooth interior? ?

 

[Paul_Williams]

Previous van was a Toyota HiAce medium wheelbase, single sliding side door and up and over rear door, the later is so useful if it's raining. Spare wheel under the rear bumper area so internal sides clear for ladders/racking, it was a second hand van when I brought it in around 2014, I think it was a '56 plate. But nice to drive and a high seating position so good visibility over cars beside you and low hedges on country lanes and near junctions etc.

Current van is a 114 Mercedes Vito 'compact' aka short wheelbase, issue initially being I didn't like it having sliding doors both sides (although I've got used to it now) but brought new I could specify an up and over door on the rear, a must have after three years of having one on the HiAce. I'd have a Vito again, but would almost certainly opt for a wheelbase that was long enough for the spare wheel to go under the rear bumper area. Seating position isn't as high as the HiAce and the door height seems low in comparison to the seating position so it's easy to bump your hear on the way in if you're parked by a kerb, especially if it's a little higher than average.

It's horses for courses though to be fair, same as with many things.
I know sparks who crave for a hightop van so they can stand up in it and/or one with a 3m internal load space for trunking/conduit etc. and also those who are perfectly happy with their VW CaddyMax or Transit Connect (aka the old Escort Van).

It all depends on what you carry day in day out and what you can put on the roof on the odd time you need to if conduit/trunking isn't your everyday job. But, saying that, there's always the delivery option from the wholesaler if you want to keep those mpg figures high.

 

[jeremy]

Ah, the Ineos Grenadier, that billionaire brexiteer Jim Rattcliffe was going to manufacture in Wales but for some reason now looks likely to be made in France ?

A car assembly plant became available in Hambach in France. Rather than build a new factory, it apparently makes commercial sense to use a 2nd hand one.

 

[ferg]

My 2011 Hiace is starting to show it's age. As much as I like it and would love to keep it, unfortunately it doesn't make sense to do so.

The mileage I do combined with the cost of repairs and lost time when it's in the garage means that it's time for a change.

A shame really as it's a great van and owes me nothing, but the tipping point financially has been reached.

I've opted for a new Transporter which I'll get, hopefully, in January.

 

[Marti]

I had a SWB Caddy on loan for a week. I know they are hugely popular; especially the ex-BG ones in blue. The one I had didn't really suit me. Very basic cab unless spec'ed up by the original new-buyer but fast and low. That's compared to my normal Nissan NV200, so the Caddy's rack was easy to reach but no"up high" driving position. My regular mechanic is convinced Caddies are no more reliable than other makes; just better looked after by the big fleets. Running a 60 plate Transit on loan at the moment. Feels a bit "tinny" but could just be that it's been builder- abused for 110K and that is the key factor I suspect. Sadly, there is likely to be a lot of keenly priced used vehicles about this time next year.

 

[Marti]

I've opted for a new Transporter which I'll get, hopefully, in January.

Those Transporters are hugely popular down here on the coast. Most have Kayak or surfboard on top "on the way to a job"