Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[jeremy]

I prefer pick ups to vans; more comfort, off road ability. The Ranger was my previous one, loved it to start with, but started to deteriorate at 60k miles. Changed to Mercedes for warranty, 3 years unlimited mileage, and their mobilo service. I could possibly do 40 - 50k miles a year, over all sorts of terrain. ( As it happens, I've been working in BT exchanges for 15 months!, no off road at all).

 

[littlespark]

Further to my earlier threads, and my vote that I presently have a Citroen berlingo....
I will be changing my van much much sooner than I thought.

After a situation this morning where my handbrake didn’t get pulled up enough, and I was parked on a slight incline.... the rear of my van met a parked hgv trailer at moderate speed.
Insurance have said uneconomical to repair.... written off, even though it’s drivable, and usable.
And as it’s written off, the insurance cover is now stopped. (As of midnight) so I can’t drive it legally now even thought there’s nowt stopping it. I’ll be reclaiming my road tax tomorrow!



Door and side panel took brunt of damage as you can see. But there is also damage to the roof, where my ladder pushed the roof rack mounts forward.

Apparently, a roof rack is a modification and should have been notified to the insurance company.
I thought modifications meant chipping the engine or whatever it’s called to make them go faster.

 

[littlespark]

A little update on today’s incident.
I’ve taken the van back to the yard to empty it of tools. (Naughty naughty, no insured)
And parked exactly where it was. I deliberately left the handbrake off, and straight away it started to roll backwards.
There is no way I forgot to pull the handbrake on.

Next time I park there, I’ll leave the vehicle in gear, and turn the wheel so it rolls against a bollard.

 

[Dave 2000]

I have had an Opel Corsa for the last five years, I don't see Opel on the list? If it was on the list that would have been my first choice. I am a vehicle mechanic/electrician and have found it has been nothing but fantastic. I picked Peugeot as a would be second choice as I rarely get called out to them.

Most unreliable Ford. Weakest over long term Fiat in the suspension, engine mount areas.

 

[littlespark]

I have had an Opel Corsa for the last five years, I don't see Opel on the list? If it was on the list that would have been my first choice. I am a vehicle mechanic/electrician and have found it has been nothing but fantastic. I picked Peugeot as a would be second choice as I rarely get called out to them.

Most unreliable Ford. Weakest over long term Fiat in the suspension, engine mount areas.

Opel in the uk is Vauxhall’s. Part of General Motors.
Reminds me of when I owned a Vauxhall nova.. which I think is the same as an Opel Kadet? Apparently Nova translates to “no go” or more “doesn’t work”

 

[littlespark]

So, after writing off a Citroen berlingo 16 plate, I went along to my local used van dealer and bought.... a Citroen berlingo 67 plate!

Silver instead of red... and my towbar, ply lining shelves and roof rack can be directly swapped over.

Spent today ripping out the towbar electrics to refit that myself... and my reversing camera and dash cam. All added by me. Will be checking the tread on the spare tyre tomorrow.

Found £1.70 in change under the seat too! Enough for a coffee..... does anyone still take old round pound coins?

 

[Strima]

This little funk wrote mine off, only had it six weeks.

 

[littlespark]

This little funk wrote mine off, only had it six weeks.

View attachment 53736

Mines wrote itself off.
Handbrake slip, slight slope and stationary 3rd party.

Yours just looks like mangled plastic? Write off?

 

[telectrix]

This little funk wrote mine off, only had it six weeks.

View attachment 53736

check electrics. all the rest can be fixed with a hammer.

 

[Strima]

Mines wrote itself off.
Handbrake slip, slight slope and stationary 3rd party.

Yours just looks like mangled plastic? Write off?

Rear pillar was bent. Picked this up yesterday...

 

[telectrix]

Rear pillar was bent. Picked this up yesterday...

View attachment 53739

nice. . . . .

 

[Phil Thompson]

Citreon Relay LWB, everything fits inside.

View attachment 52991

Got myself a personalised plate for the van.

Mad cow disease eat your heart out lol

 

[Toblerone]

So, you are soon getting the new Defender?

That new "Defender" is an absolute abomination. Basically a Range Rover with enhanced off road capabilities.

Can't wait for all the idiots who can't drive their current vehicles properly to be clogging up the roads with their new toy.

 

[jeremy]

That new "Defender" is an absolute abomination. Basically a Range Rover with enhanced off road capabilities.

Can't wait for all the idiots who can't drive their current vehicles properly to be clogging up the roads with their new toy.

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

 

[Duncankmcveigh]

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.