My next van may not be a van ...

[sparc]

Don't get me wrong, my Vivaro has been brilliant. Considering the amount of stuff crammed in there it's amazing it moves, let alone clocks up mile after faultless mile (I know, I know - writing that is just ASKING for trouble next week).

But my beat is mainly in the country, so the tyres and my signage take a constant thrashing. Last year I shredded two tyres making a call up a rough dirt track - just to fix a couple of downlights. Not a profitable job!

I think the Vivaro has a few years left in it yet ... but I'm starting to think about my next vehicle. I've seen an number of sparks and plumbers operating out of 4x4s - but wondered how they can fit in everything in!

Has anyone any experience of using a truck or a 4x4 for this type of work - any pros and cons you can offer?

Also, I noticed SSE has what looks like pretty handy hardtops on some of their Hilux - anyone recognise the make - I can't find these on the web.


View attachment 25311
Many thanks!

 

[shanky887614]

Don't get me wrong, my Vivaro has been brilliant. Considering the amount of stuff crammed in there it's amazing it moves, let alone clocks up mile after faultless mile (I know, I know - writing that is just ASKING for trouble next week).

But my beat is mainly in the country, so the tyres and my signage take a constant thrashing. Last year I shredded two tyres making a call up a rough dirt track - just to fix a couple of downlights. Not a profitable job!

I think the Vivaro has a few years left in it yet ... but I'm starting to think about my next vehicle. I've seen an number of sparks and plumbers operating out of 4x4s - but wondered how they can fit in everything in!

Has anyone any experience of using a truck or a 4x4 for this type of work - any pros and cons you can offer?

Also, I noticed SSE has what looks like pretty handy hardtops on some of their Hilux - anyone recognise the make - I can't find these on the web.


View attachment 25311
Many thanks!

A guy I know uses a freelander and manages just fine, he has a custom roof rack a mate made though so better to tie stuff on

 

[topquark]

Yeah, they're useful .... but watch out for the tax implications of running a "car" versus a van.

 

[R G]

those sort of vehicles are not the easiest to use , the load height is quite high , and if anything you want is right at the front with the load height it can be a pain ,

also not that economical on fuel as well...

 

[davesparks]

I have a freelander commercial as my regular van which suits me just fine, but I don't carry much in the way of materials normally, it's just me and my tools.

I also have a defender I use for the proper 'middle of a muddy field' jobs

 

[Robotstar5]

S/H Land Rover Discovery, loads of room in the back, remove rear seats and blackout/tint rear windows.

 

[GMES]

 

[Kate]

I have a navara pick up...love it. Have a snug top hard top on it. Pegasus are a brand of hardtop too. I got a roof rack from halfords.
much much easier to get things out of than a van.
Mines an automatic and I get 29-30mpg. Get more in a manual.
Also goes like **** off a stick if I put my foot down!!

 

[davesparks]

If you want a 4x4 to do the work of a 4x4 then buy a landrover.
If you want a 4x4 to look pretty and don't mind it fainting at the first sight of a bit of mud then go with the navara/hilux/warrior type of thing.