Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[High Tower]

Go for a more medium size van, stops the van turning into a war zone as what inevitably happens with small vans, for £3000 i would be most tempted by a SWB Transit on about a 52/03 plate, the reason for this is that they are of a extremely usefull size a layout and there are a LOT of them on the market as there are so many made so plenty of choice and reasonable price because of market saturation

 

[tigerstar]

I have about £2000 up to to £3000 to go spend on a van, I'm domestic so don't tend to carry big amounts of stuff or need long ladders or carry people. Your thoughts people please on the best small to medium van for this kind of money. Had been thinking VW Caddy...

Without a dout mate look for an ex BT transit connect with the internal racking and roof gear 3k will get you something with about 5-60 on the clock ive got three of them

 

[Gerry24]

Bought an 2001 Ford Escort 75 with steel racking, solid rear doors (no windows so more secure) FSH, 61k miles, new tow bar fitted (as part of the deal) from a local dealer. It was an ex post office van (from the engineering section so white not red) that he had bought at auction. He had all the vehicle servicing reports right up to date of auction. Cost me £1450 and so far done about 6k miles without any problems. As it's a 75 it will carry 700kg (including driver and passenger and it's usually fully laden). It might look a bit dated but the engine seems absolutely bullet proof. Only thing i had to do was a bit of a rub down and touch-up around the rear wheel arches. But for £1450 it's a corker of a van. If you want a cheap tough little van then an Escort is hard to beat, so long as you can trust the service history and check it over thoroughly for rust.

 

[Spudnik]

Dont forget that anything bigger than a Connect is now limited to 60MPH on the motorways etc and NOT 70MPH.

 

[electricAl]

Dont forget that anything bigger than a Connect is now limited to 60MPH on the motorways etc and NOT 70MPH.

When did that come in? I must have been asleep that year!

 

[dragon-av]

Dont forget that anything bigger than a Connect is now limited to 60MPH on the motorways etc and NOT 70MPH.

Really?

It is very important for drivers to bear in mind that vans (and all goods vehicles not exceeding 7.5 tonnes) are subject to lower national speed limits than cars on both single and dual carriageway roads.
Whilst a car may travel at up to 60 mph on single carriageways and 70 mph on dual carriageways vans are only allowed to travel up to 50 mph on single carriageway roads and 60 mph on dual carriageway roads.
[Remember that the speed limits quoted here are national limits, a lower speed limit will apply in built up areas and on many local roads. Where a lower speed limit is signed you must comply with those lower limits].

There is one (small) group of vans which have the same speed limits are cars by virtue of the definitions in Schedule 6 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act of 1984. These are vans that are both derived from a car chassis and also have a maximum laden weight of no more than 2 tonnes. This means that the weight of the vehicle and the payload it is designed to be able to carry when added together do not exceed 2 tonnes. The van design must be a derivative of a car body, it is not sufficient that it looks similar to a particular car.

Clarification of national speed limits for vans

Only Vehicles with a GVW of 7490 Kgs or more are limted on motorways. + All towing vehicles Limited to 60Mph

UK speed limits

Vans under 7490Kg are 70 on motorway and 60 on Dual carrageway and 50 on single where National speedlimit applies


a Transit Connect is not car based, Astra Vans, Corsa Vans, Fiesta Vans, Clio Vans, 206 Vans etc ARE Connects are NOT it's not about size but chassis design! I Don't know what a Kangoo is classsed as or how they deal with Van derived cars. Like the Belringo Multispace etc.

As far as i can tell a Ford Transit Connect is limited to 50 on single carriage ways and 60 on Dual not 60 and 70 as it isnt car derived regardless of the Gross Weight

 

[Spudnik]

Really?






Clarification of national speed limits for vans

Only Vehicles with a GVW of 7490 Kgs or more are limted on motorways. + All towing vehicles Limited to 60Mph

UK speed limits

Vans under 7490Kg are 70 on motorway and 60 on Dual carrageway and 50 on single where National speedlimit applies


a Transit Connect is not car based, Astra Vans, Corsa Vans, Fiesta Vans, Clio Vans, 206 Vans etc ARE Connects are NOT it's not about size but chassis design! I Don't know what a Kangoo is classsed as or how they deal with Van derived cars. Like the Belringo Multispace etc.

As far as i can tell a Ford Transit Connect is limited to 50 on single carriage ways and 60 on Dual not 60 and 70 as it isnt car derived regardless of the Gross Weight

I knew it was something like that.

But i still get vans passing me at 80+

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

we have connects and were only aware of the speed limit thing when a guy got done for 61 in a 60 we thought thats harsh

until we found out he should have been doing 50 in his connect (on an a road)

 

[SirKit Breaker]

i've got a Connect. Its a no brainer, got to be the best small van on the market for value. Mines the SWB low roof model, the smallest they do. Go for the 90ps TDCi L or LX model as the T200 is basic and the 75PS TDDi engine is a bit underpowered.
I've had mine a year and its more than ideal for the job, i am an electrician.

 

[bronafon14]

thinking of getting a used van not to shore witch one to get what do you guys think??

 

[eddielarge]

thinking of getting a used van not to shore witch one to get what do you guys think??

Hi ive had a vw transporter and it was a good servant , i am currently driving a renault traffic sport, its a good van but lacks storage in cabin..

When i was test driving all the vans i loved what ford had done with the transit, they have really thought about how to look after the van driver, its like an office,

heated leather seats, bluetooth hands free, coffee/tea holders and storage for all your books a4 folders etc,

The only reason i didnt get the ford transit is at the time work was slow and as i lease my vans. and i could not afford the extra £100 a month,,

 

[Sav]

Hi,
I drive a Renault Trafic 100dci swb. Its in metalic black and is the sport spec with electric windows, air con, abs etc etc.
Great van but as eddielarge says it does lack cabin space, but lovely to drive.

Sav

 

[Amp David]

http://postalheritage.org.uk/exhibi...es/introductionimages/Robin-3-wheeler-250.jpg

Cant beat these babies

 

[Guest123]

The Transporter is bomb proof (I got one too). Vivaro/Traffic/Primastar all the same and pretty solid, the odd reliability issue so I've been told.

Transit is a good van, paintwork is a bit like tipp-ex though.

 

[DurhamSparky]

im in the same boat!! looking at vans..!! to many to choose!!!

don't need nothing massive but need bigger than my Focus 5 door as its not really practical any more!

budget not entirely big either. 2k

what you recommend from the following selection

Pug Partner
Citroen Berlingo
Renault Kangoo
Ford Tranny Connect

from previous dealing with French Vehicles are there Vans any better???
really like the Pug Partner and the Tranny Connect but pug seems cheaper!

 

[cbw]

Hey DS I bought my 53 connect on flea bay for 1750.......I love it!

 

[Mr Mark Sparks]

transit connect swb 56 plate company van
slow and thirsty 100mile round trip at 70mph 28mpg

not recomended

 

[Sintra]

My tranny connect is also very thirsty.

 

[cbw]

Mine is not a lot better on fuel, I am averaging 38mpg, which is rubbish for a deisel, however, it makes up for it in other ways!!!!!!

Mine is the earlier lower powered version

 

[DurhamSparky]

i did have the lux to drive a 59 plate Connect with last job albiet it 3 days long! found it comfortable but yes slow was one word i had in mind..!!


i fancy the PUG as its got nice lines and curved nicely but are french vans as reliable as there cars...! i.e not at all or are they better??

PEUGEOT PARTNER/CITROEN BERLINGO 2.0 HDI on eBay (end time 11-May-10 10:17:11 BST)