Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[jackhammerJIM]

Gear boxes and injectors

 

[Resu]

There's loads of threads about vans. Save yourself any trouble and by a transporter. I'd avoid Renault/Nissan/Vauxhall (think that's the right 3). They all had problems with (I think) gear boxes.

That's a bit of a sweeping generalisation! Not interested in starting an arguement but we have never had a major issue with any of the 4 of our Vivaros (one is 8 years old). Whereas my uncle has just traded his transporter in as he's had no end of trouble with it (it's 4 years old).


It's the same as anything, if you do your homework - work out common issues with particular models/engines, etc. Keep an eye out for service history, recalls, etc. Provided it's been looked after you'll be fine with any van!

 

[amlu]

i have ex post office ldv convoy, big truck, cheap and ultra reliable. everything fits in and does for campervan when on holidays

 

[TJ Anderson]

Vivaro / Transporter size definitely makes life easier than Caddy's, Berlingo's etc. I have never had one, but the Toyota Hiace is about the best van money can buy according to those who have had them, they just don't go wrong!!

 

[ImpededLoop]

I've got an Astravan which is great but only has the rear tailgate so reaching things at the front of the load area is difficult.

 

[geordie]

Got a nissan nv200 had it from new great starter van

 

[telectrix]

toyota hiace, the best ever. trouble is they hold their price so you'll pay good money for one.

 

[Adam W]

That's a bit of a sweeping generalisation! Not interested in starting an arguement but we have never had a major issue with any of the 4 of our Vivaros (one is 8 years old). Whereas my uncle has just traded his transporter in as he's had no end of trouble with it (it's 4 years old).


It's the same as anything, if you do your homework - work out common issues with particular models/engines, etc. Keep an eye out for service history, recalls, etc. Provided it's been looked after you'll be fine with any van!

It's not often someone's opinion of a vehicle is anything other than a sweeping generalisation; I've never had any major problems with my Peugeot, despite the amount of times people tell me "all French cars are rubbish".

 

[emacleod]

I've got a vw caddy maxi great van but slightly to small for conduit

 

[rapparee]

depends what you are going to carry. do you carry a lot of conduit/trunking etc?

some vans cant take 3m lengths very easily even on the angle so need to be tied on the roof

A mercedes sprinter will

 

[telectrix]

A mercedes sprinter will

but your stuff will fall out through the rust holes.

 

[markc123]

There's loads of threads about vans. Save yourself any trouble and by a transporter. I'd avoid Renault/Nissan/Vauxhall (think that's the right 3). They all had problems with (I think) gear boxes.

Is this old and current news? Im looking into getting the Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive 2nd generation (the new one, 2015 model) ... i've been an eyed one up and its like sex to drive... i don't like reading this when im potentially about to spend 19k on something i want to last a good 7/10years lol

 

[pennychew]

Is this old and current news? Im looking into getting the Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive 2nd generation (the new one, 2015 model) ... i've been an eyed one up and its like sex to drive... i don't like reading this when im potentially about to spend 19k on something i want to last a good 7/10years lol

I think Richy will be talking about the old models... I've got one and would agree its cack, new ones are supposed to be good

 

[Carlosfandango]

I've got a new vivaro, great to drive, my ones a bit under powered but end of the day, it's a works van!

 

[t-s]

I've got a vw caddy maxi great van but slightly to small for conduit

Second that, much cheaper than a transporter and nearly as big. My old boss had his from 60000 miles up to about 130000 and never had any problems with it. VWs are bombproof

 

[RexT]

Hi Rapparee,

Thanks for the information.

Bes wishes

Rex

 

[RexT]

Hi Richy,

Thanks I have been offer a Renault as a brand but haven't driven enough of them o know which is best. There wont be a lot of kit in there, only some general tools and a set of steps. I would describe it as small contractor but I know I would get some stick d the jokes wont stop.

Thanks again,

Best wishes,

Rex

 

[GMES]

Got a vivaro and had no issues, before that I drove renault trafic's for about 10 years with no issues.
I could not cope with a little van being Industrial I cant see me getting a 12 way power board and a drum of heavy swa in the back of a kangoo.
Leave the little vans for the postmen.

 

[RexT]

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for the feedback and information this gives me something t look and try out.

Best wishes,

Rex

 

[richy3333]

That's a bit of a sweeping generalisation! Not interested in starting an arguement but we have never had a major issue with any of the 4 of our Vivaros (one is 8 years old). Whereas my uncle has just traded his transporter in as he's had no end of trouble with it (it's 4 years old).


It's the same as anything, if you do your homework - work out common issues with particular models/engines, etc. Keep an eye out for service history, recalls, etc. Provided it's been looked after you'll be fine with any van!

Yep, I suppose so. But there always will be. Name any van and people will always have good and bad to say about them. Merc Vito's rust!

I'm just about to change my 4 year old VW and its still worth about £15K + VAT. I can't believe a 4 year old Vivaro would ever be worth that, even new Any reasonable trade around my way has a VW for reliability.

 

[Dcf]

My plumber mates got a transporter ordered for March.......26k ex vat!!!
im on my second trafic sport just now .just coming to 3 years old.no problems yet.
the service guy at bt fleet where I got it serviced las month said the owner driver ones doing 10-12k a year get no probs
the ones with a different driver everyday doing big miles are the opposite.
thats from a guy that deals with them everyday.
ill probably get a new one next year.

 

[Guest77]

I agree with Tel regarding the HI-Ace, otherwise the transit is good value for money at 11k

 

[Deleted member 38070]

I use a caddy, got 3m piperack for conduit and the like, perfect for me

 

[pennychew]

I've got a 3m piperack on my vivaro but it absolutely trashes anything white that you put in it

 

[Brightspark2]

From my experience of Transit and vivaros, it would be a massive vote for transit. So much better.

We tried a vivaro but didn't have it long, went back to transits, so much better...

 

[douche]

Im away to have a look at a Vauxhall Combo 1.7 at the weekend. its 11 year old but only done about 60k. Anything i should watch out for on these models? seen a few guys recommend them on here. This could be my first van.

 

[TJ Anderson]

Is this old and current news? Im looking into getting the Vauxhall Vivaro Sportive 2nd generation (the new one, 2015 model) ... i've been an eyed one up and its like sex to drive... i don't like reading this when im potentially about to spend 19k on something i want to last a good 7/10years lol

I'm starting to see them around now. Mechanic mate at vauxhall reckons it is very highly strung for a works van as they are only 1.6 now but with bi-turbo and 120 BHP. Too complex IMO..

 

[pennychew]

I'm sure they do a 140bhp as well from the 1.6 which sounds very strange but you never know it may be the way forward

 

[TJ Anderson]

I'm sure they do a 140bhp as well from the 1.6 which sounds very strange but you never know it may be the way forward

deleted, half posted..

 

[TJ Anderson]

I'm sure they do a 140bhp as well from the 1.6 which sounds very strange but you never know it may be the way forward

Time will tell I suppose. My experience of small turbo charged engines is fun while they last but not reliable long term. There is no replacement for displacement!! I have an Audi RS4 B7 (not for work ), huge BHP, no turbo and generally very reliable.

 

[pennychew]

Absolutely love those

 

[Lenny]

Im away to have a look at a Vauxhall Combo 1.7 at the weekend. its 11 year old but only done about 60k. Anything i should watch out for on these models? seen a few guys recommend them on here. This could be my first van.

Depends on the engine.

At that age you may have one of the very first CDTI (Z17DTH) 100bhp models which are brilliant and the important parts are all Isuzu. Or it may have the DI or DTI engines. Both the earlier engines are sound but wont win you any races as they were a bit underpowered.

All 3 variants were good on fuel.

 

[marcusone]

Toyota Hi ace. Best van I've had in 25 years.

 

[Dan]

Can you guys reply to this thread with the make and model of the van you use please?

I'm going to make a poll, but need some options to add to it.

Perhaps leave out whether its LWB or SWB etc for now, just the van make and model should do.

Thought it'd be an interesting thread for guys who are looking to swap their van to a different brand or whatever etc.

 

[uksparks]

2014 Ford Transit Connect LWB Trend 240 115ps - 6 Speed

 

[telectrix]

2004 Toyota Hiace with dents and fake bullet holes. ( theft deterrent ).

 

[Leesparkykent]

2014 plate ford transit custom.

 

[amlu]

2004 ldv convoy lwb

 

[jackhammerJIM]

Renault Traffic

 

[sparkdog]

2000 Ford Escort & 2001 VW Caddy.

 

[Dan]

If you wanted to see what vans the other trades use here are the threads on the other forums

Which Van Do You Use? - Plumbing Forum
Which Van Do You Use?

 

[Adie moore]

2012 transit swb low roof. Lowered with some banded steels on the way

 

[Dan]

Just read 'When you dead you dead' by Guy Martin and he swears by the Transit. Says he gets 100k miles per set of brake pads!

 

[David M]

2003 Mercedes sprinter, medium wheel base, high roof. She's done 230,000 miles now and still purrs like a kitten, though the body work is a bit shot. :smiley2:

 

[David M]

Just read 'When you dead you dead' by Guy Martin and he swears by the Transit. Says he gets 100k miles per set of brake pads!

I got to meet Guy Martin early May this year, he's a very strange character, in person.

I always liked the ford vans, but a good friend of mine runs a commercial repairs center & van dealership. He kept urging me to go Mercedes he reckons they are the most reliable van on the market. Eventually I gave in, best decision I ever made.

 

[GMES]

2 x Vauxhall Vivaros and a Vauxhall Astra

 

[Dan]

I got to meet Guy Martin early May this year, he's a very strange character, in person.

I always liked the ford vans, but a good friend of mine runs a commercial repairs center & van dealership. He kept urging me to go Mercedes he reckons they are the most reliable van on the market. Eventually I gave in, best decision I ever made.

Apparently he doesn't really like speaking to the public much, according to his book. He even goes events now where people wont expect him. And does cycling races in places people wont go (in the highlands etc) so that he doesn't get hounded. He doesn't do the TT since he got a bit famous because people seem to expect him to sign autographs and he isn't there for that, so he says.

 

[Swcfisher]

2015 swb Renault traffic sport+
2006 Land Rover freelander tdi4 commercial

 

[Adam W]

Edmundsons have a LWB Mercedes Sprinter - I make use of that.
In my last job I used a Mazda BT-50 when the gardeners weren't using it.

 

[SJD]

Renault Grand Scenic (yes, I know, but I don't actually need a van).