Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[Rpa07]

Sparky pat is right about probably being overweight on the axles! Are there weigh stations that general public can use or is it a case of pleading innocence if you are pulled. Would make a regular clear out important.
Hi ace vans should be exempt because they rock. I started my service engineering in column change Hi Ace and absolutely loved them. 105 mph racing my mate in his alfasud on the M5 south.
Still looking out for one as a first van - do they have bluetooth Tel?

 

[telectrix]

nah, they have real teeth that bite. mine got 180k on the clock and i never have to top up oil.

 

[LeeH]

I'm shocked at the 2nd hand prices of the Transporter Kombi vans.

Ridiculous!

 

[Dave West]

2009 Renault Trafic! - But i think they're the same as the Vivaro just with a different badge

 

[JM ELECTRICAL]

Looking to buy a small panel van what would you guys recommend ?

 

[telectrix]

how small? and what price range?

 

[LankyWill]

I'm a Volkswagen -----, had a t5 from work at it was a reliable van. Now I'm self employed I have a caddy, you pay a bit more than most small vans but the reliability and quality is up there. My outlook is long range though as I bought the van outright, if I was leasing I would look more towards a berlingo and rag it!

 

[Rpa07]

Couple of grand/ small = ford connect
Couple of grand/medium = ex BT vivaro
I'm not saying a hiace because I'm still waiting to save my pennies to get one myself so @telectrix - keep that one quiet then there's more choice for me.

 

[telectrix]

toyota hiace for bombproof reliable, but the new pro-ace is a peugeot rebadged.

 

[Rpa07]

@telectrix - you and your mouth

 

[JM ELECTRICAL]

Dont really want to spend more than 6, and small van such as berlingo/kangoo/caddy etc

 

[Andy-1960]

I wouldn't by anything French, Transit Connect is pretty bomb proof in my opinion

 

[westward10]

I have a Caddy and it is great.

 

[Deleted member 9648]

Whilst not doubting others experience with their vans I have a Connect and it's pants. Bought second hand so it's previous history may be the reason for that, but based on this one I wouldn't get another. An 09 plate and it's rusted around the sills and driver floor pan. I don't care whether it was abused or not in a previous life, no modern vehicle should be rusting.

 

[LankyWill]

Be careful with connects as they have a high break in rating, you can buy a ghost key online for diddly squat.

 

[telectrix]

only ever once been in a connect. was worse than being in a air con duct.

 

[MisterE]

I've got an Ex-British Gas Caddy, I love it, it came with all the racking, internal LED lights everywhere and a security bolt on the doors and air con!
Well worth a look if you're watching the pennies.

 

[Dave OCD]

Berlingos are fine too, had mine for 3 years [3 years old at the time] and had no problems, but it's important to change the oil and filter frequently and if you wanted to do your own maintenance I think it would be a pain,the 1.6hdi 90hp version I have averages close to 50mpg which I think is pretty good.

 

[Delboybully]

I used to have a connect. It went wrong a lot. It hadn't done a load of miles either, 110 when I sold it. It was an 07 and had some rust starting in a few places.

Security is pants like all ford's. Late last year someone got in and took all my hand tools, they did a load of transits in my area in one night, a master key is easily available. I tried a key from a 1997 escort and it opened my van.

I will never buy a Ford again.

 

[suffolkspark]

I've got a berlingo, 13 plate, 1.6 A lucky find privately for 5.5k with only 21k on the clocks, I've had it 4 months now and can't fault it, it can be very economical and have had a steady 300mile round trip average at 60mpg. after 2000m on the trip my average is 47mpg and that's mainly short rural journeys. its a 3 seater and although a squeeeeze is handy if you need somewhere to park a third bum from time to time, the pass seats go totally flat to allow you 3m lengths in so you don't need a tube on the roof, (although I now carry 2m lengths of everything as they fit with the seats up)