Bigger Van

[MTiler]

Hi

Im going to have to get a bigger van this year. At the mo I have a Ford Courier which has served me well. It can only hold so much and weight wise its only supposed to hold 300 weight. This morning i was battling to get sheets of ply into it that I had to get cut down.
I think something like a Ford Transporter is a tad on the big side but I like the look of the mid size vans such as a Citreon Dispatch, Fiat Scudo etc.
Any recommendations or any models I should avoid? I intend to get a second hand one.
Ive been told that the side doors can be very easy to break into.

cheers
missyT

 

[Diamond Pool Finishers]

i have a Renault traffic with side door and have never been broken into, only side window and sat- nav and i go nation wide for work and i would fully recommend the traffic if you go this big, I'm going bigger to the master/sprinter next

 

[paul flight]

i have a vax vivaro and its now done 220,000 mile no trouble up to 180,000 then £3000 in bills its still going well . think the traffic / vivaro are one of the best vans out there!!

 

[davy_G]

Ive only a berlingo, 800kg payload with a side door, too small for 8 x 4's but i wouldnt buy a van withut a side door again, no issues and great for helping to load and unload!

 

[TT Tiling]

i like the look of the new gaffter by vw ,looks a big van , go well as well i was doing 80 mph on the way home ,this van came pass me like i was stood still :lol:

 

[MTiler]

when I had some work done on my van the garage recommended the vivaro, it seems similar to the traffic so I'll have to look into those.
cheers
missyT

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Sharon, I just took a look at your website for the first time. I like your photos and especially like the swordfish mosaic. Where did you get that? Did you install it in a pool?

 

[doug boardley]

I've got a scudo Sharon and it's done me allright. I made a half height bulkhead where the sid doors open too, this way you can segregate your tools, ie, electrical tools, cutters etc in one half and other hand tools, adhesive and stuff in the rear half

 

[MTiler]

I've got a scudo Sharon and it's done me allright. I made a half height bulkhead where the sid doors open too, this way you can segregate your tools, ie, electrical tools, cutters etc in one half and other hand tools, adhesive and stuff in the rear half

I plan to do something similar when i get a new van, and a slot for board, it has to be done. I cant wait for more space!
cheers

missyT

 

[MTiler]

Hi Sharon, I just took a look at your website for the first time. I like your photos and especially like the swordfish mosaic. Where did you get that? Did you install it in a pool?

Cheers Rob

I made the Marlin, its on marine ply and is now in the customers garden on a wall!

 

[Scott]

I have a Toyota powervan short wheel base. It can take 8x4 but you do have to lift the end up a lump by the bulkhean to get them in. This has a tendancy to break the corner offplasterboard when you get to the first roundabout. The long wheel base fits them in easily. Its a narrow van so isnt as imposing to drive or park.

Im considering a smaller van and just using 6x3

 

[MTiler]

boards are a pain in the butt!

missyT

 

[Scott]

boards are a pain in the butt!

missyT

I suppose it depends how often you need them, for me its every job so not worth the roof rack option. Although with me using ply and plasterboard less and cement boards more at least the sizes fit a little easier!

 

[Richard Edwards]

i like the look of the new gaffter by vw ,looks a big van , go well as well i was doing 80 mph on the way home ,this van came pass me like i was stood still :lol:

TT - Be careful - All vans are LGV rated at 60mph max - even if the speed limit for a car on a motorway is 70mph
The only exception is if the van is built on a car derived chassis, ie fiesta van or the little Vauxhall Corsa equivalent and stuff like that.
Basically if the national speed limit for a car on a A road is 60mph then in most vans its limited to 50 mph
With Average Speed check cameras you are running a big risk.

Hope this acts as a brake on your way home

 

[mikethetile]

Hi Missy

I have the old style trafic which is a far superior van to the new ones, but difficult to find a decent one and unless your handy with the spanners I wouldnt reccomrnd one

my mates got a scudo and swears by it

dont buy

a fiat with g/box or electrical problems

citroen or peugeot with g/box problems

if any are stiff to engage gears, whine , or jump out of gear walk away as they are notorius for wrecking g/boxes from carrying weight and horrendousley expensive to repair

any reluctant starters as its nearly always the emu unit and they are an arm and a leg

and if your buying a diesel watch for smoke on start up

otherwise the pug, fiat etc are excellant workhorses and I can reccomend