What van do you use?

[masona]

Hmm a floating Carnival queen with the removable picasso seats

 

[Zampa]

Funny thing actually ive been checking out a few sites about the 3 vans in that trilogy..and I havnt found one yet without a cat...

Theres some right rip off merchants out there isnt there..

 

[Sylvan Tieger]

I have 3 vans 1 is a Dodge 350 extended body 1 is a GMC 3500 and 1 is a Ford extended extra heavy duty So far the Dodge has 100,000 miles on it and the Ford has 5,000


The dodge was given to me instead of a plumbing payment

 

[Mac-the-Wrench]

I bought a Ford Transit 90bhp lwb hi-roof (it had 70k on the clock) from a trader in Berkswell nr Coventry in July. They advertise in Ebay and Autotrader, say they have 40 years in the trade. Within a week, the water pump broke, they paid for a replacement. Six weeks later, the clutch went, and the mechanic I took it to said they must have known it had that problem when they sold it to me. They are giving me the cold shoulder, and it cost £700 to fix, so I am taking it to the small claims.

I only went that route because I didn't want to commit to buying new, but from comments here, leasing sounds like a good option, I have always just preferred buying for cash, I don't like owing anyone.

 

[Sylvan Tieger]

I bought a Ford Transit 90bhp lwb hi-roof (it had 70k on the clock) from a trader in Berkswell nr Coventry in July. They advertise in Ebay and Autotrader, say they have 40 years in the trade. Within a week, the water pump broke, they paid for a replacement. Six weeks later, the clutch went, and the mechanic I took it to said they must have known it had that problem when they sold it to me. They are giving me the cold shoulder, and it cost £700 to fix, so I am taking it to the small claims.

I only went that route because I didn't want to commit to buying new, but from comments here, leasing sounds like a good option, I have always just preferred buying for cash, I don't like owing anyone.

I only buy new vans and always the heaviest duty they make standard.

The GMC is the 3500 series the Dodge is is the B 350 Series and the Ford 350 Super Duty® Extended Length Wagon (strongest engine and transmission) and also like the dodge extended body.

Considering a call missed can cost me several hundren dollars I find it imperative to have vans I can depend to start up and work day after day.

The cheapiest insurance one can have for cars and vans is changing the oil every 1,500 miles f0r the first 3,000 then ever 3,000 miles after that

 

[simond]

We have run three 04 Transit Connects from new and they have been very reliable. Heater fan in one, loose connection in another and that's about it. I have just bought a new replacement for my one. We specify them with aircon and a full height Ford bulkhead, it makes them quiet and much more secure.

Most of our other vehicles are 06/07 Merc Sprinters (for heating installers) and whilst they are lovely to drive we have had a few problems. I would say they are not built as well as the earlier >2006 Sprinter, but from a drivers perspective I'd have the newer one.

Some of my guys had the Primastar/Vivaro/Trafic at other firms and say the Sprinter is miles ahead, haven't tried them myself.

 

[Sylvan Tieger]

One of my heating guys has a Sprinter over priced in my opinion and un like the Ford or GMC his broke down several times.

One day's loss of work cost a contractor over $1,500[/i]

 

[crj]

Well I'm just about to buy a new van. Was thinking about a 54 plate transit connect but not so sure now after reading some of the comments. Got about £5-6k to spend and will be used for painting and decorating. Was looking at a full size tranny as well but not sure if the extra space is worth the disadvantages of a bigger vehicle (parking etc...)

Any recommendations?

 

[Thermo]

yes contract hire it. most tax efficent way, and you dont tie all your capital up. Nice new van as well

 

[DP]

sylvan T of PIPDL list i presume

 

[hilti68]

As a handyman, I use a Toyota Hilux pickup. Standard 2-door, single cab, with a full length roof rack (rear hoop) for ladders, etc..

Bought it from a dealer. Ex-fleet but low mileage. 2.4 diesel, turbo'd. Economical & EXTREMELY reliable

Can carry all tools, and a bathroom suit (for example with full length bath) and pipes / timber up to 16Ft long on roofrack with ladder.

Only 'problem' with them second hand is that since Top Gear tried in vain to 'kill one', their prices have gone up

Great vehicle though. Fab heater for cold weather

 

[namsag]

At present the car Went to start the van this morning after 3 an a bit weeks off and somebody has killed it . Worked perfectly well before i parked it up. So towed to the garage and hopefully not too dear.. Now then how do i get the ladders to tomorrows job

agh its only money i would only spend it in the pub,

 

[noseall]

One of my heating guys has a Sprinter over priced in my opinion and un like the Ford or GMC his broke down several times.

bull!

Ford is an acronym. Fix or Repair Daily.

if you want to know what ingenious devices, cars will be fitting as standard in 5 years time, look at today's merc.

 

[daytona]

bull!

Ford is an acronym. Fix or Repair Daily.

if you want to know what ingenious devices, cars will be fitting as standard in 5 years time, look at today's merc.

i thought it stood for found on rubbish dump

 

[nickso]

One of my heating guys has a Sprinter over priced in my opinion and un like the Ford or GMC his broke down several times.

if you want to know what ingenious devices, cars will be fitting as standard in 5 years time, look at today's merc.

then watch as it all falls off and breaks.


whatevr you do dont buy a new vw caddy. pretty poor and i wish id kept my combo. thats 3 local ones that have had oil mixing with water in under 2k miles.