Ford Transit LWB High Top

[staylong]

Hi

Just a call out to all van drivers. I am starting a buisness and need a vehicle. I am looking to spend about three grand and would like a Ford Transit with High Top and LWB. I might go to Manchester to look at the Van Auctions but don't want to be fooled.

Can anyone give me advice as to what to look for in terms of problem areas. Pricing etc.

I know this is a bit off the wall but I am sure some of you guys drive these.

Cheers

Staylong

 

[securespark]

Hi SL

Can't help with prices, but can tell you a bit about auctions in Manchester.

Commercial auctions monthly at BCA Belle Vue

britsh-car-auctions.co.uk

LCV auctions Friday 3.30 at Stoodley Belle Vue

auctions.co.uk/cars/stoodley.htm

Hope you didn't know this already!!

Have driven many trannies, unfortunately you can't drive them only start them at auction, but look for the usual, blue smoke from exhaust, mayo in oil filler cap, leaks from under vehicle, structural rust, check engine/ chassis numbers not been tampered with. I'm really not sure what 3K gets you in a trannie, guess it is less if you go for the hi-roof-lwb version than a smaller body.

 

[david and julie]

monthly commercial sales at Belle-Vue refers to trucks, van sales are every wednesday.

check the obvious as said in above post,check rear door condition they are quite hard to get hold off, also all wheelarches.

Make sure van is a 190 and not a 230 they look the same but one is fitted with a tachograph, you will notice whilst checking the mileage numbers are aligned.

when you see a van you like go to reception and see if it is plus vat or not.
it will depend on wether the seller is registered. also allow for the buyers premium and the indemnity fee which they add onto the invoice. these charges are on top off your bid.

I would suggest you look in autotrader for a dealer selling ex BT vans in your area.these ae very low mileage and well looked after vans and are well worth the extra cost. The last thing you want is a duffer when first starting off.

Try a merc sprinter as well, but I would give most other makes a wide berth.

Good Luck, Dave

 

[AdamW]

unfortunately you can't drive them only start them at auction

My experience of auctions is only what I saw Quentin Wilson doing on Top Gear, but don't you get a one hour warranty? The idea being that you give it once round the car park and if it is a lemon then you can get your money back.

Obviously this wouldn't count if you just decided that you didn't like the way it drives.

Only van I ever drove was a Renault Traffic high top, LWB. It felt slow and underpowered compared to Transits I have been a passenger in, however the load floor was very low (FWD I believe).

 

[david and julie]

Generally speaking the vehicles which are returnable are newer and dearer than we are talking here, they call them BCA approved which usually guarantees certain mechanicals which you can't check without driving.

The only other time you would have any come back is if they specifically said something was OK and it wasn't, IE. they said engine/gearbox perfect and it was jumping out of gear. If they don't describe something it is very much buyer beware! Listen to what is NOT said in the description.

Yes Adam all Renault vans are front wheel drive along with Citroen/fiat Peugeot sevel vans. They are OK(ish) when new, but not in the same street as a Transit or Mercedes after a few years,they just can't take the same stick.

Another thing about transits is you can easily get the bit's and working on them is a doddle.

It is only my view but you honestly can't go wrong with a transit or a mercedes.

Depending on the business you are engaged it usually cheaper to have a small van and trailer, a buider (for example)could put the c--p in the trailer and keep the van cleanish inside. This gives you a lot more choice of van when looking second hand. They also use less derv because you only use trailer as you need it.

Good Luck, Dave

 

[AdamW]

Transit has to be the best-selling van of all time, right? The latest ones (although certainly not within the £3K price bracket just yet!) have had so many millions poured into developing them. And you can get pretty much any extra you can get in your Ford Focus. Probably handles better too

Merc vans are usually to be seen going over 90 up the M1, so you should be able to get to your jobs in half the time in one of them.

Just a thought, you probably want to give the wheels and tyres a good looking at. I have seen plenty of vans clipping kerbs on corners and roundabouts. Despite them being tough as old iron it still isn't good for them. So, dinged wheels and tyres with buldges on the sidewalls will probably indicate wheel bearings, CV joints and suspension that could have taken a beating.

Just in case anyone is looking at this who fancies starting a business involving going off-road, remember that they used to make 4wd Transits with raised suspension.

 

[david and julie]

Adam......no transit the age we are talking about have CV joints, they are all RWD. I think the latest transit FWD only go to 3.2 GVM. All extra's are available, but the ride comfort (in the the larger one's) is awful, they are so hard it is like driving on rails.

The 4x4 versions are rare and were after market conversion's. I think they were made by Ferguson, but I am not sure.

Mecedes van's will do these speeds year in year out, the engine's are really A1.

Staylong....... not being nosey, but what type of business have you got in mind?

Don't forget vans owned by small firm's who are not VAT registered will not have to charge you this tax.

Good Luck, Dave

 

[staylong]

Hi

Thanks for all the helpful information.

I whent down to BCA Preston yesterday (nearer than Manchester) only to find there was no viewing until the day of the sale which is every Thursday. What I will do is go to one first and see how things pan out and to get a rough idea what the prices are and what to do. Their web site is quite good and I am able to see what vans will be in the sale.

I also whent to Parkers web site and paid £2.99 for 24 hours access that gave me prices on used Vans. Just changed the mileage a few times and printed the tables out. It has give me something to work around.

I would love a merc but don't know if I can stretch that far or indeed if the buisness will be as good as the first few times I tried it. probably wont need a high top either.

i'm going to going round the country working on various Garden/Flower shows selling compressed moss, speciality hanging baskets and another product you can use to hang plant pots up anywhere. Need a good sized van to carry the stock and stuff to build my stand/pitch and then be able to kip down in at night. Should have started this a few months ago but have to start some time and I will look to diversify as and when needed. Cant sell hanging baskets in winter!!!

 

[AdamW]

no transit the age we are talking about have CV joints, they are all RWD.

Got me there But do the old transits have rigid rear axles? I suppose they do, being leaf-sprung.

But what I will stand by is that it still isn't good if they have been clipping kerbs! Wheel bearings and suspension arms (on the front of the old transits only!) don't like that kind of thing.

 

[david and julie]

Hi... Staylong

Sounds like a good idea.

Not trying to tell you your business, it seems to me you need volume rather than weight capability. An ordinary single wheel 80/100/120 transit,
towing a one ton box trailer will give you a greater volume. This would also give you a much greater choice of van. I would be suprised if you could not buy a smaller van and trailer for the same price as a large van.

The advantages are fuel consumption and volume, plus in the winter without the trailer the van is much car like. You could use trailer for storage and have an empty van.

Disadvantage are speed, bit more cumbersome and you need more room at home for trailer. otherwise no problems really. As long as you dont go over 3.5 tonnes.

I started on my own 20 years ago and have never looked back. You will say the same one day! As they say, the best of british mate.

Good Luck Dave

 

[david and julie]

Adam....... we must have been typing at the same time! I hadn't read your reply when I wrote.

I agree with you about bashing kerbs etc, I wasn't trying to get one over on you. Yes, Transits do have leaf springs on the back, even the new FWD ones. obviously the old ones have a differential and the new ones have a beam axle.

Just for your interest, when Ford brought out the new shape(current) transit, they gave you the choice of FWD or RWD on the heavier weight single wheel versions.

Ford also make an SVO transit which is rated at 4.6 tonnes, this would normally be referred to as a 230. Very rare, usually minibusses/coaches or specialist trucks, breakdown/streetlighting/bin carts etc. The higher base van weight allows for heavier bodies on the chassis cab variants.

Good Luck , Dave

 

[AdamW]

I wasn't trying to get one over on you.

Hehe, never took it that way to be honest! Even when I know something is rear wheel drive and leaf-sprung, for some reason my FWD brain takes over and I start thinking about CV joints and control arms!

Staylong, I just had a bit of an idea which was "if he plans to do an overnight in this thing, why not go the trailer route but instead get a caravan" until I realised that caravans are usually made out of eggboxes and string therefore unsuitable to carrying anything so heavy as compressed moss. But perhaps someone else could help flesh out this idea.

Any suggestions on how Staylong can be more comfy in his van (and possibly trailer) when sleeping? Perhaps a transit-based motorhome (possibly expensive)? Perhaps someone knows of trailers with fold-down beds? Or maybe even a 3.5 tonner with a fibreglass bubble over the cab (dunno what licence you need to drive one though)

 

[staylong]

Hi All

Again thanks for the input.

Thought I would stick with the van because I know if I am careful and pick up 'a bargain' I can always move it on if things don't work out. Not being negative you understand. I had a good look at the trailer idea but if I am going from one end of the country to the other the speed will effect me. I think I am restricted to 60mph (?). Same for a caravan I would imagine.

Besides I have a 6x4 trailer which I can use for smaller stuff if and when but to go get enough stock to last for a few shows I will need the van.

Also looking at transits that are crew cabs so I could maybe convert the back seats into a sleeping area.

Like any venture it is a bit od a gamble and at 46 I am no spring chicken...at least that's what's implied when I go for a job.

 

[david and julie]

Staylong... fair enough you know best, if you are near preston there is also the auction at Haydock. Think its Manhiem? used to be central motor auctions, it's near junction of A580 and M6. What about a Luton van? should be quite cosy above the cab and a bit wider too.

Good Luck Dave

 

[AdamW]

Luton van

I was trying to remember the correct name, hence my reference to "a fibreglass bubble over the cab"!