What do you drive

[trainee_spark]

hi all. i was just wondering what you all drive if you work for yourself.

is vans or does anyone drive a pickup.

how much room would a new starter need for doing domestic. i ask this as i love the nissan navara and would like to know is any one uses this? they seem to have have good room with one of those full size boxes on the back. i guess you dont need all of your tools/supplies with you at any one time just take what you need for that job.

 

[steptoe]

and what do you need for the unexpected?

can you get a 5tread stepladder in there? although some domestics require higher.

if you have a box that should do to start with, although you need to be careful of peoples perceptions,

some people think they are expensive and so you must be charging too much to afford one,

it can often be better and more professional to be in a van, or even a tidy looking estate car .

image is everything for repeat, and even first time work.

 

[trainee_spark]

thanks for the reply.

not sure if ladder would fit but there always the roof rack.

interesting bout people perceptions never thought bout that. i would not think twice is if a sparky pulled up in a nice pick up i would probably think "that would be handy on site" lol

food for thought tho good stuff

 

[m4tty]

Ford transit 260 swb 2.3 petrol / LPG. Lucky I got this and not a diesel as I live inside the low emission zone. I was goin to get an astravan but the transit is full up already so anything smaller may have been hard work. Hth

 

[NozSpark]

I've got a kangoo

I can get a normal size step / combination ladder in it,,,, just!!!

But TBH it's too small

IMHO I dont think a pickup is very practical, one of my wholesalers has one and they have problems with anything like trunking,, have to open up the rear cab window and feed it into the front... They have a back cover on it!

 

[Zeespark]

Ideally you would want something along the size of a Scudo/Expert/Dispatch, lots of space in the back but not too big either. Once I get sorted, I am probably going to start with an Escort van, and build My way up from there.

Andy

 

[sprocketflup]

Ive got a carppy old LDV van, I empty it at night and refill the next day. As it is, I always forget something that I need, Id imagine if i had a smaller vehicle, Id not take loads of stuff and spend all day going back for it

 

[Andy™]

iveco daily, MWB high roof

 

[trainee_spark]

thank you for your replys all very helpful

noz spark. i guess i thought that with the navara i could get my main tools and materials etc in the back and can get one of those long tubes (that look like torpedo launchers lol) on the roof rack for conduit etc. and i guess ladders could go up there too.

i suppose a van is more practable for space etc, guess just not a big lover of vans haha.

 

[NozSpark]

Ideally you would want something along the size of a Scudo/Expert/Dispatch, lots of space in the back but not too big either. Once I get sorted, I am probably going to start with an Escort van, and build My way up from there.Andy

Zee,

Get the van you need from the start,,, I wish I did

 

[Zeespark]

Its all cost Noz, I am claiming JSA, and I was looking at insurance for a W reg Ford Escort van -

 

[trainee_spark]

i agree with get what you want form the start. im not setting up yet but im doing my homework now so its all done and im clued up. allready saving for when i do so i have the capital behind me to start off. and a nice van/pickup or tank is one of the big things i think has to be right.

just seen the VW Caddy Sportline they are nice

 

[Zeespark]

A transporter would be better than a Caddy.

Andy

 

[fletchflash]

I drive a swb transit. Used to have a vauxhall combo, as noz says get the van you want froom the start. I wasted money/time/effort switching vans, i found the combo too small.

I like to carry around most things i need unexpectedly. I hate leaving a job to drive in traffic for an hour to get something simple like a backbox or mcb.

I would think you'd seriously struggle with a pick up.

Step ladders, ladders to get up high, conduit & trunking. Has nowhere to go. Plus you've got the fact you'll have windows for thieves to see your stuff through.

I would defo recommend getting something at least car-de -rived van size, with a roof rack. Then put a 3m long piece of 4inch waste pipe for your trunking etc on roof.

 

[NozSpark]

I heard a similar thing about insurance costs for an astra van... Costing a customer

 

[fletchflash]

i looked at vw's. quite overpriced.

fords or vauxhalls best for value/reliability.

then maybe the french makes.

Strange with insurance.

Got a quote for both vehicles last year at same time.

2ltr transit was cheaper than 1.3 combo

 

[Zeespark]

Noz, I am still learning to drive, I used hypatheticals for insurance quotes though and I am 30

 

[NozSpark]

Just make sure you get something with side loading doors... It's a right royal PITA getting soothing that's right down the front, either over the back of the seats/cage or over everything else that's in the back

 

[trainee_spark]

just looked at the transporter that quite nice also in the sportline. but i duno if id need a van that big, maybe years down the line once im set up on my own. but i think for the first 5 years or so i could us a smaller one, not going to have that much stuff.

these are all just thoughts clearly, as im not set up yet lol.

starting to think that the navara might not cut it shame!. i understand what you say about the back boxes etc, i am budgetin in for the common items like those that i will buy stock of.

lots of lists and spreadsheets happening here :slap gotta stop soon tho as need to get ready for my stag weekend oh yes!! Guinness :Y

 

[aidanb19]

I have a pickup, it just came along at the right price last summer and stuck with it since.

To be honest its not great for this type of work, but you can do as I have done and sort out some sliding drawers/false floor similar to whats in British Gas combos and connects, roof rack, and solid canopy door rather than glass.

I still wouldn't recommend it over a van though, Vitos and T5s can look just as smart as Navaras plus better mpg