What Van

[M107]

Decisions decisions, it's time (now I've saved up) for a van upgrade from the old Berlingo to a larger van (need to be able to get tower scaffolding in the back for the school works).

Cant decide on the Renault traffic or the Vivaro range (vito would be nice but

 

[m4tty]

Whats the matter with a good old tranny van (apart from the fact their a bit pikey lol)

 

[Sidewinder]

Tranny for me from those!

I am looking at Tranny or Sprinter at the moment.

Nothing else comes close IMHO.

 

[Andy™]

not easier with a trailer for the scaff?

 

[Terry W]

[quote name='Andy

 

[batty]

Hopefully i will be replacing my old Transit BT box van soon but will be going for one again but they are quite rare and it will be an auction job too. Never done auctions so will be a new experience.

 

[Evans Electric]

I had a Renault Traffic some 17 years ago, thought it was great TBH . No idea what the latest ones are like .

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Most people that remark about the Vivaro gearbox's have no personal knowledge, just 2nd or 3rd hand hearsay. I know loads of people with these vans, including myself that have had no problems. Research shows the engines and gearboxes were upgraded in June 05 & vans older & over 250000 miles suffered from gearbox failures. Doubt if many Transits with that mileage were still going.

We just bought a 07 Transit last week and i am surprised how basic it is compared to the Vivaro.

 

[Terry W]

Most people that remark about the Vivaro gearbox's have no personal knowledge, just 2nd or 3rd hand hearsay..

mate spent

 

[Sidewinder]

I mentioned Sprinter.

They now have a new body & assembly line & paint shop shared with the VW Crafter, both bodies built on the same line.

It is MUCH better now, very high quality interior too, some good touches.

Thing is vehicle choices are a very personal thing.

I don't like the French, Italian or Japanese vans.

 

[batty]

yes Transits are basic but pretty rugged have had mine for 8 years and have not had to many expenses with it just where and tear really. Really at the end of the day you have to pick the van that suits your business. Mine is a mobile workshop that i can stand up in. I would not want a van that you have to crawl in. ok the fuel cosunption is not briliiant but as i don't tend to do to much milage i don't mind that. Thing is everybody thinks there choice is the best or maybe not if they have problems with there van. Its personal choice at the end of the day.

 

[Andy™]

yes Transits are basic but pretty rugged have had mine for 8 years and have not had to many expenses with it just where and tear really. Really at the end of the day you have to pick the van that suits your business. Mine is a mobile workshop that i can stand up in. I would not want a van that you have to crawl in. ok the fuel cosunption is not briliiant but as i don't tend to do to much milage i don't mind that. Thing is everybody thinks there choice is the best or maybe not if they have problems with there van. Its personal choice at the end of the day.

what van have you got Batty?

 

[batty]

Twin wheel Transit with chassis cab and fibreglaass body on back the ones BT jointers use.

 

[Sidewinder]

Is that Tacho'd mate?

 

[batty]

No they are under weight you would need a tacho if you towed a trailer though.

 

[M107]

I haven't discounted the transit, infact I also have my eye on a Ford Transit SWB Tdi GLX Air EPk110...

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

mate spent

 

[S60TEM]

I had a Transit connect which was a great little van but in January I upgraded to a Vauxhall Vivaro on an 07 Plate. I heard all the stories about gearboxes and fuel system problems etc etc but as said above, you have to go on what you want and what suits you. Transits for me are a bit agricultural and rough to drive too imo as my mate has a brand new 60 plate one and I much prefer the drive of my Vivaro! Mine is the 2.0 CDTi which I was told was better than the older 1.9L engine. I've also had mine remapped to gain some more power and mileage and it works out that I get approx 35mpg out of it which isn't too bad for a larger van! It also go's pretty well too LOL.

Beware of auction vans though, they tend to be the ones that rental and lease company's have had and they've been driven by hundreds of different people who aren't bothered if they crunch gears etc as it's only a hire van! I bought mine from a dealer with 6 months warranty, full MOT and 6 months tax also......It was a one company owned van from new also. I only paid

 

[M107]

Would you Chuffing belive it, I nip out to this evening to remove a kitchen extractor for a customer....on the way home the Auxillary drive belt on the Berlingo shreds, no battery charging/no power steering.....the van must have heard it is on its way out the door.

 

[Andy™]

could have been worse, could have been cambelt