good vans? or trucks?

[Dasher_VTR]

look at buying a van in a couple of months so i can take up landscaping professionally with a mate.

needs to be cheap to insure

got about a budget of a grand lol don't really want to splash in case it dont kick off

prefably carry a ton not essential.

must be reasonable size(able to fit 2 lawnmowers in the back)

any ideas? i have looked around wondering if i missed any.

plus anyone know what the fuel consumption is like on trucks similar to the L200?

[Saxo_theedge]

The l200's are awfull, mate had the warrior version, 2.4TD and it was very un economical did less than 20mpg lot of the time, not very much room in the cabin and there very slow and wobble at speed. They have a very agricultural feel to them.

Although i have no doubt that they can pull alot of weight.

[alex19]

Get an old defender or freelander and rip the back out..

[Mr_X]

just get a shitty old clio/fiesta/etc van. cheap as and will beable to get ur gear in it

[bristol_stevie]

Old escort van or vauxhall combo

[Dasher_VTR]

just get a shitty old clio/fiesta/etc van. cheap as and will beable to get ur gear in it

not big enough i've look at them needs to fit 2 petrol mowers in at least.

i was looking at carry's but they just seem to be small and not too good with heavy payloads.

[Saxo_theedge]

A mates also had one of these, his was super reliable but the breaks arnt the best, unless it was just his? pretty roomy in the back.

http://www.write-on.co.uk/c15-2.jpg

[steviet]

pug partner or citroen berlingo. im on ma 2nd partner. very good van. 250quid to insure and very reliable. last one did 214k miles before i sold it and its still going to this day. i see it every day as the guy who bought it stays down the road from me and he thinks its a great van to. never rusted or that, good solid van

[Mr_X]

not big enough i've look at them needs to fit 2 petrol mowers in at least.

i was looking at carry's but they just seem to be small and not too good with heavy payloads.

our gardener has an old corsa van, he manages to get a shit load it there, a transit it is then lol

[Dasher_VTR]

pug partner or citroen berlingo. im on ma 2nd partner. very good van. 250quid to insure and very reliable. last one did 214k miles before i sold it and its still going to this day. i see it every day as the guy who bought it stays down the road from me and he thinks its a great van to. never rusted or that, good solid van

how old were you to get it for 250quid

i'm nearly 21 with 3 years no claim area ain't too bad either.

i was looking at them as i managed to load a pallet of pots into one today with the forklift.

[smiith]

astra van is most popular these days, go oldskool tbh

http://www.fiatforum.com/gallery/data/1298/medium/29012007140.jpg

they look awesome decked with clio 16v wheels ;)

[steviet]

i was 21mate aswell. with no , no claims. but now am paying 300quid as i have a few convictions and 1years no claims. area is good here aswell. this is for a diesel van not a turbo diesel.

[Dasher_VTR]

lol yeah i was definaltly going for something over 10 years old as there cheap and vans seem to run forever.

[Dasher_VTR]

i was 21mate aswell. with no , no claims. but now am paying 300quid as i have a few convictions and 1years no claims. area is good here aswell. this is for a diesel van not a turbo diesel.

shit didn't realise it was that cheap to insure them.

if could find a truck or pick up with decent mpg and i would be tempted to sell dare i say the beloved cammed VTR.

[wobble_vtr]

my mates a landscape gardner and just tows a trailer. 2 lownmowers etc etc fit fine

[steviet]

they seem to run forever if you service them regulary and don`t kick the shit out of them .

[Mr_X]

pow?... (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1998-S-RENAULT-KANGOO-1-9D-PANEL-VAN-750_W0QQitemZ110328773756QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomo biles_UK?hash=item110328773756&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A7|39%3A1|240%3A1318)

[Dasher_VTR]

my mates a landscape gardner and just tows a trailer. 2 lownmowers etc etc fit fine


don't you need some different license or something?

[Dasher_VTR]

pow?... (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1998-S-RENAULT-KANGOO-1-9D-PANEL-VAN-750_W0QQitemZ110328773756QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomo biles_UK?hash=item110328773756&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A7|39%3A1|240%3A1318)

will look into them they seem like a realistic option.

[wobble_vtr]

don't you need some different license or something?

im not sure, wouldnt think you would need a different license

[Dasher_VTR]

remember someone telling me they might of been wrong.

[wobble_vtr]

im sure there will be someone on here that tows a trailer, theyll probably set the record when they read

[Dasher_VTR]

hopefully

[Mr_X]

the drivers license changed iirc with the old you could, the new you cant,

[Chr15]

Just get a Tipper Transit. Carries 1.5T legally, easily put all your waste in the back and easily unloaded. You can get two light-weight ramps to get the two mowers on.

What work will you be doing? Hardscape or just keeping it to maintenance? I also hope your serious about doing it. Theres too many people out there who have come into it thinking its easy and a doss (which it isnt if you take pride in your work) and have soon gone out of business.

Edit:

Yes you can get a trailer but depends what your putting on it. Our Daihatsu Fourtrak struggles with a fully loaded 2.5T trailer. If your getting one of those boxes on wheels, consider if its worth it or not as it will soon fill up and increase your journeys.

[Dasher_VTR]

the drivers license changed iirc with the old you could, the new you cant,

damn!!! thought so

[Mr_X]

Car licences held before 1 January 1997

All drivers who passed a car test before 1 January 1997 retain their existing entitlement to tow trailers until their licence expires. This means they are generally entitled to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8.25 tonnes MAM. They also have entitlement to drive a minibus with a trailer over 750kgs MAM.

Drivers who hold subcategory C1+E - limited to 8.25 tonnes MAM, may apply for provisional entitlement to the new subcategory C1+E, in order to take and pass the test which will increase their combined vehicle and trailer entitlement to 12 tonnes MAM. It is not necessary to gain subcategory C1 entitlement first but drivers have to meet higher medical standards, and pass both the category C theory test and the subcategory C1+E practical test.


from government website (http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/CaravansTrailersCommercialVehicles/DG_4022564)

[Dasher_VTR]

Just get a Tipper Transit. Carries 1.5T legally, easily put all your waste in the back and easily unloaded. You can get two light-weight ramps to get the two mowers on.

What work will you be doing? Hardscape or just keeping it to maintenance? I also hope your serious about doing it. Theres too many people out there who have come into it thinking its easy and a doss (which it isnt if you take pride in your work) and have soon gone out of business.


is the insurance cheap?

both types i have been doing it on and off for a year and have worked in a garden centre as the landscape department person so i know the trade well.
also my dad runs gardening trade yard.

[Chr15]

No idea on the insurance tbh. You could probably get a mid-late 90s model for a fair price. If the money was available, Id personally get a Mitsubishi Canter.

Good to see someody keen on it. We had a 16 year old lad fresh out of school. Seemed really keen and enthusiastic but changed his mind overnight for some reason. He threw away a really good chance as in a bigger company he'd be put on a roundabout with a strimmer and not learning anything. He went into roofing for some reason.

[Dasher_VTR]

No idea on the insurance tbh. You could probably get a mid-late 90s model for a fair price. If the money was available, Id personally get a Mitsubishi Canter.

Good to see someody keen on it. We had a 16 year old lad fresh out of school. Seemed really keen and enthusiastic but changed his mind overnight for some reason. He threw away a really good chance as in a bigger company he'd be put on a roundabout with a strimmer and not learning anything. He went into roofing for some reason.

are you a landscaper?

i am really keen on it just get fed up with the cowboys i see doing and making a bundle. just think if they can do it and mess up most jobs i shouldn't have too much of a problem as i actually take pride in my jobs and do it properly.

[bullit]

as said look into a tipper. will carry shit loads. youll look like a pikey but you cant have everything. a kangoo van you cant get much in. i have a pickup myself.

[Dasher_VTR]

i would like a pickup its just the fuel comsumption.

[Chr15]

Yeah I did an NVQ 2 & 3 in Ameniety Horticulture and now doing a Fd in Landscape & Garden Design. Started at 16 when I left school.

[bullit]

i would like a pickup its just the fuel comsumption.

a diesel hilux should be fine. mines a petrol which is a bit shit. just dont drive far lol

[evans1089]

i sell commercial vans for a living so pm me with what your after :y:

[-Richard-]

Ford Transit

[Dasher_VTR]

Yeah I did an NVQ 2 & 3 in Ameniety Horticulture and now doing a Fd in Landscape & Garden Design. Started at 16 when I left school.

kool i haven't got any qualifications in horticulture, but pretty much can take my hand to anything have over 4 years of working in and around the trade only thing i can't do is bricklaying which my mate have just taught himself so is gonna teach me when we get off the ground with the business.

[Viper]

merc sprinter?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-SPRINTER-VAN-208D-SWB-BLUE-1999-T-REG_W0QQitemZ230317068002QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomo biles_UK?hash=item230317068002&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

this doesnt seem bad?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/841334.htm

[pattersonvts]

get a good old ford tranny

[brosnan]

what ever you get make it a toyota! da best, most reliable, value etc. just watch the new tax pricing

[Mieran]

Tranny?

[Dasher_VTR]

merc sprinter?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MERCEDES-SPRINTER-VAN-208D-SWB-BLUE-1999-T-REG_W0QQitemZ230317068002QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomo biles_UK?hash=item230317068002&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A4%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

this doesnt seem bad?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/841334.htm


i think the insurance will be too much i still gotta buys tools, i've been strongly considering ditching the saxo for a brand new Hilux on finance or loan as if the business dont take off as i hope, the truck don't look half bad and i got a car that don't break every five minutes.

i was looking at the 2.5l diesel i think ,but cant find any facts or figures on it like MPG and tax cost.