Can anyone recommend a van?

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I know that our vehicles are quite different from yours.
But to me, the ideal “sign truck” would be a hearse!
Just think of the attention you would get tooling around in a souped-up one. And they are quite roomy. Gonna get me a ’62 Cadillac model someday.
Love…Jill 😉

[Nigel Fraser]

Gary,

I have a Peugeot Partner with a standard fit rack which runs the full length of the roof. So its easy to get ladders/signs on top. The only slight problem is that you cant get 4′ wide sheets on very easy as the rack isn’t wide enough. I have got by for 3 years though with mine and you get a decent amount of stuff in the back too.
I know lots of other local sign companies have them aswell.

Nigel

[Kevin.Beck]

got to be the tranny.

loads of them about.

parts are cheap.

easy to resale.

you can fit a 8 x 4 sheet flat down on the floor.

short wheel base trannys are great on fuel. Don`t go for the petrol versions. Diesels are best.

you`ll find that no matter what van you end up with, there`ll be a time when it just an`t big enough.

[Bill Dewison]

Another great van is the LDV 400. The LWB and HiTop version is brilliant, available in a 2.5 turbo diesel and decent ones sell for around £600. I had one up until xmas and I can honestly say, I wish I’d kept it. Just like the transit, loads of room for those sheets, but with the LWB, you can get a double set of ally ladders in, a trestle ladder, all your tools, a portable kettle that works off your cigarette lighter and there is still room for a fluffy dice! 😉 😆

Seriously though, they’re not as economical as the transit, but they’re excellent for long haul trips, they’ll drag a trailer or caravan, and if you get a step welded up for beneath the back doors, you can even use it as a mobile workshop. Ex British Gas vans have a generator under the van, and they have 6ft of headroom in the back, making them an ideal workhorse.

Because of the sheer size of them (19′ long x 7ft wide x 11′ tall (i think)) they’re like driving round a massive billboard. Had I kept mine I had designs on making some huge adverts, then parking it on a really busy roundabout at a hotel carpark. Free advertising, big time 😀

Anyway, I’m biased because I ponder fondly over my old van all the time. Dark Blue, tinted windows, it looked more like a paddy wagon than an old jallopy 😀 And the seats, they rest on this big springy thing that compensates for the bumps and knocks, really comfortable. I’ll shut up now. 🙂

[Robert Lambie]

you could buy a merc vito like this and get two vehicles for the price of one. 😉

ive been using merc sprinters for years now.. brilliant vans 😉

[Dave Bruce]

Yer I love the Mercs too Robert just bought a 208 off Ebay got a 507 for sale now its old and HUUUUGE. We used a Vito in the last job, brilliant but to expensive for me at the mo.

I need a slightly larger van because I also do shot blasting so it needs to tow a large compressor and all the gear.

Cheers

Dave

[Alan Drury]

I’ve got a Citroen Dispatch – bigger than an Escort, smaller than a Transit.
I’ve had it 6 years, no problems. (Crossing everything I’ve got 2 of now)
Alan

[Gary Thomas]

Nigel – Like the idea of the Peugeot Partner 😀 and Citroen Dispatch sounds good too 😀 – I’m pushed for parking space at home hence the smaller size

I like Rob’s convertable Merc transit – I might pinch that idea myself one day 😀 😀 👿

Thanks for the tips 😀 (!)

Gary

[DLG]

Hi Gary,
Wouldn’t swap my citroen dispatch for anything-well almost anything!!
Great van had it for 6 years no probs.
Cheers
Dave

[Phill Fenton]

The Renault Trafic gets my vote – Only needs servicing every 2 years, does 45MPG (diesel) and drives like a car. Galvanised steel construction so will still be around in 20 years time.

To be honest any modern van will do – the Partner is a good size but can be a bit heavy on fuel – I would go for a modern design like the new Ford Transit (or Transit Connect) or a vehicle like the new shape Renault trafic (aka – Vauxhall Morvana, Nissan Primastar) i.e anything with a modern direct injection diesel engine.

Older vans I think are a false economy – they rust badly and are heavy on fuel. Buy something fairly new is my recomendation 😀

The Mercedes Sprinter was the first van to offer a decent engine (and hence decent fuel economy)…. if you’ve ever sat on a motorway with a white Sprinter up your backside you’ll understand what I’m talking about 😕

[Martin C]

I’ve a 2 litre Tin Can masquerading as a turbocharged Citroen Berlingo.

Never thought I’d say it but it’s a joy to drive, does 55 to the gallon (diesel) at least but is pig useless for transporting anything too big for any distance.

I’ve driven a few Merc Sprinters, the big high top 4 metre bed one’s. Great performance for a big vehicle, like driving a car and loads and loads of space. Trouble is I was doing a parcel run and the bigger the van, the more the guvnors would put in it! 🙄

[Trojan]

quote appliedimage:

Can anyone recommend a van that is good for the sign trade? 😮 – I’d rather have something smaller than a transit but worried that a smaller size van will be a struggle, and carrying ladders and strapping signs to the roof or side will be a pain. Any thoughts or recommendations will be greatly appreciated – Thanks,
Gary

Gary

With 27 years in the sign game, I have learnt the hard way! Do not get less than a medium wheelbase vehicle as you will regret it later. The new Renaults are excellent (we have 2) and the old Ford Transit is relaible as ever but no such a bargain once you shop around for other makes

[evo1v]

If your after a cheap large van, then go for a Nissan Primesta, also good on fuel, I think you can pick them up for little over 10 grand new if you shop around. The sensible option would be a transit, bit boring for my liking, but like becky said they’re cheap on parts and probably one of the most reliable commercial vehicles on the road, If your a bit of a poser I think the vito has got to be one of the sexier options!!