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What Van
Hi Guys,
Looking at getting a van, at the min I have a nissan Pathfinder and so far it does everything I need apart from larg sheets 8×4, 3m posts ect.
Now the thing is where I live get pretty bad snow (when it does) and I need to tow a horse box what would you suggest?I’ve been looking at VW Transporters with 4motion but seem a bit expensive.
Does anybody have any suggestions? Maybe a Box Trailor ( not my first choice)
Thanks in advanced
Robert
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16 Replies
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work wise i would suggest a merc sprinter mid-wheel base.
not only holds full sheets, also holds 10ft trestles, 10ft catwalk etc
i would be lost without mine.as for the snow, are any really great in the snow?
towing a horse box on top of that and you need a good land rover! :lol1:I am toying with buying a vito at the moment. not for sign work though, but sign related. :lol1: still cant see by the sprinter though.
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Depends on your budget, but like you said you could go for a good size box trailer and a 4X4. I have toyed with this myself as I have the 4X4 already and it would save me having to fund an extra van. You can buy some nice commercialised 4X4’s too and get the VAT back. Either that or a Crew Cab pickup, tools in the back of the pick up and signs, ladders etc in the trailer. I know you said it’s not your first choice but it does make sense for you, especially as you can also tow the horsebox with it, and it’ll be good in the snow, and they make a good (if thirsty) family car. Be sure to ask your accountant about the most efficient way of doing this if planning to buy the 4X4 on your business as if it’s not a commercial one you will end up with a large tax bill, and even if it is commercial you may have to pay benefit-in-kind, but there are ways around this.
John
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Rob I’m not going down the Land Rover route again Ive had 2 discovery’s and a defender and while i loved them i hated fixing them cost me a fortune, that’s why i got The Pathfinder 3 years and not a single problem and there’s a lot more space in them compared to a Discovery.
Also i cant really afford 2 vehicles.Forgot to mention that i have 4 Kids so some sort of Crew Cab or Cage system would be needed…
It’s looking like the Trailer Route
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I’ve heard good things about the VW Amarok.
John
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Question is how often do you need to carry large sheets & how do you manage at the moment??
Ideally you really need 2 vehicles, one for work & one for family but if that isn’t an option then finding one vehicle that covers all will be very difficult especially if you also want something 4×4 capable.
I would say if you have managed without to many problems so far then stick with what you already have or something similar.
Maybe but a box trailer as well if you feel you need to. Maybe not your first choice but family outings in a commercial vehicle probably won’t be much fun either. -
Robert what’s your budget? I know you said you won’t have another Land Rover but I had a Discovery 3 commercial and it was awesome. Never had any problems with it. Great car, pulls a trailer well and great in the snow. All bases covered and it’s VAT qualifying, £165 per year tax as it’s a commercial and if you were a sneaky type you could even put some seats in the back and it’s a proper family 7 seater! That seems to be the only way you are going to cart about 4 kids and a horse, and get the business to cover some of the costs.
John
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It depends what i get for the Pathfinder. did a we Buy any car value on it last night (no i wouldn’t use them) so around 10K i can put some towards if needed.
I don’t think id go for a disco as i may as well keep the Pathfinder
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Fair point. I was thinking more along the lines of a vehicle you could purchase and fund throught he business that would have the potential to do everything you need, so a Disco was the only commercial I can think of that would do it all. If you’re not worried about that aspect then just find a good trailer and save a load of dosh. You won’t need to tax, insure, fund or maintain a van.
John
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Why buy a trailer?? Sure you can fit lots of 8×4’s plus scaffolding & ladders in a horse box :lol1: :lol1:
I had a people carrier which worked quite well when I was married & had kids to cart about. The seats just clipped into the floor so were easy to move in & out, even converted the front passenger seat so that could be removed with ease which allowed me to fit 8×4 sheets in without having to try & bend them to fit :lol1:
Don’t know about a 4×4 version or one capable of towing a horse box though.
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I would use the horse box but its my step daughter’s and shes very precious about it,
Had a quick look at the VW transporter the LWB can have 6 seats and when there folded up you can get 8ft in it
expensive new though and there doesn’t seem to be many second hand 😕
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I have a Fairly small van, with a large roof rack and a Box Trailer, the van is easy to park and when I do need to fit in larger sheets use the trailer, which also fits the scaffold tower, razor deck, ladders, i have considered a larger van, but on balance the Puegout Expert suits most jobs.
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We’ve a VW Caddy. Bit too small but suffices for what we need most of the time.
VW are expensive, but they hold their value, are built like tanks, and reliable. Some are more like cars in the front than a van.
If you can stretch the budget to one you’ll enjoy it.
We bought a used caddy, but there were some unbelievable offers on new ones.
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Dont laugh…
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Love it Simon
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Love it ! 😛
I’d love a VW transporter but as above… there pricey.
Use a Nissan Dispatch now, great van, really nice to drive, just can’t carry large sheets unless roof rack is used, but that’s a whole new story.
Did try the Vauxhall Vivaro didn’t like it – Plus been told the can suffer from gear box issues.
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we have a mwb citroen relay 2007
does most things we have a tow bar in case we need to trailer anything
looking to upgrade to a lwb
just because we carry 3500mm
so if any one interested give me a shout will put details in the for sale section
derek
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