What Vehicles do you use?

[Martin Lemiesz]

We use a Peugeot Partner Kombi which does a job of a spacious car and a van once the seats are removed, comfortable for the crew and easy on fuel, easy to park – roof rack with a roller takes ladders and/or 8×4 sheets we also have advertising trailer which takes 10×5 sheets and a lot of gear when required. To be honest I never seen a signmaker in a pickup.

[Martin Pearson]

Why not a van ? Modern vans are as comfortable to drive as a car & with crew seats fitted & windows in the rear doors family can see out the windows 😆
Having said that I haven’t had a van for years, last 2 vehicles I have had have been people carriers, Renault Espace & ford galaxy, both have removable seats & the Espace even had the front passengers seat removed so I could fit an 8×4 sheet inside rather than on the roof bars. Both insured as a business car which allowed me to use them for the business & for domestic/pleasure use.

[Phill Fenton]

I’ve thought about a pickup too but discounted it because the load base is not really big enough. The pickup has a tax advantage as the VAT can be reclaimed since it is classified as a commercial vehicle, that’s why there are so many of them on the roads these days. Personally I think you’re better off with a van for a sign business, and there are some great vans out there now.

[Iain Pearson]

This is what we chose Mike – VW Kombi
5 seats, loads of space in the rear for tools etc and rear seats remove in seconds if panel space is needed.
Flexible, professional, aesthetically pleasing and reliable – all the comforts too, A/C , electric windows, Handsfree etc.
I wouldn’t have anything else now [emoji106]

[Ewan Chrystal]

I had a hilux twin cab. Superb vehicle but totally impractical for business use. You can only fit 1.5 m length in the back.

[Martin Pearson]

Just to add, I don’t know if this will be an issue for you but make sure you check out what insurance is going to cost you before making a final decision. If you have never had commercial vehicle insurance before then insurance may be very high. Your no claims discount from driving a car doesn’t count towards commercial vehicle insurance unless things have changed since I last had it (which was quite a while ago now). I got caught out twice 😆 Once when I switched to a van & secondly when I switched back because I hadn’t had a car insured for over 3 years 😆

[Mike Thornley]

Hi Iain

Thought about a VW Kombi with the removable seats, they are just very expensive because of the surfer and hipster set, yes something like might be good.

Problem I have is that I am very picky when it come to vehicles, I’m not good at compromising, but might have to learn to.

[Simon Worrall]

I got a kombi last year

Partly because of Iains posts.

Trailer hitch and roofbars

I transport two kids AND their stuff with signs and tools in the back.
And we visit the dump on the way!

No complaints.

Here is the forum:

http://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=147

[David Hammond]

We run a VW Caddy, which isn’t much bigger than a car, great as I can pop the shops in it, chuck the bikes in the back and go off cycling, we’ve over 100k on it, and it’s still going strong and hasn’t shown it’s age.

Also got a new Transit Custom on a lease deal, holds the scaffold tower, and 8×4’s fit nicely on top, tools, etc, still a squeeze if we need to take the generator, and the sign’s large, but it had to fit on the drive, lovely and comfortable drove up to Scotland at weekend. I wouldn’t buy one, as the build quality isn’t comparable to VW, but for 3years it’ll do.

[Ewan Chrystal]

I currently have a Nissan NV200 which is a great wee van with an 8×4 roof rack but I keep threatening to get something bigger like a lwb tranny or a Merc sprinter. I’ve got a 10ft trailer too but sometimes I just want that extra inside space without lugging the trailer about

[Iain Pearson]

Hi Mike
Yes they are more expensive, but to be fair you get what you pay for.
The big advantage from a financial perspective is that the VW with have a far superior residual value if you came to trade in or sell later down the line.
A 5 yr old Kombi with 100,000 miles on it will easily fetch 12-15k resale

[David Rogers]

Our ancient LWB HT maxus as the primary van.

Fits 10x5s easily, couple of triple-combi ladders in the roofspace (internally), roller fronted tool store as a partial bulkhead and can slip in signs at up to 4.3m in one section…nice to rock up with fully / part assembled shop fronts signs straight off the workbench – no joins, no fuss…

Want either a LWB Crafter or a Jumbo transit next.

…and whatever personal car one of us is driving for the small odds ‘n’ sods that need dropped off / visits

[KevinGaffney]

Renault master lwb here. Can fit our 13fr steps in back with no need for roof rack. Also use it for my private driving, extremely comfortable

[James Boden]

quote Mike Thornley:

Hi Iain

Thought about a VW Kombi with the removable seats, they are just very expensive because of the surfer and hipster set, yes something like might be good.

Problem I have is that I am very picky when it come to vehicles, I’m not good at compromising, but might have to learn to.

Hi Mike,

I have a Vito Dualiner with the removable seats in the rear. It’s ideal for business and family. I know a few people have negative things to say about them but so far mines been ideal (touch wood). Unlike the VW’s they depreciate quickly so you can pick up a fairly new one for a reasonable price. I bought mine for just over 5k on a 2010 plate, It was 25k new.

[Chris Wilson]

We’ve got a Vauxhall mavano. Roof rack on top. Job wise and easy of fitting everything in is great.

When it breaks though. And at 85k it seems to be a fair bit. Everything is in a stupid place. Nightmare to get to. Parts are cheap. Won’t buy another one again though.

About to take on a boxer on hire lease.

P.s there’s a mavano going cheap if anyone is keen

[Andrew O Brien]

Having used transits up till five years ago. We now have seven transporters. Worth every extra cent. They run perfectly with no problems. We had transits breaking down monthly.

[Mike Thornley]

Hi Iain & Simon

Which Kombi’s did you get. Just seen one for sale local to me on a 14 plate. T30 Kombi BMT Highline, with 60k. In black
Standard interior with the goodies, the car dealer has fitted new wheels and tyres, so it looks very smart.
The price would be a big commitment for 5 years, but as you say they hold there values.

[Simon Worrall]

Mike
I got the T32 4-motion.

[Iain Pearson]

I’ve got a spec’d up T30 Highline with twin side doors.
It is a big commitment but trust, you won’t be disappointed.
I’ll never run any mud size van other than a VW now.

Let us know what you decide

[Iain Pearson]

Personally Mike, I would maybe look at brand new rather than 2nd owner, depends what your budget is.
Give me s shout if you need any info, I know a company doing great deals [emoji106]

[Mike Thornley]

Hi Iain

Yes that would be good if you could send me the details please

[Iain Pearson]

Have sent you a PM Mike [emoji106]

[Mike Thornley]

Hi Iain

I dont have access to private messages.

Mike

[Iain Pearson]

Give me a call Mike when you can – 07881627231