Downsize van?

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I'm sick of driving mine it's full of tools that don't normally get used I just keep everything in there to get it out of the garage.
Still subbin mate? What y need then, skimming gear, buckets, drill, leads, tool box. Level? What but a dispatch, u had the ancient one, was grand, could get 8ft edges in, at an angle, I'd say u could get newer shape ones cheap nuff now. You'd be able to fit most ur gear in it, Only prob with mine (bar bodywork Ruston but it was an 03 with well over 200k when she had be put down) was It was the hdi, dead as F*****g Hector. Wouldn't pull the kecks of a hooker ffs.
 
Pricey but what a monster, 450 bhp Ford Raptor pickup truck now available in the U.K. -
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Still subbin mate? What y need then, skimming gear, buckets, drill, leads, tool box. Level? What but a dispatch, u had the ancient one, was grand, could get 8ft edges in, at an angle, I'd say u could get newer shape ones cheap nuff now. You'd be able to fit most ur gear in it, Only prob with mine (bar bodywork Ruston but it was an 03 with well over 200k when she had be put down) was It was the hdi, dead as F*****g Hector. Wouldn't pull the kecks of a hooker ffs.
Yeah subbying mainly, I'm still entertaining the idea of downsizing just cut back on all the tools I carry about to the bear essentials, I don't often use my angle grinder sds big straight edges etc so. Why carry them all about every day , I'd like a small van with a roof rack and possibly where you can fold down the passenger seat to make a bit more space , having a bulk head is handy to separate the cab but limits the space in the back a lot.
 
When I first stopped labouring and broke loose myself, I could only afford a Fiat Panda - even the old dear I bought it off said it was a bit small. It looked quite big until I got some tools a couple of crates, some steps, buckets and the six foot straight edge which needed the front window down for it to fit in........nice bit of ventilation in freezing December. Then I arrived at site the first morning....I was the laughing stock
 
When I first stopped labouring and broke loose myself, I could only afford a Fiat Panda - even the old dear I bought it off said it was a bit small. It looked quite big until I got some tools a couple of crates, some steps, buckets and the six foot straight edge which needed the front window down for it to fit in........nice bit of ventilation in freezing December. Then I arrived at site the first morning....I was the laughing stock
We all had to start somewhere,I'd say you look back now and it's funny.
 
best spread iv worked with used to come onsite with all his gear in a battererd ford ka!!
astra crew van with ulti bar rack as done everything ive needed for ages,being a small outfit.
could have done with a bigger van on occasion but never really been an issue.
had a smiley lwb transit at one point with me mate but filled it with stuff that i really didnt need, thinking back it did come in handy on hathersage hall refurb a few years ago the toilets were set up fookin miles away

no room to curl one out into an empty bag of skim in an astra :whistle:
 
We all had to start somewhere,I'd say you look back now and it's funny.
The thing I remember most about that job is another spread turned up - it started with him also laughing at my car, then he continued to tell me he skims 100 meters a day and is gone by 2pm....by the way, this was in Essex. I was there on an hourly rate just beading up windows (he also laughed at that). I walked back in a couple of hours later and he had set the room, except he had finished about 100mm back from the internals and ceiling line....he saw me and said 'I don't bother with that s**t, you'll be doing that'....his work was horrible, the walls were crap, I spent hours making good his 100 meters a day.
 
Aye I didn't have one
Yeah subbying mainly, I'm still entertaining the idea of downsizing just cut back on all the tools I carry about to the bear essentials, I don't often use my angle grinder sds big straight edges etc so. Why carry them all about every day , I'd like a small van with a roof rack and possibly where you can fold down the passenger seat to make a bit more space , having a bulk head is handy to separate the cab but limits the space in the back a lot.
Didn't have bulk head in mine meant I could rest beads up over seats etc if needed. Roofrack with pipe for beads/edges would do rightly if you've mainly just your tools buckets and leads to bring. Ballache if u need to start lugging about plasterboard etc is the only problem or fitting materials and tools in maybe a hassle, but if u just turning up in site u be grand mostly.
 
So I was chugging around in my van the other day (2005 Vito) and I was thinking I'd like a smaller van something easier to drive and better on fuel. Something like a connect size or like the old combo size. Does anyone successfully work out of a smaller size van? I was thinking roof rack for plasterboard and a tube for my straight edges and beads, can you get long wheelbase smaller vans? Or even a small van with enough room for two passengers in the front? Any suggestions?

I had the transit connect lwb high roof connect and had it for 2 years. It was a great little van and earned its money definitely, was sad to see it go but I needed to up size myself as just wasn't enough room for me. I had a roof rack with roller too, most of the time I used 6x3 boards though and got 20 sheets in there!! 8 plaster!! And about 6 bags of board adhesive if I remember right. Even the bigger vans now are good on juice due to the engines ect and they drive like cars. I've had a Vauxhall Vivaro 1.6 bi turbo for around 5 months now and it's better on juice than my old transit connect!
 
Yeah subbying mainly, I'm still entertaining the idea of downsizing just cut back on all the tools I carry about to the bear essentials, I don't often use my angle grinder sds big straight edges etc so. Why carry them all about every day , I'd like a small van with a roof rack and possibly where you can fold down the passenger seat to make a bit more space , having a bulk head is handy to separate the cab but limits the space in the back a lot.
Cut a hole in bulkhead for edges
 
Best spread i knew "Terry the trowel" used to drive around in a Suzuki Carry, looked like Mr Incredible!!!!! He got most of his gear delivered or his mucker picked it up
 
This is perfect for what i need. And fits the bikes in too so it's a win win :D

I had a SWB low roof Iveco prior to the Vivaro, cr4p mpg but it was a great van. IOM TT 2013, three blokes, two GSX1100s one KLR 600, tent, big gas barbecue and all the camping gear fitted in a treat. (y)

I can only get two bikes in the Vivaro, which is a shame as it meant I had to cut down on friends. :( Still, no one needs two. :LOL:
 
I had a SWB low roof Iveco prior to the Vivaro, cr4p mpg but it was a great van. IOM TT 2013, three blokes, two GSX1100s one KLR 600, tent, big gas barbecue and all the camping gear fitted in a treat. (y)

I can only get two bikes in the Vivaro, which is a shame as it meant I had to cut down on friends. :( Still, no one needs two. :LOL:
Your lucky mate I'd be lucky if I had one friend these days. They either let me down when we are about to go out on the bikes or just ignore me when it's time to sort out what we are doing and about going ect!! I need to get on this whole bikes and camping malarkey I think.. I'm missing out!!
 
Your lucky mate I'd be lucky if I had one friend these days. They either let me down when we are about to go out on the bikes or just ignore me when it's time to sort out what we are doing and about going ect!! I need to get on this whole bikes and camping malarkey I think.. I'm missing out!!


If you do and get chance go to the IOM for the TT or Manx GP. It's a whole island with a festival on and there's the best bike races in the world to watch for free. I've been a couple of times on my jock due to holiday clashes etc, it's a good laugh because everyone's there with the same interest. Just chat to peple and you're away, and even if you don't they'll talk to you, invite you to BBQs etc when they see your flying solo.
 
Just chat to peple and you're away, and even if you don't they'll talk to you, invite you to BBQs etc when they see your flying solo.

very much like that when I was travelling and even now when I go away on my tod just chatting gets you meeting some great people!!!
 
Write off hopefully tractor towing a 4tonne low loader tail whipped it. Shame was a good van only 56k on the clock, won't get near it's worth either. Just glad it wasn't the custom.


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My lads was driving it, they'd pulled over to let the tractor pass which was flying, he slammed on and the trailer whipped round because it was on a slight left bend. Lucky it was the small van it shunted the front end into the bushes which kicked the back end out and just caught that, could of been a different story had it took full side impact. Farmer said he'd just dropped a telehandler off to. Lucky lads


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2451bb670f4f2bbdd97d73888c0aa551.jpg

My lads was driving it, they'd pulled over to let the tractor pass which was flying, he slammed on and the trailer whipped round because it was on a slight left bend. Lucky it was the small van it shunted the front end into the bushes which kicked the back end out and just caught that, could of been a different story had it took full side impact. Farmer said he'd just dropped a telehandler off to. Lucky lads


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Who the actual f**k pulls over to let tractors past?
 
I just upsized to lwb, nice being able to get 8 x 4's in with no hassle
 
That one will be getting upsized to a custom dciv or transporter combi if all goes well.


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2451bb670f4f2bbdd97d73888c0aa551.jpg

My lads was driving it, they'd pulled over to let the tractor pass which was flying, he slammed on and the trailer whipped round because it was on a slight left bend. Lucky it was the small van it shunted the front end into the bushes which kicked the back end out and just caught that, could of been a different story had it took full side impact. Farmer said he'd just dropped a telehandler off to. Lucky lads


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christ that was lucky... tractors are big lumps and dont ever come off worse... quite lucky really in the grand scheme of it :D
 
Electric cars are just toys for the rich and to ease their minds as they jet around the world in not so eco private airplanes while we bottom feeders who have been forced to buy diesel cars and vans will be taxed to death. there is no way this tech will filter down to us it would be just to expensive to maintain and what about the carbon foot print that the production of electric vehicles leaves . Its just all a big con .
 
Years ago I never paid more than about 500 for a van. Ran Escorts n Fiesta vans. Always got by. Just personal choice.
These days you need about 5 trowels for 1 hit.
 
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Electric cars are just toys for the rich and to ease their minds as they jet around the world in not so eco private airplanes while we bottom feeders who have been forced to buy diesel cars and vans will be taxed to death. there is no way this tech will filter down to us it would be just to expensive to maintain and what about the carbon foot print that the production of electric vehicles leaves . Its just all a big con .
Mate I’m gonna disagree I have family that work in one of the big energy surplier in the uk, they have plans and have been planning for electric revolution to kick in very soon , suppose time will tell but I’d bet a marshalltown xl it will happen in 5 years , if Al gore had of got in when Bush did the dirty on him we would all be driving electric now
 
Then the energy suppliers can really screw us instead of the Pertol Companies.
Rumour has it Hydrogen or similar may superceed electric cars
 
Electric cars are just toys for the rich and to ease their minds as they jet around the world in not so eco private airplanes while we bottom feeders who have been forced to buy diesel cars and vans will be taxed to death. there is no way this tech will filter down to us it would be just to expensive to maintain and what about the carbon foot print that the production of electric vehicles leaves . Its just all a big con .

I had a tesla for a week... loved it... 350 miles on a charge and went like the clappers... £100K car... but I dit not think it was too bad... sod all servicing costs and the batteries have an 8 year warranty...

The only thing you have look out for is brake wear and tyres :D
 
I had a tesla for a week... loved it... 350 miles on a charge and went like the clappers... £100K car... but I dit not think it was too bad... sod all servicing costs and the batteries have an 8 year warranty...

The only thing you have look out for is brake wear and tyres :D
They're great cars, I really like them, but couldn't justify 100k to drag unifinish about in it
 
I had a tesla for a week... loved it... 350 miles on a charge and went like the clappers... £100K car... but I dit not think it was too bad... sod all servicing costs and the batteries have an 8 year warranty...

The only thing you have look out for is brake wear and tyres :D
Don'the believe the lie Danny .The motorists in this country are a cash cow for successive governments do you think they will let that end .The argument on man made global warming is perfect for them to impose new taxes and they can chop and change their minds and back it up with so called science which is mostly guess work.Just look at what is going on now with diesel engines.not so long ago they said we had to drive more of them to save the planet and now we are told just the opposite and we will be taxed accordingly for all the harm theyou are doing.Well will never win as it all bull shoot and about money.
 
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