Van suggestions?

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el_indio

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Hello.
Been getting quite busy of late, work for at least the next month which is good news.
However, constantly moving tools, tubs, multifinish etc etc out of the back of my small Astra and back is becoming a serious pain in the cajones.
Wondering if anyone has some suggestions for a van?
Don't really fancy getting a full size Transit if I can help it (too big for our street and I can't afford one which hasn't one foot in the grave!) but I was looking at a Transit Connect or Vauxhall Combo.
Any thoughts on this? Have any of you used or perhaps use either of these or similar?
I've tried to find out the space inside (specifically to see if I can fit 8ft boards) but no real luck.
Any advice appreciated
Cheers!
Paul.
 
I wouldn't go for a connect, shocking van, mine was a company one so had no choice, would only just fit 4x3 s in! Always breaking down and cheaply built, once the company had me with 8 no 8x4 sound boards on the roof rack, 50 miles up the M6 in the wind and rain, I wasn't impressed!
 
It really depends on your budget, but I wouldn't buy a connect or a combo they're just too small in my mind. You better off having a short wheel base van on a budget like ducato/relay/boxer it's all tranny engines, but half the price of the transits. Lot of people dislike them, but they're more comfy than Fords and still offers the same size. You can load 8*4 sheets into swb on the floor or cross the load area. I got a ducato at the moment, had boxers before they good. Not sure how much you want to spend but from a grand upwards you can get decent ones for yourself. I'm selling mine in 2 weeks time if you after one ;-)
 
It really depends on your budget, but I wouldn't buy a connect or a combo they're just too small in my mind. You better off having a short wheel base van on a budget like ducato/relay/boxer it's all tranny engines, but half the price of the transits. Lot of people dislike them, but they're more comfy than Fords and still offers the same size. You can load 8*4 sheets into swb on the floor or cross the load area. I got a ducato at the moment, had boxers before they good. Not sure how much you want to spend but from a grand upwards you can get decent ones for yourself. I'm selling mine in 2 weeks time if you after one ;-)

Cheers for the advice and the offer Zolco, need to finish these jobs before I have the funds to buy anything unfortunately.
 
Just get a swb tranny or something similar. Theyre not huge yet you can still fit in all of your tools and loads of 8x4s. Everyone boasts about how big their connect/berlingo is until they have to get the labourer on the roof rack because they need to fold down the passenger seat to get in an 8x4 and an angle bead lol
 
Cheers for the swift and considered advice on this fellas!
I'll consult the autotrader with your suggestions in mind.
 
The amount of times people said "you should have a bigger van "was unbelievable, tradesmen and "civilians " I sometimes had to unload tools, straight edges, levels, buckets, Henry hoover etc on a job then go for materials, frustrating and embarrassing to say the least.
 
I use to use a renault kangoo and put boards on the roof rack
Just need to sheet them up in the rain
Don't know if that helps
 
Got a transit connect I have had a few years now and never missed a beat.I have a roof rack for 8+4 boards and can get 6+3 in the back and carry all the tackle no probs matey
 
It was a Ball ache getting boards on a roof and whenever I did it pissed down...

Bigger van is the way forward...
 
Main thing is you bauy wat you can afford, ive had Escorts and Berlingos, they all work. No two ways about it, a bigger van is better. If you go for a Belingo or simmilar, make sure you have a side door version.
 
I have an Expert, and love it. Can get all my gear in, no machine but everything else, straight edges, 45 gallon drum etc etc, will carry 8 FT beads no problem & two side doors so you have easy access to everything. Also not too big to be driving all these country roads.
If I must carry an 8x4 (which is rare) I rest them flat in back on two planks hanging out the back by a foot or so.
 
Benefits are good if your vat registered and clean and look after you motors.
Another spread took their leased primastar back and was charged £4500 cos of the state.

Didn't look that bad to me. Just an untidy ply etc nothing a good clean up wouldn't sort.
 
I have a swb med roof tranny. Ive got a false floor for boards can still stand up in the back. Fit 3m lengths of coving in and my doors shut properly lol. And most of all i can still fit under the little dangly ball thing at maccys drive thru
Beddy, i heard your back door is well smashed in.
 
Beddy, i heard your back door is well smashed in.

Mine were! 2 weeks after I got it, parked outside mine went inside 30 mins later heard a bang an alarm, ran out and seen my van down my hill.
Not pulled the handbrake all the way up, brakes cooled and it rolled into a neighbours brand new car.

Luckily it hit his car or would of gone through a garden and prob into another neighbours lounge! [emoji16]
£500 excess and my insurance has doubled!

Worst of all some Bird from customer services gave me a how to park on a hill leaflet when I picked it up!
Saucy cow!
 
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