[Andrew McCann]

Hi all

I am looking to take another major step and invest some serious money.

I want to upgrade vehicles with good signwriting etc.

I am impressed with the deals currently available on the Citroen range of new vans and I will probably get 2 Berlingos and either a Relay or a Dispatch.

Do any of you folks use these and if so what do you think of them?

Cheers

Andrew

[KJG]

I've got a Berlingo 600. Good engines and body/metal work but duff indoor plastics. The nobs literally come of in your hand. Not too sure about mpg either. Oh, and try and get a proper Citroen/Peugot roofrack if you can.

[mattstanley]

I've got the Peugeot Partner 600 (same as the Berlingo) - well pleased with mine - only problem is fitting a 6' sectioned pole inside - it won't go without the end sticking into the cab.

[Jeff Brimble]

I have a car based Berlingo its Ok with internal height and load. Turning circle is poor. I use a rhino over the cab rack which will take a house.

[Andrew McCann]

Thanks for the feedback so far guys. It's appreciated. 

I dont have a problem with poles not fitting into the Berlingos as they will sit on top along with the ladders. These will be used for domestic work using the Freedom Trolley and the larger ( probably the Relay ) will have a tank powered by the trolley for commercial work which I intend to move into early in the new year.  In a little over 18 months window cleaning has been very good to me and I have lost none of my enthusiasm for it.

Before I ever knew aboout forums such as this I identified a real opportunity for a "New breed" of window cleaner even in a not so well off area such as mine. With a helluva lot of hard work behind me and help and advice from good folks like most here I now have the sound foundations to build a well respected and successful business. I started out with no customers and a B&Q ladder and nothing else really other than a vision of where I wanted to get to. Now comes the next step up for me and I am very excited by it 

Cheers

Andrew

[Ian Rochester]

Andrew,

We have a Berlingo 2.0HDi and also had a Partner 1.9D, they are both basically the same van, but the engine is what makes ALL the difference, the 1.9D engine is as flat as anything with very little torque, whereas the 2.0HDi stops at nothing, even fully loaded.  We also run a Fiat Ducato and are looking at buying a Scudo in Jan.

The Fiats, Citroens and Peugeots are all basically the same, but the Fiats tend to be a good bit cheaper to buy that the other two.  If you can afford it I would go for something along the size of the Scudo/Dispatch/Expert rather than the Berlingo/Partner as they have the benifit of a larger gross weight and also 3 seats in the front.

[Andrew McCann]

THanks for the good advice Ian

I am going to get 2 of the Berlingos solely for domestic work. I was wondering about the difference in the 2 engines and now you have confirmed it for me. They will have  the HDI ones.

I am also getting the larger van for commercial work. You reckon the Fiats are ok mate? Havent looked at it yet but I will take a look at the Scudo.

Cheers for the help Ian.

Andrew

[neil100]

Andrew,

If your looking at a dispatch size van. I would move  to the next size up in size. You can never have to big a van but it can allways be to small.

The ducato ( FIAT ) AS LOADS OF ROOM.1145kg payload so you can get a decent size tank in.

Fiats,pugs,citeron are all the same vans.fiat supply some of their own engines, but the shell and running gear are all the same.I have a Fiat ducato 2.0 jtd and the engine is superb. I even turn the music down so I can listen to the engine wirre.

If you go to vansdirect, They are offering the best deals on fiat in the country. EVER.

Have a look at the 2.0 ducato swb dynamique model. Very good spec for little money.

I know a big local w/c company are switching from merc vivaros to the ducato because they find them too small.

I was going to buy a dispatch, But Im glad I got the ducato.

Teas ready got to go. Nel

[Andrew McCann]

Cheers for that Nel mate.

I am beginning to get swayed towards the Fiats for the bigger van. Off to vans direct now to have a look...  THANKS.

Enjoy your tea... had mine...  braising steak with Mash and good old thick Gravy. 


Andrew

[Andrew McCann]

B***dy h*ll Nel

Thats one fantastic deal.. great spec as well

Thanks very much indeed for that mate.... I think I am going to owe you one 

Andrew

[marc al]

 
  my father has a Citreon van, he is a builder and it has lugged around alot of kit, towed a bloody great heavy trailer and been abused for 3 years now (was an hire vehicle before hand), military vehicles have come back from war zones looking better than this thing, BUT it still works without missing a beat.

[neil100]

Andrew.

The most important thing to look at in a van is safety and room, not how fast it can go. If your fully loaded to the gills, you need to be able to stop safetly. Because of the extra weight your stopping distance increases greatly,so drive accordingly and make sure it as abs brakes. All the engines have plenty of low down tourque so they are great for getting up steep hills or drives.

Make sure you have a bulkhead fitted, watch the ioincs crash test online and you will definetly want one. The ducato dynamic comes with a fully lined one with a window in. nomarly a  £350 option.touch of class.

Fiat had the seats designed by isis, A specialist company who design seats and chairs for people with bad backs. The drivers seat in the ducato is recognized as the most comftable van seat out their. Fantastic.

Ive just plylined the top half of the van interior,the bottom half is allready done in black. and insulated it as well. Painted it in white, so it now looks like the dogs b******s. I'm doing the van floor in black proteckote tommorw.

Then I should be getting my van mounted system installed this week.

I'm 98% domestic. But the van is being set up to go for commercial work. It will knock spots off every van I've seen.

Then I will get it sign written.I've worked on a design for months after looking at every van that passes me to see what works and what doesent.

Regards Nel