[JW1]

Further to my other thread (thanks to all those who have helped so far) I have taken advice to start a new one.

Have you used a van then changed to a car or vice versa, if so did you stick with it or go back to the same vehicle type that you started with?

Any advice appreciated

Cheers in advance

[crystal.clear]

i used to use a car when i first started out but after time i ruined the car. even tho i said i would be careful you cant help getting water on the floor and in the end with that and cloths in it the car started to really smell. i now have a new doblo van which i brought from vansdirect. i would never go back to a car. i know finish work park the van up and dont use it again till the next day.

[master cleaner]

i started with a car then went to a van then back to a car now i have a despatch van and will not use a car again ( unless in emergancy ie breakdown )
its hard to use a car safely  with wfp unless you use a trailor 1/4 tunne of water in the boot of a car , not for me

gary

[JW1]

Thanks for the input so far. 

I definitely agree that if I were to move to WFP there would be no question that I would use a van. But after 5 years of having 2 buckets, a box of scrim and a box of blades etc, 90% of the load space wasn't being used in my van.

[mgba_78]

For the first few months i used my car all be it a small car Renault Clio Sport, it was a nightmare, although getting ladders on and off was ok as it was low space was an issue.

As you say 2 buckets and a box of scrim doesnt take alot of space up but it is soooo much easier to have a van plus im not too bothered if i drop water or dirt/rubbish.

I have a Citroen Berlingo and i would say its just about the right size what i have in mine is

Box containg 2x 10ltr water containers
Box of dry scrim
box of clean cloths
box for dirty cloths
2x extendable poles
stand off
Box of "bits"
Box for site boots hard hat water proofs

and occasionally fishing gear for a sneaky after work session 

Also with a van its always advertising i have just had signs put on it and over the course of a week gained 2 gutter jobs and 2 new monthly window cleans so already the signs have paid for them selves in 1 week!!!!



Just about right for me, no way go back to a car

Here we go a picture for ya

[JW1]

Thanks for the info and the piccy.

That looks like the inside of my van at the moment more or less (I don't carry spare water or boots etc though)

I think I should be able to get my gear in the boot of the 406, but would need a decent boot liner to catch any spillages. Would hate the car to get stinky.  Biggest problem could be getting the boot open when the ladder is on, would probably only lift up half way, so the bucket may have to go behind the passenger seat 

Without doubt there are compromises using a car, but I have found there are negatives with a van as well (ride comfort, looks and versatility etc)

[Chris Cottrell]

I started with a car and ruined it with water stains so bought a new car and van for work ..would never go back

love my van

[Sunshine Cleaning]

I started with a car and ruined it with water stains so bought a new car and van for work ..would never go back

love my van

Same here, dont forget the point of a work vehical is to get to and from jobs not the Dakar-Paris Rally!

Resale on any car will be low, you will never get rid of the smell, while I have an M reg Escort and was offered £700 trade in on a Y reg Nissan. It will always resell no matter the condition.

[Richy L]

i started using cars, but now a have a transit. If anything it is too big. I dont use all the space in the back, but i definatly would not want to go back to a car. I will be fitting a static system in soon so i will be using more of the empty space. Trying to keep a car clean enough for private is going to be almost impossible if you are using it for work

[Easyclean Windows]

I have only used vans the reason for this is 1st i can claim against all the fuel i purchase and secondly my cars not big enough.With a car what you can only do is claim a proportion of the allowances as you would have to prove to the inland revenue that is wasnt being used for pleasure which im presuming you do.

[JW1]

Good points made, thanks for the input it's appreciated. 

I only spend about £30pm on diesel as I do so few miles so would it be a big enough benefit?

It seems that so far the argument is about 50/50, with the main benefit being able to 'abuse' the van a bit more than the car.

[Richy L]

also you can sign-write a van and it is free advertising, where as, if you sign write a car, the impact is not the same