Which Van is best for an electrical contractor?

[Robert Turnbull]

Tool Insurance !!

I've been done a few times. If they really want it they'll get it. I've heard of site boxes been cut open in minutes. See a pic of a transit side door folded in half the other day.

That been said anything that slows them down is worth a shot. I chain my back doors shut from the inside.

But having tool cover is well worth it.

 

[flukey]

Clam shell locks from Protectavan in Orsett Essex

 

[SparkyJoe]

I have a heavy chain that goes around the expensive stuff, to the bulkhead, and a pad lock. and grills on the windows, not sure how long it would stop em for, but hopefully long enough.

 

[grantr37]

"Puwt dawn Da tools......you have 20 seconds to comply"......."malfunction"....."malfunction"...."malfunction"....."arming weapon"......haha haha haha (bang)

 

[gigawatt]

*******s. If only they knew how much damage they do to our lives.

Van locks, van vaults, van cages too if you can afford it.

Where was the van when it got broken into? Where do you park overnight?

 

[grantr37]

*******s. If only they knew how much damage they do to our lives. Van locks, van vaults, van cages too if you can afford it. Where was the van when it got broken into? Where do you park overnight?

They are either badly brought up by criminal families and don't care or they are full of drugs.....or both... what about an extremely loud alarm and a smoke filler.......we can't do much legally to protect our property or things...if we discover them raiding the van they will probably try to put us in hospital but if they hurt themselves stealing from us we will get in trouble..... its a sick backwards country

 

[Tim]

Clam shell locks from Protectavan in Orsett Essex

As flukey said protectavan are good, i had them fit deadlocks on the rear of my primaster, and my van has lockable racking inside for my test gear.

Out of interest was there any damage to your transit? A friend of mine works for ford, about a year ago a few sets of ford transit master keys went missing and have been used by thieves to get in to vans, so any deadlock will help as the remote key wont open it.

Tim

 

[flukey]

They're nicking transits now with a key coded to a laptop which is plugged into the obd socket!!!
Check out Protectavan website

 

[richy3333]

2 x 32g steel shot, concrete shoes for the remains and drop em overboard whilst out fishing. They'll not do it again.

 

[wade88]

Remove plastic van handles for zinc plated replacements, small hole on underside of chasis with a temporary link to the houses mains via crocodile clips taken from dedicated FCU to the locking mechanism. Small sound amplifier and microphone fitted alongside some sort of siren/speaker system wired to external brick work of house, when you hear the bugger squeeling, approach slowly with "big daddy" baseball bat (£29.99 argos) retro fitted with 6 inch nail, chanting the words "im going to eat your face, im going to eat your face, im going to eat your face" whilst he hangs off the door handle, shaking....wetting himself....

 

[timbobelfast]

Sounds like it works for you Wade88!

 

[sima24]

Had my vivaro broke into a couple of times, but they cant open the back doors from yhe front so no gear gone. I have just bought some van locks from ebay, 22 quid for 2 of the big disc locks with padlocks

 

[Rappid]

Just brought and bolted a Strongbank to the van floor. The reviews for van vault was dissapointing.

 

[spidersparks]

Tim no damage was done scenes of crime reckon they pop the side door open some how, neighbour reckons they short out the electric mirrors and everything opens ( have my doubts on that one) been leaving my tools at the firms unit all alarmed but its a pain loading and unloading the van. But external locks are the way I'm going and wielding up a steel box and a steel bar in front with a pad lock. Thanks guys for your replies

 

[Tim]

Tim no damage was done scenes of crime reckon they pop the side door open some how, neighbour reckons they short out the electric mirrors and everything opens ( have my doubts on that one) been leaving my tools at the firms unit all alarmed but its a pain loading and unloading the van. But external locks are the way I'm going and wielding up a steel box and a steel bar in front with a pad lock. Thanks guys for your replies

Shorting certain wires can open doors. I lost the keys to my mk 1 focus years ago and read on the internet that providing you dont deadlock the car (by pressing the lock button twice) you could open the central locking by shorting out the wires to the chassis in the top brake light, it worked, it opened all the doors, but blew 2 fuses. I found the bloody keys the next day.

Standard car security isnt that great.

 

[wade88]

Sounds like it works for you Wade88!

Every time mate.

I'm known as the "crazy bloke down the road who will chew your face off if you try steal his stuff, guy", the reputation has deterred criminals for some time now. Never mind welded steel, big pad locks, dobermans, all you need is a reputation to not be messed with... unfortunately the only way to get one is borderline/most definitely illegal. :ninja:

 

[sima24]

I know with the older transits they can cut around the back doors, apparantly it cuts some loom which triggers the central locking

 

[hopkins85]

Pad lock across the back door on inside then go out side door. From front make hole in bulkhead and put a bolt to stop side door from sliding along rails.

 

[Poshspark]

Hi unfortunately I know what it is like I had mine done in November, a mate of mine has two of the van vault sliders at his side door they can be bolted down and hidden with ply over them. The Van Vault Slider from Van Vault

 

[rattlehead85]

Best security is a nice blanket in the back........with a vicious German Shepherd or equivalent flesh gnawing four legged friend keeping warm underneath it!!

 

[dim_bulb]

Just get a sticker saying no tools left in this van overnight like I've seen on so many vans because that will deter them.

 

[jenions]

Rig up a shotgun in the back, so when they open the doors it goes off a kills the ****!!!

 

[Megavolt]

Had a VW transporter and a fiat ducato emptied one this x mas and one last both vans 58 plate both no damage to them at all they even locked transporter afterwards. Found out how they got into fiat witch I won't say how put sadly 30 secs job. Sold van then I found this out.

 

[gnuuser]

rattlesnakes and big dogs work really well!
a loud alarm/ siren connected to its own battery helps.
and if you really feel the need an electric fence unit attached to the door handles works great
there are ones that run on their own batteries

 

[Ado]

I agree, Speak to your accountant and get advice.

there is some good information on the web about lease -

Unlimited Mileage Van Leasing | Lease a Van without mileage restrictions?

And also finance products and what they will do for you -

Finance Options | New Vehicle Solutions

Information on vans-

What Van Should I Buy? | New Vehicle Solutions

Vehicle finance from Vansdirect.co.uk - the UK's largest independent van retailer | Vansdirect.co.uk, cheap vans, transit vans, lowcost vans,

http://www.vanarama.co.uk/finance-info/van-finance-options.html

Ado

 

[HappyHippyDad]

I've had my vauxhall Astra for a year and it does the job but it's just too small! I want to get it all kitted out so that I have everything in the van that I need so I am not caught on the hop and that means I need more space.

I've narrowed it down to the following, but I'm sure theres plenty of others:

- vauxhall Combo
- Volkwagon Caddy
- Citreon Berlingo
- Peugeot Partner
- Nissan NV200

The one big thing that it has to have is good MPG as this will be my only vehicle.

Cheers guys.

 

[D Skelton]

Give it a year with one of them and you'll be wanting a bigger van again! Just bite the bullet and go for a Vivaro, or, if you can afford it, a VW Transporter.

If this is out of the question however, I'll throw another into the mix; Ford Transit Connect. Good vans IMHO

 

[amlu]

ldv pilot £1500 ex royal mail, 1.9 peugeot engine with 40k on the clock will get you where you want with nice mpg.
use rest of the cash for service, oil change and fixing some nice storage in it.

 

[GMES]

As above don't go halfway or you will regret it again. I was in the same predicament so I upgraded from a Renault kangoo that did 35 mpg approx., due to it being constantly overloaded- to a Vauxhall vivaro 2.0 cdti which does 40mpg and that's because it can handle the weight and is probably only at half of its capability weight wise. also it only added about £50 more to my insurance, which is well worth the extra comfort and as 3 seats which helps if it is going to be your only vehicle.

 

[LeeH]

Give it a year with one of them and you'll be wanting a bigger van again! Just bite the bullet and go for a Vivaro, or, if you can afford it, a VW Transporter.

If this is out of the question however, I'll throw another into the mix; Ford Transit Connect. Good vans IMHO

That would my choice. I have a 55 plate which has got 160k on it now. Still drives superb but the OP won't like the MPG.

 

[danzor]

The new connects look nice, think I'll be getting one in April

 

[Welchyboy1]

Dont get a small van, i done that, 6 months later i had to face the fact i need to get a bigger one and lost a few grand selling it to get a trafic

 

[LeeH]

Transit custom?

 

[cossie400]

+1 for the transit custom, popped into a dealer in Leicester during the week as was working that way and he was taking orders now that may take until March to arrive!

New connect looks a really smart van too, can get 3 meter lengths in it too due to the load through flap thing in the bulkhead that goes under the passenger seat.

 

[Guitarist]

I had an Audi estate for a few years, but now have a Ford Galaxy. Great flexibility, plus 7 seats if I need to run kids and friends about.

 

[HappyHippyDad]

As above don't go halfway or you will regret it again. I was in the same predicament so I upgraded from a Renault kangoo that did 35 mpg approx., due to it being constantly overloaded- to a Vauxhall vivaro 2.0 cdti which does 40mpg and that's because it can handle the weight and is probably only at half of its capability weight wise. also it only added about £50 more to my insurance, which is well worth the extra comfort and as 3 seats which helps if it is going to be your only vehicle.

Cheers all, the Vivaro does looks great but just out of my price range at the moment. £5000 absolute max, preferably £3-4K. Perhaps I'll take a look at the T4 (thanks Dskelton).

I think your all right! I probably would want a bigger van in another year :smile5:

 

[LeeH]

I don't/won't pay VW's badge tax.

 

[telectrix]

toyota hiace. get a 55 plate for around 4K. superb vans . as good as the VW but without the hefty price tag.

 

[jimmymac]

Until about 4 months ago I had and Escort 1.8D '98 van. It was slow because it was non-turbo but it always and I mean always started. I had it for about 5 years and I did about 50,000 miles in it but them the timing belt snapped and it did the whole engine so instead of paying to get it repaired I scrapped it. Now I've got a 2 year old French van which is quicker, it's a smoother drive and it's got all the mod cons but some how, it just doesn't compare to my old Escort.........moan over.

 

[telectrix]

Until about 4 months ago I had and Escort 1.8D '98 van. It was slow because it was non-turbo but it always and I mean always started. I had it for about 5 years and I did about 50,000 miles in it but them the timing belt snapped and it did the whole engine so instead of paying to get it repaired I scrapped it. Now I've got a 2 year old French van which is quicker, it's a smoother drive and it's got all the mod cons but some how, it just doesn't compare to my old Escort.........moan over.

you need to remove the string of onions, bin the frogs legs, and blank off 3 of the 4 reverse gears.

 

[GMES]

VW are nice vans but just so expensive a mate just bought a transporter but cost him 20k , don't know how they can justify that price. and it was only 3 months old and developed a fault which they say is not covered under warranty the bill is £ 2000.00 which he is not going to pay so he is stuck in a dispute with them at the moment. I can't fault my vivaro and will stick with it.

 

[HandySparks]

VW are nice vans but just so expensive a mate just bought a transporter but cost him 20k , don't know how they can justify that price. and it was only 3 months old and developed a fault which they say is not covered under warranty the bill is £ 2000.00 which he is not going to pay so he is stuck in a dispute with them at the moment. I can't fault my vivaro and will stick with it.

So what sort of fault isn't covered under warranty on a three month old van???

 

[jimmymac]

you need to remove the string of onions, bin the frogs legs, and blank off 3 of the 4 reverse gears.

I also get the feeling that this van thinks it's better at cooking than everybody else.
You can't beat a bit of light hearted racism on a Saturday morning......Is it still racism if it's direct at the French??

 

[GMES]

So what sort of fault isn't covered under warranty on a three month old van???

Not sure Handy, will ask him when I see him he is usually fixing cranes or teaching mewps courses so don't see him very often, one thing I do know though is it was a demo model so I think he said he saved about 1500.00 on windscreen price

 

[GMES]

I also get the feeling that this van thinks it's better at cooking than everybody else.
You can't beat a bit of light hearted racism on a Saturday morning......Is it still racism if it's direct at the French??

No Jimmy the French are fair game.

 

[richy3333]

I don't/won't pay VW's badge tax.

Sorry, don't agree. I think you get what you pay for. My Transporter has run like a dream and serves me brilliantly. All racked out inside so stuff is easy to find. Only wish I'd bought a long wheel base model or even a crafter.

There's plenty of stories of Nissan/Vauxhall vans having problems and I appreciate that VW vans will also fail on occasion but any trade near me with any sense buys a VW because they are so good.

 

[Resu]

Cheers all, the Vivaro does looks great but just out of my price range at the moment. £5000 absolute max, preferably £3-4K.

Hardly. This seems a good deal. Ex-BT so should have been looked after and already racked out!

http://vans.autotrader.co.uk/used-v...model/vivaro/price/min/4999/mileage/min/89999

 

[Fin170]

I'm still waiting for Subaru to release a new version of the 1800 pick up with the flat diesel.....probably never going to happen but it's nice to dream

Until then it's an estate car with the seats down for me, cheaper and more comfortable....although I'd be inclined to lean towards a transit If I have to go back down that route

 

[Guitarist]

I'm still waiting for Subaru to release a new version of the 1800 pick up with the flat diesel.....probably never going to happen but it's nice to dream

Until then it's an estate car with the seats down for me, cheaper and more comfortable....although I'd be inclined to lean towards a transit If I have to go back down that route

I'd never go back to an Estate now that I've driven the Galaxy.

 

[crow11]

for your price range you can pick a decent vivaro/trafic/primaster (all the same van) up, i was using a chrysler grand voyager and then got a vivaro, cheaper to insure, nearly twice as good on fuel so save all round ended up getting a vivaro 09 plate full service history 84k miles for just over 4k