Works vehicle

[ben2012]

I realise this could be a slightly contentious issue but next year I'm looking at going on my own, now I need to have a vehicle with 4 seats at least and in order to keep costs down I only want to run one vehicle for both home and work. With this in mind and the fact that I'm a Land Rover lover I've thought about buying a discovery 3 manual (this will give better mpg). Anybody have any thoughts? Am I mad or any other suggestions? Oh I've already decided against any pickup type thing as I don't think they will do what I want. Thanks

 

[MDJ]

if your going to be a working spark and need to carry kit around I would suggest a van not a car lol

 

[Poshspark]

Personally I prefer to have a car which my wife uses during the day and a van for me. This lets me keep work separate from my social life makes it easer for me to try and turn off at nights/weekends. Down side of a 4x4 is you will have no excuse when it snows!

 

[ben2012]

Thanks for the replies guys, in an ideal world I would have two vehicles but in order to keep costs down I'm looking at having one. It probably won't be a perminante solution but short term I feel it's the best way

 

[guest119]

What about one of them Vito things with the rear seats and windows?
Captains seats in the front if I remember correctly.
Ambiente name comes to mind but not sure.

Boydy

 

[Megavolt]

That about a estate. Should tick most boxes.

Or if your set on a dico 3 get a roof rack. If it mainly domestic work you do should be fine.

 

[adzberry]

Transporter! You can get the crew van! 3 seats in front, 3 x removable seats in the back and the sliding door has a window with more than enough space to keep all your gear and tools!

 

[Robotstar5]

A Disco is van once you fold the rear seats down!

 

[jay b]

Nissan largo is what I use for work and family it is great, seats configuration is quick and you don't have to take them out never short of room would highly recommend

 

[Darkwood]

Leave the wife at home and just take 1 kid out at a time then get a small 2seater van she'll understand

 

[steve50]

this is my Works vehicle

i work on a 45 acre nusery

 

[Octopus]

Ford Galaxy or S-Max with the tinted glass.

 

[Dcf]

A vivaro/ trafic crewbus.
room for 5 passengers and if you get a sport they look pretty swish.
just not in white cos they look a bit of a storm trooper with all that body coloured bumper stuff

 

[comptonspark]

I started out using SWB Defender, but found that the load space was just too small although the raised work platform was useful. Then looked into a Discovery / Disco Van and concluded that it was too expensive (in any form) and there wasn't enough practical space in the back. The commercial version is in my view a bit of a joke in that you don't even get a flat floor or bulkhead, just a normal Disco with the seats removed - you also only get two seats.

Now using a Hilux with a hardtop on the back. So I get two rows of seats (or with the back seat folded up lots of room for the expensive bits (tools) and a fair amount of room in the hardtop for bits. Also the tailgate doubles as handy workbench. The only downside is that you have to be tidy and it helps to have everything in boxes in the back so you can pull them out to get to everything easily - without resorting to climbing in to find things. However it is still a compromise compared to a separate van, but I can't justify the expense of a second vehicle.

 

[ifindoubtdont]

Up side of using a 4x4, in the really bad weather, you will be the only spark who can get there. That's why i've got one.

 

[stranded]

4x4 could work, but i think you are looking for a "crew van". Van that as some van space, but extra seats. Transit connect has a version with 4 or 5 seats i think, if you want a small van, space could be limited though with seats, so the transit has a version too, heres an example, looks nice actually!

http://www.4crossescommercials.co.uk/details.php?id=131

 

[Andy78]

I've got the same dilemma at the minute. I'm running a fledgling business and carting round a family of four in a picasso (less than ideal). I'm currently looking at the crew cab option instead of running two vehicles. I have seen a couple and you do sacrifice space obviously, but with a decent roof rack and a couple of roof tubes they look to give the same space of a small to mid sized van.

 

[Jimsparky]

I have just got an L200 forth is reason. Have debated it for yearsbut so far so good. Had a ally tray made up and it slide I and out of the plastic load liner in the back which is perfect. Getting 34 to the gallon so not far off a crew van

 

[amo]

Estate?? Audi a4 1.9 tdi. Big boot space, high mpg, bolt on a roof rack and you ready to go.

 

[Paulgwat]

Oh I've already decided against any pickup type thing as I don't think they will do what I want. Thanks

Interested by the comment on the pickup truck, I recently bought an L200 double cab and with the canopy on the back I get the 5 seats and space for all of the tools etc, to me these type of vehicles were made for the requirements you have.

also depending on how you are setting yourself up pickups are very good from a tax perspective. An L200 is officially a commercial vehicle so road tax £215 a year and if you run it through a company and officially allow mileage and personal use tax bill very small.

If you run a standard discovery through a company and want to use it for personal use tax bill is calculated on the original list price and not current value which could hurt! There is a commercial disco version that doesn't get hit by tax man but only has two seats as someone else mentioned.

the pickup was my accountants recommendation - I had also initially discounted the idea and was looking at small vans like the caddy and accepting I would need to hire something when I needed 4 seats

just my 2pence worth

paul

 

[Amp David]

Estate?? Audi a4 1.9 tdi. Big boot space, high mpg, bolt on a roof rack and you ready to go.

Don't forget the trailer too.

Tried this when i firs set up. As the majority of my work is domestic it only took a rewire to make me think, time to get a van.

The amount of stuff needed was far too much to squeeze into my robin reliant.

 

[richy3333]

If you need 4 wheel drive then the Transporter comes in a 4 wheel variant. Crew cab can work OK - a chippy friend does this, but the cab part still ends up like a works van. I used to use an L200 for work but got fed up loading and unloading all the time. As either has rear seats then HMRC will not accept you writing all costs off to business use

Personally, if you're running a professional business you are better off with a dedicated vehicle?

 

[Farmelectrics]

was thinking of getting a vw transporter myself anyone had one what are they like juice wise etc

 

[ben2012]

Thanks for the replies guys, How do people go on with pickups? When I looked I couldn't see how you could fit steps in it, trunking etc? Thanks

 

[comptonspark]

roofrack for long stuff, 5 rung steps and telescopic ladder in the back, as for trunking I get it delivered direct to site.

 

[Paulgwat]

I purchased the following truckman hardtop (Mitsubishi L200 (2010 on) Truckman S-Series Double Doors Hardtop Double Cab, Long Bed) the version i have has solid external doors all round for additional security and a glass bulkhead window that lines up with the rear window of the cab so you can put long items through into the cab.

One thing to be aware of on most of the pickups is that the tailgate doesn't lock as standard - on the L200 it's a £50 optional extra that is a doddle to fit - otherwise the tailgate is secured by the hardtops rear door and if that is forced or smashed then the tailgate will obviously open.

On the double cab i have the load bed is 1.5m x 1.5m give or take and can take a set of the grp folding platform/steps (about 1m when folded) with ease.

To make the load bed more useable I am having something similar to the following - Hardtops UK :: Mitsubishi L200 Tray Bins - I am having it made by a carpenter out of 18mm structural ply and it is coming in at substantially less than the almost 1K they charge for the full setup with the side bins - helps he is also my brother in law.

This kind of setup will also make it much harder for anything of value to be stolen from the truck bed because even if they get the GRP doors open they will then need to get the tailgate open and then manage to get the drawer open as well - by which time the additional alarm that is protecting the truck bed will be singing merrily.

In the unlikely event I need to transport anything bigger than this combination can carry I will have it delivered to site or use a trailer.

Cheers

Paul