work vehicles

[BrokenBiker]

so I still haven't got a van. need to get something sorted soon, work is getting a lot more regular, and jobs are getting bigger.

been offered a Chrysler people carrier for 250 quid but need engine work and a bit of welding, new brakes and a clutch. I don't intend to buy it as haven't got time to do the work to get it mot'd but it got me thinking. nothing wrong with a large people carrier for now eh.

one thing that I wanted to know. if I bought a people carrier with a sliding side door(s), blacked out the rear windows, took seats out to just leave 2 front seats, then ply lined, would I have to change the tax class to commercial? or could I just leave it a domestic people carrier. where would I stand if I got pulled and copper wanted to look in the back and saw it lined and full of tools?

I also wanted to know if anyone knew if I could get a sheet of 8x4 in a people carrier like a ford galaxy/Vaux zafira size as there are plenty of these about locally with little to no issues and pennies to insure for me

 

[MattF]

From what I recall, the vehicle classification is fairly moot, as that's more for the V5/DVLA than owt else. It's whether you're actually covered by your insurance for the vehicle being used as a works vehicle which matters.

 

[BrokenBiker]

yeah insurance will be fine, my megane is currently insured for so many domestic miles and so many business miles, covering tools equipment and materials that I own being carried and also allows signage. that would be the same policy I take out on anything I buy if its not a van. also covers my missus to do avon as well, the wording in the policy is something along the lines of 'covers main driver and his/her spouse to use the vehicle for any purpose relating to his/her or their business arangements

 

[MattF]

Class 1 business use, I believe the insurance calls it. I've been using the Surf as my combined works & home use vehicle for years and had no problems. Transit with 3 seats and a family of four just didn't work, so this took over from the Transit when that needed replacing. Only limitation I have with it is that there's no way on earth I could get an 8'x4' in it. Everything else, it's peachy for what I need. It's amazing how much you miss the ability to transport an 8'x4' on occasion though.

 

[BrokenBiker]

I have had 3 jobs now needing 8x4 plaster board, waiting for delivery gets annoying. it looks like it would fit, will hve to go and look at one with a tape measure and see if it has the capacity. apart from that it is cement mixer, wheel barrow, pick axe and sledge, few tool boxes, few power tools and a step ladder, other ladders go on roof and then just materials, usually picked up form suppliers before the job and taken straight there, or delivered on hi-ab if buying bulk

 

[MattF]

When you measure up internals, don't forget to allow for the wheel arches, btw. They can merrily screw up what you thought was a perfect size rear. Also, rated carrying/load weights and what the suspension will realistically cope with are other points to consider. If you can't load all of your gear in there without the wheels practically or actually touching the arches, (the police will pull you merrily for that trick), it ain't no good. If you overload it with regards to what it's rated for too, you only need to be on the wrong side of a copper near an active weigh bridge for that to bite you.

 

[MattF]

On a tangent, with you mentioning signage, also it's worth considering what type of work you may take at some point with regards to whether you go for fixed or removable signage. Say you contract to an external company for doing their site calls, some won't want you turning up in a sign written vehicle. If that's a future possibility, go for magnetic signs.

 

[Robotstar5]

If that's a future possibility, go for magnetic signs.

It would also reduce the chances of a break-in looking for tools?

 

[MCKDAVID]

renault espace, with a roof rack..

The seats click in and out to suit, leaving a full size load bay with the flexibility of being able to carry 7 people if necessary. You'll not get an 8 x 4 sheet inside, but the roof rack will sort that..

 

[s410man]

renault espace, with a roof rack..

The seats click in and out to suit, leaving a full size load bay with the flexibility of being able to carry 7 people if necessary. You'll not get an 8 x 4 sheet inside, but the roof rack will sort that..

dont think he wants another renault.....

 

[MCKDAVID]

get an old one series 2 pretty basic... had mine 7 years no bother, just a snapped cam belt at the end... other than that good as gold

 

[BrokenBiker]

definitely don't want another Renault. as for signs, I have no contracts yet but am doing a lot to try and gain atleast one, that will be my ticket out of the factory if I play my cards right. as for signage at the moment its just some vinyl on the rear window, but have been looking into mag signs for the car doors anyway as I don't want them all over the car permanently. I am not against buying an old smiley transit with banana engine, but the maintenance re welding and body work its difficult to find one that doesn't need work and to be honest im just fed up of working on cars for the moment. the effort I had to put into getting the megane through the mot just for it to pack up again a few hours after has put me off.

 

[ben8vgte]

Zaf wont take a 8x4, I've tried !

My VW T4 SWB will only take one on a slight diagonal, personally I'd look out for a van I really like my 1.9 DT T4. The parts are cheap and easy to work on not that mines needed much at all.

 

[owas]

Disco?
Ive used mine for 2 whole weeks without a problem ..

 

[bigegg]

A vauxhall omega estate will take a 8x4 sheet lying down (depending on how tall you are ).

SWB transit won't , but a roof rack/outside wall rack is pennies if you have the skills.


TRansit is BY FAR the cheapest to insure/maintain - I've said this before, but 1K to buy + 1k a year to cover insurance/maintenance - decide at the end of the year to buy a new one and scrap the old or fix it.
If you have a "dead" day with no work, spend it on the van, and it'll pay for itself.

 

[bigegg]

to the original question:
"commercial" tax is 7.5T+
transits, estates and car-derived vans are PLG
AFAIK
- I've not had a problem in 20 years

 

[Bill Edwards]

Disco?
Ive used mine for 2 whole weeks without a problem ..

When you say used, do you mean actually driven each day or simply had it sat there ready knowing that it is able to be driven?

 

[bigegg]

When you say used, do you mean actually driven each day or simply had it sat there ready knowing that it is able to be driven?

ITYM *possibly* "able to be driven"

 

[owas]

When you say used, do you mean actually driven each day or simply had it sat there ready knowing that it is able to be driven?

I drive it pretty much everyday

Not a serious suggestion though, I know its just a waiting game till something does need doing

 

[Westfield-builder]

A vauxhall omega estate will take a 8x4 sheet lying down (depending on how tall you are ).

SWB transit won't , but a roof rack/outside wall rack is pennies if you have the skills.

That really, really surprises me; as I know for a fact that ever Ford Transit we have had, have all taken 8 x 4 sheets flat between the rear arches and behind the rear seats. They have all been SWB vans, too. I did hear a tale that the original MK1 Transit was actually designed around an 8 x 4 sheet. We have run every MK(?) of Transit, since the 60s and all have taken an 8 x4 flat on the floor in the load bed. I myself, personally run a LWB Transit Connect, and if you use the clever passenger seat's ability to fold flat; it will take 8 x 4 sheets diagonally, on their sides.

I have always thought that all other manufacturers were missing a huge bite at the market by missing this.
Stand outside a local builders/timber merchants and watch the cowboys try and fit 8 x 4s into all sorts of vehicles, it can be good for a