Perfect Plumbing Van

[E4gas]

My pal just bought a astra van , looked at the room in the back , said it's big enough for him, got me thinking is it worth carrying stock in my van , he dos not , said if he needs anything he drive to a nearby shop .

 

[Mike Jackson]

You've got to strike a compromise with vans. I had a LWB, high top Renault Master when I was employed and it was great for the amount of stuff you could carry but there were a lot of places that you couldn't get it.

At the moment I'm working out of my Land rover 110. It's a wee bit on the small side but I can manage out of it with a bit of planning and I can always hook my trailer on the back if needed.

Long term I want to get a Land Rover 130 with a workshop back. This will give me all the room I want but retain the go anywhere ability that is so handy with the 110.

 

[MattWeth]

I'm looking out for a van at the moment.

I want something smaller at least at first - my short list at the moment is Berlingo, Transit Connect or Vauxhall Combi.

The Berlingo is good as there's lots about. Hadn't looked at the Connect but had a mooch round a nice LWB at the weekend which had a lot of space and was impressive (although too many miles on the one I looked at). Not that taken with the little Vauxhall but the prices aren't bad.

I'd like one without a bulkhead as I could post long stuff over the roll forward passenger seat - is there any reason that not having a bulkhead is a bad idea?

Any advice much appreciated!

 

[Roger Welton]

I've had a van without a bulkhead as a rental before now and was very paranoid about stuff being thrown forward in the event of a collision, plus tea leaves can easily see whats in the back.

On my previous van I cut a section out of the bulkhead under the passenger seat so pipe would fit in.

 

[PlumbBobBob]

without a bulkhead, contents of rear can be seen from front windows. also front doors may be less thief proof then rear ones, a bulkhead would act as a deterrent.

 

[MattWeth]

I've had a van without a bulkhead as a rental before now and was very paranoid about stuff being thrown forward in the event of a collision, plus tea leaves can easily see whats in the back.

On my previous van I cut a section out of the bulkhead under the passenger seat so pipe would fit in.

without a bulkhead, contents of rear can be seen from front windows. also front doors may be less thief proof then rear ones, a bulkhead would act as a deterrent.

Good point Steve and Roger.

That LWB connect had a wire bulkhead which hinged so the passenger side could be removed. It's a shame - that van had a lot going for it with the LWB and high top - if it'd had 20k less miles I'd be driving round in it now.

 

[jase158]

Camper van. loads of drawers, cooker to have hot lunch and electrics for kettle

 

[MattWeth]

Had one of them years ago - based on a Talbot Express.

Could hardly drag itself around, let alone a load of tools

 

[jase158]

but nobody knows that it is full of expensive tools, they think it is owned by a grumpy old man. and the newer versions must be a lot better

 

[WaterTight]

talking of vans full of expensive tools i was putting some cards out today and noticed a hilti box in the back of a caddy in a driveway. it's a good job i did because i passed it again 10 minutes later and realise i'd taken a wrong turn and was doing the same street twice. i blame an interesting audiobook.

 

[PlumbersMate]

my van hasnt got a bulkhead atm and tbh it gives me sleepless nights

 

[Barry98]

talking of vans full of expensive tools i was putting some cards out today and noticed a hilti box in the back of a caddy in a driveway. it's a good job i did because i passed it again 10 minutes later and realise i'd taken a wrong turn and was doing the same street twice. i blame an interesting audiobook.

thought you was going to say it was your own house lol

 

[MattWeth]

Good points about the security aspect of the bulkhead fellers - I might have to rethink my 'no bulkhead' preference...

 

[cr0ft]

MWB VW Crafter. Pipe fits inside the van no probs and I don't have to run to the merchants because I can keep lots of stock in it.

 

[WaterTight]

i don't have a bulkhead. i hung a pair of black curtain across. that way (i kid myself) a potentia thief will think it's a camper and not bother breaking in.

 

[dancinplumba]

nissan largo i have

 

[REDSAW]

At the moment I'm working out of my Land rover 110.
Long term I want to get a Land Rover 130 with a workshop back. This will give me all the room I want but retain the go anywhere ability that is so handy with the 110.

you been listening to me talking to the wife about the same thing?.lol
i am comming from a freelander & transit looking for something smaller as the main van (somewhere between the 2).

 

[dontknowitall]

Hummer?

 

[PlumbBobBob]

original or little one?

 

[MattWeth]

Not a Hummer - you need a proper Humvee

 

[WaterTight]

I love my Scudo.

 

[Barry Sparks]

Connect good van not best on fuel when i had one, always go for a bulkhead your ever in an accident without one it,s not the impact but gear flying about that does damage if you need the longth cut closable hatch to fitt pipe through then close when not req,d

 

[SafeGasInstall]

best perfect van is a company one

 

[SafeGasInstall]

the one you dont pay to buy,service,mot,tyres,insurance.................

 

[E4gas]

I'll be the first to be ridiculed,fire away peeps and remember grass doesn't grow on a busy street

Is that ex B G racking . I had it in my van , it's a bit heavy

 

[Guildfordboiler]

ive got a transporter t5 174 drives great really quick too more like a car has cruise control air con
its not great on diesel get about 500 milles from a tank which costs about £100

 

[Salopian]

56 Plate Fiat Doblo 1.9 - averages 50 plus mpg but really not big enough for me (and i'm untidy!).

 

[dontknowitall]

Perfect plumbing van will be:

One to carry lengths of 3m pipe inside the body (e.g. bundle of 15mm, bundle of 22mm and 3 or 4 other pieces).
One to carry 3-4 sheets of wood/plasterboard.
Easily access (near door) cubby holes for keeping small bits in - e.g. washers.
Flexible storage area - ie main frame with adjustable shelving and vertical sides and various straps to hold things.
Easy ladder storage in top of van
Space to "walk" in van for when it's raining
Possibly a small cupboard so you can keep home purchases clean for the "While you're out do you mind buying me a ..."


In cabin, decent sized compartment for folders, paperwork, brochures, etc
Decent space for sandwich box/thermos/drinks/crisps, etc
Rubbish bin
Proper space for phone - e.g. angled shelf/holder so you don't have to touch it to see if it just rang
"Part time" 4 wheel drive
Automatic gearbox
Heated windscreen
Air con
Electric windows
Seat warmers
Proper heater
Comfortable seats

 

[PlumbBobBob]

Perfect plumbing van will be:

One to carry lengths of 3m pipe inside the body (e.g. bundle of 15mm, bundle of 22mm and 3 or 4 other pieces).
One to carry 3-4 sheets of wood/plasterboard.
Easily access (near door) cubby holes for keeping small bits in - e.g. washers.
Flexible storage area - ie main frame with adjustable shelving and vertical sides and various straps to hold things.
Easy ladder storage in top of van
Space to "walk" in van for when it's raining
Possibly a small cupboard so you can keep home purchases clean for the "While you're out do you mind buying me a ..."


In cabin, decent sized compartment for folders, paperwork, brochures, etc
Decent space for sandwich box/thermos/drinks/crisps, etc
Rubbish bin
Proper space for phone - e.g. angled shelf/holder so you don't have to touch it to see if it just rang
"Part time" 4 wheel drive
Automatic gearbox
Heated windscreen
Air con
Electric windows
Seat warmers
Proper heater
Comfortable seats

where can i buy one

 

[b26b]

Ran a Vivaro for a bit, no end of problems, and then it decide to 'run on' thus destroying the engine, it had to go. Picked up a 51 plate Escort as a stop gap during last winter. £250 it cost and 15,000 miles later since I got it, its never missed a beat. Slow, very very slow but its good on juice, car like size, and easy to work on, I loathe paying other people to work on it, Im good with a socket set, make do and mend. Learnt my lesson, forget gadgets and speed and all that. If it doesnt have it, it cant go wrong. A chippy guy down the road runs a Moggy Minor van, now thats a motor!!

 

[stevetheplumber]

for a while in the eighties i had a min van for plumbing it was more as a way of getting out of some bad work i had a guvenor who would get you running around the country picking up stuff if your van was big enough so i sold my transit and got the mini

 

[arran197]

I drive a lot of different vans and although I hate to say it, the Transits seem to be the best. I drove a 4 year old one a few weeks ago that had 126k on the clock. Was still nice to drive and felt rock solid. The only fault I could find was the display on the radio wasn't working, although the radio still was.

I now daily drive a Citroen Dispatch, but I think I must have got a bad one. It's not 3 years old yet, has done 62k miles and I think I am the third engineer to have it. The clutch is juddering, the alarm keeps going off, the brakes are rubbish and it's thirsty. But the gearbox is nice and it's got a good load bay. I like the twin sliding doors too. Dash isn't bad, but hasn't got as much storage as a Transit.

Worst one I have driven is an LDV Maxus, interior is horrible and it is so badly made, may as well buy an older transit instead.

 

[Millsy 82]

I will agree about the maxus I had a hire van for about 3 months horrible to drive and was it just me but the steering wheel and pedals were not in line with the seat so you had to sit at a funny angle which gave me a bad back.

I drive a connect now rubbish on fuel and chews through front tyres but nice to drive. For what I do its the perfect size but if I was installing it would be useless.

If I had the choice it would be a transit comfy to drive loads of storage space in the front and a good size load space. After that it would have to be a transporter then Iveco daily although huge not to bad to drive.

 

[Gmaservices]

I've got a transit mwb high top for installs and bigger jobs and a connect for running round and small jobs/ servicing because it's cheaper to run, faster and easier to park! Can't fault either of them,had a vivaro for a while and it was the worst thing ive ever used!

 

[mark75]

got a traffic and its goin as soon as i can find sum1 2 buy it , its a nightmare !!!