Vans

When companies search for new commercial vehicles they are looking for a vehicle that is not only suitable for the task at hand but is a good representation of their business. With so much choice in the commercial vehicle market it can be a daunting task knowing where to begin. Before purchasing a vehicle there are some questions that all companies should ask themselves.

Who is driving the vehicle?

Though holders of a full UK driving license can drive vans up to 3.5 tonnes companies should avoid purchasing larger vehicles – unless your drivers have previous experience in driving vans.Some employees may find the idea of driving larger vehicles intimidating and as such may be uncomfortable manoeuvring the vehicle around certain areas.

Where is the vehicle being driven?

The size of the van has a great deal to do with fuel consumption as well as manoeuvrability; both of which are significant depending on where the vehicle is being driven. If the vehicle is typically to be used on motorways, you need to get the most fuel efficient vehicle possible which is still capable of carrying the loads required. Inner city vans will benefit from being smaller enabling easier parking and access.

What loads will the vehicle be carrying?

All vans have a maximum payload placed on them by the vehicle standards agency in the UK and as such if you are caught carrying too much you can be fined. If your company is used to carrying fairly typical loads in size and weight this should be an easy question for companies to answer. However if your company’s vehicles have varied loads; purchasing the right vehicle to adjust to your workload is of the utmost importance.

These questions are vital to the assessment of the type of vehicle to purchase. Once the company has considered these questions they can begin perusing the typical styles of vans now available, typical styles include:

Car Derived Vans

Also known commonly as city vans, CDVs typically have a cubic space of 1.5 – 2m for storage but are limited on payloads to an average of 500-600 KGs limiting them to smaller jobs. The size and design of CDVs mean they deliver excellent value for money and fuel economy.

Hi – Cubes

Although similar in size and shape to the CDV a Hi-cube offers similar performance in terms of manoeuvrability and fuel consumption but with the functionality of larger vans. Due to design specifications your average Hi-cube is capable of carrying payloads around 750 KGs and offers up to 4m cubic space. Many Hi-cubes offer an additional side door which makes them ideal for couriers and inner city deliveries.

Small panel

The small panel van is the compact vehicle that many trades use for everyday use; they offer an excellent balance between performance and functionality. Average maximum payloads vary between 1000-1200 KGs and offer an average of 7m cubic storage space.

Large panel

The large panel van is the largest vehicle than can be driven on a standard UK driving license and is suitable for a company that has to deliver larger payloads. Typically available in three variant lengths of: short wheel base, medium wheel base or long wheel base as well as heights of: high roof, medium roof and low roof. Due to the varying sizes companies are able to get the van right to their requirements.

Vehicle leasing is rapidly growing in popularity. The current economic crisis in Britain is – according to the radio announcements – finally over. This is a statement regularly questioned by the British public; with the increasing number of redundancies, the decrease in annual income and the ever rising price of petrol, groceries and everything else we used to buy at leisure; the national struggle is still at large.

Leasing your vehicle is a small light at the end of the tunnel. People simply can’t afford to purchase a new cars outright and with the tightening of lending criteria; nobody can actually get credit to have a car loan.

For those optimistic few out there starting small businesses and tackling the economy head on, a great thing to look into would be van leasing. For new start-up businesses this is a way of saving money and reducing the risk of failure.

Van leasing will be a great asset for your delivery services, whether you’re opening a florist, going into the catering business or removing and delivering furniture. Hiring a van will ensure you reliable transport and offer you cost-effective convenience.

So why is van leasing such a good idea?

First of all you are ensured a brand new vehicle. This can only increase the reliability of the transport, it also means that as it is a new van you will be granted maintenance services and roadside assistance whenever you need it. This will obviously save you money as mechanics and body repair specialists will charge you a fortune.

The great thing about the monthly payments is that you essentially determine what you pay. With a decent deposit you automatically reduce the monthly fee, you can also choose how long you want the van for and really; you only pay for what you use.

There is also opportunity for growth, if your business should expand there are always ways you can hire more vehicles from the same company. This automatically gives you the opportunity for deals and discounts.

Not only is van leasing a great way to organise business, but it can really help your reputation and presentation. First impressions always count and with highly reliable, clean and sophisticated forms of transport you present an image to customers and clients of reliability and professionalism.

A caravan is usually towed behind a vehicle to provide a place to sleep, cook and change. It’s like a small house but a wider tent, profoundly useful while traveling long distances. The caravan traces a more than a century long history.

The gypsies were arguably the first to use a caravan as a means of shelter. However, the world’s first leisure trailer was built by the Bristol Carriage Company in 1880, for Dr. W. Gordon-Stables. Gordon-Stables later named it the ‘Wanderer’. In the late 18th century, the caravan was essentially used for the transport of products through towns and cities. The gypsies, or as they were called the nomadic Romani people, traveled in caravans called the Vardo. But the early Romani people didn’t sleep in their Vardo. They nailed tents beside their caravans and used the latter primarily as a mode of transport. The gypsies gradually realized that caravans provided better protection from the extreme weather, and by the beginning of the 19th century, they started using the Vardo as their home.

The Europeans eventually adapted the caravan as a tourist vehicle after the 1880 innovation. Sometimes caravans were even built at the request of newlywed couples. With the advent of sophisticated travel trailers in the early 20th century, people considered traveling in caravans as normal. The travel trailers were later branded as house trailers.

The evolution of the modern caravan cell commenced with stagecoaches equipped with enough supplies to last a few days. The earliest gypsy caravans were similar to stagecoaches, but were sometimes completely covered. They were generally pulled by animals. With the commercialization of automobiles in the 20th century, caravans eventually came included with them. This paved the way for compact caravans visible on the streets today.

The types of caravans available these days include the travel trailer, which itself is classified into the teardrop trailer, an Airstream trailer, and a hybrid trailer. The fifth-wheel trailer is supported by a hitch in the center of the bed of a pickup truck, instead of a hitch at the back of the truck. These are generally used by people traveling in them on long trips for the purpose of habitation. The trucks may be used for local commute.

Off-road trailers are built specifically for exploring the extreme backcountry without having the restriction of paved highways or gravel roads. They handle rough terrain better than any other caravans in the trade. A modern innovation of the recent caravans is the toy hauler. With half living area and half-garage, the caravan gets its name through the purpose these trailers are primarily used. ‘Toys’ or dirt bikes are brought to the countryside with the help of these trucks. Double-decker trailer is a two-level travel trailer. When traveling, the trailer looks like any other normal trailer, but when it’s set up, the height is almost doubled. These are normally used in motion picture production as portable dressing rooms, or for the purpose of transportation of huge vehicles.

We Australians majorly boast of camper trailers. These are as suitable off-road as they are on-road. Large water holding tanks, batteries for electricity, and off-road suspension are some of its many sophisticated features.

There are many types on van on the market and choosing which is for you can be tricky. Each van make and model has it’s own specs and uniqueness, making it differ from another. Knowing what to look out for when looking for either a new or indeed and old van can be tricky.

If it’s a Volkswagen that you’ve set your heart on then then this is a popular choice and the love of these vans is shared by many. They are, as a whole, reliable vehicles and have many great features including spacious interiors and an enjoying drive. If you are thinking of a purchase then there are things to what out for and check for and we have listed a few below.

Clearly if it’s a new model you are opting for then you are covered by a good warranty and should try to get as best a price and add ons as the dealer is willing to be haggled down to.

If you are buying a used Volkswagen, particularly if it’s a classic, there are some things you should consider and you should never part with any money until you are sure you are making a safe investment.

Despite the passion and love an owner may show for the vehicle, it is important that they have also taken care of it and maintained it regularly. Things like oil leaks should be sort for and this can only be carried out when it’s not raining. Look on the ground where the van is parked and check for leaks. If leaks are present, you’ll need to know exactly what’s needed to remedy them, and the cost of this.

The floor pans and roof (if tin in particular) should also be checked for rust or damage. Fibre glass roofs should be checked for cracks and pop up roofs need to be verified as they can break easily- both the arms and fabric can get damaged.

Timing belts are also notorious for needing replacement and is very expensive to replace. In fact, the timing belt is one of the most valuable parts of the vehicle. If it has been replaced already then you should ensure you know when so you can determine how long it will be before you will need to replace this again.

Check all the electric parts to the van including lights and the wiring. Wiring can sometimes be manipulated and if so, there should be an understanding of why.

Chassis issues are also common. The two rails, jacking joints and outriggers should be rust free and whole. If patches are present ensure the quality of the weld and that rust is not jeopardising it.

It is as important that the van can run correctly as it’s looks are appealing to the eye so do ensure you make the above checks carefully before buying. If unsure or in doubt take advice from a qualified specialist who could guide you into making the right decision.

If you are intending on visiting a caravan sale on the weekend to purchase a van for your family’s enjoyment, you might be feeling a little apprehensive about what to expect. These nerves are likely to increase tenfold when intending on visiting or bidding in an auction. With the following tips, however, you should find that you are able to survive the sale with very little fuss.

Bring your mechanic
If possible, employ the services of a mechanic who is highly experienced and qualified with caravans who will be able to help you look over the vehicle before sale. They will be able to check that everything is in good working order and will not have any nasty surprises.

Bring a friend
If this is the first time that you will have purchased a caravan or even travelled in one, you might like to bring along someone who has done both of these things before. They will know what to look for in a good quality van that will meet your needs perfectly.

Check all paperwork
Before signing on the dotted line and handing over any money, make sure that you carefully inspect all associated paperwork. Make sure that all of the documents match the caravan that you are interested in buying and make sure that you are aware of all major repairs.

Check its history
By determining where the caravan has been used in the past, you can get a good idea of whether it is likely to experience problems, like rust. If the previous owner spent a lot of time travelling in wet locations (like the beach), for example, then rust is definitely going to be a possibility.

Check the electrics
You should make sure that all of the appliances included are in good working order. If the caravan comes with a generator, make sure that they all work using this power source, too. Never take the word of the seller, as there are plenty of dishonest ones out there.

Open and close
Make sure that you open and close every cupboard, door or locker that your caravan might feature. This will ensure that you have access to every section of the van and that the doors don’t stick. It will also allow you the opportunity to inspect these sections.

Check for damp
Unfortunately, a large portion of caravan sales occur because the owner has detected damp. Make sure that you carefully inspect every inch of the van for signs of damp, such as spongy floors, mold in the backs of cupboards and a musty smell.

Check the body
Make sure that you walk around the outside of the caravan and look for signs of damage or damp. Warping of the panels is often an indicator of damp, whilst discolouration is often a sign that the van has been in an accident and patched up.

Whilst there are, of course, plenty of other factors that you should be taking into account when purchasing a leisure vehicle of any kind, the points that have been listed above are definitely going to be useful in helping you to survive a caravan sale. So, put your apprehension and nerves aside by making sure that you have all bases covered.