Need some new wheels?

[Excalibur]

We've had the car/van debate before, and doubtless will again. We've also had the question of how important it is that your vehicle should look pretty.
I'll just say two things.
1) The clue's in the title. Commercial Vehicle. No need to pimp it. Won't make it work any better, or look businesslike.
2) Get the right van. We've got one of the nicest cars we've had for ages. I'd rather drive my van.

[ukpartydj]

We've had the car/van debate before, and doubtless will again. We've also had the question of how important it is that your vehicle should look pretty.
I'll just say two things.
1) The clue's in the title. Commercial Vehicle. No need to pimp it. Won't make it work any better, or look businesslike.
2) Get the right van. We've got one of the nicest cars we've had for ages. I'd rather drive my van.

1) Exactly! I had a beautiful vw transporter van lovely paint etc but I bought a bog standard vivaro because I didn't want to have to worry about it all the time... Will I scratch the alloys. Will going down County lanes scratch the paintwork...

Now I'm actually much happier driving. If I get a small dent - oh well... If somebody else opens their door onto me in a car park that's a different story though!

[ppentertainments]

Easier to resurrect a old thread

The past few days has seen me forced to use 'alternative modes of transport' after my van decided to spit the engine out all over the road

Thursday I borrowed my Dads people carrier and tonight I used my wifes car. The result - I wish I hired a van.

It's not until times like this I appreciate having a van and although I used a car for many years, would now never go back to it. People who struggle on with people carriers and cars don't know how much hard work they are giving themselves. It is difficult having a family and using a van, but honestly, even if it meant the van was an extra vehicle I wouldn't be without one.

[Excalibur]

and although I used a car for many years, would now never go back to it.

Amen to that. My new van comfort wise is the equal of our car for long distance work, and only slightly less economical.

The only two minuses are that if it's not " car derived " it's ( legally ) ten mph slower, and not all car parks and venues are " Transit friendly ". Wouldn't be without mine now.

[ukpartydj]

The only two minuses are that if it's not " car derived " it's ( legally ) ten mph slower, and not all car parks and venues are " Transit friendly ". Wouldn't be without mine now.

Wow, I did not know that. I know I cannot exceed 3.5tonnes on my licence but had never heard about speed limits for normal vans! I always thought it was 7.5tonne plus where the speed limits dropped!

[yourdj]

Easier to resurrect a old thread

The past few days has seen me forced to use 'alternative modes of transport' after my van decided to spit the engine out all over the road

Thursday I borrowed my Dads people carrier and tonight I used my wifes car. The result - I wish I hired a van.

It's not until times like this I appreciate having a van and although I used a car for many years, would now never go back to it. People who struggle on with people carriers and cars don't know how much hard work they are giving themselves. It is difficult having a family and using a van, but honestly, even if it meant the van was an extra vehicle I wouldn't be without one.

I must be on mu own with the opposite opinion then as I was so glad to get shot of my Partner (the van not my wife).
I have a very compact set up that may contribute to very easy loading and storage. Its literally:

2 10 tops, 1 12 sub, 1 back up 12 top.
Large flight case - 1.5 metres, screen & decks.

The only ball ache is having the dogs and having to move the seats/plastic cover back when i need to facilitate passengers. I have a second zafira at the moment with a car seat, but would imagine this would be a bit annoying when I sell that and have to look after the kids during the week?? My wife wont let the dogs in the Insignia, so have considered a camper van, (when the dogs go), but perhaps a van may be the best option (or a converted van to a camper)?? I have communal carpark so can only feasibly have 2 cars, but it would make life very simple having a loaded van in a locked garage, ready to roll when ever, for the next house!!

I am sure i will come back to this in a few years when I have a super duper Transporter or something and change my mind!!

[ppentertainments]

Wow, I did not know that. I know I cannot exceed 3.5tonnes on my licence but had never heard about speed limits for normal vans! I always thought it was 7.5tonne plus where the speed limits dropped!

Never realised either lol

[Excalibur]

Wow, I did not know that. I know I cannot exceed 3.5tonnes on my licence but had never heard about speed limits for normal vans! I always thought it was 7.5tonne plus where the speed limits dropped!

Hang on. This is confusing. Goods vehicles under 7.5T are 50, 60, 70 on single, dual and motorway respectively. That's interesting, as I thought ( wrongly, apparently ) that motorways and dual carriageways were the same. Seems I can travel at 70 on a motorway.

According to what I can find, the magic figure is two tonnes Max GVW. , ie fully loaded. Seems all Transits ( including Tourneos, which is another area of confusion ) are in the same class.

There is another interesting pitfall also. When your little van is first registered, it may be listed simply as a van, as opposed to car derived van. Thus, two identical vehicles can have different speed limits!

At least having read the rules again, it seems I can do 70 on the motorways after all.

Please don't take this as the definitive answer, but a government site is good enough for me.

[Benny Smyth]

Vans can do 70 on the motorway, 60 on dual carriageways and 50 on a single carriage way.

But, saying that, it is a van so 80 regardless of the road type is expected of the driver, along with tailgating, undertaking, cutting people up and criticising everyone else's driving.

[Excalibur]

Vans can do 70 on the motorway, 60 on dual carriageways and 50 on a single carriage way.

Which ties in with what I found on the web, thanks.

But, saying that, it is a van so 80 regardless of the road type is expected of the driver, along with tailgating, undertaking, cutting people up and criticising everyone else's driving.

Only if it's white, and/or a hire van though.