Vans-What do you use and where to get one?

[scoopd]

Looking at getting a new van and just wondering where is best.
I amlooking at a Ford Connect (in the short term) and was just wondering if anybody used these and what your experiences are

[jamesh]

i use a vauxhall combo van and in that i fit..

1x 6u abs case (with computer systems mounted in)
1x 4u x 6u case (mixer, cd player , audio processor dac 3)
4x evl proscans (flightcased as 2x scans per case)
1x evl prostar (flightcased single)
2x spins
2x moving heads
4x LED pars (cased)
4ft Deckstand
3m truss
2x stands for truss
Tbar adapters (for when i dont use truss)
2x speaker stands
2x bass bins
2x tops
cd wallet
backup mixer
2x psr8a (8" speakers)
XLR cables case
IEC cables case
Large cables case
extension and 4 way case
bits and bobs case
Various sizes of black cloth

Prob a few other bits i've forgotten too..... It really is a bit of a squeeze now and if it doesn't go in a certain way it means that the roadie has to have stuff on his lap!

Bit sluggish going up hills too :D but for the average disco it's fine.

When i use the full rig i have to hire/borrow a bigger van

[scoopd]

Sothat van seems to work fine for you-cheers

[Ricesnaps]

It depends on what you want and what you want to do with it now and long term.

I run a Mercedes Vito - traded in one of our cars when I got a company car. Came from a car sales place locally, so it was fairly easy to trade in the car.

My wife now runs a 1.9 Peugeot Partner - same sort of size as the combo / berlingo / Connect. I would say, although it's a lovely van, would probably go for the turbo version next time and certanily wouldn't even touch the sides with my disco kit!

Bought the Partner from a van sales place in Norwich, again needed to trade in the wifes car and this place has a sister site selling cars. If you have a trade in, doing it a a van only garage will not get you a good trade in. If you can find a place that does both vans and cars, your sorted.

Can't comment on the Ford for you though, other than to say I have never ever been a fan of Ford vans myself (particularly the new transit, what on earth happened there? How Ugly?), but to be fair, there are a lot of them about, so I'm guessing they should be fairly easy to maintain.

[pagan_flame]

Got a 1992 jap import Toyota Hiace MPV - has seats in the back which fold down into a double bed when required... :eek:

2.4 TD automatic with all the jap import trimmings you don't get with vans (e.g. aircon, electric everything...)

Accommodates all my kit (http://www.slingshot.uk.com/fd/eqpt_list.html) inc. 2 lengths of 2m truss very easily with a bit of planning... mpg around 30 when fully loaded and cruising at 75 on the motorways.

Jap import stuff can be had for very little £££'s, is very clean and low mileage when it gets here despite the age --- and Just Does Not Break.

[theoloyla]

Transit for 38 years!

[Penfold42]

Transit for 38 years!

What same one......:eek:

[rob1963]

Ford Courier (Fiesta) van, and before that another one, and before that a couple of Ford Escort vans (not at the same time!).

Can you tell I like Ford?

:p

[Penfold42]

Ford Courier (Fiesta) van, and before that another one, and before that a couple of Ford Escort vans (not at the same time!).

Can you tell I like Ford?

:p

Toilet - Ford....same thing isn't it......:p

[sleah]

Toilet - Ford....same thing isn't it......:p

Oooo......easy tiger!;)

I'm a transit man myself, currently on my 6th:D
At least they're better than those sprinters that tip over on roundabouts and break down all the time, apparently:eek:

[groovy-nights]

Transit connect here can get loads in if you pack it right

[Vectis]

Peugeot partner with a heavy-duty roofrack.

Smallest rig fits in the van nicely.

Largest fits with a bit of twiddling, and all the metalwork (bagged) on the roof.

Massive storage space under the seats (most people don't know that!) for spare cables, bulbs, glowsticks, you name it... even a mixer and CD player.

[Ricesnaps]

Peugeot partner with a heavy-duty roofrack.

Smallest rig fits in the van nicely.

Largest fits with a bit of twiddling, and all the metalwork (bagged) on the roof.

Massive storage space under the seats (most people don't know that!) for spare cables, bulbs, glowsticks, you name it... even a mixer and CD player.

Don't think I'm being rude her, but how the hell cvan you fit a whole disco into a Partner? We've got one and I couldn't even get one length of truss in the back!

I think it's also important (here speaks many years of hard learnt experiance) to apreciate just how limitting and how much of a hassle it is to have a van which "just fits".

[Vectis]

OK... kit list for a typical disco looks like...

Pre-wired Amps, EQ, Laptop stand, Mixer, Radio Mic, Chasers, d2 director, show director all in a 19" 16U+10U wheeled mixer cabinet along with bulgin leads, speakon leads.

2x bass cabs and 2x full-range cabs.

2x data moons (flightcased), 2x stormbirds (cased), 4x dynamos (cased), 2x spinmasters (cased), 2x sound-to-light lasers (boxed), 1x 12" laserball (boxed), crate of leads, crate of accessories (mics, controllers, assorted nick-nacks), laptop bag with 3 lappies, webcam, HDDs, 2x 20" TFTs or 1x video screen and projector (boxed), 4x 4-way spot banks, 12" mirror ball, motor & 2x PAR36s (boxed), hazer and fluid, loopytubes (in a length of soilpipe), starcloth (bagged), UV tube (in a length of soilpipe), small stepladder.

Stands, poles, shelves, gantry (depending on mix) either in-van or on the roofrack.

Usually still enough vision to reverse by the internal mirror!

Probably missed a few nick-nacks off this list.

Sound like the right amount of gear for a decent disco?

:)

[theoloyla]

What same one......:eek:

Er....no! Although I have never worn out an engine on one (petrol or diesel) it is always the bodies that go first. I presented Ford with a silver disc in 1980 for my then van (The Boogie Bus) which completed a quarter of a million miles. That had a Perkins diesel engine as Ford didnt make them in those days!

[Thames Valley Discos]

I sometimes use a twin wheel box trailer or her in doors Ford Galaxy.

[rob1963]

Toilet - Ford....same thing isn't it......:p

:eek: :eek: :eek:

[PropellerHeadCase]

Yeah, I'm driving a Ford Toilet, I can fit all sorts of :Censored: in it!

[Corabar Steve]

Don't think I'm being rude her, but how the hell cvan you fit a whole disco into a Partner? We've got one and I couldn't even get one length of truss in the back!

I think it's also important (here speaks many years of hard learnt experiance) to apreciate just how limitting and how much of a hassle it is to have a van which "just fits".

All I can say is you've either got too much kit, your flight cases are too big or you can't pack properly. I can get 2 speakers, a 6U deep flightcase 2x 4U racks, a 2U rack, 4 or 5 lighting effects, 2iColor 3s, a wheeled toolbox, laptop case & an Ultimax deck / light stand, & still have room for my CDs & be able to see out the back window (can also fit 2m sections of ladder truss their tripods in diagonally on top of the rig) at a push, I can get 2 of our rigs in there

[theoloyla]

I packed my van and in it I put: a 5kw sound system, a 10 kw lighting rig, the Luton Girls pipe Band, 20,000 CD's, Atilla The Hun and the hordes from the Steppes, Moby ****, a JCB, 20 boxes of Kleenex tissues, The entire houses of parliament, a porcupine and a cuddly toy! "Transit the backbone of Britain"

[BeerFunk]

I packed my van and in it I put: a 5kw sound system, a 10 kw lighting rig, the Luton Girls pipe Band, 20,000 CD's, Atilla The Hun and the hordes from the Steppes, Moby ****, a JCB, 20 boxes of Kleenex tissues, The entire houses of parliament, a porcupine and a cuddly toy! "Transit the backbone of Britain"
Lmao! Brilliant :D

[Ricesnaps]

All I can say is you've either got too much kit, your flight cases are too big or you can't pack properly. I can get 2 speakers, a 6U deep flightcase 2x 4U racks, a 2U rack, 4 or 5 lighting effects, 2iColor 3s, a wheeled toolbox, laptop case & an Ultimax deck / light stand, & still have room for my CDs & be able to see out the back window (can also fit 2m sections of ladder truss their tripods in diagonally on top of the rig) at a push, I can get 2 of our rigs in there

I wouldn't disagree that a couple of my cases are a tad too large, but other than that I wouldn't say I had an undersized or oversized rig.

Things change though don't they, I used to fit it all into a Mercede's A class (with all bar the drivers seat removed). I'm sure if I tried hard it "might" almost squeeze into the Partner, but to be honest, I can't be bothered. Why struggle and squeeze if you don't have to?

By the way I LOVE the vito!

[Jiggles]

HEHEHE I have big set up IMO and i mange to pack it in to a Ford Fusion 1!!!!! ::D:D:D YES A Fusion 1 :eek: tiny car.

[BeerFunk]

I can fit a small setup in a Ford Focus with ease - massive boot space ;)

[sleah]

"Transit the backbone of Britain"

With the exeption of the new style:eek: , probably the best looking vans.
I'd say the MK3/4 was one of the best ever, functional, easy to maintain, reliable (if looked after) and certainly best looking. They were just so far ahead of their time:cool:

[sleah]

HEHEHE I have big set up IMO and i mange to pack it in to a Ford Fusion 1!!!!! ::D:D:D YES A Fusion 1 :eek: tiny car.

I must try to see if I can get enough to do a gig in my runabout - Clio:D :D :D

[Arnold_disco]

HEHEHE I have big set up IMO and i mange to pack it in to a Ford Fusion 1!!!!! ::D:D:D YES A Fusion 1 :eek: tiny car.


What happened to the Defender 90?

[Penfold42]

What happened to the Defender 90?

Alright if you do your gigging at Glastonbury....:D :D
If your going that way you need a Hummer 2.....;)

Don't like the to plug Yankee thing's but have worked with these....if somethings in you way....pull it down....:D :D

But not good for mobile disco's...

[Paul James Promotions]

Sprinter 311CDI LWB, after running two LDV's for the last few years.

[DMX Will]

If I haven't already said it...I'm looking at getting a Renault Trafic :)

[Tony Scott]

Toilet - Ford....same thing isn't it......:p

Always been a Ford man...........some have been toilet, at least some of them have smelt that way but my current one is a Transit Connect high-top, long wheel TDCI - fantastic van and NOT TOILET! :)

[Shaun]

I'm shopping for a new(er) van at the moment. Saw 2 I like so far, Renault Traffic and Ford Transit.

[Tony Scott]

I'm shopping for a new(er) van at the moment. Saw 2 I like so far, Renault Traffic and Ford Transit.

The trafic is a fantastic van to drive and use but in my experience they are more problematic and cost more to repair than the Transit.
My Dad has been a desiel fitter/mechanic his whole life and this is also his view.
He is a Vauxhall man but still puts the transit above the Vauxhall version and the trafic itself for reliability...........don't get him started on vauxhall cars though unless you have a couple of hours to spare....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :D

[Penfold42]

The trafic is a fantastic van to drive and use but in my experience they are more problematic and cost more to repair than the Transit.
My Dad has been a desiel fitter/mechanic his whole life and this is also his view.
He is a Vauxhall man but still puts the transit above the Vauxhall version and the trafic itself for reliability...........don't get him started on vauxhall cars though unless you have a couple of hours to spare....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz :D

:agree:

Joke's aside Ford are better and would agree to steer well clear of the Traffic as the French seem to change parts to offten....then you have to go through the 'What year is it...?' before you can identify the part.....:)

All comment's on Traffic vans below.......:D

[colint]

I use a chrysler grand voyarger for small gigs (which is wicked to get into after a long day) and a 7.5 ton ford cargo (tector) for large gigs and Pa work

[Penfold42]

I use a chrysler grand voyarger

Nice......:cool:

[colint]

yes a lovley car but not cheep to run at about 14mpg around town but amazing what you can get in without seats in!

last sat had deck front, mixer case with cd system, 2 x sl1210s, 10u amp rack, lighting system, 2 cases cds, 6 cases 12" singles 1 x 2 x 15" bass cab 2 ffohn mid/hi's
hazer, laptop, tool case, and stands and still had seating for 4 people! but the truss did have to go on the roof though!!! :cool:

[Penfold42]

:eek: Now that's value...;)

[rob1963]

yes a lovley car but not cheep to run at about 14mpg around town

14 mpg? :eek:

Must cost you a fortune!

I average nearly 40 with my Ford Courier van

:)

[colint]

The chrysler's not that bad if you keep the speed down and does about 28-30mpg on the motorway but quiet heavy when fully loaded with my kit!

But this is all offset by the fact I don't have a car and a van like most Dj's/sound people! (apart from the little lorry or course) so only pay 1 lot of tax, mot, ins etc

Inside the cars about the same size as a L300 van once you take all the rear seats out (takes about 4 mins) and sunday morning I can put the seats back in and take the wife and brats to the seaside cant really do that in a transit can you (unless it's a bus?)
perfect car for a Dj really! but get the derv!!!!!

[Tony Scott]

sunday morning I can put the seats back in and take the wife and brats to the seaside can't really do that in a transit can you

Not really, you'd look like a right pikey...........all you would need was the Jack Russel on the dashboard!!! :D :D :D

[colint]

Now? Tony thats not very nice is it you'd get chucked off BB for that!
you wanna buy a dagggg?:D

And the transit would have to have a tow bar!

I feel a snatch theme night coming on!:whistle:

[Penfold42]

14 mpg? :eek:

Must cost you a fortune!

I average nearly 40 with my Ford Courier van

:)

Ah yes but can you get 4 people in as well.......:rolleyes:

[rob1963]

Ah yes but can you get 4 people in as well.......:rolleyes:

That's a good point...I guess it would be pretty cool if I could get all the gear in my van AND 4 of my groupies! ;)

[Penfold42]

That's a good point...I guess it would be pretty cool if I could get all the gear in my van AND 4 of my groupies! ;)

What groupies....
:Rob James: :Rob James: :Rob James: :Rob James:
Is that four....:p :p :D

[soundlad]

trailer anyone?:D

[Shaun]

The trafic is a fantastic van to drive and use but in my experience they are more problematic :D


:agree:

Joke's aside Ford are better and would agree to steer well clear of the Traffic as the French seem to change parts to offten


I know a few people that own a Renault Trafic (including my Brother) and they've never had any problems. Maybe they've just been lucky. I had a test drive of the Trafic yesterday, and I have to say it was great to drive. The only problem with it was the lack of space in the back. From the outside it looks pretty big till you open the doors, it's like an inverted tardis, huge on the outside small on the inside!.

[Tony Scott]

.....I had a test drive of the Trafic yesterday, and I have to say it was great to drive. The only problem with it was the lack of space in the back. From the outside it looks pretty big till you open the doors, it's like an inverted tardis, huge on the outside small on the inside!.

yeah if you look at it side on you see it's all about the cab space, I think they have made a cracking van for the driver but no so good on payload.
I borrowed one when my high-top, long wheel base transit connect was in for service & there wasn't much more space in the trafic!
much better cd player though & you can get 2 roadies/groupies (which ever is your preference) in the front!

[Shaun]

Well....spent the last week scouring the internet and the last 3 days driving round the country looking a vans. I think I've found one. The seller's going to put a full years MOT on it and it should be ready for pick up within the week.

After weighing up all the pros and cons I'd narrowed it down to 3 van types. Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro, and Ford Transit. I went with the Vivaro, the one I chose is in immaculate condition for an '02 plate and I got it for a fair price. A little less space in the back compared to the transit, but I've been downsizing for a while anyway.

I'd forgotten how stressful looking for a van could be.

[spin mobile disco]

I use a peugeot partner car , the seats fold completely away and I can still get 2 peaveys st15's 2 mackie s300z decks unit 2 amps cables box 3 metres of truss 2 lighting stands 2 speaker stands and assortment of lighting and effects. And can still use rear view mirror over the top.
Get between 40 - 50 mpg with a 2 litre HDi engine.

[Tony Scott]

Well....spent the last week scouring the internet and the last 3 days driving round the country looking a vans. I think I've found one. The seller's going to put a full years MOT on it and it should be ready for pick up within the week.

After weighing up all the pros and cons I'd narrowed it down to 3 van types. Renault Trafic, Vauxhall Vivaro, and Ford Transit. I went with the Vivaro, the one I chose is in immaculate condition for an '02 plate and I got it for a fair price. A little less space in the back compared to the transit, but I've been downsizing for a while anyway.

I'd forgotten how stressful looking for a van could be.

Not to mention the hours of working out the best way to fit the kit in economicaly! :D

[Corabar Steve]

Not to mention the hours of working out the best way to fit the kit in economicaly! :D

Or ergonomically :sj:

[Shaun]

Not to mention the hours of working out the best way to fit the kit in economicaly! :D

Picked up the van earlier today, so the game of van tetris begins tommorow.

[Ricesnaps]

And isn't it always the way - the more room you have the more you put in it?

Started life running the entire rig in a Mercedes A class, then a box trailer and now I'm struggling for room in the Vito!

[PropellerHeadCase]

Rationalise and Consolidate!

[Shaun]

First task...buy and fit a bulkhead. Hopefully I'll have it sign written by the end of the week too.

[rob1963]

First task...buy and fit a bulkhead. Hopefully I'll have it sign written by the end of the week too.

Why would you want a sign written bulkhead?

:p

[Shaun]

<grooooan> :)

[Penfold42]

Why would you want a sign written bulkhead?

:p

:D :D :D

[Larry B Entertainment]

I am getting a Ford escort van. I have had one before and always got on ok with it before i wrote it off. At the moment i have a Nissan micra that i picked up cheap and so far have had in it for a gig.........

1 Pair Mackie SRM 450's
Case with CD Decks and mixer
2 Lighting tripods
4 Foot Deck Stand
2 Stairville moving heads
2 Martin scans (cant remember the model but they were quite large)
3 Flightcases of CD's
2 x 2 Litre bottles of mineral water

and me.

Not my gear, i borrowed it and was the only transport i had for the gig. Not bad i think. and travelled all the way from Boston to Lincoln and back again :)

[rob1963]

I am getting a Ford escort van. I have had one before and always got on ok with it before i wrote it off. At the moment i have a Nissan micra that i picked up cheap and so far have had in it for a gig.........

1 Pair Mackie SRM 450's
Case with CD Decks and mixer
2 Lighting tripods
4 Foot Deck Stand
2 Stairville moving heads
2 Martin scans (cant remember the model but they were quite large)
3 Flightcases of CD's
2 x 2 Litre bottles of mineral water

and me.

Not my gear, i borrowed it and was the only transport i had for the gig. Not bad i think. and travelled all the way from Boston to Lincoln and back again :)

Rocket,

You can't go wrong with a Ford Escort van.

I've used Escort vans & Courier (Fiesta) vans for the last 14 years now.

Trouble is, they stopped making them about 5 years ago, so I haven't got a clue what to go for next...everything is full of computers & stuff these days - much more to go wrong :(

[Larry B Entertainment]

Im getting a second escort van. Im not keen on the new stuff either :confused: :confused: As long as it is reliable and gets me there and back and can hold the gear then it is fine with me. I would sooner spend money on gear and have a suitable vehicle rather than anything too flash.