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• PRO

  Andrew Watts October 9, 2017 at 8:59pm

  Have a ford ranger pick-up with canopy and it's OK to work out of as a lawn care spraying / fert vehicle. Would not use for mower - have vans for that!

  new shape LWB vivaro is very nice to drive & 3m load length. Very good. So I assume the traffic will be likewise. We have a Relay, and it's not so nice to drive and has been pants reliability wise, so again I assume Boxer likewise...we also have a lwb  transit new shape. Much nicer...less time at the garage too. Would go for that over Relay/Boxer.

  Of course, with the right man maths, you can work out how to get the pick-up and the van...just takes time...
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    Alan M > Andrew Watts October 9, 2017 at 9:18pm

    Thanks Andrew, of course the correct vehicle is a van over a pick up but it’s nice to dream :) so my decision would be small or large van, and the cost differences are negligible so I should be going for a large van but are they not just so difficult to get into small entrances etc?
• PRO

  Andrew Watts October 9, 2017 at 10:49pm

  Being slightly bigger, advantages of capacity / kit access outweigh problems of small drives. A 4m van is bigger, so more problems. 3m load length nice compromise and easy to move into tight spots with parking sensors.

  It's also nice to be able to walk into the back standing up, so having a high roof is good. LWB hi roof vivaro / traffic would be ideal as a mowing single van (3m load length). We use a hi roof lwb transit (3.5m load) as the mowing van as we occasionally put a ride-on in the back.
• PRO

  Andrew jones October 9, 2017 at 11:15pm

  HI A M

  Fuel economy is a factor!

  I have two pick ups, ranger single cab and l200 double cab, and a Nissan Primastar SWB. The primastar is much better on fuel and more versatile. The pick ups are more efficient for all day mowing i.e. no doors to open. Security is also a factor, they are both open backed with no hard tops, but we work in a nice area. We still don't leave a strimmer or blower unattended though.

  If I had to choose one vehicle to now do all my business from...Primastar

  One for a nice drive, pose, and personal vehicle...L200 Trojan

  One as a dogs body chuck anything in it....Ranger 

  Hope this helps

  I should also add that the main reason for having the double cab is the need for 3/4 staff members to be on board.

  Andrew
• PRO

  Richard Gadsby October 10, 2017 at 7:37am

  I’ve got a navara and it’s impratical for all the obvious reasons stated above by the others.
  It does work and I love it though!
  If you use your head you will get a van if you get what you want it will likely be the pick up!!
  • PRO

    Harry@VWGS > Richard Gadsby October 10, 2017 at 8:05am

    Haha, this is true, I've owned both pickups and vans, pickups are very versatile vehicles compared to a van, every time I've owned a big van I have ended up filling it with crap that just sits there never really being used, a small van and pickups make you more organised as you haven't got the space to just store stuff, it's all good for thought, however if it's your first pro work vehicle then I'd probably go for the Vauxhall Vivaro size van, it will set you on the right path, good luck
• PRO

  Andrew Watts October 10, 2017 at 7:58am

  Whats the budget btw?
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    Alan M > Andrew Watts October 10, 2017 at 8:35am

    Thanks to all of you, really helpful advice and good to learn from all your experiences- re. my budget, I think about £6-7000 will get me a nice van but then with finance ( loan from bank) at an all time low - trafic’s are available for £12,000 plus vat brand new, would that not be worth while? I heard on the news the other day new vehicle sales are down especially diesels prompting even better deals to come.
    • PRO

      Richard Gadsby > Alan M October 10, 2017 at 9:00am

      If you can afford something new do it would be my advice.
      Downtime costs can be made more than monthly payments on new when you add things up.
      On the other hand you could buy used and get a gem that goes and goes!!
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  Craig Flatters October 10, 2017 at 3:34pm

  I drive a new Renault Trafic, good on fuel, nice drive, looks smart, LWB so got enough space for 2 mowers, strimmer, back pack blower and a van vault bolted down

  Highly recommended from me.

  10/10 for me.