Finding a van for your business needs can be quite a daunting task, there are so many makes and models to choose from it can seem very confusing. Unfortunately there is no one van on the market that fits everyone’s requirements, so answering a few simple questions will help to narrow your choices and make the decision process that much simpler. Whether it’s an addition to an existing fleet, a replacement van or a van for a new business the questions will remain the same.
How many passengers will the van need to transport?
Most small vans come with two front seats where medium to large vans will likely have a row with 3 seats. A crew van which gives an extra row of seats will allow up to 6 passengers to be carried along with a load behind the passengers seats. For safety most crew vans should come equipped with a steel bulkhead to separate the cargo area from the passengers. If you need more than 6 seats then a minibus may be what you are looking for, which can be found in 9, 12, 15 and 17 seat versions.
What cargo is being transported?
Most vans will come in a choice of wheel base lengths, roof heights and will each have a payload capacity which is the maximum weight load the van can carry. Transport Police can pull a vehicle over at any time and take it to a weighbridge, where if it’s found to be overloaded a hefty fine can be imposed for both the driver and company, so you need to get the payload capacity correct. To add to the confusion each van will also have a maximum axle weight for both the front and back axles of the van which also needs to be taken into consideration. If you only need a van for carrying heavy loads once or twice a year it can work out cheaper to get a smaller van and just hire a larger one as and when needed.
What access points do you need?
Along with the van requiring a cargo space that is big enough to transport your goods, how you get those goods into the vehicle in the first place also needs to be considered. Depending on the method of loading your van whether it’s by fork lift truck, manually or even by crane you need to ensure that your van has the correct access. Some vans have one side door others one each side, the same applies to a vans rear doors some will only open 180° while others will fully open to 270°. This may not seem important now but if you have to regularly load up in a tight space it can make a huge difference. If you are considering a Luton van does it require a tail lift and if so have you taken the additional weight of the lift into consideration.
Fuel economy
With rising fuel prices the running costs of a van are extremely important to calculate before purchasing. There are many sources online that can provide you with the miles per gallon for any van model you may be considering. Estimate your monthly fuel costs and compare each of the vans running costs that you may be interested in to see if a major saving can be made with a more economical engine.
Van comfort and extras
It’s important to try a van before you buy we all come in different shapes and sizes and so do van cabs and the way that they are arranged. If you are going to spend many long hours behind the wheel of your van it’s important that you are comfortable in the driver’s seat. Depending on the van make and model it’s likely there will be plenty of extras available some that will come as standard on a model and others that will cost extra. Features like remote central locking can be a big help if you are in and out of the van all the time where as safety features like ABS, TCS, or airbags can help to make your journey safer. Again compare all the models you are interested in as many new vans offer a lot of these features as standard.
What is my budget?
Price will be a big determining factor when looking for a van especially when you start to add extras the price can really mount up. This can sometimes mean that the van that you want may be out of your budget so you need to compromise. The alternative is to consider a lease or hire purchase deal, these aren’t suitable for everyone, but if you are looking to update the van every 3-4 years then it may be exactly what you are looking for. Due to the fact that you won’t own the van at the end of a lease agreement, you are just paying for the depreciation of the van over the rental term, so monthly payment will be a lot cheaper. This should mean that you are able to afford a better quality van for your budget.
Talk to an expert
If you are still unsure after looking then speak to a specialist as that’s what they are there for at the end of the day, listening to your needs and giving advice to find the best van to suit your requirements. Just remember that once you have worked out how much your budget can afford stick to that figure and don’t go over it.