Van v Car

[macron]

Don't fk about,



Tax is £320 but get anything plated to a max of 3.5T and it's normal licence, normal insurers. And when they've done a billion miles they don't lose money, because van. Park where you like. Never such a thing as a 50/50 gap any more, who isn't going to get out of the way.

I half joke, they are loads of fun to drive, and you end up with lots of bottles of wine as everyone you know will want you to take something somewhere for them.

[Davie]

I've just jumped on the bandwagon and bought a Transporter Shuttle. Once the "are you planning on having more kids / going airport runs" based comments wear off, it's actually a superb bit of kit. I've removed the third row of seats as I don't have 8 kids... but it now has van spec space but with a middle row of seats for the kids. Well appointed thing too - fully trimmed / carpeted from the factory plus aircon, nav, cruise etc. Kinda wish I'd done it sooner.

[The Selfish Gene]

r3g said:

samoht said:

Also be aware of the minefield of complexity around commercial vehicle speed limits esp if you're doing longer trips.

"Minefield of complexity"

Singles and duals = 10mph less. Not sure how that is a minefield of complexity.

I've had my van for 25k miles and ignored this completely - had no problems

[Snow and Rocks]

The Selfish Gene said:

I've had my van for 25k miles and ignored this completely - had no problems

Same here, 130k on this Hilux now, all over the UK generally doing car speed limits plus 10% without issue, even through average cameras.

[The Selfish Gene]

RazerSauber said:

If you're going to run one as your only vehicle, bear in mind that car and van insurance aren't always compatible with your no claims. Some places don't allow NCB earned on a car to be used on a van and vice-versa.

True story - I'm in the process of buying a Caterham to stick on my million year no claims policy that I can't use on my van..........which made no difference to the cost of insurance but still don't want to lose it, after all those years protected. I have until October to get it stuck on something!

[Pica-Pica]

Snow and Rocks said:

The Selfish Gene said:

I've had my van for 25k miles and ignored this completely - had no problems

Same here, 130k on this Hilux now, all over the UK generally doing car speed limits plus 10% without issue, even through average cameras.

Generally ignored, as are towing speed limits, although I have seen vehicles pulled before on this.

[samoht]

Pica-Pica said:

Snow and Rocks said:

The Selfish Gene said:

I've had my van for 25k miles and ignored this completely - had no problems

Same here, 130k on this Hilux now, all over the UK generally doing car speed limits plus 10% without issue, even through average cameras.

Generally ignored, as are towing speed limits, although I have seen vehicles pulled before on this.

That's good info for the OP. It was discussed on the Autocar podcast as one or two listeners reported being ticketed for doing the 'car' limit in a van. It was suggested that there may be a handful of new-gen cameras out there which are able to read the plate, fetch the vehicle's category and apply the specific limit, rather than just using the upper car limits for all vehicles. I have no idea if this is the case, but technically speaking there's no reason it couldn't be done. There were also cases mentioned of eg Talivan operators making a visual categorisation of the vehicle, which may or may not turn out to align with what it's actually registered as on the V5 (which itself may or may not be correct).

[The Selfish Gene]

samoht said:

Pica-Pica said:

Snow and Rocks said:

The Selfish Gene said:

I've had my van for 25k miles and ignored this completely - had no problems

Same here, 130k on this Hilux now, all over the UK generally doing car speed limits plus 10% without issue, even through average cameras.

Generally ignored, as are towing speed limits, although I have seen vehicles pulled before on this.

That's good info for the OP. It was discussed on the Autocar podcast as one or two listeners reported being ticketed for doing the 'car' limit in a van. It was suggested that there may be a handful of new-gen cameras out there which are able to read the plate, fetch the vehicle's category and apply the specific limit, rather than just using the upper car limits for all vehicles. I have no idea if this is the case, but technically speaking there's no reason it couldn't be done. There were also cases mentioned of eg Talivan operators making a visual categorisation of the vehicle, which may or may not turn out to align with what it's actually registered as on the V5 (which itself may or may not be correct).

I could see how that could happen, and they may have done it. That being said, knowing what I know about software, and particularly government ran projects I'd be surprised. It's a bit of a moot point in my context as I'm always way over the correct, or indicated limit anyway.

Plus transit van and Rangers rarely have clean number plates, and that's just a fine and no points...........so oh well, never mind

[A55]

Thanks everyone!

Thought vans had the same speed limit as cars, leant something new.

[AmazingGrace]

Get a van, they are more useful than you think
And it’s true about generally being able to park wherever. Been running a van for 5 years now, definitely get additional locks put on, as they are a target.