Self Employed alternative to a Van

[Justadreamer]

I m looking to go self employed as an electrician, and I m looking at other options other than a van. I d also like to have the ability to transport people and use it of a weekend for camping etc. I’ve a budget of up to £10k

Edited by Justadreamer on Sunday 15th February 11:55

[paul_c123]

Self employed as a web developer, or a plumber?

[stevemcs]

Ford Galaxy/sharan I guess, although a crew van would probably be better

[Justadreamer]

paul_c123 said:

Self employed as a web developer, or a plumber?

Sorry electrician.

[shtu]

Berlingo Multispace / Peugeot Partner Tepee

Not the finest-built things, but would likely fit your needs. On the Berlingo XTR spec, all the rear reats are individually removeable, and you might want to look at the "modutop" option, which adds more storage places, at the price of less height in the rear.

Edit - no mention of budget, etc...

[swanseaboydan]

Xc 90 is great as all the rear seats fold flat - you can use the rear seat if not full of tools etc. with blocked out rear windows my tools can’t be seen from outside and with a roof rack in I can get long ladders on the roof too. Works for me as a small developer .

[Davie]

There's a reason a lot of guys run the likes of VW Transporter Kombi / Transits... but to be honest, but what you want / need. Only you'll know if a A6 Avant will suit if if you'd be better with a LWB Crafter.

[FlyingPanda]

The default around here seems to be a Ford Ranger, I believe mostly because of the tax breaks (or are those ending now?)

[ZX10R NIN]

Ford Galaxy

[Justadreamer]

The Galaxy or XC90 isn’t a bad idea. I was also thinking about a Skoda Superb or Mondeo. Would it be risky looking at a Land Rover?

[swanseaboydan]

No hassle going to the tip in an xc90 too

[paul_c123]

Are you (going to be) VAT registered?

[Nickp82]

Mitsubishi Outlander worth a look , loads of space with rear seats down

[Jamescrs]

I can't see a lot being better than a crew van to be honest. Trades people I know who have tried to use a normal car as a van for work usually end up with the interior getting trashed as inevitably things spill out from the boot into the back seats.

At work I have access to a whole range of vehicles from Large 4x4's to vans to Ford Rangers and whilst people like the look of a Ford Ranger there are very rare times when it is a better vehicle than a van or a large 4x4, mainly it is noticeably a worse choice. Vans are usually easy to clean out and carry the maximum amount of stuff conveniently. a 4x4 has the benefit of higher speed limits than a van and pickup and is usually the nicest drive.

[Vsix and Vtec]

Unless you never carry materials, forget things like a Ranger or Hilux, the split load/cab means your usable space is actually less than something like a Mondeo Estate. My recommendation would be a Ford Galaxy 2.0 TDCi, cheap and easy to maintain, plentiful supply and comfortable to drive. They're effectively a van once you remove the seats too.

[Justadreamer]

I don’t like the crew cab vans. It’s basically a van with seats. The main issue with vans is that they aren’t that secure. Resulting in a lot of money going on extra locks, trackers and security. Plus having been a victim of van theft. It’s not something I wish to happen again.