FEBRUARY 2018 | 43
Motoring
Read online at www.proinstaller.co.uk
A BUSINESS GUIDE
TO CHOOSING A VAN
Van lease giant Leasevan.co.uk outlined the
factors that tradesmen should consider when
selecting a vehicle, and the options available.
One of the first things to think
about is the size of van required, and the
size and weight of the loads it will be ex-
pected to carry.
Tradesmen also need to think about the
length of journeys and the types of roads to
be travelled, and the number of passengers
to be carried day to day.
As an example, a driver whose work calls
for short, urban journeys will have different
requirements to one who frequently drives
long distances on uncertain roads.
Panel vans are a popular choice, as they
come in a range of sizes and are good for
carrying various loads.
Small vans are compact and functional,
and suitable for urban driving where there
are not many bulky items to load.
Another good option for tradesmen who
do not have much to carry are pickup
trucks, so favoured because of their sim-
ilarity to ordinary cars. They are ideal for
businesses that deliver occasional goods.
Businesses with a lot of bulky items, such
as removal firms, should consider a long
wheel base van, which are known for their
load carrying capacities. Lutons are espe-
cially spacious.
Chassis vans are so named because they
are effectively a van chassis, with or without
a cab, and easily convertible for various
requirements.
They are therefore a good choice for
tradesmen whose work requires modifica-
tions such as tippers.
For tradesmen who have to carry numer-
ous passengers, a Transit crew cab van may
be the best option.
Flat bedded and with opening sides,
dropside trucks are aptly named and
favoured in the building and gardening
trades.
Other types of van include 4x4s (mostly
for a niche market driving in difficult terrain
or unfavourable conditions) and the very
compact microvan.
Tim Alcock of Leasevan.co.uk said: “For
tradesmen whose work takes them all over
the place, choosing the right van is abso-
lutely essential.
“It needs to be reliable and efficient, but
it’s also vital that it can carry whatever loads
are required – load access is a key point
too.
“If you’re buying or leasing a commercial
van, don’t be afraid to talk to the provider
about your business and the requirements
you have – they’ll be able to help.
“You should also take a test drive before
committing yourself to anything.
“There are so many different types of
business, no one van is going to suit every-
body, but there are enough options availa-
ble that all tradesmen will be able to find
what they need.
“Definitely don’t be tempted to get a
smaller van than you actually need just be-
cause it’s cheaper and has fewer emissions
– an overloaded van is very dangerous and
won’t be as reliable as one that’s actually
suited to the work it will be doing.”
PROTECT YOUR
VEHICLE FROM
THIEVES
As the dark days delay
the sunrise and the early
evenings still creep up on
us, our cars and vans are at
more risk of being stolen.
Richard Gladman, head
of driving and riding stand-
ards at IAM RoadSmart,
gives a few top tips to pro-
tect your vehicle on a day
to day basis, whether you’re
out and about or at home.
Only unlock your car
when you get to it
Hide any valuables
Before you leave your
car or van, make sure you
secure any valuables and
keep them out of sight.
Putting them in your glove
compartment or in the boot
of your car will avoid them
being seen.
Don’t fall into the
habit of hanging up
your keys next to
doors or windows
As we exit the trade coun-
ter, store or supermarket
with an armful, we’re eager
to unlock the car as soon
as possible to avoid the
hassle of finding our keys
when we get to the car. But
unlocking your car before
you reach it gives thieves
a longer period of time to
access valuables and make a
run for it, especially if your
boot opens automatically.
Be sure to only unlock your
car when you get to it to
prevent any risk of theft. Thieves use a ‘fishing’
method where they insert a
hook through a letter box
or window and search for
keys. This can even be done
when you’re at home and
you may not even notice
until you look for your keys
and find that you’ve ‘lost’
them. Make sure you put
your keys somewhere safe
and secure, and far away
from windows and doors.
Don’t leave your
keys lying around Choose your parking
neighbours wisely
This can apply to any
situation, whether you’re
out