As a result of excessive demand in on-line buying previously few years, the UK has seen an inflow of hundreds of latest courier van drivers take to the roads, however which van is the most effective for delivering items?
With many van drivers being self-employed it’s important you select the proper van for your enterprise. That’s why we’ve put a information collectively on the most effective vans for supply drivers, though please be aware, one dimension doesn’t match all and the most effective supply van for your self is one which fits your wants.
1. Ford Fiesta Van
The Ford Fiesta is an ideal native city or metropolis van. Though the van has been discontinued, it’s nonetheless a superb selection for couriers and there are many second-hand fashions to select from.
Not all supply drivers must haul enormous quantities of containers round city and the intimidating dimensions of a van could be off-putting. In case you are delivering smaller items or orders which are light-weight, then the Fiesta might be loads large enough.
With a rear window, a bulkhead with a meshed high you’ll be able to see via and the identical dimensions as the usual Fiesta, it’s the excellent dimension to nip out and in of tight spots round city, particularly when you have no earlier expertise of driving a industrial automobile. The Ford Fiesta Van can also be one of many cheapest vans to insure.
2. Citroen Berlingo
The principle motive why the Citroen Berlingo is such a superb supply van is the intelligent piece of expertise that permits you to completely max out the permitted payload. It’s referred to as the ‘Overload’ sensor and it warns you when you’ve got near the utmost and when you may have reached it.
This has an apparent security profit as you’ll not be driving round with an excessive amount of weight at the back of your van, nevertheless it’s additionally extra environment friendly. In case you are not sure about whether or not you might be near the utmost, you could need to play it protected and never overload. This fashion you’ll know the way a lot you may get in with out having to weigh all of the stuff that’s going at the back of the van.
3. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
There’s a motive why hundreds of van drivers up and down the nation have chosen the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as their van of selection. It’s excellent for many who make 100 or extra drops every single day.
It’s well-known for its spacious cab, which makes getting out and in of the van much less of a chore than others on this checklist. What’s extra, the seat is extremely sturdy, an actual should for any full-time courier.
This five-door van has electrical energy steering, hill begin help and energetic brake help to call however just a few options. It’s among the finest supply vans for greater hundreds as a result of it may possibly deal with a quantity of 14m³ and has 270 diploma rear doorways.
One factor it’s best to think about is the payload. With giant vans, it’s very straightforward to imagine it may possibly carry greater than it may possibly. Be certain that the load doesn’t exceed 1000kgs.
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re bought on the Sprinter, however want to hold extra weight, Mercedes additionally do the L2H1 model for those who carry over 1300kgs.
4. Ford Transit
The Ford Transit is one other good choice for greater hundreds as a result of it may possibly deal with a quantity of about 12m³ and has 180 diploma rear doorways. This intelligent van has entrance and rear parking sensors, an adjustable steering wheel and rather more.
With 2.3m3 of load house and a most gross payload of just about 600kg (not together with passengers), this van presents ample storage room. It’s additionally good and compact, making it best for shorter supply jobs in busy cities.
5. Nissan Interstar
Nissan is probably not the primary producer you consider with regards to vans, however the Interstar is a powerful and dependable van, with a big sensible load house, a spacious cab, and an environment friendly and economical engine.
With a variety of layouts, ready-to-go conversions and Nissan’s famend energy and high quality, the Interstar is a unbelievable van for supply drivers and couriers.
6. Vauxhall Vivaro
The Vauxhall Vivaro is commonly thought-about to be one of the dependable courier vans available on the market. It consists of options similar to an anti-lock braking system with digital drive distribution, an adjustable steering column and an digital stability program with traction management.
You gained’t discover a higher medium sized van than the Vivaro. The load bay is spacious, with a again top of 1.2m and 1.3m extensive, whereas the L2 model provides you a load size of two.8m, which is extremely helpful for these drivers who’re delivering longer packages. The payload can also be set at a whopping 1415kg throughout all variations.
For supply drivers in search of the proper van that blends house, mobility and glorious operating prices, the Vauxhall Vivaro is certainly the place to start out. Larger trim ranges pack in much more tech, however even the decrease extra reasonably priced variants nonetheless have all the same old bells and whistles you’d count on.
7. Renault Trafic
The Renault Trafic is without doubt one of the smaller vans on this checklist, however don’t depend it out simply but. If you want to navigate tight roads or don’t want a big automobile just like the Vivaro, then this French piece of package is ideal for you.
It presents nice consolation, drivability and effectivity – excellent for drivers carrying smaller parcels or a smaller payload.
And because of its panel van fashions, the Trafic is ideal for enterprise use. This can be a spacious and customisable van with most payloads of as much as 1251kg and cargo volumes of as much as 8.9m3. With a lot of built-in instruments, you’ll be nicely outfitted for a busy supply day.
How to decide on the proper van
Listed below are some issues it’s best to take into account earlier than making your buy.
Work out the most effective sized van on your courier work
Choosing the proper van on your job is usually a difficult activity, however the secret is to make sure it may possibly carry the payload you require. You’ll be able to at all times scale up as your enterprise begins to develop. You additionally don’t need to be utilizing a van that can price you more cash in gas than you require.
Small vans
In case you have your personal enterprise, or work as a contractor for a supply firm, a small van is the proper option to maintain your bills down. Selecting a smaller van, slightly than a bigger panelled one, is wise on gas consumption and may enhance your revenue margins while nonetheless offering you with an honest sized payload.
Medium panel vans
These are excellent for many supply driving jobs. A mid-panel van such because the Renault Trafic is a superb selection for many who are in search of a strong automobile that’s nonetheless straightforward to drive in tight areas similar to housing estates.
Massive panel vans
If you want to haul an enormous load, that’s the place vans such because the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter come in useful. When you’re delivering giant items similar to furnishings, you will want a big panel van that gives a considerable space that can comfortably suit your payload.
Be certain that your van is safe
Most fashionable vans all include a excessive stage of safety, however if you happen to’re transporting costly items it could be finest to have a look at further safety measures to avoid van break-ins and different mishaps that would impression your enterprise.
When you’re shopping for a brand new van, be sure to get ample safety measures fitted. Get an alarm, an immobiliser and deadlocks even when they aren’t normal in your specific mannequin; it’s price forking out a bit additional for peace of thoughts.
When you’re undecided whether or not your van has been fitted with an immobiliser, learn our weblog on how to find out if you have a factory-fitted immobiliser. When you don’t have already got one, it could be price investing in an immobiliser.
Ensure you take into account consolation
As a result of nature of the job, you’ll spend giant quantities of time in your van, so it’s necessary you decide one which’s snug. While checking engine dimension and sturdiness are advantageous traits, you after all want to make sure you don’t get aches and pains whereas driving.
When you’re capable of, be sure to take a check drive in your van for a protracted time period so you’ll be able to actually work out how snug you are feeling whereas driving. It’s additionally a good suggestion to verify you’re pleased with the setup of the dashboard.
Verify your van’s gas effectivity
When you do brief distance deliveries, you will want to pay additional consideration to the miles per gallon (MPG) a van can do. MPG takes into consideration the stopping and beginning you’ll be doing when you have quite a lot of deliveries inside a brief distance.
When you’re extra all in favour of vans for lengthy deliveries, take note of ‘MPG Additional’ as it will inform the mileage you’ll get if you happen to’re spending most of your time driving on motorways in between stops.
‘MPG Mixed’ will let you recognize the mileage you’ll be able to count on performing some kind of mixture of the 2. Whichever choice you’re in search of, the most effective vans for courier drivers are ones that don’t break the financial institution on gas.
Courier van insurance coverage you’ll be able to belief
By speaking to an insurance coverage specialist you’ll be able to make sure you’re answering all of the questions accurately, and have somebody in your facet to assist find ways to save you money and get the perfect and most affordable cover.
Discovering an insurance coverage firm that gives good offers on van insurance coverage could be tough, particularly ones that take your particular person wants into consideration.
At Adrian Flux, we provide van insurance that’s tailor-made to your supply or courier work, offering you with the peace of thoughts that your automobile is roofed. Name us on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that fits you.