Category: sprinter work van

Posted in cargo van, Commercial Van, Ideas & Tips, sprinter commercial van, sprinter work van

The 15 Best Adventure Vans For Life On The Road

Posted on by commercialvansolutions
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Fiat-Ducato-Base-Camper-Van.jpg

Gone are the days when you had to choose between blitzing through the backcountry in a cramped off-road SUV and taking to the perfectly paved roads in an massive recreational vehicle. That is to say, you can certainly still do both of those things, but you can also combine them in the form of an adventure van.

These killer hybrids are perhaps the best way to enjoy the amenities of an RV with the capabilities of something a bit more rugged – if you know which one to choose.

Luckily, even within such a seemingly small sample space, there are a bevy of different options for adventure vans to cater to your specific needs. If you want a small-scale luxury camper – it’s already been built. If you need a movable basecamp on a 4×4 off-road chassis – well, you’re certainly not the first.

The point is, adventure vans are one of the best ways to get out into the wilder parts of the world without giving up all modern amenities across the board. So, if you’re looking to hit the road and you want to buy an all-inclusive vehicle, convert one you already own, or just rent one for a few days, the following 15 options are the best adventure sprinter commercial van out there.

Fiat Ducato Base Camper Van

Here in the states, we know Fiat mostly as a Mini competitor that builds small, european-looking vehicles. But, as you can see in their Ducato Base Camper Van, they’re a lot more versatile than that. They’re capacious, spatially efficient, and loaded with amenities.

And those amenities include things like multi-country roadside assistance, a 5-language user app, a network of service shops, and a mess of creature comforts and modern technology. These vans are also Bluetooth and navigation-enabled, feature rotating captain-style driver and passenger chairs, and have plenty of onboard storage.

Hymercar Camper Vans

If the Fiat van option seems nice, but you’d rather go with something a little more luxurious, you should have a look at the offerings from Hymercar. These after-market adventure vans feature an expandable layout for more sleeping comfort, room for anywhere from 2-4 full-grown people, and even come with the option for a built-in onboard bathroom.

And if you’re not fond of Fiat, you can always roll with their Mercedes-Benz Grand Canyon S chassis. They even have a refrigerator and freezer, so you can keep all your food and drink for the trip cold and better kept.

Tiger Adventure Vehicles

It might be a little bit of a stretch to call the offerings from Tiger “adventure vans,” but they don’t quite fit into the RV category either. A part of that is their size, but it’s also because of their sheer capabilities.

Honestly, these vehicles are more rugged than most factory-built SUVs or even the donor pickup trucks from which they are built. And that bodes very well for anyone looking to get off-road with their adventure van. Available in three formats – the Bengal, the Mayan, and the Siberian – each a bit bigger and more rugged than the one before it, these monstrous mobile homes are all hand-built in South Carolina and feature a full galley, bathroom amenities, spacious floor plans, and more.

Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo

As any car enthusiast might tell you, buying from a third party modification shop can be a risky endeavor – even if they’ve got good reviews or a long history. If you need absolute confidence in the quality of your adventure van, you might want to buy direct from a brand – like Mercedes-Benz.

Their luxury camper, called the Marco Polo, isn’t the most rugged or spacious option, but it’s comfortable, looks good, and still boasts plenty of onboard tech and amenities. They include generous seating, a kitchenette with a functional two-burner gas stove, a sink, a refrigerator, and a number of power outlets so everyone onboard can keep their high-tech gear charged fully.

And, of course, if you want a little bit more out of the performance of your Benz, you can opt for an AMG-tuned package.

Outside Van Core Van

One of the coolest things about the offerings from Outside Van is their versatility in their options. Their packages all start with a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van – which is a spacious and capable vehicle in its own right – and then they offer a multitude of different packages from there, including a long list of optional customizations.

But, if you’re just looking for the basics, you don’t even have to bother with the list; you can just opt for one of their Core Van offerings and get all the necessities you need to get you and your companions out on the road. Just keep in mind that, with the price of the van itself included, these packages run near the $100,000 threshold.

Outside Van Custom

If you’ve got the cash and you’re not in a hurry, Outside Van also offers completely bespoke custom options when it comes to adventure vans. That means you can get one built to your exact specifications (having chose the options from their long-list of available upgrades, of course) that’s unlike any other on the road right now.

If you can afford it, but you’re not feeling all that creative – you can still get a super unique one by picking and choosing from their collection of one-off vans they’ve already built. Hell, they’ll probably even surprise you with a completely singular vehicle that you don’t have to design at all, if you throw enough scratch at them.

RB Components Sawtooth Adventure Van

There’s no rule dictating that interior luxury and external fortitude are mutually exclusive – as evidenced by this offering from RB Components. Called the Sawtooth, this beefed-up adventure van is built upon a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van (the obvious most-popular donor vehicle for adventure conversions), but the similarities to the original vehicle stop at the silhouette.

This upgraded version features a 3,000-watt power system, solar panels, a 69-gallon fresh water system, a custom stainless steel enclosed shower with hot water, an electric awning, bamboo wood tables and a BBQ exterior mount – and that’s the short list. It also comes with beefy Toyo off-road tires, an air spring kit, and a water-fording-friendly snorkel intake.

Posted in cargo van, Commercial Van, Ideas & Tips, News & Updates, sprinter commercial van, sprinter work van

What do I Need for Vanlife? 20 Essentials for Life on the Road

Posted on by commercialvansolutions
what do i need for vanlife

My boyfriend Aaron and I have lived the “vanlife” lifestyle by traveling in our converted school commercial van for nearly two years now. In that time we have learned what is truly necessary and important to have with us on the road. We have made several adjustments over the years, purging things we don’t use and adding new items as the need arises.

I’ve put together a list of what we consider the most critical items, both for actual survival and for enjoyment and comfort — equally important in my opinion!

Here’s our list of 25 items you’ll need for vanlife:

1. Camp Stove

We have cooked one, two, or even three meals a day on our Coleman camp stove, nearly every single day that we’ve been on the road. We do not have an oven in our bus (something I covet but that we simply didn’t have room for) but we get along just fine with our two-burner camp stove.

It is quite efficient with propane and still works just as well today as it did the day we got it over two years ago, and there is nothing quite so satisfying as a hot meal on a cold day.

2. Refrigerator or Cooler

Having cold storage for food opens up a ton more menu options. If you are going to be traveling in a van for any length of time or outright living it, it is crucial to be able to have fresh fruit and vegetables, safely store leftover cooked food, and keep your beer cold (okay, maybe cold beer isn’t crucial but it’s definitely more enjoyable!).

We have a chest freezer from Home Depot that we converted into a fridge with a Johnson Controls thermostat. It works great and was a small fraction of the cost of marine, truck, or Dometic-type refrigerators.

3. Non-Stick or Cast Iron Frying Pan

The main criteria when choosing what food to prepare includes…

  • How many pots/pans are necessary?
  • How much propane will it use?
  • How easy the cleanup will be?

With non-stick or cast iron pans, you can usually get away with simply wiping out the pan immediately after use (especially if you aren’t cooking anything pathogen-y, like eggs or meat), which saves cleanup time as well as precious water, which, particularly in a van, is usually limited in quantity.

4. Non-Breakable Plates, Bowls, and Cups

We started out with several ceramic soup bowls, and have shattered or cracked a couple of them by bouncing over potholes or along gnarly dirt roads. Now we use Corelle plates, plastic bowls, and aluminum cups which are all quite hardy and easy to clean. Walmart and Target sell some of our favorite extremely cheap reusable plastic dishware.

5. Dish Washing Spray Bottle

This is a helpful tip we learned from a friend: purchase a cheap spray bottle, give it a hefty squirt of whatever soap you use to clean dishes, and fill it the rest of the way with water. This saves water when you go to wash dishes, because instead of running your water to wet each dish individually, you can simply spritz it with the soap spray, scrub, and rinse.

6. Water Bottles and Jugs

We always have several water bottles in the bus, for going on adventures as well as just to remind ourselves to drink water daily. They are also handy in case you run into a weird-tasting water source, because you can use that water for washing and cooking and fill your drinking bottles and jugs from a filtered source, like a gas station soda fountain or at a Starbucks.

We also occasionally purchase water from stores when there are not fill stations available nearby, so we just take our 7-gallon Aquatainer into the store, fill it, and haul it back to the bus in a shopping cart, where we can then fill our main fresh water tank.

7. Water Filter

As I mentioned, sometimes you run into questionable or strange-tasting water. It’s always a good idea to have an in-line water filter for when you are filling your fresh water tank or jug, so you can ensure that all of the water entering your plumbing system is clean and particle-free.

It would be quite difficult to remove our fresh water tank and flush our whole system, so we are extra careful with the quality of our water before it even reaches the tank.

8. Blankets

We mostly try to stay in places where the weather is mild, but occasionally it is unavoidable to be in a super cold place, especially at night. We have several blankets in the bus so we can layer according to how cold it is and they range in weight from a thin beach blanket to heavy fleece blankets to an incredibly warm down blanket from Costco (highly recommend).

Blankets are also useful if you want to stargaze or sit at a campfire on a cold night.

9. Warm and Waterproof Clothing

Despite our best efforts to chase mild weather, there are still times when we can’t avoid the cold. We have been in Tucson in the winter where one day it was 70 degrees and the next day it was snowing! To that end, we have insulated and waterproof jackets, rain pants, winter hats, gloves, and waterproof boots just in case.

Waterproof clothing is especially important if you run into the unfortunate scenario of breaking down in a cold and wet location, and your only option is to go out in the elements to make repairs or assess the damage.

10. Reflectix

This flexible insulation is incredibly helpful for keeping your van a comfortable temperature whether it’s hot or cold outside, and it provides privacy. It’s easy to cut down to size, so we have Reflectix pieces for our driver door window and the rear windows that are not tinted, as well as a windshield screen made out of similar material.

We use small pieces of Velcro to hold it in place or slide it behind our curtains for extra insulation. It makes an immense difference in temperature when the sun is low in the sky and beating in through the windows.

11. Toilet (Or At Least Toilet Paper) and Hand Sanitizer

Some people do not have any kind of toilet facility in their vans, and while I applaud them for their boldness, a toilet was a critical element for us in our build. We have the Nature’s Head composting toilet which has been so worth the expense.

We spend a significant amount of time boondocking where there are no amenities or stealth camping in cities where you often need to be a paying customer in order to use the bathrooms and there frequently are no options at all available in the middle of the night. 

While you certainly can just go outside if you are not camped in a city (following Leave No Trace principles of course), that did not appeal to me on a daily basis, so we opted to build in a bathroom. Other options include making your own composting toilet (much cheaper), having an emergency-only toilet, or using bottles and bags.

At the very least, you should always have your own supply of toilet paper and hand sanitizer (public restrooms can’t always be trusted to have these “luxuries”).

12. Important Documents

You never know when a friend might suggest an impromptu trip to Baja or into Canada, so it’s a good idea to always have your passport with you. Other important items to have include your insurance cards, ID, a voided check, a piece of mail with your name and whatever address you are using while on the road, and, if applicable, visas and other travel documents.

This way, you will be covered in nearly any situation that could arise.

It is slightly nerve-wracking to have all of your documents in a vehicle where they could potentially be stolen or lost in a crash, so leave copies of important items with family members or friends, and find a good hiding place in your van for these documents, so they aren’t readily available if someone happens to break in.

13. Cleaning Supplies

In such a small space, dust, sand, dirt, mud, and debris can accumulate quickly, especially if the weather is windy or wet and you enter and exit your van multiple times. If you have a pet, your van will get dirtier even faster.

We do most of our cleaning with a simple dustpan and broom plus Clorox wipes, which can be used to sanitize our kitchen counter, clean dirt and marks off our walls, and “mop” the floor. Conveniently, it only takes about 10 minutes to deep clean the whole bus!

14. Basic First Aid Supplies

Going to a doctor while traveling is expensive and stressful, so we keep a good stock of first aid supplies in the bus to treat minor injuries and illnesses. Important things to include in your first aid kit are bandaids, gauze, an ice pack, tweezers, antiseptic ointment, and so on.

We also always carry cold and flu medicine, ibuprofen, arnica gel for bruises and sore muscles, and various other natural remedies and supplements.

15. Fire Extinguisher and Smoke Detector

These are self-explanatory, but especially critical if you are cooking in or around your vehicle. I’ve also heard stories of people’s engines catching on fire, electrical wiring sparking, and other terrifying scenarios where these two items saved lives and vans.

16. Shower Go-Bag

We only have an outdoor shower and 20 gallons of water, so we take the vast majority of our showers at gyms, friends’ and family’s houses, or community centers. As such, we both keep shower bags ready to go, so we don’t have to elongate the process by packing up our things each time. My shower bag includes a towel, body wash, a shower poof, shampoo, conditioner, a razor, lotion, and flipflops.

17. Backpacks

I think we have a total of something like 7 backpacks in the bus which is borderline absurd, but they all serve specific functions. Uses include carrying laptops and other work gear into coffee shops, hauling home groceries when we don’t want to drive the bus, hydration packs for hiking, carrying towels and beers to hot springs, getting our climbing gear to the crag, etc. etc.

18. Portable Charger

We have solar panels and a battery bank in our bus so we can charge our devices whenever we need to, but we still find ourselves using a portable charger quite often, especially if we are away from the bus all day, or if we have several cloudy days in a row and are running low on power.

If you don’t have solar power in your van, these portable chargers are even more of a necessity so that you can charge your devices without having to stop at a Starbucks or other establishment.

19. Cell Phone Holder

We use our cell phones to navigate on a near-daily basis, so having a phone holder on the dash is super convenient and allows us to comply with hands-free laws. We did not have one of these for the first few months on the road, so I would be sitting on the couch, hollering directions at Aaron as he drove — not ideal.

20. Navigation and Camping Apps

Like the rest of the modern world, we primarily use Google Maps to find our way around and bookmark killer campsites. However, if you have spotty or no cell service, good luck trying to get Google Maps to load.

For these instances, we also have Maps.me which is another free app, but one that allows you to download detailed maps for offline navigation. You can choose to download only certain areas or states, or the entire world if you really want to.

For finding free campsites, we use apps like Campedium and iOverlander and the freecampsites.net website. These resources all offer important data about each of the sites listed such as whether there are any amenities available or vehicle length limitations, and they have reviews from campers who have stayed there in the past.

Posted in cargo van, Commercial Van, Ideas & Tips, News & Updates, sprinter work van

8 tips for finding the right van for your van conversion

Posted on by commercialvansolutions

We have been researching, viewing and testing sprinter commercial van for the last two months and it’s been a rollercoaster of an ordeal.

So we’ve put together some tips on finding the right van and verifying that it is “the one” for you, as many vans will be flawed, from excessive rust to a hidden and dark history.

1. Front wheel vs. rear wheel drive

To begin your journey you’ll need to decide on the base of the van you want to convert. There are many makes out there, but the majority will either be based on rear wheel or front wheel drive. There are of course also four wheel drive options, but these are rare and expensive.

Front Wheel Drive Vans

Some FWD vans include Fiat Ducato, Peugeot Boxer, Citroen Relay and Renault Master. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros

  • Higher internal height and width in cargo bay
  • Better fuel economy
  • Greater under floor space for water tanks etc
  • Cheaper purchase costs

Cons

  • Less grip in hazardous conditions
  • Less power under load
  • Shorter overall body lengths
  • Higher maintenance costs

Rear Wheel Drive Vans

Some RWD vans include Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Ford Transit and Iveco Daily. Again, the pros and cons:

Pros

  • Better grip
  • Generally longer internal load areas
  • Cheaper to maintain (most of the time)
  • More power – generally RWD vehicles have larger engine options

Cons

  • Less internal height due to a higher standard floor height
  • Higher loading/entry height
  • Worse fuel economy
  • Higher initial cost

If you look at many specialist motorhome builders they will use FWD vans more often than RWD ones.

With that being said, we opted for a Mercedes Sprinter because I’m a really tall human being at 6’ 5” and wanted to have a full length bed parallel to the van. Also we loved the feel of the Mercedes and the enhanced build quality, even if there might be higher maintenance and initial costs from a “premium” van.

2. Checking for rust

Rusting vans are something to absolutely avoid, and looking around the outside panels of the van is not enough. You need to fully examine the van’s structure. Start your search at the back of the van and check the suspension on both the supports and joins. These should be fully intact and show no flaking. You’ll need to learn the difference between surface and structural rust.

I’ve marked two examples in the picture above.

Then move up to the wheel arches, and then get right under the centre of the van to the drive shaft and the exhaust. If at any point you see any major degradation from rust you should avoid the van.

On the inside of the van, check for rust around the ceiling joins in the cargo bay. It’s really rare not to find any signs of rust at all, especially on vans older than 3-4 years, but it’s important to understand where rust can occur and to judge its severity.

Rust is really hard to treat. If body panels are rusted you can get replacements, but if drive shafts, suspension or exhausts are rusted it’s a much more difficult and expensive job getting them replaced.

3. Checking for mechanical issues

Always always always conduct a road test. I spoke to a couple of van dealers who said they didn’t do road tests. Without testing the van, you have very little leverage in negotiations, so you really need to get behind the wheel! On your road tests you need to check the following:

  • Turbo charger – do this by accelerating hard uphill and listening to the engine carefully. You should hear no loud whistling/whining or knocking sounds.
  • Brakes – perform an emergency stop, checking that the van does not veer to the left or right.
  • Engine test – You can grab an OBD engine testing tool on amazon for $16 which can check all diesel engines for warning codes as long as the van is younger than 2006. This is a must for everyone to own.
  • Clutch – Sometimes hard to fully understand on a short road test, you should have plenty of give on the clutch when fully depressed and a short biting range preferably near the top of the release. If you’re buying an automatic van this is obviously irrelevant!

4. Lease or Private Van

Many vans are bought by lease companies who lease them to courier companies who use them for 1-3 years before taking them back in and selling them on.

Lease vans generally are not very well looked after. The drivers will push them to their limits. At this point, you need to be very thorough in your search. You need to make sure you know the history of the van, so any lease van with no service history is almost always a no go!

You’re going to get the best deals on lease vans, but could get unlucky. We’ve gone for a 2-year- old ex-lease with service history every 3000 miles so (touch wood) it should do just fine.

5. Colours

Changing the colour of your van after buying it is a costly exercise. A full re-spray is $4000+, whereas a wrap is around $1500-2000. So if you buy a van in a colour you hate, be wary that to change it you’ll need to spend a lot.

White vans make up 87% of listings on Autotrader, so sellers may charge a premium for a silver/black/blue etc but it may actually be more cost effective to buy up front in the colour you want!

6. Extras

If, like us, you’re buying a 7m long wheelbase panel van there are some critical optional extras, such as parking sensors and/or a reversing camera. I don’t know how we’d cope without a reversing camera.

Another extra to consider is air conditioning, as aftermarket air con costs a lot of money ($1500+), and if you’re going to be travelling to hot climates often, getting a van with inbuilt air con is vital for comfort on the road.

7. Age

It goes without saying that newer vans have more modern conveniences. It really is worth noting the difference between the models you’re considering by year.

For instance in 2014, Mercedes Sprinters went through some big changes. They had a completely new design with a new aggressive front end, as well as major changes to the anticorrosive coatings that come as standard on mechanical parts. Crosswind and hillstart assist were also added to make tricky driving conditions that little bit easier.

Editors note: On the other hand, buying an older van with fewer sensors and a simpler engine means any maintenance and repairs can be done by anyone who is mechanically minded. This is something to consider if you’re driving into isolated places especially.

8. Patience

A good rule of thumb is to not buy the first van you see. Don’t buy a van that has any major rust or dodgy history. Ultimately the time you put into your research up front and combing through ads over several weeks will ensure you get the most trustworthy and suitable van for your buck.

The hours spent hunting the classifieds will be worth it, I promise! Best of luck on your van hunt, and feel free to get in touch if you need any pointers!

Posted in cargo van, Commercial Van, G30 Gas Drive, sprinter commercial van, sprinter work van

How to choose the right panel van for your business

Posted on by commercialvansolutions

For most small and medium enterprises (SMEs), business growth almost always means acquiring a business vehicle. The question is how to optimise its value to the company when the vehicle is new, and then to determine just when it needs to be replaced, says Datsun South Africa.

Brian Joss – Both questions about buying and replacing a delivery vehicle are critical to SME owners who need to keep a wary eye on cash flow. It is important to ensure that, despite fluctuating fuel prices and the reducing value of the rand, that costs for a business vehicle are kept under control, says Des Fenner, general manager of Datsun South Africa.

“When buying a new delivery vehicle, questions should be asked about three different types of costs. These are the initial price of the vehicle, maintenance intervals and costs, and what expenses can be expected if repairs to the body or engine are required.”

Some key considerations to ensure that these are manageable is by:

*Matching the panel van to its purpose. Consider what it will be carrying, what the mass will be, and how much space will be required. Buying a vehicle that is too small or too large means money being wasted.

*Looking at the acquisition price. Keeping this price down means that cash flow isn’t severely compromised. Also remember that a VAT refund can reduce this price.

*Working out what the van’s average running costs per kilometre are. For instance, in the case of the Datsun Go+ Panel Van, this is R 1.87 per kilometre . Assess the maintenance costs of the vehicle.

*Look at the costs that could be incurred if the van is damaged in an accident or requires major parts.

*Always check insurance costs. The lower the purchase price, and the more affordable parts are, the lower the insurance premium will be.

*Keeping an accurate record of all expenditure on the panel van.

“It’s unwise to assume that because a panel van is small that prices don’t differ much between brands. The Datsun Go+ Panel Van’s price tag is lower than its closest competitors.”

“The same applies to load. The Datsun GO+ Panel Van carries loads of up to

542 kilograms and can swallow loads with a volume of 3.4m3.  For an SME these figures mean fewer deliveries and lower costs per trip,” says Mr Fenner.

“A quick look at the independent Kinsey Report is then recommended. It will tell an SME owner that maintenance and repair costs for the Datsun Go+ Panel Van are the lowest in the country, as it shares the same running gear as the Datsun Go, the car which has held this accolade for two years running.

That’s good news when it comes to maintenance and insurance premiums.”

How to decide when it’s time to replace a panel van depends on many factors, says Mr Fenner. These include: Optimising trade-in price by trading in a van when its value is highest; traditionally, vehicles lose most of their value within the first 12 months and the value then declines more slowly until the end of the second year. Thereafter its value declines more rapidly.

An SME owner who wishes to keep vehicle payments around the same level for as long as possible should bear the ‘two-year rule’ in mind.

Trade-in: trading a van in for a newer model of the same brand usually means getting a better trade in price and having a record of all services and maintenance can also add to this value.

Running costs: noticing when running costs per kilometre begin to increase. This can be because of changing fuel costs, but can also be an indicator that the van needs more attention than it used to. When costs begin increasing rapidly, it’s time to think about trading in.

Mileage: if a van is being used around the clock, its mileage will increase quickly.  Keeping the vehicle for a long period could then rapidly reduce its value. However, if running costs are under control, the vehicle is reliable, and the driver is happy, replacing it becomes a judgement call.

“One of the factors that can rapidly age a vehicle is overloading. Carrying excessively heavy loads places strain on the engine, gearbox, suspension and engine mountings. By making sure that you have bought the correct panel sprinter commercial van and it is fit for purpose, it will be sure to deliver faithful, cost effective service until replaced,” said Mr Fenner. 

Posted in cargo van, Commercial Van, Ideas & Tips, Refrigerated Van, sprinter commercial van, sprinter work van

Tips of how to choose the right cargo van for your business

Posted on by commercialvansolutions

When your business grows up, your needs for bigger cargo, van fleet grows up too. It is time to decide what exactly you need. No matter if you have to replace your old cargo van fleet or just to expand it, cargo van would be a great opportunity for you. Thanks to it you can save a lot of money from not buying new ones and at the same time there will be no troubles and inconvenience if you buy old ones. Taking advantage of this service, you will enjoy the latest technologies, which can double your productivity and make the working process easier.

Questions to ask when choosing cargo van rental:

  • Is it necessary to compromise with the sizes of cargo space because of lower fuel consumption?
  • If you have decided to choose cargo van with small sizes, will it be enough for your needs? Don’t you think that this will affect the number of courses for delivery or the number of vehicles you need?
  • Is it better to rent one big cargo van instead of two small ones? Will you be able to carry the same load as if you have two cargo vans?


Answering all these questions will give you the right direction for choosing cargo van for your business.

Keep in mind that if you choose the wrong van it may cause inconvenience and problems.
Overloading for example will affect the fuel consumption, the safety and may be the reason for technical issues (suspension, engine or gearbox). Heavier load will leads to issues with the brakes; this can be dangerous for the passengers and the load itself. Risk of accident gets higher when overloading!

Choosing bigger cargo van when small is enough is wrong decision too because of the price of it and the higher fuel consumption.

Posted in cargo van, Commercial Van, sprinter commercial van, sprinter work van

How to choose the right van for your business

Posted on by commercialvansolutions

Choosing a new sprinter work van for your business can seem overwhelming with the amount of options that are out there. We are going to take a look at the pros and cons of the different types available and a couple of examples of each.

Before looking at what types of vans are available, we’re going to briefly discuss the definition of what a van actually is. Unfortunately, it is a little bit of a grey area. HMRC, the DVLA and the ABI all have slightly different classifications as to what can be classed as a van, for tax, licensing and Insurance purposes respectively.

Fortunately, the vehicle manufactures themselves categorise the vehicle at point of sale so you can gain clarification at this point. It will also state on the vehicles V5 what the vehicle is.

Types of vans

There is a massive variety in the types of van available from car derived vans to refrigeration vans but we are only going to take a look at the ones which will be useful for you.

Car derived vans

Ford Fiesta van photo credit | Ford Transit courier van photo credit

The clue is in the name with this type of van, its car which has been converted into a van essentially. They have a maximum loading weight that shouldn’t exceed 2 tonnes. Car derived vans are great if you work primarily in an urban area. Their smaller size makes parking and navigating narrow streets easier, and generally they are cheaper to run and purchase than a larger van.

There used to be two main rivals when it came to the car derived vans: the Ford Fiesta Van and the Vauxhall Corsa van. Due to a number of factors, both manufacturers stopped selling the respective models. Ford, however, have done a recent u-turn and re-released the fiesta van, meaning they are now the only option if you are buying a new car van.

Ford are also offering the Transit Courier, a van smaller than their existing city van, the Transit Connect, based on the Fiesta platform but with more van like styling and practicality.

City van

Ford Transit Connect van photo credit | Citroen Nemo photo credit
Peugeot Partner photo credit | VW Caddy photo credit

City vans are similar in size to a car sized van but with a more practical body type. Just like car derived vans, city vans can make a great choice for those that are working in a heavily built up area, whilst offering a little more flexibility in what they can carry.

When it comes to choosing a new city van, it’s important to understand that a lot of the manufactures now platform share. What this means is that the vans are essentially the same. In some cases the van may be exactly the same and essentially a badge engineering exercise has taken place, in others the vans may share the same chassis but have manufacturer specific engines in them etc.

Ford offers their Transit Connect, which quite often comes out at the top of best van lists. VW offer their Caddy which nearly always comes out on the top of owner satisfaction surveys. Away from these two popular models, alternatives consist of the Fiat Fiorino and the Citroen Nemo, which are slightly smaller or the Vauxhall Combo, the Citroen Berlingo, or the Peugeot Partner.

Panel van

Ford Transit photo credit / VW T6 photo credit

The most popular type of van in the UK is panel van. This is the type of vehicle most people think of when someone says the word van. Available in  arrange of different sizes, from SWB low top vans that have a similar footprint to a saloon to LWB high top vans that can rival a box van in carrying capacity.

The Transit van is iconic of panel vans in the UK as a whole, and with good reason. Having been the UKs no 1 selling van since its launch in the in 1965, it has gone from strength to strength with hundreds of varieties available.

It has been the humble panel van variant though that has kept it at the top of the charts. New Transits have become increasingly car like, both in their cab and in their driving.

In 2nd place is the VW Transporter. Commanding a premium over the cheaper Transit, Transporters, like their smaller Caddy relative consistently come out at the top of any owner satisfaction survey.

Alternatives are not to be sniffed at either, platform sharing is again common throughout the sector, with the latest Citroen Dispatch, Peugeot Expert and Vauxhall Vivaro all sharing the same underpinnings, whilst the Renault Traffic and Nissan NV300 share theirs.

Other types of vans to consider

Nissan electric van photo credit

Whilst diesel is still the fuel of choice for the overriding majority of vans, electric vans are slowly starting to make inroads.

If you work in a built up area and long distances aren’t part of your daily route, consider an electric van, you’ll benefit from lower fuel bills and VED whilst still maintaining the practically of a conventional van

4×4 vans, whilst a small segment of the overall van market, have their place for those that want to keep moving whatever the weather. Whilst not as off road capable as dedicated 4x4s, such as a pick up, if you work somewhere particularly prone to icy roads or snow they may be a sensible choice.

Posted in cargo van, Commercial Van, Ideas & Tips, sprinter commercial van, sprinter work van, Uncategorized

The Best Vans For Food Trucks

Posted on by commercialvansolutions

With the recent emergence of love for street food, it seems like everywhere I go, there’s a food truck parked on the curb.

Unlike the average hotdog cart, these trucks are custom-built to prepare and sell food on-the-go. More and more mobile restaurant owners have been opting for these trucks, as they offer space and flexibility to cook and serve on-broad the vehicle.

Typically, vans and trucks range from 15 feet to more than 30 feet, which is the perfect size for fitting in a team of at least two people – head chef and sous chef – and affording them ample space to work in.

And this is where my journey to find the perfect van for a food truck began.

However, I quickly realized that this wasn’t quite as straightforward as I had anticipated – just deciding on the right brand, make and model for a good van required extensive research, investment, and time.

So, the first step for this requires figuring out what your food truck will be offering, and how to optimize a van for it. Do you want it to be a rolling pizza van or a taco mobile on wheels? Would it run on gas or diesel?

Buying a food truck also requires a lot of back and forth communication with the manufacturers. For example, you need to know that the van you buy can easily be customized into a food truck – while having special features like a retractable awning, and a flat panel TV.

Another important consideration is whether a new truck would serve your needs better, or a used one.

New trucks tend to be rather costly, and they require longer lead time for the customization to be done. This option would typically leave you with very little funds for future renovations, and any additional elements that you would want to install yourself.

On the other hand, a used van would have none of these problems – and it is certainly more affordable than a new truck.

Regardless of whether you opt for a used or a new van, here are some of the best sprinter commercial van that can be converted into food trucks.

Best Vans Choices For Your Food Truck

Alexander-Dennis Enviro400

Scrap the seating in the lower deck, and add in a huge kitchen with a bar and a carry-out window; this is really my favourite choice for a food truck. In fact, I would say that this bus is a food adventure just waiting to happen.

The upper deck seating area in the Enviro400 is ideally spaced for servers to manoeuvre up and down the aisle. I would further improve it by ditching the tour bus seats and replacing them with custom benches and anchored chairs.

Add in some romantic lighting, and it would be the perfect spot for a mobile date.

An additional perk is the standardized air conditioning that is installed in the lower deck – this means that your chefs and servers can stay cool in the blistering heat given out by the stoves and ovens.


Volkswagen Westfalia

This van is the first image that comes to my mind when I think of a food truck by the beach. Being picture perfect, however, isn’t the only selling point of this vehicle; it is one of the best options for anybody looking to start a food truck business without having to invest massive amounts of capital.

These iconic little vehicles have enough space to operate as a mobile food business with ease. Along with a lifting screened top, your chef and staff can easily wash up in the built-in sink, prep food, and even store equipment in little compartments which are built all over.

Additionally, the attached awning gives people the opportunity to cook outside – making it perfect for a summer barbeque set up.

Ford Transit Full-Size Van

Ford vans have left me amazed at their versatility, and overall build quality for years.

With multiple body lengths available, three roof heights and wheelbases of two different kinds, Ford itself suggests that the Transit can be modified in 450 different ways.

The 180 degree opening rear doors allow for easy loading and unloading of ingredients, and other products. An easily installable awning lets the customers stay cool under the hot sun, and protected in case of rain.

The 487.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and 81.5 inches of interior cargo height, ensures that there is enough space for prep stations, grills and fridges. It also means that chefs can stand up comfortably without needing to crouch while doing their magic.

Accompanying the van is Ford’s reliability guarantee, which states that, “Transit durability test vehicles were driven more than 4.6 million miles, or far enough to circle the globe 185 times.”

Nissan NV2500 Cargo

This Nissan van comes with a V8 powered engine, and 8700 pounds towing capacity with high roofs that are ideal for converting into a kitchen.

The 120 bolt electrical plugs in both the front and rear cabins provide up to 400 watts of usable power per plug; in other words, chefs can easily use the microwave and electric ovens at the same time.
My favourite feature of this van is the foldable front passenger seat, which can be converted into a desk space, or perhaps even the counter.

The Nissan NV2500 is not only budget friendly, but a great choice for a food truck.

CITROEN H

The CITROEN H is only for people who realize the benefits of used vans over newer, more expensive models. The unusual shape of the Citroen H, and its vintage look never fails to catch the eyes of pedestrians – and as a food truck business, you really need to stand out to bring in more customers.

You can paint this van in specific colours, and revamp the interior by adding a drop-down hatch to make it the perfect food truck.

Besides these options, there are numerous other vans available in the market, like the VW camper which can easily be turned into a food truck, and the versatile Freightliner Sprinter Crew Van. Add on the multitude of customization options and upgrades, and you’re all set to open the food truck you’ve been dreaming about.