Refrigerated trucking is a complicated process with many challenges. It’s essential to maintain proper temperatures in order to ensure the food stays fresh and follows regulations to keep consumers safe, but this isn’t always easy.
Drivers who transport refrigerated goods require a deep knowledge of how refrigerated trailers function in order to execute a successful delivery. In this blog, we explore the top five refrigerated trucking challenges that the industry faces today.
Loss of Temperature
This is the first and most obvious challenge. The main cause of loss of temperature is poor loading practices, or when a package sits out on the loading dock too long. However, it can also result from the reefer unit being set at the wrong temperature — although reefer units are meant to maintain the temperature level, not take away heat and reduce the temperature. It is estimated by industry analysts that 32% of refrigerated cargo loaded onto refrigerated vehicles is at the wrong temperature at the time of loading. Temperature abuses that exceed the food tolerance level can have a huge effect on the quality of the food, leading to rejected loads by the receiver. Overall, loss of temperature can have a negative effect on your bottom line and reputation.
Equipment Failure
Just like any other piece of equipment, a reefer unit can experience problems and stop working. Some of the most common malfunctions include fluid leaks, faulty belts and hoses, faulty calibration, damaged air chutes, condenser issues, sensor malfunctions, door seals damaged, and bulkhead blockage. If these problems aren’t dealt with quickly, they can affect the temperature inside the reefer unit and compromise the quality of your load. To prevent this, modern refrigeration units can have more than 200 alarm or fault codes. However, don’t rely just on this technology — the best way to avoid equipment failure is to conduct regular maintenance checks.
Driver Mistakes
Any driver operating a refrigerated truck should undergo training so they know how to set controls for their reefer unit. Without this training, drivers may make the mistake of setting the reefer unit to start-stop mode instead of continuous-run mode or vice versa. In addition, drivers who aren’t familiar with the reefer’s alarm codes won’t know how to respond and identify a problem when an alarm is triggered. Another common mistake is forgoing a visual inspection of the load, which can cause drivers to miss an issue that could have been easily avoided. While equipment failure is unavoidable at times, driver mistakes can be eradicated with adequate education or by simply watching instructional videos that are available online.
Compliance Issues
In April 2016, the FDA finalized the Food Safety Modernization Act rule on the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food to prevent food contamination during transportation. This came as a response to listeria and salmonella outbreaks stemming from the handling of food. There are concerns because the document fails to clearly define what “adequately cleaned and sanitized” means, leaving it up to the discretion of the driver. This ambiguity leaves room for error and increases the likelihood of food contamination. However, fleets can do their best to eliminate any questions they may have about what constitutes as compliant practices by taking part in food safety training and keeping a record of procedures.
Identifying Quality Carriers
Due to the challenges listed above, it’s difficult to find a carrier with the experience and knowledge required to transport refrigerated loads without issue. On top of this, we are in the midst of a massive truck driver shortage. According to NPR, “The American Trucking Associations figures companies need about 60,000 drivers, a number that could top 100,000 in just a few years.”
Refrigerated truck is a complicated process with many challenges. It’s essential to maintain proper temperatures in order to ensure the food stays fresh and follows regulations to keep consumers safe, but this isn’t always easy.
Drivers who transport refrigerated goods require a deep knowledge of how refrigerated trailers function in order to execute a successful delivery. In this blog, we explore the top five refrigerated trucking challenges that the industry faces today.
Loss of Temperature
This is the first and most obvious challenge. The main cause of loss of temperature is poor loading practices, or when a package sits out on the loading dock too long. However, it can also result from the reefer unit being set at the wrong temperature — although reefer units are meant to maintain the temperature level, not take away heat and reduce the temperature. It is estimated by industry analysts that 32% of refrigerated cargo loaded onto refrigerated vehicles is at the wrong temperature at the time of loading. Temperature abuses that exceed the food tolerance level can have a huge effect on the quality of the food, leading to rejected loads by the receiver. Overall, loss of temperature can have a negative effect on your bottom line and reputation.
Equipment Failure
Just like any other piece of equipment, a reefer unit can experience problems and stop working. Some of the most common malfunctions include fluid leaks, faulty belts and hoses, faulty calibration, damaged air chutes, condenser issues, sensor malfunctions, door seals damaged, and bulkhead blockage. If these problems aren’t dealt with quickly, they can affect the temperature inside the reefer unit and compromise the quality of your load. To prevent this, modern refrigeration units can have more than 200 alarm or fault codes. However, don’t rely just on this technology — the best way to avoid equipment failure is to conduct regular maintenance checks.
Driver Mistakes
Any driver operating a reefer truck should undergo training so they know how to set controls for their reefer unit. Without this training, drivers may make the mistake of setting the reefer unit to start-stop mode instead of continuous-run mode or vice versa. In addition, drivers who aren’t familiar with the reefer’s alarm codes won’t know how to respond and identify a problem when an alarm is triggered. Another common mistake is forgoing a visual inspection of the load, which can cause drivers to miss an issue that could have been easily avoided. While equipment failure is unavoidable at times, driver mistakes can be eradicated with adequate education or by simply watching instructional videos that are available online.
Compliance Issues
In April 2016, the FDA finalized the Food Safety Modernization Act rule on the Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food to prevent food contamination during transportation. This came as a response to listeria and salmonella outbreaks stemming from the handling of food. There are concerns because the document fails to clearly define what “adequately cleaned and sanitized” means, leaving it up to the discretion of the driver. This ambiguity leaves room for error and increases the likelihood of food contamination. However, fleets can do their best to eliminate any questions they may have about what constitutes as compliant practices by taking part in food safety training and keeping a record of procedures.
Identifying Quality Carriers
Due to the challenges listed above, it’s difficult to find a carrier with the experience and knowledge required to transport refrigerated loads without issue. On top of this, we are in the midst of a massive truck driver shortage. According to NPR, “The American Trucking Associations figures companies need about 60,000 drivers, a number that could top 100,000 in just a few years.”
International trade has existed for centuries, but there have always been limitations. When it comes to transporting perishable goods that must be kept cool, the challenges have been formidable. In the 1800s we sought to overcome these difficulties by placing ice and salt underneath temperature-sensitive goods during shipping. Often though, many of these goods would arrive spoiled, resulting in major losses.
By the 1900s, developments in refrigerated freight made it possible to transport goods over longer distances, with fewer losses, giving rise to cold chain logistics (or refrigerated logistics). What began with refrigerated (or reefer) train cars and cargo ships has exploded onto our highways with refrigerated trucks numbering in the millions.
Since then, the industry has grown to over 36 million loads of refrigerated products shipped each year. It seems this growth is likely to continue, as refrigerated containers, reefer ships, and other logistics software such as Transportation Management Systems software, improve. But even with these advances, challenges continue to remain, and restrictions are becoming increasingly difficult to navigate. Here’s what you need to know about refrigerated cargo transportation and freight logistics.
What is Transport Refrigeration?
Refrigerated vanor cargo ships, often referred to as a “reefer ships”, allow for the transportation of temperature-sensitive goods such as meat, seafood, produce, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. These goods must be kept at appropriate temperatures to avoid spoilage. For many of these goods, refrigeration is absolutely essential, as they could not be transported without it. This is why the specifications for shipping such items are stringent.
You may wonder how these refrigerated transport methods work. For most, the technology is similar to your fridge and freezer at home, or the air conditioning unit in your car. Rather than producing cold, the units remove heat from an enclosed space. This is accomplished by an evaporator, compressor, and condenser system along with a gas or liquid coolant.
Unfortunately, there are a number of problems that can cause these units to work inefficiently. First, leaks are common problems in trucks, ships, and train cars that are constantly exposed to the elements and rough conditions. Second, each time the doors to the cooled compartment are opened, some heat gets in. This is particularly a problem for delivery vehicles which may have to make several stops on their routes. Finally, some small amount of heat can be produced by the products themselves, even after they’ve been initially cooled.
Shipping & Cargo Requirements
If you’re shipping perishable goods, either by land or sea, then expect a great deal of requirements and regulations. With the economic development of nations across the globe, and increased awareness among consumers who now favor perishable items in their diet, safety and health standards are more important than ever.
The implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act only shows that these regulations are going to continue to affect shippers and carriers. Here are some of the requirements for refrigerated shipping that you need to consider, outlined by the GCCA (Global Cold Chain Alliance):
Proper refrigeration equipment design and maintenance
Type of transportation
Food safety procedures
Required temperatures for goods
Separation of goods
Sanitation standards
Trailer, container, and/or reefer requirements
Pre-loading considerations
Multi-temperature refrigeration
Pre-cooling
Packing considerations and requirements
Airflow/ ventilation
Processes of unloading
Time between shipping methods
Compliance requirements & reporting
Carbon dioxide limits (especially for items like fruits)
USDA requirements such as insertion of temperature probes to avoid insects and maintain specified limits
Documentation (especially important in the case of a claim
Shipping & Cooling Systems
There are several methods for shipping refrigerated goods. The most common is using reefer ships. Reefer ships are container ships that carry only refrigerated containers. They vary greatly from regular container ships in size, design, electrical distribution, power generation, and equipment. The special design of these ships makes them better suited for inclement weather since they are enclosed, sealed, and insulated. Because of their self-contained systems, they can often bypass cold storage upon arriving at their destination.
Reefer containers also have systems that cool the air off-put by the unit itself, in addition to their water cooling systems. This is used when a reefer shipping container is transported on a regular freighter, with the container is stored below deck where there is likely no proper ventilation.
Total loss refrigeration
An alternative to the typical mechanical refrigeration units discussed above, total loss refrigeration is a simpler solution used in some cases. During short journeys, frozen carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen can be employed. It slowly evaporates, cools the entire container, and is vented out. This can last up to 30 days of transit. While this method has fewer maintenance costs, it’s impractical for most refrigerated transport uses.
Controlled atmosphere technology
Due to recent restrictions, new technologies are now focused on reducing greenhouse gasses as well as the cost-reducing potential of more efficient cooling systems.
Controlled atmosphere technology is a system in which the concentrations of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen are carefully managed. This can help to delay ripening, aging, and decay as well as to improve the quality and taste of their goods. This technology is a step in the right direction, but there are still many challenges in the industry.
Challenges of Cold Chain Logistics
While the above is just a skim of the requirements to transport refrigerated goods, it at least touches on the complexity of cold chain logistics and the importance of supporting software to help manage it. However, compliance and regulations aren’t the only challenges. There are several other problems that refrigerated transportation can encounter through the course of daily operations.
Not Enough Specialized Transport Carriers
Competition has whittled down the number of refrigerated transport companies with reefer ships from twenty at the start of the millennium to a current total of eight worldwide. Diversified containerships that can hold reefer containers provide a faster return on investment.
Refrigeration Intricacies
Fruit and meat are the most common items transported by reefer ships, and always have been. But there is much more diversity in products transported today, and all have different requirements for transportation. Temperature control, ventilation, humidity, packaging, are all important and different for each item. Some items, like tomatoes and potatoes, require changes to the temperature while still in transit.
One solution to this has been pre-programmed multi-temperature systems, but as there are fewer companies offering refrigerated transport, this feature may be more difficult to come by.
Losses & Insurance Claims
For shipping companies who transport refrigerated goods, spoilage and loss is a real issue. If anything goes wrong with the climate control system in transport, entire loads can be lost, leading to huge expenses for the company. Due to the nature of perishable and temperature-sensitive items, many carriers do not cover them in their freight insurance policies. Even when they do, their liability is often limited.
Solutions for Shippers & Logistics Managers
While refrigerated transport and cargo logistics are complicated and costly, there are solutions to simplify, mitigate risk, and reduce costs. By following these guidelines, shippers and logistics managers can safely transport climate-controlled loads while avoiding most of the avoidable causes of loss and spoilage.
Proper cooling and packaging
The first way to avoid losses in transit is to prepare goods for shipment properly. In the case of refrigerated freight, especially for small shippers and e-commerce, products must be pre-cooled to specifications. Reefer trailers and containers can hold temperatures, but they aren’t designed to lower them. If it must cool down the packages to keep them at temperature, the container or trailer may experience strain and result in breakdown or failure.
This is the reason the first step in cold chain logistics is the cooling system used to bring goods to the proper temperature before shipment. Next, you’ll need to ensure that goods are stored in a climate-controlled facility until they are loaded onto a truck, ship, or plane. Just a few hours on the loading dock can cause some goods to warm up, leading to spoilage in transit. Finally, be certain to use proper packaging materials to keep warm air out of your goods, such as Styrofoam or insulated lining.
Documentation
Proper documentation is essential in any shipping logistics system, but even more so in the case of refrigerated or climate-controlled goods. If you ever have to file a claim, having the right documents are more likely to yield an accepted claim. You will need any receipts, records of inspection, pictures, videos from loading or unloading, documentation of any disputes, original order forms, appraisals, etc. Keeping the proper paperwork and documentation in order can mean the difference between an accepted claim and a rejection.
Software
Any type of supply chain management is complicated, but cold chain transportation adds further levels of complexity. Employing the right software, such as TMS, will allow you to centralize all of your data, keep track of shipments in real-time, and receive strategies for improvement.
Real-time freight tracking is becoming increasingly important in the transportation of refrigerated goods, as they are often integrated with temperature monitoring. These systems can tell when the door to the trailer has been opened, or when the shipment has halted, and even if or when the temperature changes in the container. This allows the shipper or carrier to take action before the shipment is compromised and also helps to stay compliant to shipping regulations.
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.
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.
You might have started a new business, perhaps your business is expanding & you need a new van, or you just want to replace an old one. Whatever your situation, choosing the right vehicle for your requirements is important.
You need the right van with the correct equipment for now & the future. So how do you make your mind up? Take a look at this handy guide to help you through the decision-making process
How will you be using your van?
Think About Payloads
Considering your daily business needs will help you decide what size van will suit you best. If you’re transporting supplies from your local merchant to site, you need to consider the size, weight & volume of your typical load to decide on the ideal payload for your van.
What is a van payload?
Payload is the maximum load a van can safely carry as specified by the manufacturer.
Here are some typical weights & sizes to help give you an idea:
A bag of dry sand -1330kg per cubic metre
A Euro pallet -1200mm x 800mm
Baled hay – Up to 225kg per cubic metre
A bag of cement – 25kg or 50kg
A sheet of MDF – 2440mm x 1220mm x 15mm weighs 30-37kg
A bag of potatoes – 50kg
A tin of 5L paint – 7kg
An overloaded vehicle could land you a fine & more, so it’s vital to consider the size, weight & types of cargo before you choose your van.
What Is Load Space & Why Is It Important?
Once you know the weights you’ll be transporting, you also need to calculate how much load space you’ll need. Load space is the available space inside a van that is designed to carry a load & is usually provided in litres or square metres.
If you know you’ll need to transport small tools or parts then a medium or small van might suit you, while if you know you need to transport several Euro pallets you might require a larger vehicle.
Think about how the load will be accessed. If you have a heavy load you may need access to the cargo area with a fork-lift truck. Access to the side of the van may also be important if you work in towns.
Finally, consider any special requirements the load may have. For example, a catering business may require temperature control.
How Many Seats Do You Need?
Calculate the maximum number of passengers you will carry. You may need a row of seats in the vehicle if your business involves teams, or if you are going to be using the van during the evenings & weekends with the family.
Think about driver comfort too. Most vans are pretty comfy these days, but if you spend all day in the van then it may be worth investing in a higher trim level for a little extra comfort.
Easy Access
Are there any access restrictions to consider where you will be working? For example, if there will be narrow streets or height restrictions then city vans with dual sliding doors that allow for curbside loading would be a good choice.
Type Of Journey
It’s also important to consider what types of journeys you’ll need to make. Short trips around urban areas put different demands on a van than long motorway trips.
Where will the load be carried?
How often will the van be at full capacity?
How frequently will you be using it?
Remember to think outside the box when you are considering how you will use your van. If you only carry large loads occasionally you might want to consider getting a smaller, more economical vehicle & hiring a bigger van as & when. Equally, a small van might be great value now, but think about your business needs in another year. Will a smaller vehicle still be suitable then?
What Are The Different Types Of Vans?
If you haven’t leased a van before then chances are you won’t know your panel van from your crew van & can only guess at the benefits of a car-derived van! Don’t worry, you are not alone. Take a look at our jargon-busting info below:
Panel Vans
Panel vans are the most popular & versatile van type on our roads. With a wide range of body styles they provide a good balance between load carrying ability & ease of driving.
Panel vans are used by many trades including electricians, plumbers & are popular with delivery firms.
Medium Panel Vans
The Ford Transit Custom is the nation’s favourite medium panel van along with the Mercedes Vito, VW Transporter & Vauxhall Vivaro.
Large Panel Vans
Larger vans such as the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit, VW Crafter & Citroen Relay offer a range of larger payloads & vaster load space options.
Small Panel Vans
Small panel vans are ideal for sole traders or light delivery trades, & include the Ford Transit Connect, Vauxhall Combo Cargo & Citroen Berlingo.
Car-Derived Or Compact Vans
A van built on the platform of a car, with the rear seats removed to create loadspace. It is often used for light deliveries or by self- employed tradesmen who don’t need to carry too many heavy tools.
The most popular car-derived compact vans include the Ford Fiesta Sport Van.
Small Or Light vans
Carrying more than a car-derived van, the small van is easier to maneuver, generally more fuel efficient & easier to drive than a panel van. Small vans are favoured by trades with low load requirements & are favoured in a wide range of trades such as by plumbers, photographers & florists.
Popular small vans include the Citroen Berlingo, Ford Transit Connect & Volkswagen Caddy.
Crew Vans
Crew vans offer an extra row of seating behind the front seats for additional crew carrying capacity. They are usually a modified panel van & are also known as a double cab. The additional passenger capacity makes them ideal for businesses such as road gangs/scaffolders.
A wide range of vans offer crew options including the Renault Trafic & the Ford Transit Custom Minibus.
Specialist Vehicles
Some businesses require specialist commercial vehicles to cope with day-to-day operations. Our van range includes the following specialist body types:
Luton Vans: Popular with removal firms, Lutons are a box type body extending over the top of the cab for extra load space.
Refrigerated Vans: Refrigeration elements keep the contents of the van cool. Often used by catering firms or florists.
Curtain-side Vans: The van’s sides are made from canvas to facilitate easy loading. Great if access to the entire side of the vehicle is needed.
Tippers: A hydraulic ram pushes the front load area up. Useful for carrying heavy materials like aggregates which need delivery direct to site. Not to be confused with chassis cab vans or a conversion van.
Drop-sides: An open top with shallow sides that drop down for easy access. Often used in building/horticulture where bulky items need transporting.
How Do I Choose Van Size?
Now you know what type of van suits you best, you’ll need to consider what length & heights are best. Make a list of all the tools & equipment you carry, including for those bigger jobs where you have to transport more kit. This will help you determine the dimensions & load bearing capacity you need in your new van.
What Is A Van Wheelbase?
The distance between the front & rear axles has a big impact on the length & therefore the capacity of a van.
There are three options:
Short wheelbase
Medium wheelbase
Long wheelbase
The length of wheelbase will determine how much storage capacity you have & affect your van’s manoeuvrability.
On the Vanarama website the length of a wheelbase will be denoted by ‘L’ on van descriptions. For example, an L3 Ford Transit Van will be the tallest option available.
Don’t forget to consider extra equipment when you choose your wheelbase. If you need grabs, hoists or a tail lift for example, the wheelbase must be able to accommodate these.
Choosing The Right Van Height
Van manufacturers offer three different roof heights; low, medium & high. These & the different wheelbases are not always a standard size. So always double check sizing if you are comparing different vans.
Much like the lengths, the heights of a body type will be denoted by ‘H’ on van descriptions. For example, an L3H4 Ford Transit Van will be the longest & tallest option available.
Usually anything above an H2 is considered a high top van & should offer enough space to stand if necessary inside the load space.
The best body type will normally be the smallest one to do the job as this will be the most fuel efficient. Before selecting a low, medium or high roof there are some things to consider:
How much will your van need to carry?
Is it likely to run empty or light?
Are the loads high-volume/low-weight or vice versa?
Will you need specialist loading/unloading capabilities?
Are there any height or length limitations where you will use the van?
Wheels & Tyres
Few manufacturers will specify a tyre preference when customers order a new van, but there is usually an option to upgrade to alloy wheels. Alloys can also play a small part in your van better representing your business & making a strong first impression.
Cabin Comforts
Van cabins have improved a lot over the last 10 years. When you choose your van, make sure the cabin includes all the features you need to make driving & working in it a more comfortable experience – if it doesn’t, consider upgrading to a higher trim level.
The highest trim level of most panel, small & compact vans offer luxury features such as heated seats, infotainment systems, cruise control, climate control & music options like Apple Carplay or Android Auto.
Don’t Forget Running Costs
For any commercial van, running costs are a key consideration. When choosing your new van it’s important to take into account:
Working from a cargo van lets you exercise freedom on how big you want your tool storage to be. Trust me; I literally carry a tool shed on four wheels. However, as my experience entails, working from your van can become synonymous to carrying heaps of clutter on wheels if one isn’t careful.
Like everything in life, vans to require a little maintenance and organization, which is imperative in keeping you productive and on time. There are numerous elements to a van’s interior; so many that beginning the task of organisation can be daunting. I’m usually left scratching my head after a strenuous day of work too.
A van allows minimal space to work with, which means every single item I travel with has to be orderly stacked and labelled in my mobile workspace. Otherwise, I risk the van becoming a post-apocalyptic wasteland.
I believe in the 1+1 organizing philosophy. The first 1 ensures certain elements are kept functional while the other 1 reviews and eliminates unnecessary items.
To make it simple for you, I have compiled a list of tricks to help you effectively integrate improved functionality into your van. These affordable tips will streamline the organizing process, making it quick, easy.
Here are my top 10 practical tips for when you’re organizing your commercial van’s interior. So come on, let’s get organized.
1. Tackle Filth with Cleaning Tools
Organizing starts with a little cleaning. Not a conventional car detailing but the manual removal of clutter from the inside. Start with:
Removing any tools, knick-knacks, boxes, small items, and such lying in the car.
Remove the car mats and additional seating covers.
Vacuum the floors and the seats starting from bottom to the top.
Use the narrow nozzle attachment to vacuum between tight corners
2. Bust the Dust With A Home-Made Solution
Dust can be your worst enemy on the road. Attaining a pristine right-out-of-the-showroom look of a car is easy if you make friends with your kitchen inventory, starting with vinegar.
Let it soak into the interior surfaces of your vehicle to bring out an immaculate shine to the surfaces. Whether it is wood, vinyl or plastic, vinegar is compatible with most materials. Start with:
Mixing equal parts of vinegar with water and transferring into a spray on bottle.
Turn the nozzle to maximum pressure and generously spray every surface including the dashboard and seat covers.
Let it soak for a few minutes
Wipe away with a clean microfiber cloth. Dettol wipes work well too in case a microfiber cloth is unavailable.
For the dust your vehicle receives on the exterior we always recommend using our California car wash service not only is it extremely easy to use the results are incredible.
3. Save the Sprain with a Window Cleaning Device
Cleaning the window from the inside can crank your neck and result in sprains. Most windows cleaner devices come with an ergonomic and detachable handle mounted on a microfiber cloth.
They work well in removing fog, moisture, and dust giving better results than when using hands to clean. Effectively cleaning hard to reach areas with minimal effort; all you need to do is spray the solution and wipe with the device to clean within seconds.
4. Finding Your Order In The Face Of Disorder
When you have limited space options and an increasing need to store wiring, bolts, accessories or tools, vans are more susceptible to accumulating clutter. However, certain options can save time looking when storing tools, and smaller items in your van. You may:
Use shower caddies or cloth-based shoe organisers to keep your small gears like screws and similar items organized. They are ideal to store smaller tools or extension cords as well.
Hang these organizers on the back of the seats to save additional space.
Attach a thin trash can inside the van, preferably inside a storage cabinet. This keeps waste limited to specific area hence reducing disorder.
5. Fight Storage Issues Vertically
You may run out of storage options as your business grows but having additional storage organizes your items. Installing vertical storage is a smart way to keep essentials in easy reach areas and improve productivity. Many contractors offer professional shelving options, but you can build a DIY installation at home.
Mark an area you are most likely to frequent when setting up your new installation.
Install vertical shelving units or push-button cabinets with specific dividers. This keeps things organized with fewer chances of items from falling out on the road.
Install a peg board to hang tools for better visibility. They are ideal to keep keys organised.
Install pegboards alongside the shelving for easier storage or on the door of the van.
6. Manage Paperwork With Glove Compartment
You can store important paperwork in easy access areas such as in your glove compartment. You can even use a file divider to separate paperwork according to the frequency of use. Keep the paperwork you are most frequently using on top.
7. Labelling is Life
Finding things when you need them never goes well in unorganised spaces. Having a label on everything makes work easier. Build specific slots to keep your items organised on the basis of usage and need. Structure your storage using drawers or compartments:
The items you are most likely to use must be placed at eye and hand level.
Items less frequently used can be stored at the bottom or under the seating in storage baskets
Label each compartment, for example, one for hardware, children’s toys, extension wires and even cleaning items.
8. Velcro Is Your Friend
Where there is motion there is an equal and opposite reaction. More often than not items tend to fall out, roll over, and disappear into the abyss if not placed securely. Velcro is useful when it comes to keeping your boxes, containers and even random items fixed in place.
Take Velcro strips and use adhesives to attach it to the bottom of the box.
Attach other pieces to the surface where the box will rest.
Place the box Velcro side down on the surface, your container will not budge anymore.
Use a cat slicker brush to easily clean bits of fluff to tighten the grip of your Velcro strip.
9. Strategize Tool Storage With Enclosed Boxes
Enclosed boxes assist in arranging all of your tools in an orderly manner for easy access. Tools get tossed on every bump you encounter on the road. Enclosed boxes keep tools safe and in place. Keep the tools needed for specific tasks grouped together.
Keep different coloured boxes for every specific project
Neatly store items according to the size and scope of a given project in boxes
Keep most frequently tools together in a separate box for faster access.
10. Roof Racks
For carrying larger items that may not fit in tight spaces, roof racks offer a viable option. Ideal for carrying ladders, building materials or extra loads, these come in multiple commercial varieties in the market.
Assess which items you will be loading on the roof rack before deciding on a design.
Attach your items and drive around on the road after installation to check if any items can fall off.
Use this test to fasten your items efficiently next time.
Conclusion
Although it may seem daunting at first, with small steps you can integrate order and functionality in your van. These tips require minimal planning and effort.
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!
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.
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.
Commercial Van Solutions 