If you like to remain comfortable in your van no matter the temperature, you require to protect it. Van insulation is one of the most important steps of any van build, and it pays to take the time to do it right. There’s also a lot of confusion and controversy over the most useful way to protect a camper van, and it can be difficult to wade through all the thoughts and figure out what to do.
So you’ve selected a commercial van for your business. It will allow your sales team to travel more efficiently and run functions more smoothly. While the professionals can provide wisdom to support you in selecting the right vehicle for your business or commercial van, there are some queries you can ask yourself before ever stepping onto the lot to help you select which vehicles are best for your business.
What do you need to transport?
Checking your vehicle choices by type is the first step in the method. Do your drivers require extensive tools, huge storage, and a variety of tools readily available on the go? If your drivers need space for buyers to sit comfortably, a Taurus may be a more practical choice. Consider how your drivers will use these vehicles and check your search established on those conditions.
How frequently will employees drive company vehicles?
If you expect regular use and long travel, you might want to emphasise fuel efficiency. Instead of opting for a fleet of Ford Taurus representatives, think about downsizing to the Fusion to cut down on the price of fuel. While still big and professional-looking, you’ll save the business money up-front and in the long term.
Who will see your vehicles?
Whether you are in the office, at a worksite, or travelling for the company, you want your business to keep a specific level of professionalism. That spreads to the vehicles workers drive. Think about how you like consumers to regard your business and element that into your judgement.
Should I get uniform vehicles or diversify?
While including a group of Ford Focus measures will help drivers become aware of that one car and its parts, there are advantages to diversifying your fleet with cars, crossovers, SUVs, and vans. Think about the type of benefits your business supplies and consider the advantages of keeping a constant fleet against those of a mixed fleet.
Radiation
It is heat transferred through air or a vacuum – think of the heat radiating from the sun, passing through the atmosphere, and warming your skin.
The biggest bases of radiant heat in your van are the windows, which permit sunlight to pass around and warm the interior. This can be excellent in the winter, but total hell during a hot summer day. Reflective window covers deflect bright heat away from the van and keep the interior vastly cooler. You can also use reflective feelings inside your van to help maintain heat during cold weather.
Convection
It is how heat moves through a liquid or gas (like the air in your van) – think of warmer air rising to the ceiling while cooler air sinks to the floor.
Do you have a work vehicle? Do you struggle to keep it organized? If so, you’ll be glad to know that there are products that can help you. They’re called commercial upfits, and they’re designed to take your work van to the next level. If you want to solve your organizational problems and increase productivity, then make sure you check out these awesome upfits.
Shelving Units
Some of the best commercial van upfits include shelving units. When you install shelves in your cargo space, you no longer have to toss everything on the floor. Instead, you can put every tool on a secure shelf. Not only does this make items easier to find, but it also frees up floor space for storing bulkier items.
Toolboxes
Every tradesperson needs a good toolbox. But, what if you could have one that was built right into your vehicle? Even if you don’t want to install a permanent toolbox, there are some great, high-quality options out there.
Utilize Your Surface Areas
When you look at the cargo space in your van, try to imagine the possibilities of all the surface areas you have to work with. Take a trick out of an interior designer’s book and utilize that vertical space, even the ceiling!
Build your storage from the bottom up, placing heavier, bulkier objects toward the floor and smaller, lighter objects higher up. You can even hang lightweight cords or straps on the ceiling to keep them close at hand but out from under your feet. Take advantage of every inch of open space, just so long as you can keep an open path to access each tool or bin you’ve organized.
Separate the Driver Section From the Cargo Area
Use a van partition to keep the driver and the cargo area separate. This boundary helps establish two work areas with distinct purposes one for storing equipment, supplies, and materials and the other for forms, manuals, laptops, and a few personal belongings. The driver’s portion of the van will be tighter and prone to more clutter, so a bit of extra organization in this space will make a significant impact!
Secure Your Equipment
Work vans are meant for travel, which can subject your equipment to jostling, bumps, and shifting. Tools that aren’t properly secured are easily damaged in these kinds of conditions, especially if they’re left to roll on the floor or hang precariously from insecure hooks or shelves. It also could put you at risk if you step into the cargo portion of your van and something heavy topples down on your head. Securing your equipment with upfitting products promotes safety and keeps everything in its proper place.
Make Room for Multiples
Frequently used tools can break or get misplaced, so having multiple sets is a good practice, especially if you need multiple sets for your crew to work with. When you’re developing your storage options, make sure you leave room on racks and in drawers for spares, replacements, and extra parts. For instance, choose larger or longer hooks to hang several tools at once instead of just one.
A professional, well-equipped alurack ladder rack for the van increases job efficiency and lets your clients know you take your business and their needs seriously. It shows them you care about what you do, and you’re good at it.
Interior Van Components
Bulkheads keep the cab area quiet, so your drivers can concentrate on the road. They provide better climate control, and they offer increased driver safety in the case of unexpected hard stops. Bulkheads aren’t a luxury.
Shelves/Drawers
Nothing increases storage in your commercial van like well-designed, professionally installed shelves and drawers.
Floors
Not all floors are created equal, and you should give your floor just as much attention as the rest of your van.
Exterior Van Components
Regardless of the type of business you’re in, a good quality ladder is likely an essential piece of your equipment and an investment you’ll want to protect. Ladder racks can be designed to fit any van and not only do they keep your ladder stored properly.
Your Vision Our Quality Construction
When it comes to customizing your commercial van, the options available can sometimes seem overwhelming. To make the process easier, we’ve designed standard packages you can use a launching point for your ideas. These include build-outs for HVAC, telecommunications, plumbing, electrical and more. And quality is our top priority! We’ve chosen only the most reputable manufacturers in the industry to supply our products.
The ErgoRack is, hands down, the safest and fastest way to store and secure a ladder on your truck, van, or service-bodied vehicle. Using advanced designs and hydraulic cylinders, the ErgoRack makes retrieving or storing a ladder on your work vehicle a “two-finger” operation.
No more climbing on tires, perching on bumpers, and struggling to get ladders off your vehicle on tip-toe. With today’s trucks and vans sitting higher than ever before, the ErgoRack isn’t just a neat idea, it’s the perfect drop down ladder rack for the job.
Prime Design Alurack
When the Alurack ladder rack was designed, it was the first rack of its kind to feature rollers to make loading and unloading easier than ever before. Imitators have tried to flood the market, but the original is still the best and when the AluRack is combined with the many options we can offer, you’ll have one of the lightest, strongest, and best-looking ways to stow materials and ladders out of the way for easy transport and loading. Our aerodynamic design saves you money at the pump, too, by utilizing lightweight anodized aluminum that looks great and easily withstands harsh weather.
Ranger Design Cargo+ Rack
Ranger Design offers over 100 different custom racks for nearly any van ever made. From the most basic cargo rack to uniquely designed double drop-down racks using hydraulic dampers to ensure safety, Ranger has made a point of giving users tremendous flexibility for maximizing their cargo capacity.
Using a lightweight but extremely strong aluminum alloy that has been powder-coated for durability, Ranger Design roof racks give you unlimited options, durability, and good looks.
Tough, Quiet and Easy to Use!
Military grade aluminum & stainless steel components
No corrosion over the lifetime of the rack
Aerodynamic crossbars reduce wind noise
Cargo+ has a full width stainless steel roller to make loading and unloading easy
Fits most Transit, ProMaster & Mercedes cargo vans
Weather Guard
Weather Guard is one of the oldest names in truck accessories, dating back to 1960. In that time, you can bet they’ve learned what works and what doesn’t and that is reflected in the ladder racks they build.
The beauty of a Weather Guard ladder rack is they offer all the options you can use – choices of material, how it is mounted on a vehicle, and a full range of offerings for any truck. As a matter of fact, that’s one of the reasons we like Weather Guard racks so much – they make it easy to find the right one and build them tough, so chances are, they’ll outlast your truck.
Each van ladder racks has its own purpose. Professionalize your car with additional accessories to adapt your working vehicle to your daily needs. Discover our range of accessories for the different AluRack roof racks.
S-CLAMPS-CLAMP, THE UNIQUE FEATURE FOR EASY AND EFFICIENT TRANSPORT OF LIGHT STEP AND EXTENSION LADDERS ON LOW ROOF VEHICLES.
Every S-Clamp secures the ladder with a gas spring assisted hook. The hook at the front of the rack assists the operator to position the ladder on the roof rack. By using the handle, the hook in the back comes in an upright position and fixes the ladder for safe transport. No straps and ties are required. The use of a padlock prevents easy theft of the ladder.
An important effect is the reduction in handling time : the time to (un)load a ladder can be reduced from 240 seconds (4 minutes) to 20 seconds which is a reduction by 80%. This is an investment with a high ROI.
CLAMPABLE ALUMINIUM LADDER
Discover the benefits of our backdoor ladder
Our new ladder guarantees optimum safety for the daily loading and unloading of your goods on our AluRack roof rack.
Thanks to a handy clamping system this light aluminium ladder can easily be installed by one person without having to drill into the bodywork. That way, your vehicle preserves a high second-hand value.
You can easily re-use the ladder on your next vehicle of the same type.
The aesthetic, light aluminium design is corrosion resistant and durable. On top of this, the low weight of the ladder ensures reduced fuel consumption.
The door ladder is currently custom-designed for the Ducato, Sprinter, Crafter, Boxer, Jumper, Movano, NV400, Master and Daily. Your ladder will precisely fit the dimensions of the rear of your company vehicle and will not interfere with your daily work. Soon it will be available for other models as well!
MORE HELPFUL ACCESSORIES FOR THE ALURACK ROOF RACK SOLUTIONS
Aluminium conduit tube
Aluminium conduit tube (2-5m long, 125 mm in square), lockable on both sides. Mounting with a bracket onto crossbars, so that the interior space can be completely used for loading.
Conduit tube bracket
Special round brackets to fix standard plastic tubes.
Beacon mounting bracket
With special mounting brackets the beacon may be mounted onto the crossbars.
Cargostops for AluBars
Cargostops to position long objects on the crossbars.
Roller for AluBars
The additional roller for easy (un)loading of long objects from the rear.
Roller for AluRack
The roller, which can be easily installed at the rear of the roof rack ensures comfortable (un)loading of long objects.
Platform elements
Aluminium ribbed profiles can be mounted on top of the crossbars to form a cargo platform (length 2-5 m, width 17cm)
Cargostops for AluRack
Adjustable cargo stops to fix long objects on the roof rack.
5 Key Benefits of Owning a Wheelchair Accessible Van
When you have a disabled or special needs family member, simply getting around can be a challenge. Trips to the doctor or store in a car involve folding and unfolding the wheelchair can be difficult and uncomfortable for wheelchair passengers. Fortunately, these types of mobility problems can be avoided with the use of a wheelchair van.
Easier to Get in and Out of the Van
Smaller cars, trucks, and even minivans can make getting in and out very difficult for someone in a wheelchair. No more folding, unfolding, or cumbersome seat transfers – wheelchair vans make the process so much easier, with ramps and lifts that enable wheelchair passengers to safely and easily enter and exit the vehicle. Lowered floors and raised roofs and doors make getting in easy without bending over or tilting the wheelchair.
It’s also easier for drivers and caregivers to get around inside. A high roof conversion van makes it simple to check on passengers, tie down wheelchairs, and adjust equipment.
More Comfortable
Transferring a wheelchair passenger into a vehicle that is not wheelchair accessible can be painful and exhausting for both passenger and caregiver. It can put pressure on the shoulders, back, or both, depending on how the transfer is performed. A wheelchair van eliminates these issues with ramps and lifts for easy access. Tie-downs keep the wheelchair in place. And since disabled passengers can remain in their wheelchairs, the ride is more comfortable.
Wheelchair accessible van can accommodate multiple passengers
Wheelchair accessible vans are available for accommodating up to two wheelchair passengers at the same time. And depending on the model and configuration, you can have seating for 9 or 12 passengers. That’s plenty of room for the entire family.
Wheelchair Ramps or Lifts
A wheelchair ramp or lift makes it easy for wheelchair users to safely enter and exit the vehicle. There is no need to transfer to a passenger seat or fold and stow the wheelchair. Depending on the vehicle, manual spring assisted ramp or power lift are available to accommodate the needs of passengers.
Increased Safety
A secure Q’straint wheelchair locking system keeps wheelchair passengers secure while riding in the van. They include a stable tub floor and tie-downs, so your wheelchair-bound passengers will experience a safe ride.
Taking trips outside the house doesn’t have to be a struggle. They are easy to get in and out of, comfortable, versatile, safe, and durable. Make your next trip an easy one by taking it in a wheelchair van.
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.
If you’re looking for a brand new van to drive your business forward, but don’t want to pay out a lump sum upfront, leasing might just be for you
What Is Van Leasing?
Refrigerated van leasing is when you pay a monthly fee to drive a van. Think of it as renting, but typically for a longer period. You’ll pay a small initial rental at the beginning, a monthly fee for the term of your lease and hand your van back at the end. Simple!
Why Lease A Van?
The benefits of leasing a van are becoming clear as it gets more and more popular. These include:
An Affordable Fixed Monthly PaymentThis is one of the key benefits of leasing. It allows you to stay on top of your monthly budget and keep your outgoings low by spreading your payments over time.
Not Dealing With A Depreciated AssetLike almost all vehicles, vans depreciate in value over time. Leasing means you’re not left with a used van to sell. You simply give the van back at the end of your contact & you can upgrade to a brand new model – just like you would with a mobile phone.
Advanced Breakdown CoverLeasing with Vanarama also makes you eligible for benefits including Advanced Breakdown Cover, so throughout your lease you never need to worry about your business being off the road.
A Range Of Extra SavingsYou won’t need an MOT or road tax on a brand new van for the first 3 years. If you’re VAT registered you can also claim this back on a commercial vehicle.
How To Lease A Van: Step-By-Step Process
Choose Your Van The first step is to choose the van you want. We have a wide variety of the latest models to make your business, look the business
Choose Your Lease Package Next up you choose the type of lease you want, how long you’d like to lease for (typically 2,3 or 5 years) and how many miles you think you’ll drive in that time.
Provide Your Financial Details We’ll then need some details from you to secure credit from one of the finance companies we partner with. This is when they’ll do a credit check to ensure you’re able to afford the monthly payments. You’ll tell us how much you can afford as your initial payment and we’ll take holding deposit to secure your new van.
Van Delivery Once all the paperwork is sorted, your van will be delivered direct from the dealer, straight to your door!
Enjoy Your Van For the Length Of Your Lease Contract And that’s it, you’ll keep your business moving for the length of your lease.
Return Your Lease Van Finally, at the end of the lease, you simply hand the van back and, if you want to, you can upgrade to the latest model and start the process all over again!
What Are The Different Leasing Options?
There are 3 main lease options we offer at Vanarama. These include Van Business Contract Hire, which is our most popular form of leasing. The others are Van Business Finance Lease and Van Contract Purchase which come with an option to own the car at the end of your term.
What Is Van Business Finance Leasing?
Van Business Finance Leasing is when you pay a monthly fee to drive a new van but you have responsibility for the vehicle at the end of the lease. So alongside the initial rental, you will also pay a final payment.
This has pros and cons… if the value of the van is higher than expected at the end of your lease, you can sell the van, pay the final payment and make a profit. However, there is always a risk the van will have depreciated in value and you will be liable for a balloon payment higher than the value of your van. Beware, you also can’t personally own the van at the end of the lease and you will need to sell it on.
What Is Van Business Contract Hire?
Van Business Contract Hire is leasing in its purest form and is the most popular package we offer. You pay a monthly fee to drive your van and get to give it back at the end of your lease.
There are lots of advantages to Van Contract Hire including initial payments that tend to be the lowest amongst all the options, affordable monthly payments and no risk of being stuck with a depreciated asset at the end of your contract.
What Is Van Contract Purchase?
Van Contract Purchase is typically offered to those that really want to own their van at the end of their lease. Unlike the other two options, Contract Purchase allows you to personally own the van.
With this option you still have the advantage of fixed monthly payments but they do tend to be higher than the other two options. You will also have a final payment you’ll be liable for.
How Are My Fixed Monthly Payments Calculated?
For every type of lease agreement, there are 4 variables that determine what your monthly payment will be:
The Cost Of The Vehicle The first is the cost of your new van. The lower the value of your van, the lower the initial rental and monthly payments will be. Remember, because of the significant volume of vehicles we lease, we’re eligible for discounts on all our vehicles which we pass straight onto you. So leasing with Vanarama means you’ll pay less!
Interest Rates When you lease your van, you’ll be doing a deal with one of the funders in our panel. The deals the funders offer will very much depend on the interest rates at the time. The good news is that even if interest rates increase between getting a quote and delivery of your van, your quote won’t increase. However, if interest rates go down, we’ll pass this saving onto you and you’ll see your monthly payments decrease.
Residual Value As well as your mileage and the length of your lease, what your van is estimated to be worth at the end of your term is another important factor when calculating your monthly payments. There are a range of variables affecting the estimated residual value including the lenders’ personal experience, how many of that model they have and the perceived risk of that vehicle.
Initial Rental At the beginning of your lease, you’ll pay an initial rental. This, alongside the length of the agreement, will affect how much your monthly payments will be. You can decide how much you want to pay up front based on how much you can afford. But remember, the more you pay upfront, the less you’ll pay in the following months.
Leasing FAQs
How Much Does It Cost To Lease A Van?
This really depends on the type of van you’re after. At Vanarama we have some amazing deals, meaning you could lease a brand new Citroen Berlingo for as little as £139 per month*, a Fiat Fiorino from as little as £115 per month* and the popular Ford Transit from as little as £195 per month*. On average our customers spend around £250 per month on a van lease with us.
*Prices correct at time of publication 25/2/20 and are subject to change based on current offers.
Are All Leased Vans New?
At Vanarama we only lease brand new vans. Of course, you can lease a used one elsewhere, but why would you want to when it often works out cheaper (and certainly better) to lease new?
How Long Does Delivery Take?
Obviously this is dependent on the vehicle you choose, whether it’s in stock and if you’re having accessories fitted. If the van you choose is in stock and available, it can take as little as 2-3 weeks to be delivered.
What Is A Pre-Reg Van?
A pre-reg van is a brand new van that has already been registered (given a registration plate by the DVLA). Depending on how long a van has been registered for might mean we can offer you a much better deal.
Is Tax & Insurance Included In Your Van Contracts
VED Tax (sometimes known as road tax) is included as part of your monthly payments. Insurance is not included, but we have some excellent and competitive policies including Multi-Year Insurance which freezes the annual premium of your van insurance for the entire duration of your lease.
Commercial Van Solutions 