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