Deciding to buy a new van will always be a well thought out considered purchase. Before you decide the make and model of your new van, you need to consider the types of van that will best fulfil all of the needs of your business. Just like a car, new vans for sale all have different body types with individual specific purposes and varying strengths.
When it comes to which van is right for your business, we must consider the multitude of different vans for sale, all catered to a range of different industries and trades. These can include vans for builders, plumbers, electricians, removals florist, caterers, couriers and so many more. However, we must remember the different businesses will all have different requirements from the new vans for sale, such as payload, fuel efficiency, size, etc.
If you’re starting a new business or expanding on your current business, you need to ask yourself the following questions when looking for a new vans for sale:
- How much space do you need in the load area?
- Do you transport heavy items on a regular basis?
- How many people do you need to transport?
- Are there any specific conversions, modifications of features your van has to have?
As we go on throughout this blog we will delve deeper into the common types of new vans for sale. With these questions in mind, you should be able to determine which type of can you should buy for your business.
How To Choose The Best Van For Your Business
Choosing the right van for your business can seem like a very daunting task. There is a vast mass of information out there, and a lot of it seems to tell you different things!
It does not matter if you need a new van to start pop-up retail outlets, transport stock, or reward your customers, it is vital to select the best van for your business. Considering its many uses, a business van has now become a necessary purchase for most companies, especially for start-ups with the need to transport equipment and products to different parts of the country.
In order to make an informed choice about which new van for sale is right for you, you first need to determine how you are going to use the van. For instance:
- If you have a small business and want a van that is fuel-efficient, you may want to put your money on MPVs, such as the Ford C-Max and the Mazda 5.
- In case the diminutive size of multipurpose vans is an issue, you can select a minivan, which offers the combination of better cargo space, value, and seating capacity – the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey, both serve as a perfect minivan.
- Sometimes, your business needs a van with more passenger seats – that is when a full-size passenger van becomes the best choice. The Chevrolet Express is a good option, which comes with a seating capacity for up to 15 people. You should bear in mind that due to its larger size and specific design, it is not as fuel-efficient as MPVs.
- Finally, you may have a business that does not involve hauling passengers but requires more space for cargo. This is when buying a cargo van becomes the best bet. The Ford Transit Connect, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Chevrolet Express are also available as cargo vans – they differ in sizes, so you have to pick one according to your business needs.
Types of Vans For Sale
PANEL VAN – Most Popular Van For Size Range
A panel van is the most popular body style on the road largely because it offers a huge range of sizes and wheelbase lengths, as well as being quite flexible in terms of modifications and accessories, so you’re bound to find one that will suit your business.
Essentially, it’s defined by the flat load bay which is enclosed by the panels on the sides of the load area. For added security, these panels are blanked out and don’t have any windows to keep your cargo out of view.
Typically, they will have asymmetrical rear opening doors that can open to 180°. You’ll also be able to access the load area from a sliding side door. Some models come with twin sliding side doors so that it doesn’t matter what side of the road you park on.
Panel vans offer a generous load space and payload relative to their size. For example, if you only need a small van, you’ll still have a load area that is capable of carrying at least one Euro pallet with a payload around 1 tonne.
The most popular panel van on the market is the Ford Transit.
CAR-DERIVED VAN – Best Van For Courier or Delivery
As the name suggests, this type of van is normally a standard passenger car with a load area similar to a small panel van instead of rear seats and solid panels in place of rear side windows.
Car-derived vans are the same size as their original car counterparts, and as such, provide a similar driving experience which makes them perfect if your business involves a lot of city driving – e.g. a courier or delivery service.
PICK-UP TRUCK – Best Van For Uneven Road Surfaces
Traditionally popular in the United States, the pick-up truck is growing in popularity in the UK. In it’s most basic form, it’s a similar concept to a panel van except that the enclosed load area is replaced with a flat, open-air load bed that is often in a more raised position.
Pick-up trucks are lighter than vans and are more useful on uneven road surfaces. They tend to have a big towing capacity (normally around 3.5 tonnes) so they can double up as a leisure vehicle that can tow a caravan or a trailer with sporting equipment.
If you don’t need the security or weather protection of a panel van, a pick-up truck could be a flexible alternative.
One of the best vans for sale here is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
CHASSIS CAB VAN – Most Popular Van For Conversions
Chassis cab vans are the most versatile body type on the market because they are the most basic. They literally consist of a cab area on a bare chassis base which can be customised with the body you want.
Common body types built on a chassis cab include Luton vans, box vans, dropsides and tippers. They are generally wider than panel vans without intrusions into the load area from wheel arches or suspension components.
Luton and box vans add a ‘cube’ type load area onto the chassis base. Access to the rear is normally higher off the ground and it’s very unusual to find Luton or box vans with side doors. The biggest difference between these two body types is that a Luton van has an extended cargo area above the cab, whereas the load area on a box van stops at the cab.
Dropsides and tippers both add a flat load bed to the chassis base similar to a pick-up truck. As the name suggests, a dropside has panels at the side that drop down to give you access to the load area. A tipper goes a little further and adds a hydraulic arms that lifts the load area up, physically tipping the cargo out.
CREW / DOUBLE CAB VAN – Ideal Van For Transporting a Large Team
A crew cab or double cab van is capable of carrying five or six people thanks to an extended cabin area which provides enough room for a second row of seats. If you need to transport more than two or three people on a regular basis, you will need to look for a double or crew cab van.
Panel vans, pick-ups and chassis cabs are all available in crew and double cab variants so you can have the body style that suits the needs of your business and have enough seats to transport the whole team.
Once you decide what type of van you should buy for your business, search our stock of discount vans.
What To Look Out For When Choosing A Commercial Vehicle
Covering the Basics
The first thing to consider is what the needs of the company are. A plumbing business will have greatly different needs to a design firm – no one size fits all. A run-through of why a business needs vehicles, and what they will be used for is the first important step in selecting the ideal fit.
Budget Concerns
Owning outright is the most expensive, especially initially – and there’s always a risk of vehicle damage or costly repairs that can also eat into the budget. Leasing and hire purchases require less up-front expenditure, as well as providing an outsourcing for the maintenance of the fleet. While it means that per vehicle, the costs may be higher than a company-owned vehicle, it does have the added benefit of freeing up company resources and staff that would have organise registration, insurance, repairs and servicing.
Go Online
While there are a number of companies that will sell vans for fleet purposes, as well as lease and hire purchase organisations, it’s always helpful to take a look yourself. Although lease companies usually pick reliable vehicles, it pays to take a look at what similar businesses are using for their company vehicles. For more information, check out our van finance page.
Speak to Staff and Clients
Of course, the important part is to speak to the people who will be using or benefiting from these vans. Implementing the most cost-effective strategy or choosing a van based on its appearance won’t help much if they don’t do what staff and clients need them to do.
Once you decide what type of van you should buy for your business, search our stock of discount vans, or reach out to a member of the team for more help.