As a result of excessive demand in on-line buying up to now few years, the UK has seen an inflow of hundreds of recent courier van drivers take to the roads, however which van is one of the best for delivering items?
With many van drivers being self-employed it’s important you select the suitable van for your small business. That’s why we’ve put a information collectively on one of the best vans for supply drivers, though please word, one dimension doesn’t match all and one of the best 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 alternative for couriers and there are many second-hand fashions to select from.
Not all supply drivers have to haul big quantities of containers round city and the intimidating dimensions of a van might be off-putting. If you’re delivering smaller items or orders which might be light-weight, then the Fiesta will likely be lots large enough.
With a rear window, a bulkhead with a meshed prime you may see by and the identical dimensions as the usual Fiesta, it’s the good dimension to nip out and in of tight spots round city, particularly when you have no earlier expertise of driving a industrial automobile. The Ford Fiesta Van can be one of many cheapest vans to insure.
2. Citroen Berlingo
The primary cause why the Citroen Berlingo is such a very good supply van is the intelligent piece of expertise that permits you to completely max out the permitted payload. It’s referred to 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, nevertheless it’s additionally extra environment friendly. If you’re uncertain about whether or not you’re near the utmost, you could need to play it protected and never overload. This fashion you’ll understand how 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 hundreds of van drivers up and down the nation have chosen the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter as their van of alternative. It’s good for many who make 100 or extra drops every single day.
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 record. 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 lively brake help to call however a number of options. It’s among the best supply vans for larger masses as a result of it could deal with a quantity of 14m³ and has 270 diploma rear doorways.
One factor you must consider is the payload. With giant vans, it’s very simple to imagine it could carry greater than it could. Be certain that 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 people who carry over 1300kgs.
4. Ford Transit
The Ford Transit is one other good possibility for larger masses as a result of it could 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 virtually 600kg (not together with passengers), this van gives 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 on the subject of vans, however the Interstar is a powerful 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 energy and high quality, the Interstar is a unbelievable van for supply drivers and couriers.
6. Vauxhall Vivaro
The Vauxhall Vivaro is commonly thought-about to be probably the most dependable courier vans in the marketplace. It contains options equivalent to an anti-lock braking system with digital power distribution, an adjustable steering column and an digital stability program with traction management.
You gained’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 large, whereas the L2 model offers you a load size of two.8m, which is extremely helpful for these drivers who’re delivering longer packages. The payload can be set at a whopping 1415kg throughout all variations.
For supply drivers on the lookout for the right van that blends area, mobility and glorious operating prices, the Vauxhall Vivaro is certainly the place to start out. Increased trim ranges pack in much more tech, however even the decrease extra reasonably priced variants nonetheless have all the same old bells and whistles you’d anticipate.
7. Renault Trafic
The Renault Trafic is without doubt one of the smaller vans on this record, however don’t rely it out simply but. If you have to navigate tight roads or don’t want a big automobile just like the Vivaro, then this French piece of package is ideal for you.
It gives nice consolation, drivability and effectivity – good 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 effectively outfitted for a busy supply day.
How to decide on the suitable van
Listed here are some issues you must take into account earlier than making your buy.
Determine one of the best sized van in your courier work
Selecting the best van in your job is usually a tough process, however the secret is to make sure it could carry the payload you require. You possibly can all the time scale up as your small business begins to develop. You additionally don’t need to be utilizing a van that can value you extra money in gasoline than you require.
Small vans
When you have your personal enterprise, or work as a contractor for a supply firm, a small van is the right option to preserve your bills down. Selecting a smaller van, slightly than a bigger panelled one, is wise on gasoline consumption and may improve your revenue margins while nonetheless offering you with a good sized payload.
Medium panel vans
These are good for many supply driving jobs. A mid-panel van such because the Renault Trafic is a superb alternative for many who are on the lookout for a strong automobile that’s nonetheless simple to drive in tight areas equivalent to 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. In the event you’re delivering giant items equivalent to furnishings, you will want a big panel van that provides a considerable space that can comfortably suit your payload.
Be certain that your van is safe
Most fashionable vans all include a excessive degree of safety, however in case you’re transporting costly items it is likely to be greatest to take a look at further safety measures to avoid van break-ins and different mishaps that would impression your small business.
In the event you’re shopping for a brand new van, be sure to get sufficient safety measures fitted. Get an alarm, an immobiliser and deadlocks even when they aren’t commonplace in your explicit mannequin; it’s value forking out a bit of additional for peace of thoughts.
In the event you’re unsure 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. In the event you don’t have already got one, it is likely to be value investing in an immobiliser.
Be sure to take into account consolation
As a result of nature of the job, you’ll spend giant quantities of time in your van, so it’s necessary you choose one which’s snug. While checking engine dimension and sturdiness are nice traits, you in fact want to make sure you don’t get aches and pains whereas driving.
In the event you’re capable of, be sure to take a check drive in your van for a chronic time period so you may actually work out how snug you’re feeling whereas driving. It’s additionally a good suggestion to verify you’re proud of the setup of the dashboard.
Test your van’s gasoline effectivity
In the event you do quick distance deliveries, you will want to pay additional consideration to the miles per gallon (MPG) a van can do. MPG takes into consideration the stopping and beginning you’ll be doing when you have a variety of deliveries inside a brief distance.
In the event you’re extra excited about 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 already know the mileage you may anticipate doing a little type of mixture of the 2. Whichever possibility you’re on the lookout for, one of the best vans for courier drivers are ones that don’t break the financial institution on gasoline.
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 appropriately, and have somebody in your facet to assist find ways to save you money and get the easiest and most affordable cover.
Discovering an insurance coverage firm that provides good offers on van insurance coverage might be tough, particularly ones that take your particular person wants into 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 automobile is roofed. Name us on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that fits you.
