Chris L Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Hi all I have a couple of gigs coming up where I really need to hire a decent sized van. There's no point buying one, the insurance is silly and I wouldn't use it enough.Does anyone know a firm around Reading (within about 40 miles or so) that might do this (I'm 22)? I have a completely clean driving license and I've been driving XLWB Sprinters for a couple of years through uni so I'm used to them. ThanksChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.breeze Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Hi all I have a couple of gigs coming up where I really need to hire a decent sized van. There's no point buying one, the insurance is silly and I wouldn't use it enough.Does anyone know a firm around Reading (within about 40 miles or so) that might do this (I'm 22)? I have a completely clean driving license and I've been driving XLWB Sprinters for a couple of years through uni so I'm used to them. ThanksChris I have often found myself in a similar poisition to you, I'm 23 and have been hiring vans for a while and struggle as most local firms aren't willing to touch anyone under 25 regardless of experience. Try the bigger national companies. Try to mention things like "voluntary excess" or "young driver excess" as some companies are willing to insure younger drivers if you agree to pay £500 excess in the event of a claim - it's always worked for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dunk_1984 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 SIXT offer a young drivers excess from 21. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwright2104 Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I've been driving XLWB SprintersYou do relise that unless you've passed ur C1 then your licence only allows up to 3500kg which most extralong wheelbase vans are over now. Just make sure the Gross Weight of the Van is under 3500kg as I know someone who lost there licence when they didnt relise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
d.breeze Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I've been driving XLWB SprintersYou do relise that unless you've passed ur C1 then your licence only allows up to 3500kg which most extralong wheelbase vans are over now. Just make sure the Gross Weight of the Van is under 3500kg as I know someone who lost there licence when they didnt relise. I only have a standard licence up to 3.5T rigid body and I have so far legally driven XLWB Sprinters, Maxus, 350Ts and Crafters all of which are rated to 3.5T MGW. To my knowledge it's only Iveco that offer a 5T MGW XLWB Van (too many acronyms!) Edit: Even Transit or Crafter Luton style vans are still rated to 3.5T.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Be careful with a big van,it might be big,but the weight carrying capacity might be smaller than a smaller van,and sitting by the weigh bridge waiting for someone to pick up the excess weight gets boring after 4 hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 No it is not just an Iveco that goes up to 5 ton they go a lot bigger as do the 7000kg Crafter and quite a few other makes and models. The Merc Vario goes to 7500, so be careful. It is always best to check and as Hippy states with 3500 kg vans it is most often worth getting an MWB because the LWB body weighs more so there is less load capability. Don't take anything for granted because Hippy is right as those caught out with trailers or overloaded vans will confirm. It gets much worse if your licence does not qualify you to drive the vehicle in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris L Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 Thanks for the replies - I'll try the young driver excess idea and see how I get on - Sixt do seem to have a slightly more relaxed attitude to young drivers but the vans they advertise for under 25s are too small, so will give them a go first :) And just to clarify - I know I can only drive something up to 3.5t MAM with up to a 750Kg MAM trailer. Also, I know that you can put only just over a tonne (1080Kg IIRC, including an 80Kg driver and 5Kg of luggage with the fuel tank 3/4 full) in an XLWB sprinter if you have no passengers... Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Beech Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 The new shape sprinter/crafter has a pathetic payload. For our industry they're pretty much useless. It's a shame as they're a very good van. The older shape (up to 06) has a somewhat more useful payload, though still very easy to overload, particularly the LWB, or XLWB as people wrongly call it. The comment about most XLWB vans being over 3.5T is very misleading, simply not true. Most panel vans on the road are 3.5t or below. There are >3.5t models available from most manufacturers but they're uncommon from all but the "main players". The Sprinter 4** series or 5** series for the new shape, the Iveco 40* 50* 55* 60* and 65* are popular. Though Renault do the Mascott at 5.5t, and your 'Tomy - My First Van" vans (Fiat, Citroen, Peugeot etc) do a 4t version, though I've never seen one. Transit also do a 4.something tonne version but again, rare. Be advised that whilst you CAN drive 3.5t with a 750kg trailer, if this is for hire or reward you'd need the necessary O license, and you'd need to use Tacho's or if it's just the odd trip, keep a manual record or the working/driving hours. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris L Posted March 10, 2011 Author Share Posted March 10, 2011 The new shape sprinter/crafter has a pathetic payload. For our industry they're pretty much useless. It's a shame as they're a very good van. The older shape (up to 06) has a somewhat more useful payload, though still very easy to overload, particularly the LWB, or XLWB as people wrongly call it. The comment about most XLWB vans being over 3.5T is very misleading, simply not true. Most panel vans on the road are 3.5t or below. There are >3.5t models available from most manufacturers but they're uncommon from all but the "main players". The Sprinter 4** series or 5** series for the new shape, the Iveco 40* 50* 55* 60* and 65* are popular. Though Renault do the Mascott at 5.5t, and your 'Tomy - My First Van" vans (Fiat, Citroen, Peugeot etc) do a 4t version, though I've never seen one. Transit also do a 4.something tonne version but again, rare. Be advised that whilst you CAN drive 3.5t with a 750kg trailer, if this is for hire or reward you'd need the necessary O license, and you'd need to use Tacho's or if it's just the odd trip, keep a manual record or the working/driving hours. Rob Also, many new minibuses are now over 3.5t - this has caused our uni no end of problems as most people can't drive them (well, students anyway). However, Relevent question: Do I need to keep a tacho even if I'm moving equipment I will use around? The reason I ask is because this is an exemption to the CPC requirements for HGV drivers. Does the "O" license have the same exemptions as the CPC? ThanksChris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianl Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 Also, many new minibuses are now over 3.5t - this has caused our uni no end of problems as most people can't drive them (well, students anyway). However, Relevent question: Do I need to keep a tacho even if I'm moving equipment I will use around? The reason I ask is because this is an exemption to the CPC requirements for HGV drivers. Does the "O" license have the same exemptions as the CPC? ThanksChris you can get the new transit 3.7 ton minibus down rated to 3.5 tons quite easily when you buy one. our local hire company has down rated all theirs too. only stipulation is no roof rack and no tow bar you need a tacho in any goods vehicle over 3.5t or in any passenger vehicle over 9 seats used for business puposes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyJones Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 I have been driving Rabbits vans since I was 21. There are a few branchesabout. HTH AndyJones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris L Posted March 11, 2011 Author Share Posted March 11, 2011 I have been driving Rabbits vans since I was 21. There are a few branchesabout. HTH AndyJones Which branch? - the Reading branch stipulate over 25 on most of their vans on the website... Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Robinson Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 I've been driving XLWB SprintersYou do relise that unless you've passed ur C1 then your licence only allows up to 3500kg which most extralong wheelbase vans are over now. Just make sure the Gross Weight of the Van is under 3500kg as I know someone who lost there licence when they didnt relise. O/T, but I must admit that the C1 license does seem pretty pointless to me. Yes, pre 1997 when it came pre-bundled with category B it was fine, but now, you have to be 21 to do a C1 license (IIRC). For £100 more (at the prices of one of the local driving centres when I had a casual google), you can do a full C license. Seeing as C1 isn't a requirement for C, you might as well just do your C license? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dwright2104 Posted March 11, 2011 Share Posted March 11, 2011 Also, many new minibuses are now over 3.5t - this has caused our uni no end of problems as most people can't drive them (well, students anyway). However, Relevent question: Do I need to keep a tacho even if I'm moving equipment I will use around? The reason I ask is because this is an exemption to the CPC requirements for HGV drivers. Does the "O" license have the same exemptions as the CPC? ThanksChris you can get the new transit 3.7 ton minibus down rated to 3.5 tons quite easily when you buy one. our local hire company has down rated all theirs too. only stipulation is no roof rack and no tow bar you need a tacho in any goods vehicle over 3.5t or in any passenger vehicle over 9 seats used for business puposes if you downrate the new transit 15 seat 3.7 ton minibus down to 3.5 ton (same as old shape) you are very easily and likely to be overweight, as the unladen weight is 2419kg giving a payload of 1081kg for an everage of 72.06kg per person, not including fuel or luggage. Fine if its school children, but a mens rugby team?????? You will be very easily overweight, hence why it is now 3700kf MaM.Plus you forgot to remove the extra seat in the downrate from 3.7t to 3.5t Ford dont upgrade there MaM weights for nothing. Sorry about the slightly incorrect info about vans, most of my knowlage are in minibuses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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