Most suited tow vehicle / car trailer combo
Discussion
Chaps,
Have been sat debating a change in direction of late and one option is to build upon my current employment and contacts and look at going it alone moving vehicles around the country. First up, this idea is in its infancy and yes I know there's countless lads with Transit beaver tails knocking around for £40 a lift and shift, but I'd be looking to offer something a bit more plus have a step up as I'm 'trade' as it were and could create opportunities.
So, cutting to the chase... yes I would need to get the appropriate license (currently don't hold BE) but that's a given but what I've been debating of late is what would be a good choice of vehicle to tow with. I've done some thinking myself and in my head, a van would be the most logical option for various reasons however the most prolific being it can also be used to move motorcycles, components, spares, wheels and such like thus opens up new opportunities and the ability to multi-task, which financially would make sense.
So, in short I'd be looking at a Vivaro / Transit / Transporter sort of thing... but in terms of what makes for a good tow vehicle, I'm simply not sure but as far as towing goes it would be a twin axle car trailer, with a view to taking anything up to an SUV so appreciate that could be a potential minefield and that's where I hoped somebody may be able to offer some thoughts or personal experiences on the matter.
Initial set up budget, I have a figure of £10k for a suitable van plus trailer... be it new or very good order second hand thus as a rough fag packet calculation, up to £3k for the trailer, straps and such like, £500 for license thus leaving £5 to £6k for a vehicle which puts me in to 2.5TDI Transporter or 2.5L Vivaro territory, ideally LWB. But really, the finer details are something I need to explore further.
Apologies if it all seems a bit fantasy / vague, but we all have to start somewhere!
Thanks
Have been sat debating a change in direction of late and one option is to build upon my current employment and contacts and look at going it alone moving vehicles around the country. First up, this idea is in its infancy and yes I know there's countless lads with Transit beaver tails knocking around for £40 a lift and shift, but I'd be looking to offer something a bit more plus have a step up as I'm 'trade' as it were and could create opportunities.
So, cutting to the chase... yes I would need to get the appropriate license (currently don't hold BE) but that's a given but what I've been debating of late is what would be a good choice of vehicle to tow with. I've done some thinking myself and in my head, a van would be the most logical option for various reasons however the most prolific being it can also be used to move motorcycles, components, spares, wheels and such like thus opens up new opportunities and the ability to multi-task, which financially would make sense.
So, in short I'd be looking at a Vivaro / Transit / Transporter sort of thing... but in terms of what makes for a good tow vehicle, I'm simply not sure but as far as towing goes it would be a twin axle car trailer, with a view to taking anything up to an SUV so appreciate that could be a potential minefield and that's where I hoped somebody may be able to offer some thoughts or personal experiences on the matter.
Initial set up budget, I have a figure of £10k for a suitable van plus trailer... be it new or very good order second hand thus as a rough fag packet calculation, up to £3k for the trailer, straps and such like, £500 for license thus leaving £5 to £6k for a vehicle which puts me in to 2.5TDI Transporter or 2.5L Vivaro territory, ideally LWB. But really, the finer details are something I need to explore further.
Apologies if it all seems a bit fantasy / vague, but we all have to start somewhere!
Thanks
Cheers, one factor I guess would be running costs.
This was prompted by a run home last night in a friends 2014 Vivaro 1.9 which is seemingly averaging 40mpg... which I deemed as being rather good for what it is, however then prompted to me think that over XXXX miles, towing a laden car trailer would more capacity + more power = better economy.
Then there's the question of reliability, towing will unquestionably put excess strain on the tow car which is why a mate tows with a new Ranger which he deemed far more up to the task than his previous 4 year old Transit (unsure on exact spec) and a nicer place to be to do miles.
Downside is he's lost the van aspect and thus lost a lot of load carrying ability, which has limited his ability to cover lots of bases.
I guess the question is, what is the most robust, comfortable, multi-purpose tow vehicle that offers maximum value for money.
I did debate a D40 Navara..?
This was prompted by a run home last night in a friends 2014 Vivaro 1.9 which is seemingly averaging 40mpg... which I deemed as being rather good for what it is, however then prompted to me think that over XXXX miles, towing a laden car trailer would more capacity + more power = better economy.
Then there's the question of reliability, towing will unquestionably put excess strain on the tow car which is why a mate tows with a new Ranger which he deemed far more up to the task than his previous 4 year old Transit (unsure on exact spec) and a nicer place to be to do miles.
Downside is he's lost the van aspect and thus lost a lot of load carrying ability, which has limited his ability to cover lots of bases.
I guess the question is, what is the most robust, comfortable, multi-purpose tow vehicle that offers maximum value for money.
I did debate a D40 Navara..?
Don't forget to budget approx £1k for tachograph & for a 56 plate on- which I'm assuming you are looking at, you'll need a digital rather than analogue plus the download kit, if you run a van rather than a dual purpose vehicle- ie most but not all 4x4s, then O licence another grand or so & all the grief that goes with it too.
Ref vans I've run most, Sprinters, Ivecos, Masters, Mascotts, VW LTs, pros & cons to all, you can get newer Renaults & Ivecos budget wise Vs Mercedes & VW.
The rwd stuff is better hills, wet, snow etc when towing a heavier load, the fwd can cope but is inferior.
I think a Vivaro isn't really up to the job tho folks do use them, what's the train weight? Easy to be over weight with? a full 3.5t on tow, which with a big car or a 4x4 on a proper trailer isn't too hard.
Ref vans I've run most, Sprinters, Ivecos, Masters, Mascotts, VW LTs, pros & cons to all, you can get newer Renaults & Ivecos budget wise Vs Mercedes & VW.
The rwd stuff is better hills, wet, snow etc when towing a heavier load, the fwd can cope but is inferior.
I think a Vivaro isn't really up to the job tho folks do use them, what's the train weight? Easy to be over weight with? a full 3.5t on tow, which with a big car or a 4x4 on a proper trailer isn't too hard.
Edited by iguana on Saturday 3rd February 23:24
I tow with a LWB Iveco Daily.
You are well in budget for a decent 2007 onwards 35C van.
The 180’s like I have are better but the 150 is fine.
Honestly I don’t think you will beat it for towing unless you go for a 5 tonne Sprinter or Crafter but the engines are absolutely nowhere near as good as the Iveco.
The build quality on the Iveco interior etc isn’t the best admittedly but honestly I’ve just towed 4 tonne (yes overweight) while the van was empty all the way back from Belgium on a tri axle 6.5m trailer and the thing just doesn’t let up it’s got so much power.
You are well in budget for a decent 2007 onwards 35C van.
The 180’s like I have are better but the 150 is fine.
Honestly I don’t think you will beat it for towing unless you go for a 5 tonne Sprinter or Crafter but the engines are absolutely nowhere near as good as the Iveco.
The build quality on the Iveco interior etc isn’t the best admittedly but honestly I’ve just towed 4 tonne (yes overweight) while the van was empty all the way back from Belgium on a tri axle 6.5m trailer and the thing just doesn’t let up it’s got so much power.
Another vote for a big van as a tow vehicle. I have pulled cars all over France and the U.K. With my 120 lwb transit without problems. A bigger engined Iveco would be the one I would next go for.
I have often put my ramps into the back of the van if the vehicle on the trailor was on the heavy side. Saves a bit on the tow weight.
I have often put my ramps into the back of the van if the vehicle on the trailor was on the heavy side. Saves a bit on the tow weight.
Most of the Europeans that we see going too and fro through Dover towing trailers all seem to go for the large van /4 wheel.trailer combo .
Many of the vans have a sleeping area conversion done .
I towed old school the last things I moved . Classic Range Rover/ 4 wheel tilt trailer with a Rover SD1 VDP on board .
Many of the vans have a sleeping area conversion done .
I towed old school the last things I moved . Classic Range Rover/ 4 wheel tilt trailer with a Rover SD1 VDP on board .
Land Rover Discovery 3 or 4 plus a 03 onwards Range Rover are a class apart towing 3.5t. Have also towed with 5t sprinter which was fine but slow. M5 as well but it's not very economical when towing...
Some other advice...
Get an enclosed trailer.
Check out your Public Liability insurance and insurance for covering the towed car/van.
Lastly, find a niche in the market which I not being served. As you point out you are not the first entrant in to this market place.
Some other advice...
Get an enclosed trailer.
Check out your Public Liability insurance and insurance for covering the towed car/van.
Lastly, find a niche in the market which I not being served. As you point out you are not the first entrant in to this market place.
Thurbs said:
Land Rover Discovery 3 or 4 plus a 03 onwards Range Rover are a class apart towing 3.5t. Have also towed with 5t sprinter which was fine but slow. M5 as well but it's not very economical when towing...
Some other advice...
Get an enclosed trailer.
Check out your Public Liability insurance and insurance for covering the towed car/van.
Lastly, find a niche in the market which I not being served. As you point out you are not the first entrant in to this market place.
D3/4 are great tow vehicles, but his budget puts him in D3 territory and the last car I would recommend starting a business with is a D3 as chances are it will be in and out of the garage when it should be making money out on the road. Some other advice...
Get an enclosed trailer.
Check out your Public Liability insurance and insurance for covering the towed car/van.
Lastly, find a niche in the market which I not being served. As you point out you are not the first entrant in to this market place.
D4 is better and you may get a D4 commercial for £10k, but it will be a leggy model and won't have any toys.
Davie, just spotted you are Scotland based. I've dealt with a few different fellas based there, been a few occasions when I've collected something in Europe that's needed going up or indeed the reverse etc & there isn't the money in the pot for me to do it.
Anyway the reason for there having been a few, is they've all had to give it up as it didn't pay, simply as so many folks on shiply etc doing it for peanuts.
It's a tough game.
Anyway the reason for there having been a few, is they've all had to give it up as it didn't pay, simply as so many folks on shiply etc doing it for peanuts.
It's a tough game.
Thanks gents, felt I was only polite to touch back in here... granted this idea may not take flight, lots going on just now but looking towards the later part of the year and it's probably fueled by a few factors, including the desire to go it alone and escape the rat race as it were (join the queue!) however the van logic was on the table as I felt it'd offer the most versatile solution... something Vivaro esque could be used as a daily driver, could be fitted out to provide basic camper van / weekends away roles and the other benefit is the ability to carry many things, not just drag trailers which opens up the options.
A Discovery does seem to be default choice for a tow vehicle but their complexity and potential costs would be quite daunting, plus it's not as versatile as a van thus more limited in what it can and cannot do which is why I also debated a D40 Navara, though the latter is perhaps a bit more suited for multi-purpose and a 4x4 would be a welcome tool at times but may just be too limiting for what I had hoped to achieve.
The competition seems to be the biggest issue and yes, more so up here when supply can outweigh demand hence why a multi-purpose tool would perhaps open up more options - ie bike transport and such like but there's much to investigate and some avenues to explore, but appreciate that this could prove to be too high risk in a market that is already very busy with others offering similar services thus to arrive as a complete novice, perhaps it's just not going to be a viable option after all.
Very much appreciate the input, some good advice and valid points raised which has been most helpful, so thanks to all for that.
Cheers
A Discovery does seem to be default choice for a tow vehicle but their complexity and potential costs would be quite daunting, plus it's not as versatile as a van thus more limited in what it can and cannot do which is why I also debated a D40 Navara, though the latter is perhaps a bit more suited for multi-purpose and a 4x4 would be a welcome tool at times but may just be too limiting for what I had hoped to achieve.
The competition seems to be the biggest issue and yes, more so up here when supply can outweigh demand hence why a multi-purpose tool would perhaps open up more options - ie bike transport and such like but there's much to investigate and some avenues to explore, but appreciate that this could prove to be too high risk in a market that is already very busy with others offering similar services thus to arrive as a complete novice, perhaps it's just not going to be a viable option after all.
Very much appreciate the input, some good advice and valid points raised which has been most helpful, so thanks to all for that.
Cheers
Leptons said:
You need to drop the Van idea in my opinion purely to circumvent the stupid O-Licencse requirement. You need a dual purpose vehicle.
I'd have to agree on the vehicle choice, but if you're towing a 3.5t trailer you're subject to EU driver regs (it's hire and reward in the course of your business) which means tacho, digi card and all the associated joys that come with it!It's worth compiling a list of potential vehicles then pull all the figures together in terms of weights (Kerb weight, Max tow weight, Maximum Authorised Mass etc) as some of the pickups can happily tow 3.5t but you'd be lucky to be able to carry a passenger at the same time as the MAM is so low.
My suggestion would be a Shogun or early-ish Landcruiser (the full fat one, not the little one). Shogun can be had for less than 10k with sub-100k miles, Landcruiser less so.
That said my parents neighbour had several cars collected and delivered by a guy based in (I think) Manchester, he used a lovely enclosed Brian James trailer and a 300k mile Disco 3. I think it was on it's 2nd or 3rd engine though!
Edited by D_T_W on Wednesday 14th February 18:44
iguana said:
Don't forget to budget approx £1k for tachograph & for a 56 plate on- which I'm assuming you are looking at, you'll need a digital rather than analogue plus the download kit, if you run a van rather than a dual purpose vehicle- ie most but not all 4x4s, then O licence another grand or so & all the grief that goes with it too.
Iguana, I am in a similar position as the OP, but will be running an Amarok/Ranger to transport vehicles. To your knowledge, would I also require tacho/OL on a vehicle that wouldn't be solely for business use (but heavily so...)?Edited by iguana on Saturday 3rd February 23:24
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