Help!: Which van?

[DN1986]

Hi all,

I seem to be getting more plastering work at the moment.

What is the smallest van I am best off buying? I'm thinking of the transporting 8x4 plasterboard.

Thanks in advance,
Danny

[suave]

welcome!

[Bri]

Have you got a budget mate? I'd say if you need to carry 8x4's you're going to need something transit sized.


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[Mike]

i know a couple of plasterers who use a transit connect size van with a roof rack that takes 8' x 4' boards. it all depends on how much storage you need in the van

[DN1986]

Well I'm thinking of trading in my 206 car which should pull about 2k.

Would prefer something like a transit connect. Any vans that size that actually fit boards in?

[ian158]

vauxhall vivaro, mines been great, until i hit a deer

[phil w]

Hi I've got a vauxhall combo cracking little van had it about 5yrs now car'nt fault it, had 8x4 ply, p/board etc on roofrack no probs, if you're carrying them oftern would have to agree with the guys and go for transit size to much hassle on the roof in the rain

[DN1986]

How many sheets of plasterboard can you fit on the roof rack? And do a couple fit the back?
Hopefully gonna have more tiling work than plastering so would prefer something combo size.

[Mike]

How many sheets of plasterboard can you fit on the roof rack? And do a couple fit the back?
Hopefully gonna have more tiling work than plastering so would prefer something combo size.

I got a combo, good little van but I can just about get a 6x 3 board in the back. I never carry more than 6 bags in the back as its not designed for it.

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[ROBSON MCGREGOR]

Hi, if you are looking at a Vivaro, Primastar or Trafic (all the same van) then you will have to move your tools around to fit 8x4 sheets, they only go in at an angle or flat on the floor.

I have a swb primastar & im looking at trading it in for a lwb, a lot less hassle having the lwb.

Great vans though.

[whitebeam]

Transit type van would be the minimum to carry 8x4's internally..

[Bri]

Being the geek that I am, I did a search earlier and the smallest van that will take an 8x4 internally is a Mercedes vito and even then they have to be tipped over due to the lower roof height.


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[Bubblecraft]

For a transit, you would need a minimum of a MWB, Mk 5, 6 or 7. A SWB will take about 4 sheets diagonally but you cannot really fit anything else in it. You could go for the option of a transit with an external frail which I have on my Mk 6 (White) which I could load up to 10 x 12.5 on as well as space on roof rack or internally. Smaller vans with roof racks ain't much good as they tend to arch and buckle. Picture below is of my Mk 6 MWB & my Mk 7 Jumbo (Silver). My Jumbo will take 8' x 4's from back door to side door with fully side door access. I have fitted an internal frail in my jumbo for ease of loading & unloading sheets.


Jumbo showing internal frail & side load capacity




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[steve187]

I have an old vito van, and it can take 8x4 with mo problems, and as i have only two front seats can take 3m worktops

[Dave]

Rust buckets though. Lol

[doug boardley]

I looooove my trailer, just about enough room to get an 8 x 4 in,

[Bathfix Bob]

I have a Combo and reasonably happy with it but its always expensive to get it repaired, the parts a lot more expensive than my old Astra and Cavalier.

I'd love a bigger van but going from small van to transit size will mean a sizeable increase in fuel bills (already silly money for diesel) and increased parking issues.

Big vans are the most hated vehicle on the roads, blocking peoples view etc.

[Mike]

I have a Combo and reasonably happy with it but its always expensive to get it repaired, the parts a lot more expensive than my old Astra and Cavalier.

I'd love a bigger van but going from small van to transit size will mean a sizeable increase in fuel bills (already silly money for diesel) and increased parking issues.

Big vans are the most hated vehicle on the roads, blocking peoples view etc.

i'm lucky as i've had my combo 2 1/2 years now and nothing gone wrong just yet, but the steering rack is on its way out. it only has 55k on the clock though. i'd like a bigger van too but for the same reasons as you can't. it just fits in my front garden. any bigger and it'll block the path and the light into the living room

[phil w]

How many sheets of plasterboard can you fit on the roof rack? And do a couple fit the back?
Hopefully gonna have more tiling work than plastering so would prefer something combo size.

Had 4 8x4 p/board on top,okay for the odd couple here and there, if I need large amounts get them delivered, 3 18mm wbp boards on a few weeks ago, as mike said 6x3's in back but with tools in not much room, put half ton sand in the back once not recommended poor little feller was'nt happy bit much for him. Ideal van for you and tools, but regular donkey work I'd go for something at least transit size

[DN1986]

Thank Phil. Been looking round and weighing up my options over past few days. For the minimal (hopefully) plastering work I'll be doing, combo/transit connect size seems like my best bet.

[phil w]

Thank Phil. Been looking round and weighing up my options over past few days. For the minimal (hopefully) plastering work I'll be doing, combo/transit connect size seems like my best bet.

used to have a connect company van for 10months nice little motor, was a choice between connect or combo when I got mine came down to price in the end both really good vans either way. little combo 53 plate done 104 thousand miles all over uk and had a spell in holland never let me down yet ( should'nt have said)

[Dave]

Transit connect, excellent weight carriers... had some megga weight in my 59 plate.

[kilty55]

i have a transit,i get 8 sheets in diagonally and use the space left to re arrange tools etc

not perfect but its not every day you have to deliver plasterboard so works fine....also have the roof tp use if you want

[Mike]

the connect is a lot taller than the combo,and if you have a roof rack for your boards too you'll struggle to reach, especially if you're a short arse like me

[Bathfix Bob]

the connect is a lot taller than the combo,and if you have a roof rack for your boards too you'll struggle to reach, especially if you're a short arse like me

Agree, nothing worse than getting 8x4's on and off on your own (lazy staff at Magnet don't help you but will take your money), broke a full shhet in half the other day as I was lifting it off. And I'm 6ft 2".

My Combo is cramed to the rafters, even the passanger seat and footwell contain boxes of stuff.

[Mike]

Agree, nothing worse than getting 8x4's on and off on your own (lazy staff at Magnet don't help you but will take your money), broke a full shhet in half the other day as I was lifting it off. And I'm 6ft 2".

My Combo is cramed to the rafters, even the passanger seat and footwell contain boxes of stuff.

i always get mine delivered, my mate works in the local builder centre and i know the driver well so it's never a problem.