A Guide to Our Fleet - Commercial Vehicles Section
with our very own "Clarkson" — Rob Grocott
This quarter we focus on a selection of commerical vehicles available in our fleet...
Renault Kangoo
The Renault Kangoo is the smallest commercial vehicle on our fleet but size isn't everything: with twin opening rear doors and a capacity of approx 625kg they are ideal for small multidrop work or a quick visit to the tip with a few bags of rubbish (but mind that height barrier). With a nippy little diesel engine (usually a 1.9dci) they are brilliant at both town and city driving. More recent changes in design have seen a curvy body structure with most models now supplied with a single disc cd player. Tie down points are located in the floor and central locking is standard.
Ford Transit Connect SWB T200
Despite looking about as aerodynamic as a house brick on wheels the Ford Transit Connect is the UK's leading small van replacing both the Escort and Courier versions since 2002.
2 Euro pallets can be loaded with ease in the back of this vehicle due to the "tumblehome" design. No, I am not making up words, Ford designers spent years optimising the loadspace of the this vehicle to ensure the sides of the vehicle did not slope too far inwards the closer they got to the roof (8.6 degrees for the geeks out there) for some genius to call it the "tumblehome" design. The rear is also accessible by a side loading door.
The handling of this vehicle is superb despite its lego brick design, brilliant acceleration, very little body roll and an extremely comfortable driving position. The dashboard layout is identical to any Transit van so anyone who has driven a Ford Commercial before will instantly feel at home. A large windscreen provides excellent forward viewing whilst as with most Ford Commercials on the wing mirrors are blind spot eliminators. Central locking and deadlocks as standard along with tie down points as with most of our commercial vehicles.
Ford Transit Connect LWB T200
With a longer body now fitted the Ford Transit Connect LWB looks like an extra long house brick on wheels. All the features and style of the SWB Connect have been carried over onto a slightly longer vehicle providing that extra bit of space and little bit more payload. The all important "tumblehome" design is still present.
The 1.9 engine still provides excellent acceleration and the handling is as brilliant as its smaller brother. The dashboard layout is identical to any Transit van so anyone who has driven a Ford Commercial before will instantly feel at home. A large windscreen provides excellent forward viewing whilst as with most Ford Commercials on the wing mirrors are blind spot eliminators. Central locking and deadlocks as standard along with tie down points as with most of our commercial vehicles.
Toyota Hiace 280 SWB D4-D
Whilst the Toyota Hiace is slightly smaller than a SWB Transit it has a gross weight of 2,800kg and most impressively for a vehicle of this size has a payload of 1,120kg. For such a heavyweight this vehicle is surprising thin looking; looks like those weight watchers classes paid off! The load space is accessible by either the twin rear doors or a side loading door and the interior can accommodate euro pallets with ease. This is the smallest van we have, allowing two passengers by means of the bench seat whilst the dashboard has a number of pockets and glove boxes at your disposal.
With power steering and ABS the Toyota Hiace is a very manoeuvrable van ideal for city driving whilst the 2.5D-4D engine produces superb power and efficiency for motorway driving and remarkable MPG figures. The D-4D engine possesses some of the most progressive engine technology producing the “lowest running costs in the market” (www.toyota.co.uk).
Ford Transit SWB 280
When people mention a "Transit" van this is the vehicle most people think of. Despite numerous different versions, sizes, engine specifications and payloads the SWB (Short Wheel Base) Transit is the most commonly thought of model when someone mentions the "Transit" name. Recent developments in manufacturing and design along with years of experience Ford has in the commercial sector now mean the SWB Transit has developed into a brilliant commercial vehicle.
As with all new model Fords the SWB Transit comes with central locking and deadlocking along with a bonnet that can only be opened with the ignition key. An extremely comfortable driving position with fully adjustable seat enables the driver to travel in comfort. Ford claims its design makes it impossible for most drivers to roll this vehicle (even with haphazard loading), but PLEASE don't try to prove me wrong on this point! With a fully ply lined interior and bulkhead fitted on all models along with tie down points there is less chance of damage to yourself, your load or even our vehicle due to loads moving. Regularly hired to move three piece suites this vehicle means you can collect that sofa you booked 4 months ago off that furniture store who wanted to charge you a small fortune to deliver to you (if they haven't gone bust in the meantime). One of the most popular vehicles on our fleet and indeed in the commercial sector its design has been continually improved to reflect its popularity. Available with towbar.
Ford Transit MWB Medium Roof
So you need to hire a van, you don't know if that load of building materials you are buying is going to quite fit in a SWB? You may just about fit an 8ft sheet of plasterboard in but what about everything else? You have a bit of furniture to move? Go on, spoil yourself, you know you want to. Hire a MWB (Medium Wheel Base) van instead, you don't want to look foolish trying to squeeze it all into a SWB and is it worth the risk damaging that load just to save a few pounds.
The MWB has all the specifications of the SWB but you benefit from that extra length. You have the same quality of build associated with Ford, the same comfort and the same levels of security. As with all our vehicles the MWB are all fully ply lined with bulkhead and tie down points.
Ford Transit LWB Medium-Hi Roof
The LWB (Long Wheel Base) Transit is quite literally longer.
Except ours are really special: be the envy of every white van driver on the road with one of our cool electric blue LWB Transits. Whilst white van man is gob-smacked at this unusual colour, he will be turning a nice shade of green when he finds out this vehicle not only has a 6 speed gearbox, a feather light clutch (which catches everyone out, trust us, even us so-called professionals have stalled these beasts) and it also has a super nifty little turbo charger under the bonnet too, providing 120bhp.
These have been a supremely popular with both our new customers and regular hirers alike. The extra length combined with a 6 speed gearbox makes these ideal for long trips. I have found these to be an extremely popular choice for the increasing number of people moving abroad who are not taking that much stuff but have not got the convenience of doing more than one trip if they can't fit everything in.
Ford Transit X-LWB Jumbo
The final frontier in Transit van design. It's the "daddy". If this van was in prison you would be giving it a carton of cigarettes every week to stop getting beaten up. A load length of approx. 4 metres means this is the longest Transit van you will find. Its length is designed to carry a roll of carpet but people are hiring these to move house just because of the sheer amount of volume you get with this vehicle. You can even fit a pallet through the side loading door. There is a handy rear step to aid climbing in and out and the high roof means most people can stand up in ease in the back.
It comes with central locking and deadlocking, along with a bonnet that can only be opened with the ignition key. An extremely comfortable driving position with fully adjustable seat enables the driver to travel in comfort. Again, as with all our vehicles there is ply lining through out, a bulkhead and numerous tie down points to protect the interior of the van, you and your load. Usually fitted with a 90bhp engine we also have on our fleet the 120bhp model along with electric windows, mirrors, and heated windscreen.
Horsebox
Well you have either clicked on this link to check we really have a horsebox and your eyes are not playing tricks on you, or you need to move a horse (or other 4 legged animal), or both. Now, I am no means an expert on horses, in fact the most I can probably tell you is the difference between the donkey in that cartoon and "Mr Edd" (one's bigger than the other in case you were wondering). Anyway, back to the point, yes we can supply a horse box. Whether you are taking the horse out for the day, it's moving house or you are going to a show, we have a luxurious horsebox so your horse can travel in style. Fitted to a Ford Transit body (no towing involved) our horsebox is surprisingly easy to drive and very popular. We advise trying to book well in advance for this vehicle as we currently only have one on the fleet and the period May - September is extremely busy for this vehicle.
Fitting a size of up to 16.2h the vehicle has a single wide ramp at the back, a side loading ramp and a stable hand door. There is a load space at the front for equine stuff and you can fit two horses and perhaps a foal in this vehicle. There are bars on the outside to tie your animal to when you get to your destination (which probably have a specific name) but we do recommend you put the animal back in the vehicle before setting off again(!) There is an easy-clean floor in the back along with anti-slip coverings on the ramps.
Ford Luton 3.5T Box Van
The 3.5T Luton box van is the most popular choice for house moves and large cubic requirements. With a choice of load lengths between 3.1m and 4m we also offer a choice of tail lift (tuck under, column and canter lever) with an approximate lifting weight of between 500-750kg. Useful for a house move with heavy items like fridges/freezers/washing machines easily loaded with the tail lift the vehicle is a popular choice at the end of every month (house move weekend).
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