Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ֍Winp®oClean֍ on January 28, 2026, 09:02:14 am
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Changing my van soon and considering downsizing to one of the above LWB models. I carry a 500ltr tank but never use it's capacity. Most days only using around 300ltrs. Currently have the next size up van expert/dispatch and wondering if I will miss the amount of space as weight isn't really an issue. 🤔
Anyone else done this??
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I have the Berlingo, have had 4 over the years. I have a 450 tank which is plenty for my work, rarely run out of water. There’s quite a few models with different payloads, make sure you get the highest rated model which I beleive is 950kg payload, drives like a car even fully loaded.
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I have the Berlingo, have had 4 over the years. I have a 450 tank which is plenty for my work, rarely run out of water. There’s quite a few models with different payloads, make sure you get the highest rated model which I beleive is 950kg payload, drives like a car even fully loaded.
Yeah, it's the 950 LWB.
My current van is the older shape Scudo (2011) which is smaller than the new shape one. The new shape Partner/berlingo is also larger than the previous shape one.
So today I measured and compared the internal rear load area dimensions of my scudo and the new berlingo/partner LWB and apart from height (which benefits me being lower) there is literally only a couple of centimetres in it!! The rear dimensions are almost the same! This makes this van even more appealing now!
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If you just do window cleaning then no point having a bigger van, i have a normal sized partner with 500l tank. All i need in there is a reel and couple of poles. Compared to a bigger van its so easy to park and much better on fuel. Could fit a gutter vac or even a pressure washer in if i really wanted.
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I brought a Vauxhall combo swb brand new
Worst van in history no power no guts I dreaded any type of hill
the gearbox went 3k repair and oddly the ignition key wore out the barrel. And they couldn’t fix it and so starting was hit and miss it was a car discuised as a van and in my opinion not up to the job gutless small and ugly
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I brought a Vauxhall combo swb brand new
Worst van in history no power no guts I dreaded any type of hill
the gearbox went 3k repair and oddly the ignition key wore out the barrel. And they couldn’t fix it and so starting was hit and miss it was a car discuised as a van and in my opinion not up to the job gutless small and ugly
How long ago was this and which version?
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I brought a Vauxhall combo swb brand new
Worst van in history no power no guts I dreaded any type of hill
the gearbox went 3k repair and oddly the ignition key wore out the barrel. And they couldn’t fix it and so starting was hit and miss it was a car discuised as a van and in my opinion not up to the job gutless small and ugly
You can't go wrong with a Ford. Excellent vans. Vauxhall are well known for being just rubbish vehicles in general.
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If you just do window cleaning then no point having a bigger van, i have a normal sized partner with 500l tank. All i need in there is a reel and couple of poles. Compared to a bigger van its so easy to park and much better on fuel. Could fit a gutter vac or even a pressure washer in if i really wanted.
I agree...a smallish,medium size van is all you need if you work on your own.
Personally the Ford connect L2 240 LWB is the perfect van for me with a 500L tank,diesel heater and 1 electric reel. Poles fit in straight so no cutting into the bulkhead.
Heated drivers seat and heated windscreen are a bonus but I wouldn't want to be without these things now in the winter months.
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I brought a Vauxhall combo swb brand new
Worst van in history no power no guts I dreaded any type of hill
the gearbox went 3k repair and oddly the ignition key wore out the barrel. And they couldn’t fix it and so starting was hit and miss it was a car discuised as a van and in my opinion not up to the job gutless small and ugly
You can't go wrong with a Ford. Excellent vans. Vauxhall are well known for being just rubbish vehicles in general.
You can go wrong with any van. There is no apreciable difference between vuaxhall combo, citroen berlingo, fiat doblo and toyota proace city. The toyota does have a 10 year/ 100k mileage warranty though.
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I brought a Vauxhall combo swb brand new
Worst van in history no power no guts I dreaded any type of hill
the gearbox went 3k repair and oddly the ignition key wore out the barrel. And they couldn’t fix it and so starting was hit and miss it was a car discuised as a van and in my opinion not up to the job gutless small and ugly
You can't go wrong with a Ford. Excellent vans. Vauxhall are well known for being just rubbish vehicles in general.
What engine is in your van Daz?
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I brought a Vauxhall combo swb brand new
Worst van in history no power no guts I dreaded any type of hill
the gearbox went 3k repair and oddly the ignition key wore out the barrel. And they couldn’t fix it and so starting was hit and miss it was a car discuised as a van and in my opinion not up to the job gutless small and ugly
You can't go wrong with a Ford. Excellent vans. Vauxhall are well known for being just rubbish vehicles in general.
What engine is in your van Daz?
1.5 euro 6
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I brought a Vauxhall combo swb brand new
Worst van in history no power no guts I dreaded any type of hill
the gearbox went 3k repair and oddly the ignition key wore out the barrel. And they couldn’t fix it and so starting was hit and miss it was a car discuised as a van and in my opinion not up to the job gutless small and ugly
You can't go wrong with a Ford. Excellent vans. Vauxhall are well known for being just rubbish vehicles in general.
What engine is in your van Daz?
1.5 euro 6
Any issues? What's the mileage now?
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One of the pueguet partners has a payload of 1 ton. So would carry 500 litres no problem, aslong as it fitted anyway.
Vauxhall combo looks cheap and nasty inside.
Ford vans seem to drive the best. I was looking at transit connects, but they didnt have the payload of what you got with the pueguet partner.
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I brought a Vauxhall combo swb brand new
Worst van in history no power no guts I dreaded any type of hill
the gearbox went 3k repair and oddly the ignition key wore out the barrel. And they couldn’t fix it and so starting was hit and miss it was a car discuised as a van and in my opinion not up to the job gutless small and ugly
You can't go wrong with a Ford. Excellent vans. Vauxhall are well known for being just rubbish vehicles in general.
What engine is in your van Daz?
1.5 euro 6
Any issues? What's the mileage now?
9 years old and 30k miles. Never had anything done to it apart from servicing,brakes and tyres. I will get the Cambelt changed next year though.
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One of the pueguet partners has a payload of 1 ton. So would carry 500 litres no problem, aslong as it fitted anyway.
Vauxhall combo looks cheap and nasty inside.
Ford vans seem to drive the best. I was looking at transit connects, but they didnt have the payload of what you got with the pueguet partner.
Connect L2 240 is 936kg
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One of the pueguet partners has a payload of 1 ton. So would carry 500 litres no problem, aslong as it fitted anyway.
Vauxhall combo looks cheap and nasty inside.
Ford vans seem to drive the best. I was looking at transit connects, but they didnt have the payload of what you got with the pueguet partner.
Connect L2 240 is 936kg
For some reason I thought it was closer to 700kg. I paid around 12k for my partner. Tbh, if id have properly researched it then I would have went for the connect, wouldnt even have minded if it meant it would have been a year or 2 older than the partner tbh. Ive driven every make of vans out there. And fords seem to feel the closest to handling like a car rather than a van.
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One of the pueguet partners has a payload of 1 ton. So would carry 500 litres no problem, aslong as it fitted anyway.
Vauxhall combo looks cheap and nasty inside.
Ford vans seem to drive the best. I was looking at transit connects, but they didnt have the payload of what you got with the pueguet partner.
Connect L2 240 is 936kg
For some reason I thought it was closer to 700kg. I paid around 12k for my partner. Tbh, if id have properly researched it then I would have went for the connect, wouldnt even have minded if it meant it would have been a year or 2 older than the partner tbh. Ive driven every make of vans out there. And fords seem to feel the closest to handling like a car rather than a van.
Why are you selling your Partner?
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One of the pueguet partners has a payload of 1 ton. So would carry 500 litres no problem, aslong as it fitted anyway.
Vauxhall combo looks cheap and nasty inside.
Ford vans seem to drive the best. I was looking at transit connects, but they didnt have the payload of what you got with the pueguet partner.
Connect L2 240 is 936kg
For some reason I thought it was closer to 700kg. I paid around 12k for my partner. Tbh, if id have properly researched it then I would have went for the connect, wouldnt even have minded if it meant it would have been a year or 2 older than the partner tbh. Ive driven every make of vans out there. And fords seem to feel the closest to handling like a car rather than a van.
Why are you selling your Partner?
I'm not selling it. Il be keeping it alot longer than I originally thought. The cam shaft chain snapped. Which is currently on a recall for them. Am getting a new engine put in it for free.
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If I change my van I would probably go for LWB Berlingo, which is basically same as the Partner. What year is yours and have you been pleased with it?
Thanks.
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One of the pueguet partners has a payload of 1 ton. So would carry 500 litres no problem, aslong as it fitted anyway.
Vauxhall combo looks cheap and nasty inside.
Ford vans seem to drive the best. I was looking at transit connects, but they didnt have the payload of what you got with the pueguet partner.
Connect L2 240 is 936kg
For some reason I thought it was closer to 700kg. I paid around 12k for my partner. Tbh, if id have properly researched it then I would have went for the connect, wouldnt even have minded if it meant it would have been a year or 2 older than the partner tbh. Ive driven every make of vans out there. And fords seem to feel the closest to handling like a car rather than a van.
Why are you selling your Partner?
I'm not selling it. Il be keeping it alot longer than I originally thought. The cam shaft chain snapped. Which is currently on a recall for them. Am getting a new engine put in it for free.
What year and mileage? This was putting me off but that same 1.5 hdi engine is in most other vans too. Ford, Citroen, Peugeot, Toyota, Vauxhall, Fiat!!
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Mines is 2021 the cam shaft chain snapped. The newer ones all have 8mm cam shaft chain and there fine.
I wouldnt be touching one unless the 7mm cam shaft chainbhas been replaced with thr 8mm chain. As alot have been snapping. They have now admitted fault though. Mines snapped in november. And there only now giving me a courtesy vehicle this week as they haven't a clue when parts is going to be available to fix it.
Vans been fine apart from that.
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Mines is 2021 the cam shaft chain snapped. The newer ones all have 8mm cam shaft chain and there fine.
I wouldnt be touching one unless the 7mm cam shaft chainbhas been replaced with thr 8mm chain. As alot have been snapping. They have now admitted fault though. Mines snapped in november. And there only now giving me a courtesy vehicle this week as they haven't a clue when parts is going to be available to fix it.
Vans been fine apart from that.
It would seem at some point in 2023 they changed to 8mm chains. That's a heck of a lot of vehicles out there with 7mm chains!!! There's going to be such a backlog it's going to cause chaos. I ain't taking the chance!!
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Mines is 2021 the cam shaft chain snapped. The newer ones all have 8mm cam shaft chain and there fine.
I wouldnt be touching one unless the 7mm cam shaft chainbhas been replaced with thr 8mm chain. As alot have been snapping. They have now admitted fault though. Mines snapped in november. And there only now giving me a courtesy vehicle this week as they haven't a clue when parts is going to be available to fix it.
Vans been fine apart from that.
It would seem at some point in 2023 they changed to 8mm chains. That's a heck of a lot of vehicles out there with 7mm chains!!! There's going to be such a backlog it's going to cause chaos. I ain't taking the chance!!
Ive been without mine since november, and that's them just getting me a courtesy van tomorrow, ive had to hire a van the last 3 months. Its cost me over 3 grand now in costs involved because of this. Between getting it recovered to the garage, garage storage costs, then getting it transported to there authorised garage. I had to pay all the costs involved in doing all that. Then 3 monts of hiring a van.
Ive looked into it. And it looks like if they dont give me that money back then if I take them to the small claims court il definitely win and get it all back. So that's where I'm taking it if they dont play ball with me.
The customer service is absolutely shocking. Getting through to call centres in Bangladesh who haven't a clue what your actually telling them. And just respond with generic answers reading of a script talking about something that your not actually phoning about.
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Mines is 2021 the cam shaft chain snapped. The newer ones all have 8mm cam shaft chain and there fine.
I wouldnt be touching one unless the 7mm cam shaft chainbhas been replaced with thr 8mm chain. As alot have been snapping. They have now admitted fault though. Mines snapped in november. And there only now giving me a courtesy vehicle this week as they haven't a clue when parts is going to be available to fix it.
Vans been fine apart from that.
It would seem at some point in 2023 they changed to 8mm chains. That's a heck of a lot of vehicles out there with 7mm chains!!! There's going to be such a backlog it's going to cause chaos. I ain't taking the chance!!
Ive been without mine since november, and that's them just getting me a courtesy van tomorrow, ive had to hire a van the last 3 months. Its cost me over 3 grand now in costs involved because of this. Between getting it recovered to the garage, garage storage costs, then getting it transported to there authorised garage. I had to pay all the costs involved in doing all that. Then 3 monts of hiring a van.
Ive looked into it. And it looks like if they dont give me that money back then if I take them to the small claims court il definitely win and get it all back. So that's where I'm taking it if they dont play ball with me.
The customer service is absolutely shocking. Getting through to call centres in Bangladesh who haven't a clue what your actually telling them. And just respond with generic answers reading of a script talking about something that your not actually phoning about.
Yep, it's a very serious matter!! Read the horror stories online! 😵
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Wow, seen these vans are pants then. Wonder if the electric ones are anygood?
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My last 4 vans have been Berlingos, each one from new and kept each for 3-4 years. Current van a 21 plate so 5 years old. All have been superb, not had a single mechanical issue with any of them.
If you didn’t buy a van because of a bad review on the internet you’ll never buy a van.
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I had a LWB Combo years ago the turning circle was dreadful but the van itself was a nice size for a 400 litre tank and poles could be stored in pole holders with out the need to go through bulkhead.
I’m not a fan of the Vauxhall vans Vivaro included..I’ve got a Transit Custom now and it’s been a great van.
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If you just do window cleaning then no point having a bigger van, i have a normal sized partner with 500l tank. All i need in there is a reel and couple of poles. Compared to a bigger van its so easy to park and much better on fuel. Could fit a gutter vac or even a pressure washer in if i really wanted.
Have you got your reel fixed to the floor or is it raised?
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Think I'll be sticking with what I have for now. The more I look into it, the more I'm put off Euro 6 diesel vehicles! Hopefully another year or two out of mine (which has neither dpf or adblue) then go either electric or petrol. 🤔 It's a bloody minefield out there now!
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My dispatch is 20 years old. Passed MOT last month. All it needed was a side light bulb replacing.
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My dispatch is 20 years old. Passed MOT last month. All it needed was a side light bulb replacing.
Mine is 15 years old, still in very good condition and it's never missed a beat in the six years I've owned it
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I have had mine from new, never let me down. Definitely an advantage not having dpf, add-blu and lots of other technology I do not want and only gives more potential problems.
Hoping to keep it on the road another 2 years, currently 162k on clock.