[xxmattyxx]

Does anyone WFP out of a Vauxhall Astravan?

[Tim Rose]

I don't.

[[GQC] Tim]

Why would you like to know?

[Neil Williams]

I wouldn't have thought it a good idea because it's not a true commercial vehicle so it's weight carrying is going to be very limited. If you did manage to get a 300L tank in then you wouldn't get much kit in there with it.

[xxmattyxx]

I was just considering an Astravan with a 250 litre tank in, payload of 650Kg.

Which is why I also posted about how far 250 litres would get you in another thread http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=47580.0

Matt

[s.w.c]

i use use a old L-reg astra van i use a 250ltr flat bed tank 100m hose, ive sold van a few mths back i have been looking at the newer astra sportive it has a bigger payload and depending on engine size they have different payloads, the 2.0lts sportive will take a 400ltr flat bed tank your kit and driver , it wont take the extra person but if you went 250 it would.

[Steve Thomas]

I use a suzuki carry 1.3 with a 250 ltr flat tank and it lasts me all day as a rule, but thinking of changing the van in the next year or so then i'll go for a 500ltr tank.




Happy Christmas

Steve Thomas
(Tone Clean Taunton)

[Dean Aspects]

I had an astra van for work loved it but as i was still doing some work trad i carried ladders so the rear tailgate didnt open fully and was a pain in the arse
But if the payload allows and you dont need ladders dont see why it wouldnt be a good van

Dean

[[GQC] Tim]

If your buying one, why on earth not get a proper van, like a Berlingo, Kangoo, or Partner, or bigger if you need to, so much more space.

And yea, 250l is the max for that astra.

[xxmattyxx]

If your buying one, why on earth not get a proper van, like a Berlingo, Kangoo, or Partner, or bigger if you need to, so much more space.

And yea, 250l is the max for that astra.

Just weighing up the odds, an Astravan would be cheaper.

[elite mike]

i have had 2 astras in the early 80s
i thought they were to limited without the side doors,
also a pain with the ladders.
regards mike

[dave0123]

insdead of astravan why dont you go for the bigger one get the combo?

[s.w.c]

combo would be a good idea ive looked at them too, thing is we all have different ideas on vans and some would say there good when others would say get a proper van, thing is we all like different things and if you like the astra van and want one get it, as you will find different conflicting advise from manny others and it will make it harder to make your mind up what to get, so stick with your thoughts and buy what you like, im a vauxhall van have been for many years and prob will never change, at end of the day its your van no one elses and if it suits your requirements then thats good enough. i will pick up a newish astra van in the new year use freedom trolley to power van system and make tank easy to remove, so that when i need the van for fishing it wont take much to remove work gear.

[East coast window cleaning Services]

We had a astravan a little while ago best little van around but drove like a pile of poo with a 250 ltr tank in it plus tailgate opens upwards so always wacks your ladders.

[NWH]

Hopeless for WFP,tailgate comes up and no sliding door and with any weight in they handle like a boat.They are ok for trad but even then the tailgate is a pain and lifting the bucket in and out can give you a hernia.

[xxmattyxx]

I currently work out of a cavalier and am trad. I know all about the tali-gate thing/ladder/bucket business, and yes it is a REAL pain in the arse.

I have always driven vauxhalls though, (touch-wood) they go on and on and on and on..... I had a prang in my cav 3 weeks ago, wrote the other guys car off, I could see that from where I was sat in the drivers seat immediately after the prang. I was expecting the worse for my poor ol cav. Anyway, I got out and had just smashed the lens and reflector on the nearside front light. We excahnged details, I drove off to carry on my days work, he left the scene one very very angry and without a legal vehicle individual.

Anyway, I like Vauxhalls, but am also thinking about a Kangoo (ex British Gas) so am budgeting for £3,000.00, what do you guys reckon?

With a van of that nature rear-door access would be far preferable and roomier too, I admittedly hadnt thought about how well an astravan might handle, so thanks for highlighting that issue.

Matt

[s.w.c]

the way i got around the tail gate issues was change my ladder to a 7 rung tripple then my tail gate opened fully thing is when you go wfp the ladder dont get used maybe a couple of times a month, but you cant beat a astra for handling , but i have seen a good little van i think would work well for wfp problem is i aint a ford fan, but transit connect short wheel base looks very good good payload easy hold a 500ltr tank side loading door etc, but then i look at the new combo there very similar so it would be a vauxhall for me.

[NWH]

Do NOT put a 500ltr tank in a short wheelbase connect it`s to much.

[Rob_Mac]

I have a 56 reg Astra van.

Got reversing sensors, tracker, electric windows.

Have a 400 litre tank in it..

It isn't used every day for window cleaning and it is true that it does not drive well with any water in it.

I don't use ladders for anything so I don't worry about the door hitting them.

The van is not an every day workhorse - as has been said there are more suitable vans out there - certainly for what we do.

In the vans defence it looks really smart, has added extras and without water drives better than most cars - 6 speed gearbox

Rob