[Londoner]

We are looking to buy a Ford transit van for another business we are setting up.
Its main purpose will be as a mobile office / workshop inside the London Congestion charge zone. Its not going to do many miles
What we want is a SWB high top, high enough to stand in (reasonably). We only want a four wheeler. its never going to carry any weight so six wheels are un necessary.
What I need to know is what do the numbers for the models mean?

We see 80, 90, 100 and 115 then another set of numbers 280 350 etc

Can anyone tell me what the numbers mean ?  what we want is a minimum engine size and load carying comenserate with the size.

[glen parva]

its the weight can carry higher the number more weight we had the 115 i think was 1100kg

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

80, 90 etc is the bhp

280, 350 etc is the payload

[Pope vader]

all depends on which mark of transit it is,

mark 3-5

80 = 800k
100 = 1000k
120 = 1200

mark 6  i think its the total pay load of van

[mark blundell]

80, 90 etc is the bhp

280, 350 etc is the payload

yeah thats right 75 80 90 100 125 is the power 280 300 350 ect is the payload

in my experience dont bother with the 75 and 80 psi mine is gutless 

[mark blundell]

all depends on which mark of transit it is,

mark 3-5

80 = 800k
100 = 1000k
120 = 1200

mark 6  i think its the total pay load of van

ive not heard that but not looked into it either

but for mine mark 6 it is how i said in above post  bhp and payload

[Pope vader]

i only know as i have owned a few transits

[Londoner]

Thanks for that, the power and payload don't matter that much as its only going to be parked up 90% of the time as a mobile workshop. Just got to get it into London each day and find somewhere to hide it away from the wardens.

Fuel consumption may be a issue if we have to keep moving it but otherwise we want as cheap as possible to run. Going to park it up as much as we can. I assume the insurance goes up with power and payload.

This could be the dogs b***ks of a business plan if we can tie in all the details but the key thing  is to work out of a van rather than commit to premises but the authorities are always snapping at you heels.

[concept]

Got an 85ps transit, and it's absolutely fine, would t want my staff driving anything quicker, that's for sure!!!

[L.J.Thorpe]

cmon vince i am intrigued 
what you up to mate

[Londoner]

Looking at selling flowers, don't sniff at it . 300% markup and a huge market.  IF you can connect with the customers without paying £1000s a week rent for a site.

We think we have worked out a way of bypassing the pitfalls by keeping it all van based but its tenuous.

There are many good business opportunities in London but the detail defeats most of them. Dog walking is better than window cleaning if you set it up right. But I am 57 and looking for things I can run with my sons because although they are bright I don't think they will be able to find jobs without my input.

I don't want to bring them into window cleaning but I will if thats what it takes. Things are getting harder all round.

Nearly all my customers are retired and living on pensions. Once they go I don't think that the next generation will be so easy to get. I am constantly looking for ideas for them to follow that might just see them through to last them after I am gone.

[L.J.Thorpe]

not sniffing at all mate,my late best friend was a flower chap ,did all the markets,had a big florists shop and his dad was his grower (still is and florist and round still flourish) good money if you know what your about

[bobby p]

how is the dog walking going Vince ? i keep hearing that its a tenner per walk around here   up in Suffolk, dunno if thats true tho . also what happens if you dont turn up on the day??

[Londoner]

£10 is the minimum but you don't walk one dog at a time you walk up to four. And you do it every day so how many dogs do you need? and how many walks do you need?.
I know several dog walkers now, if you set it up right its a day's money in less hours.
Never underestimate the money dog owners will pay to keep their little darlings exercised and have "social time" with other dogs.

Its hard to keep a straight face sometimes