[Dan marsh]

Hi all as some off you know I'm new on here and new to the trade so sorry for all the silly question I have . I'm looking at buying a vw caddy maxie but just not to sure if I'll be able to fit a wfp in nicely or not as ive noticed most off you use vauxal and ford transit but as I'm starting off for the money I have I would only be able to get a very old one an that won't look to good but could aford a half decent vw caddy maxie . Anyone on here got one ? Cheers and sorry for the spelling.

[KS Cleaning]

If you're on a tight budget I would forget about the Caddy Maxi, you will get a Ford, Vauxhall, Fiat etc newer with lower mileage for the same money. For a direct comparison the Fiat Doblo Maxi  although not as good, will probably be better value for money and has a 1000kg payload.

[Dan marsh]

If you're on a tight budget I would forget about the Caddy Maxi, you will get a Ford, Vauxhall, Fiat etc newer with lower mileage for the same money. For a direct comparison the Fiat Doblo Maxi  although not as good, will probably be better value for money and has a 1000kg payload.

I've had a look on autotrader and them big vauxhall and fords for 4k wot I have will only get me a 10yr old van with over 100k on the clock but I've checked the caddy and could pick up slightly newer with under 100k on the clock for 4k . But not sure wot the payload is on them ...... Didn't think to check that whoops

[EandM]

Having run Escort Vans for many years I eventually bought my current and fairly old Ford Ranger.  I realise it's more relevant if you work mostly out of town but it's the best work vehicle I've had in 30 years.

[robbo333]

Dan, get the most reliable van you can for the money. It needs to work every day and that's the most important thing when you're on a budget. Don't worry about what make it is.
I had a SWB transit connect for 11 years. Been cleaning for about 6 years and I got a 350 tank, 2x 25l barrels and everything else in. 22' pole, plus extensions, plus ladders, plus trad gear, chems, brushes, spare hose for FSG cleans, cones the lot.
It was brilliant but I needed something bigger.
I have now bought a mint Toyota Hiace (high mileage) but one owner and full service history for 3.5K. I also know how it's been used and what it's done. I've spent 9 months looking for one but this baby has been looked after.

[Stoots]

Just got a peugeot partner 63 plate with 43k for £4700 plus vat

would have like a bigger van but like you say 5k doesnt get you anything so preffered the newer van just means i will carry less krap which is probably a good thing anyway!

[Dan marsh]

Dan, get the most reliable van you can for the money. It needs to work every day and that's the most important thing when you're on a budget. Don't worry about what make it is.

I had a SWB transit connect for 11 years. Been cleaning for about 6 years and I got a 350 tank, 2x 25l barrels and everything else in. 22' pole, plus extensions, plus ladders, plus trad gear, chems, brushes, spare hose for FSG cleans, cones the lot.
It was brilliant but I needed something bigger.
I have now bought a mint Toyota Hiace (high mileage) but one owner and full service history for 3.5K. I also know how it's been used and what it's done. I've spent 9 months looking for one but this baby has been looked after.
Yeah that's why I've been looking at the vw caddy as I know vw are very strong just can't aford the transporter . How long are the wfp without all the extensions ? 5ft . Just wasn't sure if I'd get it in the van ok that's all .

[AuRavelling79]

Volkswagen are over-rated in my view. All the nancy-boy wanna be surfer boys think they're the dogs wotsits but they are no better than any other main stream van.

Fiat Doblo always gets a good "write up" on here. The 1.3 multijet is a little gem and you don't even need to worry about a cam belt because it is a turbo diesel Suzuki engine with chain cam drive.

I bought mine (old shape) new in 2006 and the guy who uses it now still runs it with a 400L tank in it. When I had it we had a 400L in it and I towed a trailer with a 200L in it for two man "on the cheap"  operation.

It's now 11 years old and goes fine. Other than a new clutch at six years and a broken drivers window electrics at 4 years, nothing has needed doing except brakes and tyres.

For one man operation it is fine.

Peugeots are great too.

[Dan marsh]

Granville gold thanks for the advice . I've been a taxi driver for the last 9 years and have driven quite a few cars and every French car I've driven has had lots off issues but fair enough thay have all has quit a few miles on them but also owned a few an had nothing but probs so told my self I would never get another French car again . Vw for me seam to be one off the strongest cars out there although I've never thought about fiat befor so thanks for the advice and I will defantly look in to that for sure . And you can fit a good sized pole in there as well ?

[robbo333]

Dan I had a 22 extreme pole. The bulkhead was wood so I drilled a hole and put drain pipe through. The pole fitted lovely. I sold the van to my brother for a grand. It had only let me down twice in 11 years.

[robbo333]

Just to add, get a 22 foot pole, these are a shorter length than the 25 foot and fit better in a small van. Also get the two extensions, so if you need to, you can make it 32 foot. And all fits in the van.

[Dan marsh]

Fantastic info thank you . That's the sort off comment I was looking for . Cheers for the help . Another stupid question how many stories can i reach with a 30ft pole then ? I'm guessing 4 .

[robbo333]

Dan, it depends on the property. Old victorian, Edwardian properties have much higher ceilings so you may only get 3 floors. Especially if they are set back. If you're only looking for a smaller van then you won't be doing any big commercial jobs so don't worry about height. 22 foot plus 2 extensions will be all you need. 

[Dan marsh]

Hmmm that's wot I'm a bit worried about as I have a freind with 3 hotels both at about 3 to 4 stories who said he'll take me on for a 8 weekly clean when I'm up an running and also a freind who has a 4 stories office block who is taken me on once up an running .

[Shrek]

A 30ft pole won't reach 4 stories , I have a clx 27 which is 32ft and I can reach 3 stories but nothing higher - unless your really tall , that might make a difference.

[richard groves]

To comfortably reach, allow 10 ft per story.

[RPCCS]

A late mk 1 Citroen Dispatch/Peugeot Expert/Fiat Scudo, up to 06 plate will be a good van, you can get plenty of gear in there and will be a good reliable van for you. You can pick them up for less than 4K. Just make sure they have had a cam belt change at 70k miles.  The 2.0hdi is a more powerful engine,having the turbo, but the 1.9 normally aspirated, is a more reliable engine, pretty bulletproof the old Dw8 engine, but flat  as a fart though when the van is loaded.

[AuRavelling79]

If you need more than 400L - which you might if you are doing commercials from the outset then I agree with the poster above (RPWC.)