[Andy@w.c.s]

Hi all
was wondering if anyone runs a vw crafter the one thats up from the transporter
as i am thinking of up grading to one.
at present i have a unit that i rent and as this is coming to the end of the lease,
i am going to try and put all of the stuff we need into one van ,
in the new year i intend to be able to offer window cleaning , gutter vaccuming and washing as well as drive way and patio cleaning and by saving on the unit rent i should be able to run and fit out the new van so as we have everything on it

any thoughts  guys ?

[Blue Frog Systems]

Ive drove most vans on the road, the Crafter was the worst one in my opinion. Just felt wrong to drive. My opinion though.

Size wise its mahoosive ! you will have no problems fitting all your kit in there, enough space for a small office, toilet & living accomadation

[DaveG]

I would of thought the crafter was a bit big for domestic window cleaning (backing into drives) and taking up a lot of room in cul de sacs etc

[matt]

nice van, very spacious

[Andy@w.c.s]

I have only 3 or 4 jobs that i have to be very carefull backing into the drives ,
but thats because i have all my hose reels mounted in the van ,so it makes it easy for us to work on on the front and one on the back , but with fitting out the new van ,
I  would go for the outside ports and have 100mtr hose reels that we could lift out and use and then be able to lock the van , which is somthing i don't do at the moment, also there are times that i need a ladder a little longer than the pointer i have for access

and again if i was to knock off a end of the guttering with the vac at the moment i would be stuffed
if anyone can suggest a differnt van ?

Andy

[jonnyald]

transit = made in england

[Andy@w.c.s]

Had me V W coming up four years and not had a thing go wrong
had new tryes and pads on the front but not a lot else , so going by that it has to be a vw again

just want some of yer thoughts 

[Clive McDonald]

I did similar musings but someone said i needed a special mot and more detailed records because of the weight, if you look at the other thread you'll see what my criteria was and what choice i madeTo be clear thats the thread that no one could be bothered to post on you stinking toss pots.
Anyhow, to get even 1500kg you need at least the mwb ducato, now these are a great van with a fabulous cab, and a lot cheaper than what you are thinking about.

[Andy@w.c.s]

Thanks for that
I have not even thought about the different mots and all that it is something i will need to look into , but as it stands at the moment it currently cost me over 6 k a year for the unit , this is for storage and water production and the usual dumping  ground for stuff i don't need , so to be able to work from one van for any job would in theroy make my working day better .
 I don't think that 1500 kg would still be enough though as we use 650 ltr a day just on our window cleaning side so with the genny and washer as well as all the other bits we would be quite close to the payload , do the ducato do bigger payloads , or would it be worth going for a twin axle van ?

[Clive McDonald]

I work too hard Ewan, and i don't like the constant physical side of it.This is my way of hitting the required hourly ton without growing old before my time.I have had to settle for a smaller van than i would like because we already have a largish transit and don't want to get trouble from neighbours.

Thats me, but; i am pretty annoyed there was so little interest in this van as a work tool because it is the most obvoius choice and as time goes by and second hand ones come onto the market will no doubt become the number one choice as scudo/despatch currently are.

[Clive McDonald]

Yes but first i'll give you one. Transits are made in turkey.Why?

[Clive McDonald]

There are lots of possible ways, the vw crafter being one of them.My way isn't any better than anyone else's.But i do have a definite plan and know exactly what i am going to do and how to do it.

[matt]

i looked at the crafter for a WFP system and a sleep in van for a subbie, i even drew the plans, the tank on the floor and with the headroom a false floor and a nice little living space, with kitchen, loo and lounge / bed area

[macmac]

I've seen quite a few ambulance crafters.

[STEVE-UK]

The body of the the crafter is just a merc sprinter with different headlights and all seem to rust, dunno what engine they run though,

I considered this van but went for the renault master,this fits 1000 litre tank,Sealey 200m hose reel mounted at side door, Gutter vac,Generator,Pressure washer,whirlaway & triple ladders mounted inside.

The one benefit the master has over the crafter and transit is the low load height,I also have a t330 swb transit with side twin loaders, which will have the same kit but with a 650 litre upright, the load height of this van is nearly a foot higher than the master

[jonnyald]

sprinters dont rust ,never have done .  if ever you drive a sprinter theyre the very best to drive. just too big for windowcleaning

[Andy@w.c.s]

Hi Steve Uk

off the top of your head would you know the payload of your van as all the kit you have described it what i was going for , only with a 650 ltr flat tank

Andy

[Window Washers]

Hi Steve Uk

off the top of your head would you know the payload of your van as all the kit you have described it what i was going for , only with a 650 ltr flat tank

Andy

Andy I can get all that gear in my transit 300 swb and be under the payload. I only have a 500L tank in the transit though just to make sure.Pressure washer, geni, whirlaway, metal ramps, 2 hose reels, and all the other gear need to do complete external cleaning.
1500 payload should be way enough.

[STEVE-UK]

I have a meduim wheelbase, medium roof which has a payload of 1591kgs but to have that payload you need the 3500 model normally written on the door moulding,with a 650 and g-vac you wont notice it in a master, you need a 120bhp + as the 100bhp only does 90mph unladen

The mot is a group 7 which means a standard garage cant mot it, The transit t330 swb i have is also a group 7, i think its £57 for an mot

[dave.e]

Hi Steve Uk

off the top of your head would you know the payload of your van as all the kit you have described it what i was going for , only with a 650 ltr flat tank

Andy

Andy I can get all that gear in my transit 300 swb and be under the payload. I only have a 500L tank in the transit though just to make sure.Pressure washer, geni, whirlaway, metal ramps, 2 hose reels, and all the other gear need to do complete external cleaning.
1500 payload should be way enough.

Hi Ian if yours is the transit 300 swb the payload is not 1500 mate check the table below
         will put MK6 weights in brackets

80 (T260) payload is 800KG
100 (T280) payload is 1000kg
120 (T300) Payload is 1200kg
150 (T330) Payload is 1500kg
190 (T350) payload is 1900 kg (LWB only)
230 (T430) Payload is 2300kg (DRW and HGV)

i am not picking fault just thought i would put the table up just in case Dave