Van or pick up?

[TWC]

Thinking of replacing my Expert with a new(er) van but have seen a few on here are driving pick ups. I do like the idea of having a nice 4 seater cab for the family and they do look nice but 1st and foremost it's got to be a work vehicle. If anyone's got some pics of their set up I'd appreciate it or any pros and cons.

Where do you store your poles and hose reel or do you need a canopy on the back?

Do you need to waterproof the back or is it already done?

How secure are the canopies?

Cheers for any help

 

[David K]

Got and old Ford Ranger pickup , not with plates atm. Love pickups , bit would Really hate it as a wfp cleaner. Tradding only no problem . If you look at guys in the states they Got all their gear exposed in their pickups , not liking that at all..

Like my stuff dry and safe of thieves.

 

[Iron Giant]

Mines locked up and not exposed at all , Typically their is a plastic load liner fitted so no waterproofing required , My reel goes on the back seat in transit but with a full canopy it could be placed on top off the tank and fixed if some marine ply was fitted on top of the tank .

As for poles my pole fits in the loadbed diagonally or can be placed in the cab if needed .

 

[Aqua-pure Portadown]

for me it would have to be a van ,no room in pick up (they look great though) need extra space for add ons

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[adamangler]

Thought about one of these as I need a car and a van. If I just did window cleaning they would be ok. Just a tank, tell and pole really needed buy no good of you have loads of gear.

 

[Den]

I like the look of the pick up really is smart, but I have to use a backpack on quite few jobs so like the extra space my van as to offer.

 

[Iron Giant]

I carry 3 safety cones in one rear footwell and 2x 25 litre containers when needed.

I could easily carry a backpack in a rear footwell when needed for add ons.

I have all the space I need, 99% of the time their is only me in my truck.

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[TWC]

Thanks for all the different views

@Iron Giant what size tank have you got in yours?

Looks cracking By the way!:thumbsup:

 

[Iron Giant]

Its a wyedale 400ltr flat tank, But with a full hard top fitted a 600ltr flat tank would go in as they are just a bit taller than the 400ltr but not that easy to find these days

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

It has to be a van every time.

It's there for work and work alone. I am honestly too lazy to come home on Friday and want to unload everything from a cab to make space for weekend stuff.

Been there done it. Mazda BT50 crew cab. (Rebadged Ranger)

Like pickups but not for this game.

 

[Iron Giant]

I have used a truck for almost 6yrs now and it works great for me to say it's not suitable for window cleaning and a few add ons like FSG and Con roof cleans is wrong to a point as what works for one won't suit someone else.

A hose reel, tool box and safety cones isn't a mammoth job to unload at the end of the week.

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[steve garwood]

Van all day long. Can fit a whole wfp system and still have room for a pressure washer etc.

Plus, its somewhere to hide if you need a dump :thumbsup:

 

[TWC]

I'm thinking a 350ltr cube tank would fit with a hard top. That leaves more of the bed for all the bits n bobs. It would be primarily for work so wouldn't have to unload it every weekend but still nice to have the flexibility. Like you say it will work for some people but not for others.

 

[Guest]

Had the same issue when I went over to Wfp after 10 years of traditional.

A few friends have the navara (tradesman) and loved the idea of a family car / work.

Was thinking of the amarok or the caddy maxi.

So pleased I went for the van, everything I need is always in there, wake up and go.

Will never go for a pickup unless I go part time

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

Dont get me wrong, I do want a pickup. But only for family motor. Not for work.

 

[JBC88]

I want a pickup but too expensive atm, I have a 04 Peugeot expert with 500l tank in back. It works but not ideal. The van struggles with the weight and also space in front is cramped due to baby seat.

My mate runs a 2man system out of his pickup so it can work and others here clearly prove that. I think it comes down to your individual needs as to what vehicle is best.

 

[maddydog]

Had my wfp set up in a l200 club cab with a canopy (the one with the long bed but still four seats in the cab). Lasted all of three months before i got a vivaro. Not enough room in the back for my liking and i found the reel awkward to wind in as you have to reach over the tail gate or have it loose - little things like that quickly wound me up.

 

[TWC]

That's interesting @maddydog

I've got a fixed reel at my side door currently and can't imagine the PITA of having to lift in and out for every job as never had an issue leaving doors open. I thought it would be better in a pick up as the fixed reel would be a better height but hadn't though of the tailgate being an issue.

Thanks everyone for the views. It does seem the consensus is to stick with a van.

Decisions decisions....

 

[Iron Giant]

You could get a power up reel which would solve the issue of chewing on wind hose back in.

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[Iron Giant]

Had the same issue when I went over to Wfp after 10 years of traditional.
A few friends have the navara (tradesman) and loved the idea of a family car / work.

Was thinking of the amarok or the caddy maxi.

So pleased I went for the van, everything I need is always in there, wake up and go.

Will never go for a pickup unless I go part time

Not a Nissan Navara they are snapping in half do a Google search.

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[richb77]

I love the looks of a pick up as well but went for a Renault trafic. Just a thing to consider if for instance you decide to do gutter cleaning as an add on and but yourself a gutter vac. You will struggle to get that in there. Look at what you could be doing in a couple of years and maybe take that into consideration. I also do pvc fitting/repairs and carry spares with me. For me a van has more room to organise

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