Panel van or tipper

[simonm]

Trying to figure out what van would be best for a team of 2 doing mostly grounds maintenance...Panel van or tipper would have more flexibility with a tipper as it could be used for carrying chip logs etc when not grass cutting, but there's nowhere to secure tackle.

 

A panel van however could have everything locked away on site lower loading height for ride on etc...and cheaper to buy.

[Tomtop]

Utility cab tipper.

[jimmy_timber]

I got both but I feel a lot better about the security of the kit when on site with the panel van.

 

I got a transit custom but could do with a sprinter or something larger

[simonm]

Crew cab would be ok but a bit restricted as to what you can keep inside, higher loading height for ride on would have me worried a bit with other lads loading. would be more versatile.

[chuck norris]

what size mower will you be using with it?

[Goaty]

ive just gone from van to tipper. kit security is a concern, you can sort a van vault type thing. i reckon its worth making a demountable unit. my tipper has lights in the chassis and you only have the ram and rear 2 pivots to undo.

 

probably a load of regs why you cant do it. would be good for seasonal use

[Ferguson system]

Hiab or Palfinger hookloader with alu storage boxes mounted on the frame.

[mowingjamie]

I swaped a pickp and trailer to mwb sprinter high roof with the trailer when needed. Its a much better sepup for me now, 90% of the time i just use the van and load the kubota ride on in the van with the etesia walk behind, a couple of strimmers, blowers and a wheel barrow too, all in no problem. Good on fuel compared to the pickup and at the end of a long day i just park the van up and dont have to worry about unloading the flatbed.

[mowandgo]

I have owned both. If your just moving tools a van is probaly better. If your dealing with cuttings and bulky materials fencing or lose soil etc. You simply cant beat a pick up. Tool security I made a 2 meter wide box that you can hide a strimmer and long reach hedge cutter in mowers ride on back I only like Transit single cab size. A hilux type is way to small for me. Trailers are a pain in the arse for me cause i have a lincence that only allows 750kg single wheel trailer and there hard to park.

 

Advantages of pick up.

 

Cuttings do not stink in open air

Skys the limit

Easy to clean lose soil off.

Load lose material with machine bucket.

no container rain just natural rain lol.

nice working height.

very robust you can hit a gate post unlike a box van theres no crease down steel panel.

ladders & long posts esier to load I have one roof bar on cab then bar on top of dropside body.

no side door 3 dropsides so access all round body

remains tidy as you get to sort through tools every morning and evening as I secure tools in lock up at night.

easier to wash and polish than van as only have wings, doors bonnet to worry about. Also no large roof to wash which I struggled with on van

My one turns in to flat bed as you can take dropside posts and dropsids off. I move a large shed like this.

Sign writing completed by cargo on display ( mowrs look good on back)

cab warms up & cools down quicker no rattly bulk head my old van grass cuttings cam past bulk head and messed up cab.

Only as high as low roof model helps on low barriers and trees bashing roof a problem with old high top van. And still more space on pick up.

 

Dissadvantages

 

Tools have to be regularly moved on and off out of site of theifs.

shopping gets wet as dog eats it if placed in cab lol

sing writing not as bold.

 

 

 

As you can see I love my dropside pick up it really works for me. I am. not sure its for every one but after years of van ownership and now owning a pick up for over a year I just love it never would consider a van again unless i was a different trade like a plumber or carapenter. All time i am working outside a pick up does it dor me. Yes tools you have to keep a sharp eye on but never had any trouble however you cant be too careful.