Van or car in forestry

[Donnie]

I'm doing my saw tickets soon and I'm going to getting into the forestry side of things rather than tree surgery etc. I am currently pricing a small van and genuinely can't find anything in my price bracket 3-4K that seems worth it as they're either ancient for an every day work horse or they've been to the moon and back a thousand times over. 
 

Is it essential or do some cutters use a regular every day car? Which is a hell of a lot cheaper. 
 

Cheers. 

[Big J]

I'll be selling my 2013 Octavia Scout 2.0TDI Auto at the back end of July. It'll be about 192k miles on it by that point, ex police car so immaculately maintained. New timing belt, serviced in February, 12 months MOT, new rear diff driveshaft flange, haldex and dsg oil changed this year. All season tyres, towbar. 
 

The autos are incredibly rare. I've had up to 647.5 miles out of the 53l tank, so extremely good on fuel. 

 

It'll be about £3500 in July.

 

I've had new vans, small and large, 2wd and 4wd. They all have their advantages and disadvantages, but I'm quite converted to cheaper car motoring now. The Octavia is comfortable and quiet and uses very little diesel. Transport the family or chuck a bike in the back, there is flexibility for everything.

[eggsarascal]

5 minutes ago, JDon said:

I'm doing my saw tickets soon and I'm going to getting into the forestry side of things rather than tree surgery etc. I am currently pricing a small van and genuinely can't find anything in my price bracket 3-4K that seems worth it as they're either ancient for an every day work horse or they've been to the moon and back a thousand times over. 
 

Is it essential or do some cutters use a regular every day car? Which is a hell of a lot cheaper. 
 

Cheers. 

nothing is essential, it needs to start, stop and have a MOT. Personally being without a van is a no go, I've just bought a 58 plate LDV van with 57k miles on the clock for £2k, it ain't pretty, but it's cheap and will earn its money back in no time.

[Donnie]

2 minutes ago, eggsarascal said:

nothing is essential, it needs to start, stop and have a MOT. Personally being without a van is a no go, I've just bought a 58 plate LDV van with 57k miles on the clock for £2k, it ain't pretty, but it's cheap and will earn its money back in no time.

Yeah I really want a van but I'm just starting out and would be wanting to upgrade it within a year for a newer Berlingo after I'm set up a bit better. 
 

Vans are just mental money right now which is a shame. 

Edited May 27, 2022 by JDon

[eggsarascal]

4 minutes ago, JDon said:

Yeah I really want a van but I'm just starting out and would be wanting to upgrade it within a year for a newer Berlingo after I'm set up a bit better. 
 

Vans are just mental money right now which is a shame. 

Yes, secondhand vans are making strong money, but cheap, older well looked after vans are still out there, they just take some time finding.

[nemcc]

Suzuki sx4 or x cross with 50/50 tyres and a roof box for the saws, fuel and wet clothes.

Back seats out leaving loads of room for other tools and the log dog.

It goes where pick ups go and skips across the wet rides.

 

[aspenarb]

Anything with a bit of ground clearance and 4wd will do, you really need something that will get you right up to where you are working or you will be lugging kit miles on foot.

 

Bob

[doobin]

If you are looking at a car derived van, just get a car! Apart from anything else, you pay the car tax rate (often zero for an 'eco' model rather than full whack £245 a year for the same thing without windows.

[topchippyles]

Belingo car/van 1.6 HDi 60+ mpg is a good option 

[jrose]

Most of the forestry types I know seem to use Suzuki 4x4s, either Jimny or Vitara

 

As far as I'm aware they're still quite cheap to buy and run, are light weight to get over wet bits and can still be used to carry 4 people if needed