Which vans are most popular with tradespeople?

-- 12.03.2023

If you are a tradesperson and need to transport objects, tools, materials or anything else on a regular basis, you should buy a van. But which van should you buy? There are different variants that are suitable depending on your intended use.

Buying vans – which ones are popular with tradespeople?

Whether as an assembly or delivery vehicle, tradespeople need a suitable van. Vehicles by Mercedes, such as the Mercedes-Benz Vito or the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, are very popular, as the manufacturer has a lot of experience. The VW Transporter is another example of a small van. Almost every manufacturer has suitable vehicles in its range. They are differentiated according to various aspects, such as:

• Size
• Height
• Weight
• Load compartment
• Wheelbases

When tradespeople buy vans, the following are popular:

Delivery van and panel van

Delivery vans are among the most versatile vehicles. They belong to the category of panel vans and come with various superstructures. Are you looking for a closed panel van, perhaps, or a glazed minibus? Panel vans offer plenty of space and payload. Vehicles with sliding doors make loading and unloading easier. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is available as a panel van and as a flatbed vehicle with individual superstructures, in various vehicle lengths and offering a variety of load compartment volumes. The Mercedes Vito is also available as a panel van. The choice is yours:

• Closed panel van
• Vito Mixto with partially glazed rear area
• Vito Tourer as a minibus

The Vito also comes in a variety of lengths. The short variant has a length of 4.90 metres and the long variant is 5.37 metres. You also have a choice between front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The Mercedes-Benz Vito is available with a gross vehicle weight of up to 3.2 tonnes.
The VW Transporter is another classic van for tradespeople. It comes as a minibus with all-round glazing. It’s available as a:

• Car with loading area
• Tipper
• Large box body

Payloads range from 545 to 853 kilograms and the length is 4.90 or 5.30 metres. It’s also possible to take extra luggage with you on the journey, as VW offers the panel van with a raised roof.

The Ford Transit Custom panel van offers generous load space, reliability and robustness. It is available in a variety of roof heights and wheelbase combinations.

Multi-purpose vehicles

The requirements vary depending on the trade and the industry. Carpenters often need to transport large objects, so multi-purpose vehicles with large wing and sliding doors are suitable, while craftspeople need plenty of space for tools. From compact multi-purpose vehicles to high-roof vans that are the length of a truck, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for.

Buying a van with workshop equipment

Tools must be optimally stowed for the journey. Suitable in-vehicle fixtures will therefore be an advantage. There are several possibilities:

• Shelf fixtures
• Toolboxes
• Mobile workbenches

It’s cheaper than purchasing these later. So don’t simply choose a van for its size and load area.

Conclusion

The term “van” is used to refer to various vehicles, including delivery vans, panel vans, small vans and multi-purpose vehicles. Your trade and intended use are crucial factors when considering which van to buy. So the van has to meet various requirements. Many attractive offers can be found, especially for used vehicles. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter and Mercedes-Benz Vito, as well as models such as the VW Caddy Cargo, Ford Transit and Renault Kangoo, score high on reliability. The perfect vehicle can be found for every tradesperson and every requirement.