I know this is somewhat a long-shot, but I am after the occasional use a van through this year - primarily on Sundays.
The use of this van will be take my son Troy to the local MX races. There are approx 20 races through this year and they are all within 30 miles of where I live at Paignton (It is a very local championship).
Last year I did this using my own estate car - but this is far from suitable. I have thought about getting a van but cannot justify the costs of all the others overheads (van, ins, tax, mot) for a max of 1200 miles per year. I can't have a van as my only method of transport as I commute 72 miles to work each day so the costs would be too high.
I look after all I own and all I borrow - and those that know me will vouch for that.
I am not expecting to get this for nothing - and will happily discuss ideas or thoughts you might have. It may be I pay for your tax or insurance or some other idea (as well as fuelling after use - and making sure its returned in the same condition than when I receive it).
So if you have a van which is often redundant on a Sunday and you fancy making a little something from a regular loan-out then let me know. Obviously you'd need to be pretty close (10 to 15 miles) from me in Paignton.
Here's hoping
Mark.
-- Edited by Wheely on Tuesday 12th of February 2013 09:36:23 PM
would the use of a trailer not be a possibility, and a lot cheaper. i know of a very nice trailer you will be able to use for not a lot of £.(not the one im selling)
I have a nice 3 bike trailer and a single bike rack for car too.
I have a gazebo if weather not so good, but still the ease and convenience of a van cannot be beaten.
My car is also an immaculate Audi, and although I'd return a van in at least the same state as receiving, generally they are a little more suited to this application than my car.
I have thought about getting a van but cannot justify the costs of all the others overheads (van, ins, tax, mot) for a max of 1200 miles per year.
I know what you mean, that's about how many mine does anually.
Still, it'd be easier to have your own - it's only money!
You'd be able to leave the van dirty (inside & out) - no panic cleaning Sunday evening before returning the van.
You'd be able to leave some kit in there to make it easier each weekend. You'd be able to use the van yourself for weekends away, and sleep in it!
A van is also a good temporay storage area - mine is anyway.
Another thing is once you have a van you'd be surprised how often you do use it to cart stuff about to save your car the abuse, can collect white goods rather than paying for delivery. Vans can be cheap to insure if you can get limited mileage. Tax is bug bear of mine - so not fair to have to pay £220 a year regardless of mileage.
I can vouch for owning a van, unfortunately I'm not in the position to be able to loan mine out as its a company vehicle I use for work and my own private use. I'd be lost without it, it keeps the mrs car sparkly!!
I have a van that fits the bill and isn't normally used weekends.
That's the good news.......
Now the bad........
It's insured for me only to drive at a cost of 2 grand a year. I'm a courier and so that's the rub...and any extra drivers are classed as couriers and therefore the insurers charge accordingly. When I did ask if I could get an extra driver for a week I was told it didn't matter if it was a week or a year, the cost was the same. About another grand each driver........
Vans are useful and I use mine more than the car, even for evenings out, as it's my office and I'm used to it. But it costs money and it needs to work when it's used, so that's why it stays parked up at weekends. It's done 30k in ten months and I'm loathe to add to that unless it's paid miles.
They are bloody useful though. Took 3 bikes, kit and riders to France last year and numerous away days when you chuck the lot in and forget about it. Also doubles as a changing room If you can get a cheap, small one (like a Peugeot Expert) you can get 2 bikes and kit in and costs are the same as a car. I'd go down that route.......and you'll be surprised how much you use it for other stuff like rubbish tip runs, shopping trips etc.
__________________
Caution - the poster may well have been drinking........
If you have the room to park it would a fully inclosed box trailer be a better bet? I built one for shcool boy mx a few years back with mini kitchen and even a bunk bed. I'll see if I have any pics of it.
I may well be putting another van on the road which would mean I'd have a spare one at weekends but you would need to insure it for your use and I doubt that would be much cheaper than hiring one. I'm sure that you're aware that any entitlement to drive other cars on your insurance doesn't usually extend to commercial vehicles.
cheers Steve - I know that looks a good and relatively cheap vehicle - possibly prompting me to re-look at the whole van thing.
Rob - No room for a box trailer - although something I've looked into as well (my modern house is in a small court, with enough room to park my and her cars only). For the van I wouldnt be looking to add a days insurance every few weeks, more to be added as a named driver for the duration of the policy - obviously paying my bit towards this and towards the whole van borrowing deal.