I started off with a Berlingo and then moved to a transporter. The transporter has 145k miles on it, but it has served me well. Moving to a bigger van was fantastic for the business. It changed how I was able to do business and was money well spent. Over Christmas I bought a second newer van, a 2022 transporter with only 16k miles on it, not even broken in. Jason has the new one and I use the old one, again that should transform how we can work
The cost of upgrading or replacing is certainly a major expense. I often worry over how much longer my work horse will last. And inevitably these big expenses usually come when you can least afford it. Keep on mowing Rob!
I have a Nissan NV200, just a bit bigger. Vans are ridiculously expensive now for some reason! I also have a Husqvarna 525BX, and in my opinion, it's the best handheld blower on the market!
Like any other investments in business it would be an opportunity to grow and improve on what you can do or stay happy as you are doing what you do. Each to their own with these things and what keeps you happy. I'd have to have room for some spare tools at least tho I think. 👍
A roof rack could definitely come in handy for improved disposal possibilities. Strange days for sure and God's definitely watching...... and waiting. PEACE.
I just started this week and the van I got was mainly down to needing to fit two child seats in so I could do the school/nursery run, so got a Transit custom and love it. 65 plate and all in with signs was the same price I sold my Volvo v50 for, so chuffed with that. If I didn't have to do the kids I would've gone smaller tbh. In the process of sorting out the back. Got a few bits hung up, bungee cord, ratchet straps etc, determined to keep it tidy!
I’ve had my upgrade (traded in 2018 Partner SWB to a 2020 Vivaro LWB) for 6 months now. Biggest disadvantage as you said was money, I had to get £10k Loan over 5 years. It is a burden on me at £200 a month . There are many business factors to consider and everyone’s different but it suits me and my business well. You do have a great set up and very efficient money wise too 👍
I run a Berlingo too Rob, but with a caged 750kg trailer when needed. Makes a huge difference for bulky tools or waste. During the summer i rarely use it, but come the hedge trimming season it's out every day. A rack of Stihl batteries would fit in your van nicely too 😅. All the best.
Very tidy set up. I take away a lot of waste and I often wish my 2016 transit custom lwb was bigger!often 2 bulk bags. I carry 2 mowers..back pack blower..regular hedge cutter and 2 long reach hedge cutters..chainsaw...leaf hoover and fs460 which is the cowhorn type.had 3 Toyota hiaces but then they stopped making them.was worried going to ford but I've had it since 3 years old and it hasn't missed a beat...and I'm still doing gardens from a tenner 😂😢😢
I had a berlingo when I started. Couldn't get along with it. It took more time loading and unloading than I spent on a Mow, blow and go. So I got a dispatch. It made such a difference. Unfortunately I think it's on its, last legs now (08 plate) so I'm half looking for a replacement. I've seen a citreon Relay long wheel base. But I don't want something to big. So I'll see how long my dispatch lasts I think. Hopefully I'll get another season from it...... Hopefully
Renault Trafic MWB. 2 mowers onboard plus strimmer and assorted bits and bobs. Room for 2 full ton bags of rubbish if needed, ladders on the rack and hedge cutters added when needed.
I always have a towbar so that I can use my trailer if needed. I used to have a Peugeot Partner and now an X-Trail. I have never owned a van as even when they are empty, there are still the chancers that will cause damage trying to get in, so with my vehicles, people can see that there is no equipment left inside. Not that that prevented someone stealing my front number plate last year. Of course, with windows all around, I can't hang or mount things on the sides. But like yourself, I generally take what I need for the jobs in hand that day. I agree with you that if you are happy with the size and nippiness, there is no need to pay out on something bigger.
Keep an eye on some private dealers who sell vans without Vat. I managed to get a ford transit custom 2018 for 12k all in. Bigger van really helped me take my business to next level. Not having to empty the van as much has saved me so much time. Tidy van you have
I started the other way - had a large lwb transit (old & only lasted a year) before buying a 4yr old dispatch. Only benefit for me having the bigger van was waste removal as you say. Most of the time my tools were rattling around in the back!
Nice and easy! I can manage with very little space, I'm currently running my business with a range rover p38 it's my pride and joy and like you say if you got a load of waste or whatever, I have a little trailer I can pull behind , happy days! Would probably save you a lot of messing around with a little trailer on the back for the days you have to go home to empty the van to go back for waste 👌
I had 2 Berlingos ,they are brilliant for gardening .I put a trailer on the back and had them for years. Now i have a transit .Still got a trailer though as now i do fencing too .Keep them videos coming mate 👌
It’s definitely worth the upgrade for us something to offset against your tax bill also upgrading while you have a decent part ex vehicle saves you having to find the full amount in a few years once your vehicle has to be upgraded when it becomes older and less reliable. But each to our own Keep up the great content rob
I started off with a little 1998 Peugeot partner I really miss that little van , now running a transit 2012 just over 85k on the clock , what I've found is that bigger the van you have the more crud you tend to keep in it 🤣. I would love to go back to a smaller van but we have to bring a lot of our cuttings away and a smaller van wouldn't cope. Having the extra seat helps as well for the bigger jobs where we need to bring someone in to help. For what its worth your set up and how you do it is spot on , love the bed/coffin. keep the videos coming I would love to be able to do a few but really don't know where to start with cameras etc
Really nice set up Rob nice to see everything organised so it doesn't roll about everywhere like you said sometimes it's best to keep things simple keep mowing 👍😂
Hi Rob good set up and everything you need for the day. I have a couple large gardens I do weekly with lots outbuildings. I store some spare general tools on location which helps. I like you prefer a simple set up. Good to see your set up, agree with some other comments a roof rack handy. Cheers Graham
Hiya Rob, love the channel, I’ve got a Peugeot Bipper which is even smaller, but I only load up with what I need daily and it serves me well. Need to unload tools sometimes to go back for waste but that’s no big deal for me mate. All the best, Mark.
Great video rob. A cheaper way of increasing room instead of expensive bigger van ,would be a small 8x5 caged sideed ifor williams trailler with ramp tail gate. You would get a bigger more powerful mower on that speeding up your mowing jobs. Especially for bigger lawns and longer grass. And all your waste in ton bags into trailler. You would free up room in your van as a bonus. Love watching your vids and following your progress
I had an astra van which was too small, went up to a vivaro, too big and now use the same van as u but swb. Perfect size for the full range of garden tools i think. Especially as the front seats fold down and theres 3 seats in the front and 45mpg
Great set up rob.i run a pickup and trailer. It's got benefits and down sides. My two eldest sons run a juice business so I take their waste away. So a van is not viable to me. Absolutely absolutely brilliant videos rob. Tim ward Chester. ❤
I have a dispatch van that I bought after my pickup gave up and the ghost in the winter. It's a second hand one off my mate who runs a window cleaning business. For me it's the perfect size I can fit three lawn mowers in it and also my elite wood Shredder.
small vans work mate, i look at the next van most every year my combo just cost £110 to get MOT and if the next van comes in it needs MOT will it better £110 who know the next van will have problems i look at how long can you keep the van for to cost it up and i keep to what i have i have two the combo and a transit tipper between the two they cost me 30p a mile bargain in my eyes i cost up lease vans they where 40p a mile plus fuel so maybe 60p a mile and over the year i think that worked out to be about 5k more out goings all the best mate
Hi rob I have a similar set up for the regular maintenance but I take a small 31/2 X 5 foot trailer for taking away the waste from doing garden tidy up and hedge trimming. Cost a couple of hundred to get a tow bar put on and a trailer of market please but saves time and fuel doing multiple trips
Nice video I hope to do something like this one day for myself as I’m 20 working for gardening landscaping company one day hopefully do it for myself take pride in it
Hi Rob I’ve got a 3 ton tipper with a tail lift because I take away mostly all my clients green waste and I couldn’t lift my mowers etc on it without the tail lift but it’s a crew cab as well so most of my hedge cutters etc are in there but it’s not brand new but it still cost me 12 grand and it’s £220 a month to insure 🙈🙈
Would a tow bar and a trailer help with the waste scenario? I know it'll still be cost a wedge, but not an 11k wedge. Food for thought. Have a good weekend
Nice set up Rob.I have the standard berlingo and its fine for me,the snag of a bigger van is you just fill it with more stuff.depends on whether you have to haul a load of waste or not( i generally dont)towbar and a trailer would be a lot less than £11k.love the channel
Just a side note though i have the same van and im quoted around 500 from most places to have a towbar fitted. And thats without the parking sensors bumper
A lot to be said for a small van! I have a movano and tbf it’s great I can stand up in back straight and have a piss 🤣 End of day if you get a bigger van it won’t be big enough and you get used to it and want a bigger van!
Good set up. There is no way in hell I would be unloading that every single evening, and loading it back up the next morning. If you're worried about theft. Get a 24hr vehicle camera, with a CCTV sticker on the van. Get every tool of value insured. If they're thieved, then you'll get a brand new piece of equipment. The thieves would be doing you a favour
@@BottleBrookGardens I unload all my valuables. But as I say, all insured. Van is CCTV'd. I'd challenge any thieves to come and try and take my gear. It ain't happening
@@BottleBrookGardensyes, I don’t think youtubergardeners can really talk about vehicle security on their you tube videos due to security risk. I have cctv and an alarm but I consider my ring deadlocks my best defense as a possible deterrent . Too Many vans are targeted by thieving scum bags
Just a thought mate, I wonder if a roofbox and a sort of midheight cabinet/shelf behind the seats might let you get all your gear and your other mower in.
Get an ifor williams gd 84 with a loading ramp tailboard and cage sides. Great for the messy waste save you a return journey after you empty your van. Win Win!!
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices Ifor williams P7 caged sides with rear jack legs takes 2 x bulk bags end to end P6 not big enough Gd84 is to heavy, as it will take 1 ton load & has a braked axle. P7 750kg gross, un brake axle.
Great insight into your set up Rob. Would you not consider a little trailer on the back for those garden tidies ect? Ideal to throw the waste in. Have a great Easter break 🍺
Great van set up and very well organized 👍 Have you thought about getting a small trailer for your larger jobs? Will save you going back home to empty your tools so you can get the waste in etc!
Hi rob did you manage to get most of your grass cuts done last week for week one? The weather here has really put me behind be glad when the rain stops. Great video I no where you coming from I would like a bigger van but the price puts me off shall have to wait for now. My van set is similar to yours but not camp bed 🤣keep the videos coming love watching 👍
What if you were cutting a very large property/garden and they want the grass collected, how many full tonne bags could you possibly cram in the back of the van with the rest of your stuff?
@@maxwellsgrasscuttingservices fair enough, this is a great channel, I'm hoping to someday do what you do and be solo and leave my landscaping company job
On your mow, blow and go’s do you always dispose of the grass at the property, as I’ve only got a couple of regulars so far and I take the grass away but hopefully I’ll get 4/5 a day but I would struggle to get all the waste in the van, I’m also considering building some cheap compost heaps in the garden too, to save cost of disposing it
Hey Rob, I have isuzu grafter tipper, and believe me, no matter what we have, we still want more space 😂 Noticed that you use a husky blower rather than stihl, are husky hand-held blowers better?
