Best Vans for Plumbers
Plumbers, get ready to level up your business with the ultimate van showdown. Choosing the right van for the job is as necessary as choosing the right tools. As a plumber, you need a lot from your van.
In this article, we take a closer look at three popular models - the Ford Transit Custom, Renault Trafic and Citroen Dispatch.
Each of these vans has its own unique strengths and abilities. So, let's get ready to see which of these vans is for you.
Ford Transit Custom
Tough, functional, reliable. The Ford Transit Custom has a great reputation for all three, which is exactly what you need from your workhorse.
As the name suggests, you’re given plenty of options to tailor your Transit Custom exactly to your needs.
Body types
The Ford Transit Custom comes in Van, Double Cab-In-Van and Kombi varieties, depending on whether you carry equipment, your crew, or both.
There are also L1 and L2 wheelbase options along with H1 and H2 roof heights. Double sliding doors and 50:50 split rear doors are standard, but there are options for tailgates and windows if those suit you better.
Load space
The Van shape of the Transit Custom comes with the biggest load space - 8.3 cubic metres in total. Plenty of room for you, your passengers and your equipment.
Ferrying the team? The Transit Custom Double Cab-In-Van offers six seats and a respectable 4.3 cubic metres. The Kombi shape offers space for nine people and 2.5 cubic metres of storage for your gear.
Engines
With diesel and hybrid options available, you can choose the right combination for you. If you need to consider congestion charges or clean air zones, the Transit Custom’s hybrid engines give you plenty of options.
Clever geofencing technology automatically detects low-emission zones. Complementing this, real-time traffic updates keep you on the move to help you get to the next job.
Connectivity and interior
The Transit Custom comes equipped with plenty of technology and safety features to keep you connected on the road.
Technology like Active Park Assist means no matter how tight the parking on your next job, the Transit Custom will help you get in and out, no problem.
Did you lock it? FordPass Connect app means you can control your Transit Custom from afar. You can even check on whether you locked the doors and lock or unlock from wherever you are.
Check out our best lease deals on the Ford Transit Custom.
Renault Trafic
The Renault Trafic is known for its customisable options and excellent interior quality and space. An optional racking installed on the inside and a long bulkhead opening are ideal for storing your equipment efficiently. It can also accommodate long piping safely inside the vehicle.
Body types
The Renault Trafic has two body types, Crew Van and Panel Van. This gives you the flexibility you need, when you need it, whether you have a bigger team working with you, or if you need more space for a bigger job.
Load space
The Crew Van offers 4.3 cubic metres of space along with six seats for passengers. The Panel Van has three seats but increases the capacity from 5.8 cubic metres for the short wheelbase low roof version, up to 8.9 cubic metres in the long wheelbase high roof version. You can also add the bulkhead hatch for longer loads.
Need some extra strength from your Renault Trafic? Optional extras like resin-coated floors, reinforced floors, or ply-lined interior side panels can be added too.
Engines
Simplifying your options, there are four engines available with the Renault Trafic. These are all capable diesels, ranging from the practical 110 Blue dCi, all the way up to the high-performance 170 Blue dCi.
Connectivity and interior
There’s a variety of specifications depending on what’s important to you. There’s EASY LINK navigation on an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth built-in, USB ports, and live traffic updates, for easier connectivity on the move.
Carrying a heavy load? A reassuring ten driver assistance systems have your back. These include Electronic Brake Force Distribution, Driver Attention Alert, and Active Emergency Braking System to keep you safe on the road.
Extra goodies like the Parking Pack are available, which include 360-degree sensors and a rear parking camera. Modular workspace features to use your cabin as a mobile office can also be added.
View our best lease deals on the Renault Trafic.
Citroen Dispatch
The Citroen Dispatch is commended in particular for its excellent engine options and great economy.
If you’re on the move with a lot of miles to cover and want to keep the costs down, the Dispatch is the perfect van for you. Also available with a bulkhead opening option and roof racking.
Body types
If you’re mostly at work in towns and cities, the Enterprise Pro is the ideal shape for you. At 1.9m tall, it’s able to nimbly handle any city restrictions like parking heights and tight spaces.
The bigger option of the Dispatch - Version Driver - is available in two sizes, M and XL - both with modular alterations to suit your needs.
Load space
Three different options are available, 4.6 cubic metres, 5.3 cubic metres and 6.1 cubic metres. Moduwork options give you up to 4m of useful length (in the XL version) inside the cabin, with the use of a handy bulkhead opening. For plumbing needs, this would likely be the most useful configuration.
Roof racking is also available to add in, perfect for any longer loads not suited for storing inside the van. If you have a different van you’re considering, and it doesn’t offer racking as an option, check out our chosen van racking specialists.
Engines
There are five diesel options with the Citroen Dispatch. All offer great torque for carrying your loads and from 100 – 180bhp at your fingertips. There are 6-speed manual gearbox options or 8-speed automatic, all with Citroen’s clever Stop&Start technology.
The Citroen e-Dispatch is the fully electric option. This means one less thing to worry about when it comes to congestion or Clean Air Zone charges.
Connectivity and interior
A whopping 16 driver assistance systems are included with the Citroen Dispatch. These include Collision Risk Alert, Traffic Sign Detection, Trailer Stability Control, and more. Even a Coffee Break Alert for when you’ve been working too hard!
Portable office? The Citroen Dispatch offers an adaptable cabin to accommodate working on the move. Along with a 7-inch touchscreen and additional 12V sockets and USB ports, you can ensure productivity wherever you are.
Take a look at our best lease deals for the Citroen Dispatch.
Choose your Companion
Choosing the right van for your plumbing business is crucial to ensure that you can provide excellent service to your customers.
In this article we’ve seen the unique features and benefits that each of these three popular vans offer. If you need more help with picturing the equipment you’ll need to carry within a wide choice of vans, check out our handy sizing chart as a guide.
Ultimately, the decision of which van to choose will depend on your specific requirements and budget. If you need more information on how to finance your next van, take a look at our Vansdirect finance guide.
So, whether you choose to drive the Ford Transit Custom, Renault Trafic, or Citroen Dispatch, may your van be your trusty sidekick.
Find your perfect van with Vansdirect today.