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Posted By Paul Tucker
Hello all,
I wonder if anyone can advise on the selection criteria that should be used when deciding upon a new works van? I am aware of the usual safety features such as traction control, EBD etc but does anyone know of the van equivalent to the car Euro NCAP ratings for passenger and pedestrian safety?
The van will be primarily used for transporting pallets and York's.
Many thanks in advance
Paul
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Posted By Stefan Daunt
Hi Paul,
I recently read an article in a fleet magazine that was highlighting the fact that vans are not NCAP tested. Obviously the drivers safety is not as paramount as when he is moving his family around in the car?
As regards criteria, it depends on a few factors really. What weight are the pallets the van will be carrying? Will the van be sided or drop sided? engine size to weight ratio.
If the pallets you are carrying take the vehicle over a 3.5t GVW, you would then require the driver to have a C1 on his licence as opposed to a B for cars. You would also then enter the drivers hours regs (I apologise if you are already aware of these factors.)
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Posted By David Bannister
Paul, issues such as driver comfort are too often overlooked when choosing a vehicle. This would include seat construction and adjustment, cab ergonomics, aircon. Failure to involve the driver(s) in the decison making process can easily result in a quickly trashed van; conversely driver "ownership" may ensure a much longer working life.
Choose the power and torque of the engine carefully so that when carrying the working load there is adequate reserve. Having to change down gears on a gentle motorway climb is extremely frustrating to the driver and is also introducing a hazard for other road users.
These days too the inclusion of an up to date satnav system may be looked on as very desirable.
In-vehicle safety features are certainly important but perhaps driver behaviour is more important.
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Posted By SteveD-M
By all means involve the guys in the selection however beware I came across one client who had his staff were insisting on air bags on his new milk floats! Especially where there was no specific risk information to support it.
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Posted By Ian Bartley
As previously stated one of the selection criteria will be the maximum load to be carried. A word of warning when selecting a vehicle on the basis of its working load capacity do not consider the manufacturers stated payload for the van. This figure is not the amount you can load into the back of the vehicle.
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Posted By Paul Tucker
Thanks guys, the manager requesting the van has stated it has to be a 2 tonne maximum, obviously to get arond the driving licence requirements. They also stated it shouldn't have a tail lift but also want to put yorks in the back which I am not sure how you can do safely without a tail lift?
As always your help is much appreciated and I will certainly look in to the payloads.
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Posted By Ian Bartley
Paul you can buy a mobile tail lift which is actually more of a stair climber. A Company called Stanley Material Handling offer these and you can have a look at them on their website. They can be used to load and unload vans and the biggest they appear to do will handle 680 kg.
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Posted By Dave Wilson
Is that 2 tonne fully laden or unladen? as it has a bearing etc
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Posted By Paul Tucker
I must admit I am not too sure how this works. Is 2 tonne the maximum including load that can be operated under a normal class B licence or is it the weight of the vehicle and up to a 2 tonne load?
Sorry for my ignorance but this is something I have never really come across before.
Thanks
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Posted By Stefan Daunt
It is the gross weight of the vehicle. Kerb weight is empty vehicle with fuel. Gross weight is Kerb plus the weight of the load.
Out of interest, vehicles over 2 tonnes gross are restricted to 60 Mph on dualcarriageways. Not that I've ever seen it :).
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Posted By Dave Wilson
up to 3500kg (3 1/2 ton) fully laden (GVW), if towing you can only tow a trailer up to 750kg (GTW)if you passed your test after 1 Jan 97.
If you have a van up to 3500 GVW and intend to tow a trailer then the vehicle must also be on a Thacograph if going more than 50km from your home base.
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Posted By Ian Bartley
Slight correction to the definition of kerb weight given in previous thread. The kerb weight of the vehicle is the weight of the empty vehicle plus fuel and a driver plus luggage/tools. I think the current driver allowance is 68kg so you need to employ 12 year old drivers. Seriously the bottom line is your van should not weigh any more than 3500kg including the driver, any passengers, fuel, any tools etc. and the load itself. The point I made about payload in my first response relates to the fact that the payload stated by many manufacturers does not incude any "add-ons". The only fail safe way to ensure that you dont overload is to fuel up put all the tools that you may carry in the van and go to a public weigh bridge with the driver sat in th cab. Subtract the weight reading from 3500 kg and that it your load capacity.
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