What Van?
By this time you will have decided
what sort of courier you want to be, which will dictate the size
of van you need. Most courier companies will want to make sure
your van is respectable, and not a rusty old heap. Some companies
insist on vehicles les than 3 or 4 years old, and some insist
you have the van in their company livery. Very few courier companies
will accept a vehicle which is lettered up with your name on it.
Purchasing a new van can be an expensive item, especially with
a new venture. One alternative is to contract hire from a local
company. They will supply a van on hire for a month at a time;
this could help with start up costs. [Courier companies will accept
vans which are lettered with a hire company name on.] You could
buy a van quite cheap from an auction specialising in fleet disposals.
These vans usually come with long M.O.T.s and service history,
although high mileage, they can be a viable alternative to long
hire purchase or lease periods.
For which sort of van is best for you, ask your local garage.
They will be servicing vans all the time, and will be able to
tell you the common faults with different models. The Euro 4 type
engines have levelled the playing field out a little bit, with
models which weren’t all that popular a few years ago, now
gaining more prominence in the market place. Do not buy a tradesman’s
van, that is a van with a tailgate. With a tailgate you cannot
be loaded or unloaded, with a fork lift truck. Small van size
rates start at vans the size of the Citroen Berlingo / Peugeot
Partner and go up to the Transit SWB / VW Transporter size. Lwb
rates are for vans with a load length of 3 mtr and above.
When renting or buying a van you should consider all factors,
such as roof height interior length, distance between wheel arches,
[twin wheeled rear axles restricts the number of pallets you get
in a van, and finally THE GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF THE VAN.
The majority of long wheel base [LWB] vans are classed as
3500 kgs or 3.5 metric tonnes. Inside the cab, either on a door
pillar or a step, you will find a VIN plate with 4 separate weights
stamped on it. All manufacturers don’t put them in the same
order, but it is easy to work out what they mean. On the van I
checked the figures were..3500,..5700,... 1650, ...2250, these
figures are in kgs. The 3500kgs is the GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT That
means the maximum weight the vehicle can weigh on a weigh bridge,
including the driver, passenger if carried, tools, spare wheel,
fuel, and the load. If you are stopped and you are overweight
you could be in serious trouble. Minor trouble usually means your
van is held, and also you, until such time as you send for another
vehicle to remove part of the load. The second figure 5700 kgs
is the total amount the van can weigh, as above, and a suitable
trailer. But beware if the Gross weight exceeds 3500 kgs, you
will need an operators license, driving without an operators license
will result in the impounding and probable loss of your van, your
trailer, and your customers load as well as massive fines. The
next two figures 1650 kgs and 2250 kgs are maximum weights on
each axle. The highest figure is the front axle, because it is
carrying the engine, gearbox and driver. You could be classed
as overweight if any of these figures are exceeded, even though
you are under the Gross Vehicle Weight. It is always the driver’s
responsibility for the load and vehicle.
What Insurance?
There are several insurance you need, the
most expensive is the one required by law to put a vehicle on
the road. There are two types of insurance, both for the ‘carrying
of goods for hire or reward’ and it will be dependent on
what sort of a courier you are going to be.
‘Courier insurance’ is the most expensive, and is
the one you need if you are going to do several pick-ups and deliveries
a day.
‘Haulage insurance’ is about 30% cheaper than courier
insurance, the chief difference is that haulage insurance is usually
restricted to 1 or 2 drops a day.
If you are under 25years of age, the rates are usually doubled.
‘Goods in Transit insurance’ is a must insurance,
courier companies will insist on a copy. Goods in Transit [G.I.T.]
does what it says in the name, it covers the goods you are transporting.
This is normally restricted to about £20,000, and won’t
cover expensive items. If you are going to be carrying wines and
spirits, tobacco, computers, cameras etc tell your broker, and
they will give you a quote for these. You will not be covered
for carrying ‘dangerous goods’
‘Public Liability insurance’ is quite cheap and tends
to be quoted at the same time as the G.I.T. insurance.
‘Employers Liability’ is dealt with in the section
Maximising Your Profits.
Most courier companies, and your own customers will want a monthly
invoice, and then up to 4 weeks credit. If you are paid by cheque,
this will take another 5 days to clear. You will need sufficient
capital to carry you over the first few months.
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by Vic Farron : staff writer for RFT Express
