Mobile Mechanic

Woody._2

bigjl wrote: »

Another possible option is to invest in tyre fittinf equipment aswell if you buy a large lwb van.

I know HiQ easily fit this equipment in the LDV Maxus van.

Be careful with that, a lot of trye fitters van are overweigt and would almost certainly be carrying the tools required as a general mechanic. I won't be easy keeing it under 3500 kg.

bigjl

Which range of tools are good in Halford mikey?

I have some of their sockets, expenaive ones, and they are a nightmare, keep slipping but when i hunt all the teng tools ones that i had deep in the shed they were spot on.

Woody, i wouldn't even try to keep a dual use vehicle u.der 3.5 ton, as you say unlikely to be able to keep it under weight, HiQ etc only fit tyres though with other basic tools., had a poke round one a year or so ago, was fitted with a balance machine and tyre fitting machine, the heavier of which was near the bulkhead.

I was thinking more of a lwb Merc Sprinter in a 515 or 518 diesel spec or perhaps a 516 with CNG, then you can be all fluffy and environmental about the whole thing.

The new Sprinter is much better than the old Sprinter however the new Master can be had with rwd now so is also a decent alternative.

mikey72

bigjl wrote: »

Which range of tools are good in Halford mikey?

I have some of their sockets, expenaive ones, and they are a nightmare, keep slipping but when i hunt all the teng tools ones that i had deep in the shed they were spot on.

Woody, i wouldn't even try to keep a dual use vehicle u.der 3.5 ton, as you say unlikely to be able to keep it under weight, HiQ etc only fit tyres though with other basic tools., had a poke round one a year or so ago, was fitted with a balance machine and tyre fitting machine, the heavier of which was near the bulkhead.

I was thinking more of a lwb Merc Sprinter in a 515 or 518 diesel spec or perhaps a 516 with CNG, then you can be all fluffy and environmental about the whole thing.

The new Sprinter is much better than the old Sprinter however the new Master can be had with rwd now so is also a decent alternative.

This one comes up reguarly.
The rest of us like them.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3107468

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2956610

I bought a set of these
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_216036_langId_-1_categoryId_165572
a while ago, and I've not broken one yet, so they can't be bad.
The ratchet is nice as well, it's as they advertise, a very small movement, unlike some of the coarser ones.

Woody._2

bigjl wrote: »

Woody, i wouldn't even try to keep a dual use vehicle u.der 3.5 ton, as you say unlikely to be able to keep it under weight.

Just as long as the OP don't try and do it with a second hand 3.5 t Sprinter. Most of the tyre fitters you see round our way are either over weight or on the phone.

marksandsparx

It's ok, Tyre fitting isn't my thing at all.. mind numbing! plus the profit margin on tyre fitting is fairly slim.
Regarding tools, nearly all mine are snap on, don't like mac.. halfords stuff is pretty good, but all my high use items (sockets, screwdrivers, spanners) will always be snap on!

bigjl

The idea about tyre fitting was more to do with the number of people buying tyres online then taking them to the local bloke for a fit and balance, if you could tap the market of annual service and swapping tyres aswell, it may be lucrative, trick in a busy sector like this is to have an edge, the more services you provide the better.

marksandsparx

well in all fairness I will be catering to the PSV technical diagnostics side, HGV, all car aspects (so perhaps tyres not such a poor idea) and air conditioning, so I've got a few strings already
It's just the big jump into buying a van and going for it!
I will proberly get an LDV pilot lol!

patman99

Your biggest expense will be the proper diagnostics kit. There really isn't one that does all. A second-hand Ford unit will set you back £600+.

s_b

marksandsparx i think you will find insurance very difficult if you intend keeping your tools in your van plus if you dont mind me saying you seem to be wanting to do jack of all trades
personally i would decide what i was good at and build to it
i would also consider a bat cave so problems can be better solved without rain down my neck,you could always get a little van for simple roadside repairs

good luck by the way

marksandsparx

patman99 wrote: »

Your biggest expense will be the proper diagnostics kit. There really isn't one that does all. A second-hand Ford unit will set you back £600+.

Well i've got the entry level Snap on ethos diagnostics, that was £1000! lol