Potential of van driver / average earning

alwaysfree143

PasturesNew wrote: »

Also, remember that every vehicle has a laden weight. That's the van, fuel, you, the weight of your sandwiches and .... the sum of all the parcels you're carrying. For each parcel you load on you will need to know that you don't exceed the total weight for the vehicle. This can, sometimes, mean the van might only be 3/4 full, but already overweight. Of course, it won't happen often, but you might find yourself "bidding" on a load you're unfamiliar with... so watch out.

I actually going to ask the same thing.

I basically called more courier companies today and was encouraged with the response. One of them said if you got the van, start from tomorrow and there is always a work for van drivers.

But I noticed not all of them want small or medium wheel base but almost all of them did want the long wheel base vehicles. So considering the more potential of Long Wheel Base I have decided to go through route for maximum potential. I was also happy with the average salary they claimed the drivers are earning so all is good.

The question is, If I do buy the long wheel base vehicle for example Ford Transit 350. How much does it weight itself? just wondering if the space is good enough to fill or partially fill on the standard 3.5 tons of b category licence.

I also have plans to pass the C1 licence as soon as I have generated enough income from it so there is no worry of carrying extra load in it.

bugslet

alwaysfree143 wrote: »

But I noticed not all of them want small or medium wheel base but almost all of them did want the long wheel base vehicles. So considering the more potential of Long Wheel Base I have decided to go through route for maximum potential. I was also happy with the average salary they claimed the drivers are earning so all is good.

The question is, If I do buy the long wheel base vehicle for example Ford Transit 350. How much does it weight itself? just wondering if the space is good enough to fill or partially fill on the standard 3.5 tons of b category licence.

I also have plans to pass the C1 licence as soon as I have generated enough income from it so there is no worry of carrying extra load in it.

C1 =7.5s?

I'd go for the long wheel base, it's the more flexible, you lose a bit in weight carrying capacity.

What you need to do when you get your van, is fill it up with diesel, go and sit in it and weigh off. You will probably find that will come out around 2200kgs which gives you a payload of 1300kgs.

never trust what anyone tells you, always go and weigh it off yourself.

alwaysfree143

bugslet wrote: »

C1 =7.5s?

I'd go for the long wheel base, it's the more flexible, you lose a bit in weight carrying capacity.

What you need to do when you get your van, is fill it up with diesel, go and sit in it and weigh off. You will probably find that will come out around 2200kgs which gives you a payload of 1300kgs.

never trust what anyone tells you, always go and weigh it off yourself.

Thanks for the post - so that means the overall weight of the van is around 2200kg with potential of 1200-1300kg of payload (taking away my weight and the margin of error)

Yes I can only drive up to 3.5t --- C1 is up to 7.5t so was wondering if it may exceed the overall weight above 3.5t unintentionally so upgrading licence to C1 will be helpful - Will do it after I see the happy face of queen printed on piece of paper laying in my pocket.

I think 1300kg is good enough payload. Tomorrow is a big day for me, I will be hiring a van and driving all day...

I have been told that I can easily earn between £500 - £700 pounds and taking out the expenses I think I will still be netting fair amount in my pocket.

DigForVictory

Please do some more maths & decide a point at which you are going to *stop*. I met a lot of hauliers a couple of years back who had been VAT registered (helps, buying the van as yep they're Vat-able) & with the spike in diesel prices had been floored.

Some were busier than others - dear Lord the diplomat on wheels aspect is understated! - and most depended on their girl, wife or (in one case) 13 year old nephew to do the books. It isn't rocket science, but you can't afford to say can't do X job - have to stay home & do the VAT.

Most were fans of the Merc Sprinter rather than the Ford btw, but I think that came from Mercs holding their value longer. I don't drive vans, I've no idea - but I saw businesses with Mercs running longer/better.

Tax credits swing on household income - if folks on benefits can get it, no reason why you, working, can't. Maybe not this coming fortnight with the renewals palaver, but call 'em up & ask?

Self employment means you need an accountant who understands the haulage trade as well as whomever is sorting your paperwork unless they're willing to mug up. The right accountant can actually put business your way by word of mouth - the wrong one can leave you in hock til bankruptcy is pretty much your remaining "choice".

Likely you'll be intrigued & busy, not certain you'll end up with a fleet of your own. But whilst looking at startup & expansion potential, do also plan a "OK, tried it, that didn't work" number, at which you stop carrying on - out of habit, or as you need to pay X, or whatever.

Check you have reasonable life insurance as an extra cost of the business. Be prepared to have physios & chiropractors bills too - you're young this year. Less so next. Even more less so after a year of hefting packages around in all weathers.

All the best!

bugslet

alwaysfree143 wrote: »

Thanks for the post - so that means the overall weight of the van is around 2200kg with potential of 1200-1300kg of payload (taking away my weight and the margin of error)

Yes I can only drive up to 3.5t --- C1 is up to 7.5t so was wondering if it may exceed the overall weight above 3.5t unintentionally so upgrading licence to C1 will be helpful - Will do it after I see the happy face of queen printed on piece of paper laying in my pocket.

I think 1300kg is good enough payload. Tomorrow is a big day for me, I will be hiring a van and driving all day...

I have been told that I can easily earn between £500 - £700 pounds and taking out the expenses I think I will still be netting fair amount in my pocket.

Yes payload will be around that, depending on type of van and your weight:p

Unfortunately there is no unintentionally overloading in the eyes of the law. You can get away with a small percentage. You should know the weight of your load and not exceed the weight. if you are running parcels then a 7.5 is no good to you. However, adding a string to your bow, should you like the industry is no bad thing, but just stick with walking before you run.

I hope you can make that money. Different world to mine, but bear in mind that the companies that want you to work for them, have an agenda of their own. Not trying to rain on your parade, and maybe they are right, I hope so.

DigForVictory wrote: »

Please do some more maths & decide a point at which you are going to *stop*. I met a lot of hauliers a couple of years back who had been VAT registered (helps, buying the van as yep they're Vat-able) & with the spike in diesel prices had been floored.


Most were fans of the Merc Sprinter rather than the Ford btw, but I think that came from Mercs holding their value longer. I don't drive vans, I've no idea - but I saw businesses with Mercs running longer/better.


Likely you'll be intrigued & busy, not certain you'll end up with a fleet of your own. But whilst looking at startup & expansion potential, do also plan a "OK, tried it, that didn't work" number, at which you stop carrying on - out of habit, or as you need to pay X, or whatever.

Check you have reasonable life insurance as an extra cost of the business. Be prepared to have physios & chiropractors bills too - you're young this year. Less so next. Even more less so after a year of hefting packages around in all weathers.

All the best!

As Dig says in his ( her) first paragraph, you need to take a serious approach to your costs. If you do ever step up in vehicle then cost out fully before setting your prices. The other thing, is if a job doesn't pay, it doesn't pay. No point doing it to keep the wheels turning and making a loss. You might at this point think what is that bugslet on about, but trust me, your day will come - we''ve all done it:o.

I don't run Sprinters ( well they were 307s when I started, she says ageing herself). They do have good residuals, Transits hold reasonably well too and for a start up van when he's trying to keep costs down, they should be good. On a purely personal basis I don't like Sprinters, you have to find your 'own' van.

Bolded bit is excellent advice as well.

better to stay small and do well than expand and have nothing at the end of the day. Haulage can be ruthless and you certainly pay your dues.

alwaysfree143

Right,

So I finally had a touch of what Long wheel base van is like. It's so much light as compared to my expectations. It was fun driving it... I was although not as comfortable as I should have been (slightly shaking the steering for no reason) but I did understand that its just a matter of day or two before I get used to it.

So here is the moral of the story.

All other perceptions gone to dust... I just need to buy 2009 or 2010 model long wheel base van and start working from Monday perhaps. The only van in my mind right now is Ford Transit LWB... and Renault Master also looks promising after bugslet certified it... But Renault Master sounds slightly over priced as compared to Ford Transit.

Any other alternative or should I stick to Ford Transit only? I am not going for Mercedes sprinter as if bugslet don't like after many years of experience, my experience is yet to begin

skivenov

alwaysfree143 wrote: »

I actually going to ask the same thing.

I basically called more courier companies today and was encouraged with the response. One of them said if you got the van, start from tomorrow and there is always a work for van drivers.

But, is it work that allows you to cover your costs, pay your tax and still make a living? Get it wrong and you can end up making a loss.

w211

I would do what I did. Start off small. Buy a small van (Vauxhall Combo, Transit Connect or similar), and do same-day stuff. Look on Gumtree as I suggested earlier, and join one of the big companies e.g. City Sprint, eCourier, Rico. They should have plenty of nationwide work.

You can see if the job is right for you (costwise as well), and move on to a bigger van later.

alwaysfree143

all done,

negotiating a price for the van that has run about 100k in mileage, 2009 model, ford transit LWB. The condition is good and the van is reasonably clean from inside out.

So if we can finalise it tomorrow, I might be driving from tuesday!!!

warehouse

Alwaysfree, I've been reading this with interest. Could you please keep it updated with how you get on?