what makes a good courier van?

[steady72]

He guys, iv decided to do some subbie courier word after xmass.
Now I need to fix up my p reg swb semi high for the job.
Typical work of new wings sills etc.
But my question to you guys is this, what do you find useful in your van for courier work? Any tips I can incorporate into my rebuild to make the van better suited for the job?

[sc_BK]

I hate to say this but a lot of big delivery companies wont even let you in the door if your van is more than 3 years old. Also not sure how much use a swb will be

[steady72]

found a comany that will take me at 85p per mile.its a start.recons i will be kept bussy.

[FJ111200]

When i used my Tranny SWB low top for courier work i laid a sheet of three quarter inch ply on the deck, i also bought some of those 2 tonne cargo ratchet straps to stop stuff flying around in the back. I originally bought it for courier work brand new, and decided that the smallest Tranny would be good on fuel and also small enough to dodge around tight city centres.

[essex iain]

i owned a yellow swb tranny 120 a little while ago, and when m y wifes company sold their van they borrowed it for a couple of months. they found it alright for around the centre of london, but it didnt really carry enough for them, and on occasions they needed a second trip. you really need power steering, which i didnt have! central locking (remote) would be useful!

[dekra]

v8 pelrol engine and big bull bars

[pykee]

Sat-nav,comfy seat and a good radio for the long distance jobs
i seem to live in my mk5 190 lwb

[doughythevanman]

depends on whether your doing parcels / pallets? If your doing pallets its no good in a swb. Normally companies who warrant paying dedicated couriers will try to get a 2/ 3 pallet load which you wont fit in. If your staying with parcels / packages then get a good bulhead ( no back of the head suprises!! ) and a good sat nav. I found it helpful to fit a couple of extra rear lights and sign up to online courier sites ( try courierexchange.com or . co .uk ) and use these for backloads and jobs to mix in with your trip. Any advice you need let me know i was in the business for 12 years!!

[Daveyboy]

I would have thought a proper steel bulkhead and unglazed rear doors, the place I used to work for always used to fit armaplate lock guards and slam locks to the rear doors which were a pain in the ar*e. I suppose it depends what your carrying a van full of catalogues or a van load of computers?