collections and deliverys

[dcd1979]

As some of you know I have a van and medium sized car trailer and am ldv beavertail in the making, I'm offering a collection and delivery service any questions inbox me cheers Dave

[bub2006]

Its large enough for a Vectra c at a squeeze

[dcd1979]

Just a couple

[garbaldy]

I wouldnt like to tow that last one that's for sure unless the engine was in the boot.

[overrun]

Engines go at the front m8.

 

[Cavcraft]

Top Trumps says:

 

T495GBF: Engine size 1868cc

 

The DW8 is for all intents and purposes an evolution of the XUD9 and is the only diesel engine in the family not to feature a turbocharger or common-rail direct injection. It is mainly used in vans such as the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner but can also be found in more affordable versions of the Peugeot 206 and 306.

 

BHP: 71.0

 

Towing capacity: 1100kgs.

 

Vectra C weight: 1,180KGS

 

VOSA escaping powers: -11.

 

Ability to climb Rhuallt hill on the A55: Good luck with that one.

[oldcars]

Early Reliant alert.

[dave21478]

Jesus man, you are advertising a service but your photos clearly show a van woefully unsuitable for towing heavy stuff  and you put a car on backwards - thats a surefire way to end up upside down in a ditch with the trailer on top of you.

 

Thanks but no thanks.

[oldcars]

Top Trumps says:

 

T495GBF: Engine size 1868cc

 

The DW8 is for all intents and purposes an evolution of the XUD9 and is the only diesel engine in the family not to feature a turbocharger or common-rail direct injection. It is mainly used in vans such as the Citroen Berlingo and Peugeot Partner but can also be found in more affordable versions of the Peugeot 206 and 306.

 

BHP: 71.0

 

Towing capacity: 1100kgs.

 

Vectra C weight: 1,180KGS

 

VOSA escaping powers: -11.

 

Ability to climb Rhuallt hill on the A55: Good luck with that one.

Thats grim towing. I had a 4x4 with 109 bhp and a 800kgs lightweight van. Up hill with head wind in that was hard work.

[stephen01]

Not wanting to jump in bandwagon, but would the trailer not be another 350kg plus.

 

I'm limited by my licence, with the Honda I think my limit is approx 1200kg. To keep under all the rules. Passed after 97 you see.

[Jim Bell]

5/10.

[captain_70s]

Handwritten trailer numberplate = 5 bonus points.

[dollywobbler]

Er, how is that Fiat Coupe strapped down? Is that just straps through the alloy wheels?!

[Jim Bell]

Er, how is that Fiat Coupe strapped down? Is that just straps through the alloy wheels?!

 

The strap it shut in the bonnet for FULL safety.

[panhard65]

It seems we are all getting a bit judgemental on the lad who is simply trying to make a living, but I wouldn't be towing that set up. What is the weight capabilities of the trailer. Vosa are getting pretty hot on trailers and that van really isn't good enough and if you are charging for it you will probably need a tacho. Maybe someone in the recovery trade will be along to give you some better info, but the straps are all wrong and towing that vectra would of scared the crap out of me even with a 4x4 tow car.

[dollywobbler]

It seems we are all getting a bit judgemental on the lad who is simply trying to make a living, but I wouldn't be towing that set up. What is the weight capabilities of the trailer. Vosa are getting pretty hot on trailers and that van really isn't good enough and if you are charging for it you will probably need a tacho. Maybe someone in the recovery trade will be along to give you some better info, but the straps are all wrong and towing that vectra would of scared the crap out of me even with a 4x4 tow car.

 

Aye. You've put it far more kindly!

 

EDIT - tacho definitely required. I looked into this back when I foolishly thought vehicle delivery might be fun. It wasn't.

[Kiltox]

Picturing this kind of service https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fhBpdZoB5Oc

[They_all_do_that_sir]

 I think the LDV beavertail would be a better proposition, and I'm guessing this is just a quick fix to make some funds in the meantime

 

Still, before casting judgement I've seen some epic a framing on this very site. But being commercial is a whole other ball game

[holbeck]

Is that actually Bub's Vectra on the trailer?

[dave21478]

Just a couple

 

 

 

Also, for future info - dont strap cars like that, the Fiat coupe is the same with the strap going over the tail board. In an emergency stop that wee tailboard will buckle like cardboard which will let the straps go slack and allow the car to roll forwards.

 

 

If you dont have proper wheel straps its ok to use normal straps crossed over the wheel, but they need to circle the wheel ABOVE the centre of the wheel and be hooked to the trailer bed close to the bottom of the wheel, this means the strap can not slip downwards as they are above the widest point of the wheel. As you have them in your pics around the middle of the wheel and leading far rearwards its way too easy for them to slip downwards and come off.

 

 

[Cavcraft]

Those wheel straps are worth their weight in gold. When I started out (in a Mk2 Transit beavertail) everything was a disaster initially, but I soon learnt, mostly nearly the hard way.

[overrun]

^ Yep.

Spend 60 quid or so on a set of proper wheel straps, and only use the current combo for doing favours, imo.

[UltraWomble]

Good luck with the venture and stay safe - Ive once and once only put a car on backwards ( wouldnt go on any other way)

 

Tall change of underpants trip that was.

[Lacquer Peel]

I towed a 500kg trailer full of firewood (1500kg probably),a few times with my Xantia 1.9D, it's surprising how unaffected the engine was, it just plugged away even over the moors. I think you'd be dueling with the turbo if it was a TD.

Stay safe and almost as importantly look safe.

[garbaldy]

Yes good luck in your venture,  just try and keep a grasp on the laws then you should be fine,

I tend to work on the if it looks safe you might be left alone.

 

This was in Germany parked in a layby and the police drove in stopped looked at us for a bit then took of again,

[bub2006]

Yes,the Vectra is mine. I followed from Heanor to derby. The van climbed hills better than my escort if I'm honest. Putting my Vectra arse first wasn't anyone's first choice but due to stuck brakes,car facing uphill and a complete lack of space it was the only option. The beavertail will be a lot better overall though I must admit

[worldofceri]

I love tales of a-framing and trailering adventures as much as the next shiteist and I've partaken in some questionable activities myself...

 

But. Whilst that's fine from a hobbyist point of view, if you're advertising a professional service my view is you should be 100% professional about it.

 

If your outfit has a train weight of over 3.5t and you're operating for hire and reward you need a tachograph and (not everyone knows this as it's a fairly recent innovation from the pervasive bureaucracy that micro-manages our existence) an Operator's License.

 

If you want to do without all that guff then you're limited to the 3.5t beavertail.

 

Fun* fact: If you're towing with a 'dual-purpose' vehicle (that's officialdom-speak for 4x4) rather than a commercial vehicle (van) you still need a tacho but not an O-license.

 

Police/DVSA seem to be more interested in <7.5t outfits than HGVs these days if the stuff I've seen being pulled in to Trowell Services is anything to go by. They pull out their little portable scales and weigh you as well.

 

Road transport is massively regulated and you need to know the ins and outs of the law.

[dollywobbler]

Fun* fact: If you're towing with a 'dual-purpose' vehicle (that's officialdom-speak for 4x4) rather than a commercial vehicle (van) you still need a tacho but not an O-license.

 

 

 

Oh that is interesting. My Landy V8 got transported away by a bloke using a Toyota Landcruiser Amazon, presumably for that reason. 

[scruff]

Good luck!

 

Your set up will no doubt improve over time as will the restraining techniques. I liked the wheel straps but don't be scared of putting another one or two round each axle if the vehicle allows it; use your noggin and don't pinch brake pipes and stuff. Your straps and strapping technique should be able under yellow jacket scrutiny to hold 100% of the weight against moving forwards under braking, 50% against acceleration and 50% sideways either way.

 

Unlike DW I found it most enjoyable, some great stuff to shift and met some lovely people and went to awesome places. I had a Sprinter which was incredibly bollocks and then a Canter which was a fantastic little "mini lorry". I got work from Shiply and other similar sites, word of mouth and some careful advertising, plus a "campaign" of getting in touch with all the Arfur Daleys in a 20 mile radius. This was very successul and I became a regular at BCA sites, Copart and places like that. Easy money really.

 

However I found it is virtually impossible to run legally with a 3.5 tonner and make any money. 

 

Most 3.5 ton beavertails will be overweight with your average modern family saloon car on the back, if not by total weight but by axle loading. I managed to get probably 80% of my work shifting classics. VOSA or DVSA as they now are, are self-funding with chip and pin machines on them and as mentioned portable weighing jacks. They love beavertails...!! 

 

A trailer and big tow car gives you more scope - but you need a tacho fitting and the right licence. A tacho unit fitted and calibrated is a grand plus, plus £35 or whatever it is for your digi card. 

 

What some people seem to forget is that if you have a tacho in and your permitted GTW is over 3500kg, you need to comply to EU drivers hours exactly the same as a 44 ton artic. With the sort of money involved in shifting cars, the time you lose from not potentially completing runs in a day will quickly turn into a issue. Plus, the Canter would do 30mpg loaded - a Land rover or other 4x4 would struggle to match that.

 

For me, all things weighed up, it was cheaper and less stressful to do my HGV licence, though I admit I was very lucky to be in a 'right place right time' situation. Moving cars was fun, moving tractors and farm machinery is even betterer.

[Eddie Honda]

 

 

https://twitter.com/GardaTraffic/status/695973177059635201