If you decide your business needs a new work van, you’ll definitely want to make sure it has the features and capabilities your business needs. The following will look at several of the things you should consider before purchasing a new work vehicle.
Long-Lasting Reliability
A new van is a major investment – which means you’ll want to get years of use out of it so your investment pays off. If it’s constantly breaking down, it’ll mean additional costs and lost business. So do a bit of research and choose a make and model with demonstrated reliability. All the high-tech bells and whistles in the world matter far less than having a van you can depend on.
Operating Costs
Beyond the upfront expense of purchasing a van, also think about the day-to-day costs involved in operating it, from gasoline to the replacement of brakes and tires. These costs are also going to vary depending on the particular van you choose. And if you have a fleet of vehicles instead of just one van, you’ll want to have complete records of your ongoing costs so you have a benchmark you can use when purchasing new vehicles.
Performance Requirements
Another important factor to think about is performance. You should verify any van you’re considering has the capacity and features required to get the job done. As a contractor, you may have to travel long distances or over fairly rough terrain just to get to a job site. You’ll need a van that can get you there safely and on time. Also consider the growth of your business and whether this van will meet your needs in the future.
Think about what you’ll be carrying in the vehicle and whether it will need towing capacity. What will your maximum payload needs be? An overloaded van can be extremely dangerous, so determining what your new vehicle can both safely and legally carry is an essential part of the purchasing process. This can have a big financial impact on your business, particularly from a safety and liability perspective.
Engine Specifications
Two things you need to weigh when looking at van engines are horsepower and torque. Horsepower relates to the top speed and acceleration rate of a vehicle. A van that has lots of horsepower is quicker and more responsive. Torque relates to the pulling power an engine can provide. More torque means you have a greater ability to drive your van up steep hills carrying heavy loads.
If you’re carrying a heavy load through rough terrain or up steep hills, you’ll want to choose a van with an engine that can ensure reliable commuting times between jobs. You should also consider an automatic transmission if you’ll be driving mostly in the city since this will reduce operating costs and driver stress.
Buying Used Versus New
Getting a “new” work van for your business doesn’t necessarily mean the vehicle has to be fresh off the factory floor. While it is true that if you’re looking for fuel efficiency and lower operating costs – not to mention warranties – a new van is probably the better option, a used van might offer some advantages too.
If you’ve decided you might want to buy a used van, have a mechanic you trust examine it before you buy. This can help prevent buyer’s remorse afterward if unexpected problems pop up. As long as you’re careful, you can buy a less expensive used work van for your business that will provide you with years of useful and effective service.
Buying a new work van for a business is an investment, and you’ll want to be sure you get a good return on your investment. But if you put a little thought into your purchasing decision and carefully consider just what your business actually needs now – as well as in the near future – you should be able to purchase a van that will be a positive benefit to your business, instead of a drain on it.
