Is your business expanding? Do you need additional transport in order to deliver your products to clients, or to carry equipment so that you can make site visits?

If you’re business is successful and you want to reach more people, then you need to think about getting a van or other commercial vehicle. The flexibility and service levels that you can offer when you are mobile means that you can develop your business into one that stands out from the competition which, in turn, can make your business even more successful.

If you’ve decided you need transport for your business, the next move is to work out how much you can afford to pay and what you can get for your money. You also need to think about why you want your van and what you’re going to be using it for. All these factors combine to determine what sort of vehicle you need.

Large or small?

Some businesses, such as florists, grocers or small caterers, just require a mini-van or a small car derivative van (CDV), whereas plumbers, electricians and other tradesmen may prefer a larger CDV or a panel van, which has more space for storing larger pieces of equipment. Builders, scaffolders, garden centres and other businesses that need easy loading and unloading access often choose a pick-up truck or high-sided van, whilst removal companies and those delivering larger items such as furniture or industrial equipment need much larger vans or trucks. The size of commercial vehicle you need is nearly always determined by what you will be carrying or delivering in it and you need to take this into account before you buy.

New or used?

It’s always nice to buy a new vehicle. With perhaps only a few miles on the clock and perfectly clean upholstery and interiors, new wheels and the latest features, a new van or truck is very tempting. A shiny new vehicle gives a good impression of your business and makes you feel good as well. Costs are high, however, and your new van could lose a lot of its value within a year or so.

Many businesses consider used vans for this reason. Substantially cheaper than their newer counterparts, they can be in excellent condition and come with some great deals such as warranties, safety checks and insurance. The commercial vehicle market is competitive and benefits come to used van buyers who get vehicles in excellent condition and with great features for a much smaller price.

(ARA) – When they first came out, light-duty trucks and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) were purchased primarily by farmers, ranchers, builders and tradesmen who had jobs to get done. Today, they are so popular they’ve actually surpassed passenger cars as the vehicle of choice for most Americans.

Among the biggest selling point, they’re roomier and have more versatility than cars. You can travel comfortably while at the same time hauling cargo or towing a trailer. Because they are bigger and heavier than passenger cars, they are safe; and since they sit higher, also offer better visibility; but unless you’re six-feet tall, climbing in and out of them can be a challenge.

It is for that reason that running boards are one of the most popular accessories on passenger trucks and SUVs, and they have a lot more benefits than you may think. “In addition to making the vehicle easier to get in and out of, they also provide a place to kick off sand in the summer and snow in the winter and allow you to reach the windshield and top when you’re washing it. They also improve the vehicle’s overall appearance,” says Jay Lusignan of Lund International, an automotive accessories company.

Running boards are available in a variety of finishes and come in numerous lengths and designs. You can get them for just about any make and model of SUV or truck. The Lund brand offers ten different designs in its multi-fit line which attach to your vehicle using customized brackets. “If there’s an available bracket that fits your vehicle, any of these multi-fit boards will work,” says Lusignan.

Another accessory where form meets function is the window vent. A set of these will dress up your car’s exterior while at the same time making the interior more comfortable for passengers. They allow you to put the window down slightly to let fresh air in while keeping the heat, rain and snow out. These are great for people who spend a lot of time on the road.

So are hood shields. Not only do they redirect the bugs away from your windshield, they protect the hood from nasty stone chips. They work by redirecting the wind flow, so instead of heading directly towards the windshield, the air flows slightly upward, pushing an insect or rock up and over the windshield. With even one such scratch averted, a bug shield can pay for itself, as some of these scratches can be very costly to have repaired. A bug shield can also save you time on road trips. They eliminate the need for you to stop at the gas station every few cities to wipe bugs off your windshield.

For more information about Lund accessories, log on to www.lundlook.com or call (800) 377-5863.

Courtesy of ARA Content