Customising your business hire van: Don’t settle for a plain white van

When selecting a new van, you don’t have to settle for a plain old white van. There are various ways you can customise your van to improve efficiency, reduce wasted time and save you money. Choosing the right van for the job will save you hassle in the long run.

You might need to customise your van for compliance, your job requirements, or as part of your brand. For many industries, the condition of your van can make the difference between losing or winning business. The fact is that when your vehicle is out on the road it is a part of your brand. As a result, correctly spec’d and professional looking vans are an important part of your business.

 

Can you customise a business hire van?

The short answer is yes. From the colour and type of van to extras, most vehicle hire companies can provide customisation options. The extent of customisations and extras will usually depend on the length of your contract.

 

Ad-Cap customisations

Some customisations are required to be made by the manufacturer of the vehicle. In the automotive industry, customisations required to be made by the manufacturer are often referred to as Ad-Cap. For Ad-Cap customisations, it is worth speaking to your chosen vehicle hire company to see whether they are possible.

At Northgate, we can provide an arrange of different vehicles whilst a customer is waiting for any Ad-Cap customised vehicle to come of the production line.

Below, we have listed some commonly requested Ad-Cap customisations:

• Air Conditioning
• Sat Nav
• Factory Paint
• Air Bags

 

Semi-Cap customisations

Other customisations can be fitted at a workshop. At Northgate, we refer to customisations that can be done by a workshop as Semi-Cap. ‘Semi-Cap’ customisations will be included in the cost of your contract or as an additional extra. When working with an experienced workshop with the right facilities, most semi-cap customisations can be done for business hire vans.

Below, we have listed some commonly requested Semi-Cap customisations:

• Internal remove
• Tow bars
• Locks – e.g. Deadlocks or Slamlocks
• Ply-lining
• Steel bulkheads
• Telematics/Cameras
• Racking - internal racks Wooden or Metal racking
• External remove
• Chevrons – Fully Chapter 8 compliant
• Pipe carriers/holders
• Colour (usually depends on the length of your contract)
• Beacons & Hazard Lights
• Racking – Side or roof
• Roof rack
• Customer’s livery
• Parking aids

Find out more about industry customisations.

 

Parking sensors and cameras

Some vans come with parking aids, like sensors and cameras. If yours doesn’t, adding them yourself can make it easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces, reducing the risk that you’ll damage your vehicle or anyone else’s property. 

 

Dashboard cameras

A dashcam is a small investment that can potentially save you thousands. It’s no surprise they’re one of the most popular van cab accessories. Dashboard cameras continuously record as you drive, either out of the front of your van or 360-degrees around it.

If you’re involved in an accident, it can help establish what happened and who was at fault. Proving your innocence can help you avoid unfair insurance payouts and any consequent increases in your insurance. The camera can even be configured to work as a van security camera to keep an eye on things when you’re away from your vehicle. A very wise investment indeed.

 

Why customise or worry about the appearance of your van?

 

First Impressions/Customers

To your customers, the condition of your van can be a reflection on the quality of your service. Dirty, damaged or old vans are unlikely to make a good impression. Imagine you are your customer – what would give you more confidence about the service a company can provide?

• Well maintained van that is professionally liveried
• Poorly maintained van without any branding

See more about how a van's appearance can negatively affect a company brand. 

 

Liveried vans are an effective advertising opportunity

As a 24/7 advertisement for your business, liveried vehicles can be a cost-effective way to raise brand awareness. Companies that make use of any branding opportunities will be more recognisable and look more professional to customers. Including your contact details can also help to contribute to business opportunities directly.

 

Tracking the advertising impact of your liveried vehicles

By including a website address, social media page/hashtag, or number for customers to call on your vehicles, you can better track the impact of your branding on your bottom-line. In fact, regardless of whether you will be tracking performance or not, including contact details will improve brand awareness.

 

Making the most of extras and customisation…

Fit for purpose

You should always start by choosing the right type of vehicle for the job. There are plenty of ways to customises a van make to make the job you need it for easier. For example:

Does your van make use of interior racking to ensure your tools are neatly organised?

Do your doors have slam locks to ensure your van is secure when you close them? This can be especially useful for couriers.

Does your van have a steel bulkhead so that you can store heavy or sharp objects safely?

 

How can Northgate help?

Our experts can help your business find the most cost-effective vehicle for your needs, for the time periods that suit you.

Whatever the job, we can supply vans to meet your exact requirements. From racking to roof bars, liveried or plain, co-branded or not, you don’t have to compromise when choosing from our comprehensive vehicle range.

Whether you have a specific vehicle in mind or are looking for advice, our expert fleet consultants are here to help.

 

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