Why don't more 'tradesmen' use Elgrands or other JDM vans?

[Importland]

Given the Elgrand (or similar JDM) is a great hauler, why don't 'builders' for example use them? In all of my travels I've seen one 'tradesman' using one. An E51 with all the sign writing etc. Looked cool actually. They use the Transit, Vivaro, Traffic, Transit, Transporter (a bit less as it's expensive) literally always, but no JDMs in general. Why is this?
Now, whilst no one really wants a JDM or Elgrand associated with parking in front of peoples drives, chucking stuff out of vans in lanes, driving with mobiles in their hands, parking on double yellows or pedestrian crossings, double parking etc, it is nevertheless interesting how JDM vans never caught on in the 'trade'?

 

[P4ddy]

Ive seen them as a trade van, there's one that uses it all sign written in Southampton. That one isn't a tradesman though but it's still his business van. Think I've only seen 2 tradesmen though on my travels covering the entire south, 3 with that one local to me. It's refreshing to see

 

[thingonaspring]

I guess I've always assumed it's the petrol consumption/mpg. But maybe traders vans are much of a muchness there. Not got any experience to know how it compares though.

 

[Lpgc]

I think most of the other vans are capable of carrying more weight than Elgrands, they were designed as vans where-as Elgrands were designed as people carriers.

A lot of people wouldn't think to take a people carrier and remove all the seats to make it into a van?

I've seen Elgrands used as vans though. And I know of several that use Elgrands as taxi / airport run vehicles.

 

[LeStempy]

Just needs a leaf spring conversion.

 

[PhillB]

Don’t tell my insurance company but I might have had more than a tonne in there a time or two, very good for long/thin heavy things that just sit up to the cup holders. If you think about it, it’s only like having four sumos in there so it’s well capable

 

[P4ddy]

Imagine that, driving around with 4 fat guys wearing nappies sat in the back, try explaining that when pulled on a random traffic stop

 

[Highway Dave]

Imagine that, driving around with 4 fat guys wearing nappies sat in the back, try explaining that when pulled on a random traffic stop

You wouldn’t want to be the Bobby doing a random drug search now would you

 

[Nevillerover]

It's not a van, it's a car.
I can report that there has been no "tradesman's" activity in my 'grand.

 

[PhillB]

It’s a good point @Nevillerover I assertively correct everyone who mentions the ‘V’ word!

 

[Reverend RobP]

Use mine every day as my decorators van, and have done for over 15 years.
They’re not ideal as work vans, but does save me running two vehicles, split between work and family

 

[Nevillerover]

Obviously none of you understand the meaning of "tradesman's". I'll explain if I have to.

 

[LeStempy]

You mean the rear entry.

 

[LeStempy]

The Back door.

 

[LeStempy]

In through the out door.

 

[Nevillerover]

That's why you moved to France, they prefer to use the tradesman's entrance.
Probably.

 

[LeStempy]

Or a préservatif for the less adventurous.

 

[Nevillerover]

Ok , I don't get that.

 

[LeStempy]

Methods of birth control.

 

[WhatsThisFor]

Use mine every day as my decorators van, and have done for over 15 years.
They’re not ideal as work vans, but does save me running two vehicles, split between work and family

I had no idea - I thought you were a City Trader, Financier, or IT Consultant….now I understand why you can’t fix this limping website, instead you just keep papering over the cracks..( this is a joke don’t ban me )