Pick up a pick up for work and play

Attractions of double cab like Ford Ranger

“New models we are seeing in the form of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak are made for both work and play.
“Yes, they can tow a load of up to three and a half tonnes – including for example a 50ft boat out of the water, so perfect for hard work – but now at the same time are more high end with add-ons such as sat-nav, rear view cameras and cruise control to name a few.

WHILE there’s something distinctly ‘stateside’ about pick-ups, it seems the British are taking them to their hearts with a new range of styles hitting the market this year.

And the managing director of van leasing specialist White Hot Vans has confirmed the wagons once thought to be general workhorses for heavy duty jobs are also now being fine tuned with some extras and a spot of added luxury to attract a wider market with more Brits drawn to pick up a pick up for work and play.

Richard Bunn of Luton-based White Hot Vans, said: “The new models we are seeing in the form of the Ford Ranger Wildtrak are made for both work and play.

“Yes, they can tow a load of up to three and a half tonnes – including for example a 50ft boat out of the water, so perfect for hard work – but now at the same time are more high end with add-ons such as sat-nav, rear view cameras and cruise control to name a few.

Double cab tax advantages:

See the Business Vans story Van tax on double cabs and pick ups

“But at the same time they are not overly ostentatious, they are luxurious workhorses which are both practical and versatile.

“The age old ‘white van man’ wouldn’t be embarrassed to be seen in one and at the same time you are starting to see more parents use them on the school run as family vehicles, which can then be used for towing and the more ‘hands on’ type of work as well.

“The models that we can provide right now would be perfect for example for farming families which can use them for the daily grind as well as family transport and trips.”

Richard went to explain that another part of their appeal was to do with tax. He said they may not be dirt cheap to buy but they can save owners money when it comes to road tax. Self-employed people can run pick-ups as commercial vehicles, as well as a family car, and get different road tax restrictions.

“If you have a diesel pick-up you can actually buy it for business use and that’s a VAT issue that can save you tremendous amounts of wedge,” said Bunn.

White Hot Vans, which offers a 25% fleet discount, can offer its customers four models of the Ranger Wildtrak, all available now. They can be delivered all over the UK and are also available for test drives.

The models are the hard-to-get-hold-of 3.2 TDCi 200ps 6-speed manual, the 3.2 TDCi 200ps 6-speed auto, all new 2016 3.2 TDCi 200ps 6-speed auto and all new 2016 3.2TDCi 200ps 6-speed manual.