Go big or go home (or no home!)?

So my current situation is I've lost so much (self-employed) income over the last couple of years, I've got sell my house. I've got a bit of equity in it and I'm currently thinking of going crazy and spending the bulk of however much that is (after clearing debts) on a bigger and better van. I've also just qualified as a hypnotherapist so I'm planning to use the van as my therapy space.

My question is, what are the pros and cons to consider when upgrading from a 3.5 to a 5-tonne van (or bigger!), i.e. insurance, recovery, other practicalities, etc.?

Sorry to hear of your situation.

On the issue of insurance, you will need business cover and most insurers want you to have a residential address.

A van over 3.5t will require a different MOT which is more expensive and breakdown/recovery insurance will be harder to come by. There will of course be driving licence categories to consider and some rules of the road will be different.

Thanks Tinwheeler. Yeah the need for a permanent address is something I've raised on here before trying to find a workaround! DVLA and insurance require a permanent legal address so full-timers tend to use a family address or their own home that they're letting out. I'll have to let a small flat or a room (maybe the latter to avoid energy bills!).

Wasn't aware of the MOT situation - thanks for that!

I've got a pre-1997 licence so I think I have C1 which covers a 5-tonne, though I think you need something called a D4 - haven't got my head around all that yet.

You have much research to do, Richard.

That's what this thread is for .

Richard75 wrote:That's what this thread is for .

Errr, no, not really. We help and provide pointers but you can’t beat getting info from original sources which you know to be 100% accurate.

Imagine "Sorry officer, I didn’t know my driving licence didn’t cover me cos that chap on the forum said……." 

Do you own the forum Tinwheeler? If you don't want to help, it's not obligatory to respond.

As someone else pointed out a while back, this is called a forum, not an archive. We could really replace the whole forum with a page that says 'Look on Google', but that would defeat the object of a forum, which should be for friendly interaction rather than sanctimonious lecture.

I'm currently frantically painting my house and packing my possessions into boxes so I can try to sell up before the whole economy implodes and because I'm facing my own financial implosion imminently having watched my income evaporate over the last two years, which have been insanely stressful on all kinds of levels.

These are the times and circumstances when a lot of people throw themselves of a bridge or similar. I lost a career in the financial crisis of 08 and my business during Covid. Now I'm about to lose my home and so I'm considering blowing whatever equity I get from selling my house on a big stupid van and thought I'd ask the folks on here for some friendly advice.

There's a saying that "you don't have to attend every argument you're invited to". The same applies on a forum like this. You don't speak for everyone on this forum. If you don't want to help somebody out, you don't have to take part in the thread.

Richard, I did help you and you thanked me for it. I’m sorry about your situation but there really is no need to have a go at me simply because I pointed out the value of getting your info from original sources. 

Do you not think people know that? Do you think people aren't familiar with concepts such as 'the law'. It's implicit that everyone is ultimately responsible for verifying information.

A forum is defined as: 'A public meeting place for open discussion.' That's what people are seeking on here - open discussion and friendly interaction. Not 'go and look up the law yourself'.

My orirginal question was pros and cons to consider when upgrading from a 3.5-tonne to a 5-tonne van. I was seeking the experience of fellow forum members, not a sanctimonious lecture on personal responsibility.

Can I suggest two Facebook broups that can offer advice and experience...
VanLife UK and Fulltime Van Life. There are members on there that earn their living in their vans.

I think it's true that you aren't likely to get a huge amount of "fulltimer" experience here - that doesn't seem to be common among A/S owners.

It's also going to be quite a tricky balance, finding (or perhaps creating) a van where you can offer a professional-looking therapy service in an environment where the detritus of everyday living doesn't intrude into the therapy space!

Thanks gents. As per the above, I'm not in a position to do authentic 'full-timing' because I don't have any family to use as an address so I'll need a fixed abode!

Roopert - I agree about the professional look! I've concluded the Pollensa is a bit too cramped to pull this off and has too many foibles for a professional therapy space! At least a newer / bigger 3.5-tonne or a 5-tonne would be a bit more presentable and offer more room to swing a metaphorical cat...

Here's a youtube video channel you may like.
I will say right away I don't approve, personally of some of the things they do or try to do but it may open your eyes a bit as to the potential problems.
Indeed if honest, people like these are probably doing the rest of us more harm than good...
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thanks again for the suggestions folks -although the thread seems to have become about full-timing when my question was really about the pros and cons of upsizing from a 3.5 to a 5-tonne van! I thought there would be a few people on here who have made that leap - but maybe not...

I realise I need to have a fixed address, so I can't live in the van and avoid renting a flat (unfortunately) and that a van isn't an investment but I'm being forced off the property ladder so it is what it is...Having had a taste of the van life over the last couple of years, I'm trying to make the best of it by going a little crazy on a new van purchase!