Which double cabin is suitable for facility services?
A double-cab van is often the best choice for facility services because it allows you to transport your entire team and all your materials in one vehicle. These commercial vehicles offer seating for five to six people in the cabin, plus a separate loading area for tools, cleaning supplies or catering equipment. This allows you to drive to locations more efficiently, save on parking space and keep the cabin clean and comfortable for your employees. In this article, we answer the most important questions about choosing the right double cab for your facility services company.
What is a double cabin and why is it suitable for facility services?
A double cab is a commercial vehicle with an extended cab for five to six people, combined with a practical load space behind the seats. This layout makes it possible to transport your entire team together with all the necessary materials in one vehicle, which fits in perfectly with the daily practice of facility services.
The power of a double-cab van lies in the combination of passenger and material transport. Your entire cleaning team can drive to a location together, while all cleaning products, machines and tools are safely stored in the cargo area. This not only saves fuel costs by using fewer vehicles, but also saves parking space on site and time coordinating multiple cars.
This type of commercial vehicle is particularly useful in various situations for facility services. Cleaning teams can drive to office buildings or events with all their equipment. Maintenance crews can transport their tools and spare parts while the entire team is on board. Catering services can transport staff and supplies to locations together. This setup also offers major advantages for security services or facility service providers who visit different locations every day.
The separate cab and load compartment ensure that your employees can travel comfortably without being bothered by tools or materials. At the same time, items remain safely and dryly stored, even in bad weather or during longer journeys.
How much loading space do you require for facility work?
The required loading space depends greatly on the type of facility services you offer. For cleaning services, a loading space of 3 to 4 cubic metres is often sufficient, while maintenance teams with heavy tools or catering services with large quantities of materials are better off with 4 to 6 cubic metres of loading space.
When determining the right loading space, it is important to consider what you carry with you on a daily basis. Cleaning products in bottles and buckets take up relatively little space, but vacuum cleaners and scrubbing machines require more height. Toolboxes and power tools stack well, but you need sufficient loading length for ladders or long materials. Catering equipment such as warming containers and crockery trolleys require a combination of sufficient width and height.
Specific dimensions to consider include a loading length of at least 180 centimetres for most facility applications. A loading width between the wheels of at least 120 centimetres gives you the flexibility to place larger items side by side. A loading space height of 130 to 150 centimetres is sufficient for standard materials, but opt for more height if you regularly transport upright equipment.
To make the most of your cargo space, layout options Important. Shelves along the sides keep smaller items organised and within reach. Compartments prevent items from shifting during transport. Storage boxes or crates are useful for small parts and consumables. A good layout ensures that your team can load and unload quickly, saving time at each location.
What additional facilities make a double cabin suitable for facility use?
A side door in the cargo area makes all the difference in everyday use for facility services. You can quickly access your materials without having to open the rear doors every time, which is especially useful in busy locations or narrow streets where you don't have much space to open doors wide.
A low loading platform Saves your back and that of your employees. Heavy cleaning machines, toolboxes or catering equipment are much easier to lift in and out of the vehicle. This also reduces the risk of work-related complaints among your team, which is more important than you might think with daily intensive use.
Proper floor protection in the load compartment is important because facility work often involves liquids, dirt and heavy materials. An anti-slip floor or protective mat prevents damage and makes cleaning easier. Additional attachment points in the load compartment are useful for mounting racks or securing loads with straps, so that nothing shifts while driving.
Good lighting in the load compartment helps your team quickly find what they need, even during early morning or evening shifts. An illuminated load compartment prevents you from having to search through your belongings with a torch.
For the comfort of your team, air conditioning in the cab is more than a luxury. Facility staff often do physically demanding work and drive between locations. A comfortable cab with good climate control ensures that your team arrives at the customer's premises feeling refreshed. Storage spaces in the cab for personal belongings, thermos flasks or documents keep the cab tidy and ensure that everyone has their own space.
The most important features depend on your specific application. For cleaning services, a side door and good floor protection are priorities. Maintenance crews benefit most from additional mounting points and a low loading floor. Catering services appreciate good lighting and a spacious cabin for their team.
How do you choose between diesel, petrol or electric for a double cab?
Diesel remains the practical choice for many facility management companies, especially if you cover a lot of kilometres every day. A diesel engine is more economical on longer journeys and offers more pulling power, which is useful if you have to manoeuvre a fully loaded vehicle through the city. The fuel costs per kilometre are lower than with petrol, which quickly adds up to your advantage with intensive use.
Petrol is a good option for inner-city work and shorter routes. Petrol engines are quieter, which is pleasant for early morning or late evening shifts in residential areas. They are also cleaner in terms of emissions, which is becoming increasingly important in city centres. If you mainly work within a limited area and do not travel hundreds of kilometres every day, petrol may be a sensible choice.
Electric driving is becoming increasingly attractive for facility services, especially for work in environmental zones. You drive emission-free, which is good for your company's image and gives you access to areas where diesel vehicles are banned. Operating costs are lower because electricity is cheaper than fuel and maintenance costs are lower. The disadvantage is the more limited range, which means you need to plan carefully and have charging facilities available.
You can make the right choice by looking at your daily mileage. If you drive more than 150 kilometres per day, diesel is often the best option. For 50 to 100 kilometres per day, electric comes into the picture, provided you can charge at your business premises or at customers' premises. Petrol is suitable for mixed use with shorter distances.
Your work locations also play a role. If you work a lot in city centres with environmental zones, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly important. If you mainly drive on motorways between different locations, diesel offers the best combination of range and efficiency. Charging options are important for electric vehicles: can you charge overnight at your company premises, or do you have to waste time at charging stations along the way?
How we help with the right double cab for facility services
At Van Den Hurk, we understand that facility services place specific demands on your commercial vehicle. We help you find the perfect double-cab van that fits in with your daily practice:
- Wide range double cabins with various loading areas and configurations, from compact to extra spacious
- Compare different models side by side in our showroom in Helmond, so you can experience the difference in load space and features for yourself
- Tailored advice for your type of facility services, taking into account daily mileage, team size and required loading space
- Flexible lease and purchase options that suit your business operations and financial situation
- Customised layout possible with shelves, compartment dividers and practical accessories for optimal use of your cargo space
- Stock alert service which automatically notifies you as soon as a double cabin that meets your requirements becomes available in our stock
With over 60 years of experience, we understand what facility companies need. View our current range of double cabins on our website or contact us for personalised advice. We are happy to help you find the commercial vehicle that will transport your team and materials efficiently and comfortably.
