okay i’ve seen pictures of pickups, vans and all other types of vehicles
what your favourite and why? and dont tell us that P/U ‘s are cooler looking, do you buy a new table saw based on its looks?
post pictures please especially interiors
for starters i use a 1988 gmc 1 ton van and inside is a mess by friday, my fiance has two names for it: the worlds tallest ugliest limosine, and the world largest ashtray
but hey its cheap, reliable and easy to fix, cost me 1000 bucks 4 years ago and is still going strong and i can hose it out every so often(at least once a year)
i’ll post a couple of pics tomorrow before and after i clean it out
caulking is not a piece of trim
Replies
Steve,
Just an observation. Vans are more common with trades people in high crime regions, P/U's where people are honest.
Jon
Steve,
I used to have a truck with a cap. Now I have a van. My knees are very thankful.
I think the height difference is the biggest benefit, but the extra length also is nice. If you have the option to slide your sheet goods in vertically, you then are not limited to 8" or so deep shelves. You can designate an area for ply to slide in, then make the shelves 16" deep or so. Also, with a vans side door, shelves for often used tools can be kept behind the passenger seat, isolated from the rest of the van (good for security) and you get the benefit of access from outside the vehicle.
Vans aren't as good in the mud, they take longer to warm up (unless you have a solid divider) and admittedly do look dorky.
Jon Blakemore
>> Vans ... admittedly do look dorky.
That's probably true of vans that have been decorated to send the message, "Don't break into me. It'll take too much time and there's nothing in here worth stealing, anyway." But I've seen some pretty tricked out, non-dorky vans.
One I have never seen, but would like to, is a van with a working bubble turret on the back and one on the top, each with a twin .50
yes i suppose vans do look "dorky" but where are our priorities
relatively theft proof/weatherproof, carry 4x8's vertically or flat
hey its a tool,just like a table saw, nailer etc
my tablesaw doesnt have cupholders or an ashtray eithercaulking is not a piece of trim
i've had my one ton 12' cube van for ages now but she's starting to be tired. She passed retirement age a couple of years ago. A rolling shop and hardware store. I needed a sizeable truck so I bought a 3/4ton 4x4 and a 3/4 ton van for the tool wagon. neither make me as happy. Not enough headroom and floor space in the van and the bed of the pickup is way up in the air there.
Chevy and GMC are making 4x4 vans now. I suspect that in a year or two, I'll be refitted out again. I like the truck, but i guess I'm really a van man.
I really mean the part abpout rolling hardware store. When i was in Florida to visit Mom, I went down to where she buys her hardware items in the neighborhood. I was shocked! I have more nails, screws, and miscelaneous stuff in the van than that guy had in his whole store.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
yes me too, i now live in rural ontario and comute a half hour to sarnia, sunday afternoon like most of us is clean and restock the truck
local hardware store was amazed that i actually wanted to buy a box of 100 screws!!
a full sized gm i ton van with 4 wd?? where do i sign up?
never could understand why every pickup was available with 4wd and no vans, marketting i guess
my ideal work truck? 1 ton van, small v8, 3 speed auto, crude industrial grade 4wd
dont need fancy stuff, if i need 4wd i'll shift itcaulking is not a piece of trim
http://www.gmcanada.com/english/vehicles/gmc/savana/sava_pricing.html
They are only showing the 1500 and 2500 in 4WD but I know either Chevy or GMC has done it in the 3500
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
'00 E-250 Extended van, everyday user. wouldn't give it up for nothing. tools dry and mostly organized(unless someone else besides me loads up @ the end of the day). 7x18 box trailer hooked to the back, usually leave it at the site. Who said vans and box trailers don't go together! Everything possible in the back.
'86 F-250 ext. cab 4x4, with boxes and ladder racks, mostly gets used when I have to do concrete or roofing. 12' dump trailer usually hooked on the back.
'97 Nissan ext cab with boxes and ladder rack. My weekend truck. Gets used alot for running and doing estimates/proposals. Not alot of tools in it but enough if I need to send one carp to do punchlist work.
10' and 16' flat trailers for haulin lumber, siding, etc.
If I was working alone again I would get rid of both p'ups and keep the trailers and the van. Haven't needed 4wd in a van yet. If it gets that bad stay home and build cabinets.
Greg
Werner Building & Remodeling
Huntingdon PA
Edited 3/7/2004 6:40 pm ET by gwerner
Did you ever get a look at the diesel MB/Freightliner/Dodge van? Sounds pretty roomy and reasonably fuel efficient but pricey.
Hi Steve:
I have a Ford E150 van. I really wanted a 4 x 4 Ford F150 but finally went with the van for a few reasons.
1. I feel more comfortable with the security of my tools.
2. I can pick up insulation, sheetrock, and just about everything else even when it's raining. (Try that with a truck!)
3. I can fit everything I need in the back and still have plenty of room.
I added one of those large silver diamond type boxes in the back. I mounted it over the driver's side wheel well. I installed a short 4 x 4 post at each end to keep it raised off the floor. This allows me to store all my tools in the box and lock them up. Also, a potential thief can't see any tools in the back that may tempt them to break in. Since the box is off the floor I can lay full sheets of ply or sheetrock flat on the floor. (This is the best!)
-Mark
i think if we get in ugly contest (vehicles) i'll be the winner hands down winner. 91 white gmc 225,000 miles as a matter of fact i'm retiring it this month w/ a bronco this month and a trailer. but that gmc is not allowed to be parked in the driveway, it's a horror, and funny as all getup...... all i've had are vans and this is my break from the pattern. vans are the best, every thing contained more room. but i live where there are alot hills and this winter pushed me over the edge with the van in the snow/mud so four wheel is imperative. and the trailer 12' w/ ramp $3,000. so this is at best uncharted territory and skeptical...... who knows.....b
.
Edited 3/6/2004 7:34:38 PM ET by the bear
" but i live where there are alot hills and this winter pushed me over the edge with the van in the snow/mud so four wheel is imperative. and the trailer 12' w/ ramp $3,000. so this is at best uncharted territory and skeptical...... who knows.....b"
You just described me. I have a tool truck and trailers. Actually I have two 4wheel drive trucks. One truck is kept empty for hauling and running around. [the best one] The other truck squats from the weight of the boxes mounted all around and in the bed with ladder racks. The tool truck is short wheel base with out tinted windows, regular cab. I can put a trailer on a dime litterally with that truck. In fact I keep a 14 ft trailer hooked to it most of the time with ramps. I back the trailer in the shop and unhook it at night if I need to or just change stuff out in the shop off of it . The main advantage of a trailer is a shop . The two work well if the trailer fits in the shop. Tools , materials can be loaded -unloaded with ease before daylight or after dark.
A van doesnt hold quite the importance if a drive in shop is at home. I cant put all my tools in anything , so changing daily is handy enough. Actually , a pickup does a good job if its driven into a shop every night .
Have a shop ,
Tim Mooney
I was thinking about this very thing today...
I drive a beautiful 93 Ford 14' Box/Cube Van with a cabover and numerous battle wounds on the box. Currently I only use this van when I need to pick up materials or leave it at a jobsite serving the function of a trailer/workshop.
Pros: The thing can carry everything under the sun and keep it all dry and safe without any hassle. I have ladder hooks on the inside walls and carry two 32's, a 24', and a stage.
Cons: with a 460 I get about 7 mpg, insurance, spend hours emtying at the dump.
Ideal Situation: A Dump Truck for quick garbage dump visits, a trademaster van for the day to day operations, and a trailer for material storage and mini-workshop. Now to pay for it all...
You need to add a four wheel drive truck to it , because a van is a poor trailer vehicle for several reasons.
Tim Mooney
so why is a van a poor trailor vehicle? i tow a 26 foot trailer with my 1 ton gmc circa 1988 no problem
the trailer is a mobile workshopcaulking is not a piece of trim
Steve , the reason that is, is the lengh of wheel base for one and visability for two. Its hard to beat a short wheel base pick up , regular cab with no tinted glass. Factor in four wheel drive on a construction site . The only thing thats nicer than the pickup mentioned is an 8 cylinder willis jeep, .
A van resembles a one ton dually super cab pick up backing a trailer as they are both as long as a cruise ship. Yea they both go down the hwy pulling a trailer ok , but put either on a muddy hill job site around a bunch of trees and the Willis or short wheel base 4x4 short cab will shine. A dually can pull a fith wheel to make up for its blunderous size however.
The van is a wonderful tool caddy and its resources are highly acclaimed here. Theres a long list of nice things to say about a van and its well deserved . Pulling trailers puts them at the bottom of the list however in that category. For another thing a van gets stuck by itself on wet grass , then factor in pulling a trailer with that kind of traction . I had a van and I remember all the nice things and I remember getting stuck when it left the pavement.
Tim Mooney
Edited 3/18/2004 5:24 am ET by Tim Mooney
Edited 3/18/2004 10:23 pm ET by Tim Mooney
Ah, Tim..I have the exception..GMC Safari with ALLWHEELDRIVE..I have tried to get it stuck and can't..goes like a bear. Just hauled 500+ BF of fresh sawn lumber..stacked level to the dash ( ask David Doud he helped) with the passenger seat removed..wood stack was easily 4'x2.5'x8'..drove 300 miles home like that...on 15.00 of gas!
View Image
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
That is the exception to the subject . A brand new bag of tricks . LOL.
Tim Mooney
Some more stuff on the Freightliner/Dodge Sprinter:
http://www.midwayspecialtyvehicles.com/sprinters.htm
http://www.edmunds.com/reviews/roadtests/firstdrive/48572/article.html?tid=edmunds.e..rtsearch...Other+Make*
There is a discussion group for Volkswagen Diesels that also has a section for "other" diesel vehicles. They have a fairly long thread discussing the Sprinter (I think you can look at the entries even if you haven't registered, but I could be wrong...)
http://forums.tdiclub.com/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB6
Pickup truck and trailer. Somehow a van and trailer just don't go together. Van is fine for plumbers and electricians, carpenters and related trades haul to much material to warrent emptying out the van to get stuff inside. I have one truck and 3 trailers, two flatbeds and one cargo, haul everything, anytime, tools stay in the truck.
I have one of each...the Van is a 94 GMC Safari All wheel drive..it was too small for some things (haulin wise) but works great still..190,000 and going strong.
Recently got the F-350 Dually Crewcab..1986..and it can handle the really big dirty nasty stuff just fine..came with two trailers..one modified boat trailer, and a 22ft horse trailer..it has a fifth wheel for the gooseneck....119,000 but really likes the gas...460 4bbl 4sp...
between the 2 I have 5500.00 invested..the van was new to me 3 yrs. ago..the truck about Jan. 01 04
I used to run a 4wd Toy with a cap..ahhh my knees!!!
Then it was a Ford E150..it was cursed after it got hit by lightning..never was right after that.
These two oughta keep me mobile for awhile..
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
I like most everyone here have done it all. couple of pickups , one Van , A chevy blazer full size, even drove a dodge omni years ago for a couple of years ago folded the seats down got a 10in sears tablesaw sm, a 10 in chop saw a 25gal aircompressor with wheels, skillsaw , drills tools most everything and a 24ft extention ladder on the roof. those were tight times but hey I still worked for myself.
The van was a great way to do it , could put 20 sheets of drywall in the back and get most of my tools in back and front seat to a job site.
Trucks aren't as good unless you have a cap on it with racks .
I feel I have the best set up for me now , A 4x4 Dodge pickup with a cap with racks on top for ladders lumber, plus plywood sheet rock in the beck etc. and a 12ft cargo trailer to haul everything in it its the best thing , and when im done for the day or weekend I just unhook my trailer and I just drive off . a larger truck might be better but its not good for much else.
Dogboy
Edited 3/6/2004 8:08:56 PM ET by dogboy
LOL! I have an '88 Chevy 3/4 conversion van (all of the seats removed except the drivers) that I bought three years ago for $600. Mileage unknown.
And, yes, mine also requires periodic cleaning and organization. But, geez, I've got a lot of stuff in there.
I hope to get a bit nicer van within the next year. I can't even imagine how I could work out of a pick-up.
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
This topic struck e a bit funny tonight. As I type, my 1982 Ford - 7 mpg - 274k miles van, is broken down. I have been complaining about it for a while now. My wife and I are going shopping for a new one this weekend.
I prefer vans because of the security issue and the ease of getting to my tools. I have tried the pick up truck thing and I hated it (granted, it was a small truck). I am going for a 12' box truck with the tool boxes on the outside (I call them a commercial ambulance van because I can't get anyone to agree on a name for them - city van, PDV etc.). I am not looking forward to the new truck payment and I hope I can double my mpg's.
I will let you all know.
Splinky
I have had a truck / trailer for 5 years and love the versatility. The truck gets about 10-11 MPG (8.1 w/ allison trans) and has not trouble pulling anything I put in the trailer. The trailer is 7 x 14 ans 7 1/2' tall. Shelving all around with two banks of drawers for all the stuff that gets piled somewhere. A ramp door is essential -loading/unloading tools is much easier. Dual axles are a must - the trailer rides much better than with a single axle. When I need to leave the job site I can drop the trailer and the guys have all the tools. The truck is nice to drive without the trailer so I don't need a second vehicle. Trailer insurance is cheap.We become by effort primarily what we end up becoming
- Zig Ziglar
paul i'll have the same set up by the end of the month. and my question to you is how do you secure the whole trailer from someone pulling up and hooking it up and driving off . any ideas i would appreciate. besides pulling the wheels off, and jury rigging a bar that traverses wheel to wheel. probably over thinking this ...heh.. LOL... tool theft is subject that strikes deep."expectations are premeditated resentments"
Some carpenters around here have a double axle trailer that got stolen.
On their new one, they run a chain through both rims on one side and padlock it.Nothing is faster than the speed of light. To prove this to yourself, try opening the refrigerator door before the light comes on.
I like BH's idea about the chain through the rims. I bring mine back home every night. I have (like everyone else) every tool I could possibly use and usually 3 or 4 of them so there is to much money inside the trailer for me to feel comfortable leaving it on the job site. If you did remodels that would be a little different. I also worry about how easy it would be to hacksaw through the bars that close the doors, a thief could be in the back in 10 minutes.
I had a 6x10 trailer before this one. So when you get yours be sure to get:
Ramp door - it is so easy to load & unload. You don't have to worry about the door swinging open and damaging the vehicle next to you.
Tandem axle - it is a must. This new trailer does not bounce like the other one and handles the road much better.
If you can get a 7-8' tall trailer, do it. I can walk in without ducking and the space up to the ceiling of great for storage.
Plan to put in a bunch of drawers to catch all the stuff you will pile in the walk way if you don't have a place to put it.
Get a 7 x 12 or longer. I though the 6x10 trailer would be great but after the shelves and tools it was not even close.We become by effort primarily what we end up becoming
- Zig Ziglar
boss & paul thanks for the pointers , enjoy your sunday's......b"expectations are premeditated resentments"
i have dodge 1 ton window van,windows are dark factory tint. this van looks like a family van and the thieves never even look at it-they probably think it's full of pampers and car seats!it works out great with 2- 2'x4'cabinets for small hardware and tools,the biggest problem is my disorganization the floor is protected by 2' of tools and stuff. another reason for a van is i can buy a year old 20k mile van for 1/2 what a 1 ton truck cost. one thing i always hated about p.u is you throw in a couple tools,stop at h.d. to grab a couple 2x4's and there lays your tools saying "take me".i did just buy a 4' job box for my current project,when i'm done i think i'll put it in the van to hold the high dollar stuff just to be safe.larry
I use an Isuzu NPR with a 16 ft. Box. Best move I ever made! On the right side I have 6ft. X 4ft. shelves. Behind that is my 10 ft. Tapco brake mounted on a plywood and 2x3 bench that I use to store wood. It's broken up into 3 bins , on the bottom is framing lumber. Above that Hardwoods and railing parts. The other bin is for copper and PVC pipe. I have a shelf behind the brake that I keep a small 2 horse compressor with a 100 ft. hose reel. Under that I have a small refrigerator. I mounted the bench 12 in. away from the wall so I could store sheet goods behind it. Above the bench I mounted wall cabinets from an old kitchen job. On the right side of the truck I have a craftsman tool bench and behind that the base cabinets from that kitchen job.A plywood top finishes it off. I screwed 1x1 cleats to hold my table saw and compound miter saw from sliding around. Above that I have a couple of ladder brackets holding a couple of extension ladders and step ladders. I still need to weld up a set of racks for the top. With all this equipment and tools I still get 12 miles to the gallon... of diesel. Anybody else got any other idea's to share on how they set up their work trucks I'm sure we could help each other out.
i've got a van and i saw an article in FHB a few years ago about how people racked out their vans.
one had a false floor; which is what i did.
i can get 6" of sheet goods flat on the floor of the van and still pile everything else on top.
I like my e250 1992 Ford cargo van is better than my pickup to work out of. Van drinks fuel like crazy though. Wanna sell my van and be semi retired.. Want a van? I got one I would sell ya. I think a 12 foot cube van would be ideal. Never had one though.
Edited 3/7/2004 6:28 pm ET by Larry's cabnuts
Larry,
What do you want for your van?
Mark
I want $2000 for it.. It does have a exhaust leak right now. Maybe its the exhaust manifold. So I would have to settle for less. I think I would prefer to have it fixed first to be honest and up front with you.
Cell# 217-840-5161
started working out of a short bed pick up with a cap.
Got an old van and saw the light ...
currently have a "new" '93 Chevy one ton van ....
new because I just had the whole thing redone ...
was thinking "newer" .... but my mechanic assured me we'd get her to last at least 2 more years looking and running great ... then time to rethink.
Even notice how no one ever switches from a van to a pick up and says ...
Don't know how I ever worked out of that van?
Plus ... my van looks cool ...
chicks dig a throaty V8 ......
For days when I know I'll be doing more running than working ...
I take the Jeep.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
14' isuzu npr box. one-car garage on wheels. no crawling or ducking (i'm 6'4"). wanted diesel, settled for gas, kinda like the quiet, though not the mpg (8+-). if i had to listen to a diesel and bounce around like i do (engine directly beneath you) i would go crazy. plus, it's nice not to have to wash it weekly. translucent roof is sweet for ambient light. better turning radius than any van/truck i've ever driven. same as someone else mentioned, old cabinets for storage/desk, plus a shelf on wheels (like a skinny one of those pickup slide-out beds) for all my boxed tools, so i don't have to climb up whenever i need something. ladder hooks on walls, has dual ratchet strap hook bars like a moving truck for transporting cabs or whatever you don't want jostled around. cabs are mounted with a 6" space behind for sliding 4x8's of whatever and spare lumber. 6-6"x12' tubes for stocked standard trims, beads, 1/2"copper, whatever long and skinnys i may need. hated crawling around in a van like a troglodyte, not nearly enough room for the extent of tools/mats i need on a daily basis. could've lived w/ a 12', but i love the pure space (you would too if you used to work out of a volvo wagon) and rainy day workshop capability of the bigger one. it's an occasional p.i.t.a. to drive due to its size, but i wouldn't want to run my biz out of anything else.
Interior cab appointments make time spent a bit more enjoyable. The headliner trim above the door holds a boatload of supplier business cards along with an occassional postcard from sunny Fla.
See if the censors can find the offending detail.Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Bald Eagle feather?
Jon Blakemore
I just ordered the Dodge Sprinter van with the raised roof and dual rear wheels in the light silver. I will let everyone know what I think of it when I get it, about 1 week. I also have a 1986 GMC 1 Ton dually 10' dump and a 1987 Dodge W-250 4x4 with ladder rack and side boxes. I hear the Sprinter is supposed to get 25 MPG even when it is at 50% of its payload, we'll see.
Jay
AB & T Construction
I can hardly wait to hear back from you on that one. Start a whole new thjread on Sprinters when you know what you know.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Jay -
This sprinter you ordered - is it about the size of this thing ?
Grabbed a shot of it on the interstate.
We're looking at the 140" passenger models.
Hey fellas,
I thought I'd enter that contest for the ugliest work truck. I have a cancer ridden 88 GMC Suburban. Tan, Brown, and Rust. Been through hell and has the dents to prove it.
However, I like it as my work truck. Lots of room and it is accessible in the rear through cargo doors. Has a total of 6 doors. I lay down the back seats and chock it full of tools. I built a cord/hose rack on one side of the interior and a PVC tube rack on the other to hold my Stabila levels. I even put a 1x4 and 1/2" PVC down the center to hold my framing squares, DW square, and push broom.
To "top it off" I built a custom rack for the roof. It measures 49" x 97" and has independently folding sides. I even put some lights on the rack to make the truck a little scarrier.
We call it the BURB-A-SAURUS! and it lives up to it's name. I will post some pics soon.
would you like to own a burb-a-saurus? it will be for sale soon!
take care.
gk
Please let us know the pros and cons of the Sprinter once you get it. I have wanted one since I first saw them on the road a year or two ago, but having my Ford paid for has kept me from shopping for anything. The space gained in any vehicle by having the cab over the engine is such a big deal. If only some manufacturer would update the old VW van/pickup and make it a bit more attractive. I love working out of a van, but sometimes miss the look and feel of my last truck. I really think alot of us choose the better looking ride over practicality.If you look around the jobsites in my area , you would think everyone needs a truck that can pull the Space Shuttle around. The new Chevy Compensator with duallies front and back can't be far off.
I have heard good things about the Isuzu NPR's. The remind me of the old VW vans. Good turning radius, gas mileage, relatively cheap, etc.
Jon Blakemore
I like my f-150 just fine but I dearly miss my old 1961 ford bread truck that I used up untill it died a few years ago. It had an all aluminum body, no rust. A big old six cylindar. I had a 71" head clearance and a 14'-6" floor behind the engine cowling. With full 20" shelving down each side I still had about 30" between them.
Ya I miss that beauty, dearly, a place for everything and everything in it's place.
Here's a photo taken the day I got it running, six months of work, after I bought it.
Had to correct the head clearence.
Edited 3/14/2004 12:10 am ET by JAGWAH
I've got a E-250 ford van, I love it, keeps my tools dry and safe(?),and most importantly, I camp out of it when I go fishing!
I picked up a Dodge Sprinter 2500, 140" wheelbase, standard (low) top, no cargo area windows, Adrian partition and shelves in California last week. I am thinking of having the inside sprayed with white bed-liner material after insulating with EPS. It is a little narrower than a GM or Ford van. It seems easier to maneuver and park, maybe because of the width or perhaps because the windows are much larger.
I have heard complaints about the steering wheel position, described as bus-like. I don't agree. The wheel is not as vertical as most vans, but nowhere near horizontal as a bus or semi. The only decent review I could find is:
http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=3&article_id=7365&page_number=1
I decided not to put shelves on both sides so I could carry larger stuff. You could lay plywood down between the wheel well, but not with most floor mounted shelves. I carry 5-gallon pales so I will lay plywood down on them, which will raise the sheets above the passenger wheel well and clear the shelves on the driver's side.
I am fairly short so reaching the ladder rack even on the standard top van is hard. I found a rear door mounted ladder at:
http://www.sprinteraccessories.com/
Do not get the rear step bumper if you want a trailer hitch. I have been having trouble finding an after market hitch at a reasonable price. I didn't want to wait for Mercedes to make a van with a hitch and couldn't find any in inventory.
I just read that Daimler cancelled the plant in Georgia to make Sprinters and will continue to have Freightliner finish off the largely built vans shipped over from Düsseldorf. It makes for a 3-6 month wait for a special order. Dodge gives you a certificate for free towing back to a Sprinter certified dealer for warranty repair if needed. That is a good thing in my case since the closed dealer is over 100 miles away.
We have come to call it the ambulance. The white sprinter is crying for some big red crosses painted on the side. I am happier with this van than I though I would be, but is has only been a week.
re - It seems easier to maneuver and park, maybe because of the width or perhaps because the windows are much larger.
-------
For some reason, and for many years, large european sedans and many trucks have had unbeliveably tight turning radius.
Both our MB sedan and volvo wagon will whip around in the middle of a street quicker then a smaller american or japanese cars.
the sprinter literature mentions this ability.
The curb to curb turning circle on the 140" wheelbase Sprinter is 42' where the GM 135" wheelbase van is 49.2'. I was not thinking of tight maneuvering when I made the comment on handling, which is why I suspect it has more to do with visibility. The factors that made me spend the extra money were fuel mileage, diesel reliability, greater inside height, the warranty (7/70K plus 100Kmiles on engine), and the way it is built.
re - The factors that made me spend the extra money were...
--------
Having been a big fan of MB diesels for many years and current owner of one that is 23 years old, I am looking at the passenger version of the sprinter for the same reasons you listed.
Well, I finally got digital pictures I can post here
This is the vehicle I do my" side" work from
I paid $1200.00 w/160,000 miles
Has been serviced every 3000 miles. It's from where I work so I know the driver/history. It was used for one of " collectors". All hwy. miles
It's a 98 Safarai
Thats a good price for your van , and it looks like a good set up. I have a pick up with a cap on it and I tow a 12 ft trailer / box cargo with it . works good for me but when its time to get rid of truck / too old Were looking to get a van, big enough to haul Trailer for my work and big enough to haul our travel trailer. so when we go around to do art shows / wife makes and sells stained glass, then we can load up van with art and haul travel trailer to live in on the road. . were joing to New Jersey in may to do a shoe in Hobokin. then we go to Washington D.C in June for art show and reception at Whitehouse. anyway , I like my set up now for work but a van will be better for everything we do. dogboy
Here's some pictures of my BURBASAURUS. It has worked great for all my tools.
The roof rack that I built is exactly 49" x 97" inside. Each of the four sides can be opened independently so I can slide on sheets from the back in the parking lot and offload from the side on-site. It even has a ring in the front to haul my boat and lights that come in handy when working late.
The cargo door has a workbench, the driver's side has a level rack made from PVC and also has a large "dome light" mounted to it, the passenger side has a hose and cord rack, and the ceiling has a rack for squares and my push broom.
gk
I like my F150 long bed. Equipped with sliding ladder racks and sliding over the bed tool box. Tool box keeps the tools dry and relatively safe. I like the advantage of slinging things over the side plus the sky is the limit when loading up trash after a big tear-out.
I like this discussion....having had both van and truck, as well as pu and trailer. Here's my 2cents....
At first, i loved my van. 1993 E350 with custom shelves, raised deck, ladder rack on top. Easy to get in and out, hauled a bunch of tools, always dry....the problem was when i did demo work and couldn't justify the expense of a dumpster. The thing took 3 months to get back to original shape and order. Plus the winters here in Minnesota somewhat favor a 4x4...spinning cookies in a rear wheel drive with tools clanking behind you is such a surreal experience...... This was sufficient untill the tranny went out...towing it home, the chain broke on the transport and it flipped down the freeway...during rush hour...on a Saturday (thank you God!)
I then got the itch to go brand spanking new. Bought a 2002 F150 and a new 7x14 enclosed trailer. Man if i thought getting into the van was easy, this thing was a dream. The biggest problem with this setup was pulling the damn trailer everywhere i went. Went through 3 sets of brake pads in the first year and a half, not to mention finding a parking spot when i needed to pick something up. It only took 4 months to have me leave it on a jobsite...to get broke into and cleaned out.
Since then, i've downsized. Only 2 employees (down from 8) so i need half the tools i used. My brother bought a 1996 Chev3/4 ton pu, and i was using that for my tear out dumpster. Looking in the paper one day, i cam across one of those metal topper "tool boxes"....and i have seen the light. The thing holds all my power tools on the outside, holds lots of misc material on the inside and is easy to access...due to the roll out bed i installed in it. This thing is the greatest invention since gel knee pads....no crawling into the lid to retrive the impact wrench i use 3 times a year..simply slide it to me....genius! Being a small crew to one man show...this thing is a dream.
As for the dumpster issue...my dear old dad fixed that for me. As a modern day amature junk collector (he refers to it as his "parts department"), he is privy to a number of of pickups that look good, run bad. So he removed the cab, cut the frame, and fab'd me a tow behind pickup box. As it came from a 1-ton frame and suspension, it hauls quite a load. One nice thing about it is that the shocks and springs are still in, so it helps cushion the load, and is much easier to pull. Now all i have to do is back it up to the landfill or recycler...and sweep out the bottom when done.
well, thats my 2 cents...kinda ended up being more like $1.50...take what you can, and leave the change with your server......
Well, the seat covers look nice. Just kidding, but the pipes used for storage look like a good idea. Light above them would come in handy too. Ive used pvc like that before but never stacked it like that. good idea.
Here's what I've done to the inside.
I can get 4x8 sheets underneath, 6" tall(approx. 10pcs. of 1/2)
This picture shows how I made the underneath slide up through the partition wall
and behind the seats. That's the only way I can get 4x8 to fit. I had to raise the
seats up about 1/2" to maximize the space underneath. I can take the brick mould
off an exterior door and it also will fit under. The seat is folded forward for a better
picture(it didn't help much)
Edited to say that The seat will go all the way back
Edited 3/14/2004 5:52 am ET by butch
I've wrestled with this delemma for years. I'm a residential builder. Most of my business is additions and remodels. No large crew in decades and fired my last helper two years ago. Working solo, I kept two work vehicles for some time, but the insurance and upkeep was excessive.
Long bed pickup with custom ladder rack was a compromise. Since I like to pick my lumber for most small jobs a van is not the best solution for me. Also, being able to "sling" supplies and certain tools over the side is convenient. Two major downsides to this vehicle. It rains heavy on most summer afternoons here in northwest Florida. Keeping most things under cover would be nice. I carry tools for multiple trades,since I don't sub out much. As long as I've been doing this I'd still forget something and have to make a special trip to my shop or a supply house in the middle of the day.
Two years ago I bought a F-350 long bed crew cab. Removed the rear seat, built a platform and installed two large mechanics tool boxes with a total of 12 large roll out drawers. It was a life changing experience. When I get to the job, both rear doors stay open and I simply pick from my well organized arsenal like a civilized human being. When the tablesaw or miterbox have to come, no big deal. It's still a compromise, but a huge improvement.
Saw this on Ebay-- that's a great interior.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2467162264&category=6729
My old boss had one exactly like it. I hated that thing! It was impossible to keep it steady above 30 mph. Touch the wheel a little and it would drift left, when yer about to cross the line you pull her a little to the right. Right before you go off the shoulder you'd repeat the process. Just drifted back and forth the whole way to wherever we were going.
Old boss would drive that thing like a bat outta he11 too. I'd be following him to the job and you'd swear he just threw a case of 16D's on the gas pedal and passed out for the ride.
Gotta admit though...we always had everything we needed with us.
GAWD Thats ugly!!caulking is not a piece of trim