I realize it is a stretch to call this a tool for home building, but what what do you use to haul the tools to work?
I am in the market for a new work van and am wondering what the experiences of the pros would reveal. I don’t have $40K for a Dodge Sprinter (BTW, you can’t look up a price for it on KBB!) I have a hard time seeing a $35K price on a typical cargo van. I see Nissan has a NV— van, but won’t release the gas mileage for it.
I typically drive 50 miles or more each way, so a more fuel efficient engine is preferred to a bigger one (no towing). Diesel is not out of the question, either.
I prefer a van to a truck and trailer combo.
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Those Mercedes vans look kinda nice, but I suppose it's hard to find a matching trailer.
Are you refering to the tall ones(like Dodge Sprinter)? I like them, but they are $50K new and the one used one I could find was $24K for a 2004. I am sure they last and they hold their resale, but wow.
BTW, I don't need/want a trailer.
In many regions vans simply aren't used by carpenters. In the western states I have never been on a jobsite in 15 years with a van on site, other than for electricians, plumbers, inspectors, or whatnot, although I know a number of finish carps that have vans I've simply never seen them on site. Every carpenter in the west seems to have a pickup, usually with a shell. Those that drive a bit seem to gravitate to smaller trucks and everyone else has a full size pickup. Personally, I like a full size truck with multiple locking boxes, but if it rained a lot I'd go with a shell.
In some western states even librarians drive pickup trucks. It's a law that you gotta have one, whether it makes sense or not.
Mr. Colson: I've seen more of this state's poor cowboys, miners, railroaders and Indians go broke buyin' pickup trucks. The poor people of this state are dope fiends for pickup trucks. As soon's they get ten cents ahead they trade in on a new pickup truck. The families, homesteads, schools, hospitals and happiness of Montana have been sold down the river to buy pickup trucks!... And there's a sickness here worse than alcohol and dope. It is the pickup truck debt! And there's no cure in sight. -- Rancho Deluxe
In the western states I have never been on a jobsite in 15 years with a van on site
Bloddget uses a van, or at least he did a couple of years ago yet.
what vehicle for work
For over 20 years I drove a Volvo station wagon. Lots of room, cheap on maintenance and fuel.
For very large material delivery I had the supplier deliver to jobsite
Had a truck before - became the truckdriver for the trades
Good volvo wagon (used) can be had for under $ 3000. That's a long way to $ 30 000.-- or more
a long time ago.......
I drove a jeep cherokee as the work vehicle-worked for someone else-so tools only. It was workable, but.............
Built most of our house out of it..................
Don't know why-comical to see a guy with concrete type reinforcing wire mesh on the roof rack...............flat, not the roll.
Lost a 2'level I left on the roof and a socket set from the hood..............
No way would I work out of a station wagon-you need stock of hardware items along with all you need to do the job unless you like to charge a customer for constantly going to get "stuff".
Best of luck with that.
I think a box truck would work well, but don't expect a good fuel economy unless it's something like a 4 cyl diesel box truck. They seem relatively cheap used compared to some other trucks. Look on craigs list for prices to get an idea. Also check UHAUL website for used trucks. Some are OK, others should be avoided like... (fill in the blank).
Around my location (SW Ohio) a 2004 with 125000 miles fully operational 10' Savanah box truck, about $7500 from Uhaul. Considerably less if repairs are needed.