Van verse Truck
- Thread starter Benton
- Start date
- Status
If you are doing commercial service work, a pick up is not big enough for me. We need to carry a whole lot of materials and wire that, imho, a pick up is not suited for. Again, Ihmo.
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
I want one of these F-250 with a covered utility body, and a ladder rack!
I've worked out of both and it's just better to walk up to a compartment and get what tools or material is needed, then rooting around a van.
Get a security system no matter what you buy!
I'll agree with the second post, your real requirements should be a clue as to how it should work for you!
I've worked out of both and it's just better to walk up to a compartment and get what tools or material is needed, then rooting around a van.
Get a security system no matter what you buy!
I'll agree with the second post, your real requirements should be a clue as to how it should work for you!
dhalleron
Senior Member
- Location
- Louisville, KY
I asked a similar question awhile back and got some really good suggestions:
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php/133155-What-kind-of-work-van-should-I-get?highlight=
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php/133155-What-kind-of-work-van-should-I-get?highlight=
hurk27
Senior Member
- Location
- Portage, Indiana NEC: 2008
I don't know, I kind of like working out of a van, especially when its raining, and Louisiana does get it's share of rain.
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
John120/240
Senior Member
- Location
- Olathe, Kansas
I like the ride a pickup provides better than a van. For organization & ease of
finding material a van is the way to go. Shelves on both sides of the van. Milk
baskets on the floor under shelves. 4ft, 6ft, & 8ft ladder down the middle between
shelves. Ladder rack on the top for 12ft & extension ladder, conduit box between
ladders. Be sure to have a bulkhead between cargo compartment & driver.
finding material a van is the way to go. Shelves on both sides of the van. Milk
baskets on the floor under shelves. 4ft, 6ft, & 8ft ladder down the middle between
shelves. Ladder rack on the top for 12ft & extension ladder, conduit box between
ladders. Be sure to have a bulkhead between cargo compartment & driver.
dhalleron
Senior Member
- Location
- Louisville, KY
I was shopping for information on a possible future van or truck. I don't need it yet for my small part time business. I have another full time job in a different field. I don't do enough electric work every month to make truck payments and pay my insurance. Some months I don't do any electric work. I'm mostly just buying tools and paying insurance with what profits I make right now.
I've had to work out of both over the years, and I can tell you a van is far far better. Put a bunch of tools and materials in the back of a pickup and leave it somewhere. Now try to feel comfortable about leaving thousands of dollars worth of stuff just sitting there where any yahoo can come along and swipe it.
Or, when it's raining out...... you really gonna feel good about all your tools turning to rust?
OK, you say, I'll get a service body or a topper. Well, didn't you just convert the PU into a van?
Or, when it's raining out...... you really gonna feel good about all your tools turning to rust?
OK, you say, I'll get a service body or a topper. Well, didn't you just convert the PU into a van?
hillbilly1
Senior Member
- Location
- North Georgia mountains
- Occupation
- Owner/electrical contractor
I prefer a utility truck, I can't stand the rattling vans make! It don't matter how much carpet you put in the bins, material rattles! I drive a lot in the mountains, and vans handle horribly! Especially if you have a conduit rack on top full of conduit. Rain does not bother me. But to each, his/her own!
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
Depends what your needs are and how many employees and vehicles you are using also. I need 4WD and pull heavy trailer quite often. Truck is my choice because of this. I have a covered trailer that keeps the weather out, and the thieves away if you lock it, so I have a towable van. Just unhook it and you have a truck.
If I primarily did residential or light commercial work in a city I may prefer van.
If I primarily did residential or light commercial work in a city I may prefer van.
ptonsparky
Tom
- Occupation
- EC - retired
I have the f250 4wd with covered utility box. It is a bear to back out of parking spots without a camera. I haven't been stuck since I bought it with about 10-12 mpg. Plain Jane other than those options. Gas fill is horrible unless you move the filler cap. Easily taking 30 - 40 minutes per fill while holding the nozzle in odd positions.
rich9112
Member
- Location
- Southern Utah, USA
Utility Van
Utility Van
I have been looking at utility vans. Looks like best of both worlds.
http://images.gtcarlot.com/gtgallery/31597105-640.jpg
Utility Van
I have been looking at utility vans. Looks like best of both worlds.
http://images.gtcarlot.com/gtgallery/31597105-640.jpg
How much of a PITA is it to remove the snugtop? (unloaded of course)
Don't know and I don't ever intend to, myself.
Fulthrotl
~Autocorrect is My Worst Enema.~
- Occupation
- E
louisiana? the rain state?
van.
there was a thread on work rigs a while back... here is how mine is set up:
http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthre...Residential-Service-Truck?p=937138#post937138
mine weighs in with a full tank of fuel, and two people, at 10,700#.
since that thread posted, i've added a banks controller with an option
for a jake brake, but the controller gives me another 110 horsepower,
and 150 footpounds of torque.
mileage with that power setting, is 13 city, and 21 highway.
next months the last payment on it... 5 years at 0% interest, no
money down.
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twisted bit
New member
I have used cab and chassie with utility bodies for years, until I recently bought a sprinter van. It is sweet able to walk upright 6'4" headheight, 10'4" from bulkheadto inside of rear doors, no more need to tie pipe on roof racks, shelves on both sides, with plenty of room to work.
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