Work trucks-what do you ride around in?

[sleepyrz]

Was considering a new work vehicle was looking at some of the smaller vans like theford transit and the Nissan nv200 or a even a Honda element

I just don't have the use for a full size van anymore
Hell one of my neighbors a few doors down is a locksmith and he runs out of a scion xb.........but that's too small for me

So what do you guys run around in?

[billdeserthills]

I got a 2012 nissan NV 3500 high top van, I was so glad I wrecked my old 79 dodge, I couldn't stand up in it
& in the summer the roof would get so hot it could scald the hair off your head.

[zeke79]

There are a few awesome new vans depending on your needs. I've ran in a jeep and a Cadillac. Both had me in the weather. Buy a van you can fit In!

[Sinifar]

I have gone over this before, but to repeat, there is NO perfect van / road unit. It all depends on what type of work you are doing, how far from your base you work, and most importantly, how far the nearest supplier is.

Having said that, I am running with a 2014 Transit Connect. It is small, tight but workable. Our interior has been shown here several times and is based on our 1986 Aerostar.

As far as work done inside, I can do almost anything I can do down here in the bunker. With room to spread out with in reason in a 2 x 4 bench a vise and 110 volt power (inverter) one can do almost any job on site. Cut keys? No problem. On the road I can cut cylinder both with a HPC 1200 punch, to IC with a A-1 punch, to making ACE keys on the road with a Hurdy Gurty. Flat keys and bank keys can be made on the Foley 200, which is great for smaller outfits. Carry several pin kits to cover everything you work on.

Inventory is a biggie. How much will you need so you do not have to run for something? That second trip is a time and money waster and lost revenue in what else you could be doing with your time except having more windshield time.

Tools and equipment is another area in which you need to think. What will you need to take along on the job? For example installing locks. What besides a drill of some sort, basic hand tools and jigs and fixtures? How about a "Squeeze Play" for steel doors without a hole for a deadbolt?

HOW far is important. Why? If you have to run it could be a second day trip out there if you do not have something with you. Consider that when thinking about how big your unit needs to be.

As far as standing up, that is your call. I can squeeze in and slide over on to my key inventory box and sit there and work. Everything is close at hand and ready to go. Work can be done quickly and efficiently. I have found a bigger truck usually means a bigger mess with all the dross and left over from work which get tossed back into the truck. A smaller truck makes you clean it out more often, just to get inside and work. Buzz by the supplier, toss the new stock in back and in time it gets lost back there. Now where did I put that unit? With a smaller truck you tend to put things away when you acquire them.

This means that what I am looking for should be (sez here) in this "area" of the van. It usually is, but a small dig maybe necessary. Kitting is another strategy I have used very well. Put all related things in one box, and put that box in someplace you will remember where it is. Now when you need say LFIC, just find the LFIC box, and everything is there. I do the same with an old tool box and SFIC which is one of our specialties. It is one way of organizing your stuff and finding it fast to do the job quickly and profitably.

One last thought - gas mileage. it costs money to run a work truck. Having a smaller one can save you cash by being fuel efficient. Our van gets 22.0 MPG according to the computer. Back in the day when we ran an Econoline (1989) we had dual tanks under the van and it took 90 gallons to fill the thing. At 7 MPG it ate fuel, you would not want to fill that up today.

Although the 89 Econoline was my dream truck - with EVERYTHING one could ever want! From those dual 45 gallon tanks which were factory by the by - to the rear heat and air, a big V-8, the largest alternator available to put on the engine. A Rediline motor generator which put out 25 amps of 120 volt power, a huge bench with a vise, several key machines on it, having a bench mounted drill press and a grinder with a wire wheel and a grinding wheel which was great for sharpening drills on the road -- to -- lights like you would not believe inside, to .... YOU get the idea. We put 245,000 miles on that unit before it was too worn out to fix anymore. Went thru two transmissions and one engine. One could not stand up in the thing, but a low crouch was okay. Enough inventory to qualify as a supplier, all total it weighed if both tanks were full of gas, close to 13,000 pounds. it was a road monster, E250, standard wheel base, not the extended one. Did I mention the SOunD SyStEM? Gad it was just super, I hated to see it go, but like everything we got 10 years out of it, and unfortunately there was no replacement for that unit, as Ford had changed the design of the Econoline...

Someplace around here I have to find them we have pix of that unit.

Anyhow, time moves on and we had to too, so today I am running a smaller more compact unit and in the end, it works for today's needs.

Sinifar

[billdeserthills]

That old van sounds cool, Sinifar. I still have my big van, but I haven't used it in years, it's a 97 Dodge B3500 extended van with a 'Wide One' conversion to a hi-top bus. They cut it down one side and added 14" so it is wide as a bus and it has a bus door on the side and a wide wheelchair ramp lift in the rear. It is so big inside I have a map cabinet and as much drawer space as I could fill. Unfortunately, or fortunately it needs a new front end rebuild and I got a new van after I wrecked my old 79 dodge, which was probably good as I drove it for over 15 years and had replaced everything a few times, also it had no air conditioning and I thought I was getting too old to sweat so much. I just love to have a spare for everything and my old bus has more than paid for itself with the insurance money from the last drunk to hit it...

[shutterstuff]

I am using, out of necessity, a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager mini van we already had. My workbench fills my needs and I am short enough that I can sit on a stool and not hit my head. But storage for inventory lacks! Being mobile only, I do find I have to order and/or run home for stuff. I am remote enough that running to a supplier is not an option as they are 3 hours away (each way). Even Home Depot is 30 minuts away on average depending on where I am working.

I gave myself 2 years to use this van before I decide what I want to replace it with. A diesel Sprinter would be great!

Oh, custom sound system, check! Ham radio, check!

[cledry]

Full size extended cab Chevy pickup with cap. We also have a second full size Chevy pickup and 4 Ford Ranger pickups and a Dodge RAM extended cab pick up. We used to use vans but find the trucks work just fine.

In mine I have an automatic key machine and a HPC 1200, a Scotsman tubular cutter, small drill press, and a bench mount belt sander. If we are doing a big MK job the keys are cut in advance at the shop. It does mean we stand up rather than sit in a van, but in Florida unless we had roof AC we would roast. Down side is mainly the rain.

[Squelchtone]

Oh, custom sound system, check! Ham radio, check!

I see that police scanner! =) +1

[shutterstuff]

I see that police scanner! =) +1

As a HAM, I am also involved with ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services). I do have all of the local emergency frequencies but also all of the HAM repeaters in our area so I can monitor wile working. But the most fun is the marine channels!

[MatrixBlackRock]

So what do you guys run around in?

Currently using a 2010 Ford E-250 standard length van with a divider between the front seats and cargo area, it has decent gas mileage when loaded down and lots of room in the back. It also provides a good amount of rear wheel weight to pull and stabilize on the highway a trailer which I use to carry a Miller gasoline powered welder and my Oxy/Acetylene tanks, torches and when needed plywood, bags of cement and mucho schedule 40 galvanized fence post pipes.

My backup is a 2005 Ford F-150 cab and a half but lacking a bed cover it is very constricted.

Wayne

[MatrixBlackRock]

I see that police scanner! =) +1

How else can one hear a "squelch tone."

Wayne

[CMS_SAFECRAKR1]

2013 Chevy Express 2500
2004 Astro (Backup)

[lockworksokc]

2005 Ford E350 with a STAHL box. After 230,000 miles I have to say that this is the best van I have ever owned. Although I do primarily auto time locksmithing now and it is a bit clumsy to maneuver around car lots, it was perfect when I was doing large rekey and hardware install jobs.