New year, new truck, new attitude

[electricmanscott]

As a disapointing '07 comes to an end it's time to recharge the batteries and look ahead. I am very optimistic about the New Year. I am looking forward to good things (I hope). I am making a push to get back to where I was a few years ago, very busy and making loads of money. I am literally going door to door, by that I mean contractor to kitchen remodeling companies, and selling myself face to face. Any that I don’t go to will get a mailer of some sort.

So far I have made some good contacts, I know that doesn’t put money in the bank, but it’s a start. I’m moving on the premise that waiting for the work to come is not effective at all. If I want it I have to go out and get it and that is what I am doing.

Just picked up two multifamily remodels yesterday that will keep me going for a while. Have some good kitchens in the spring, and another house with the foundation about to go in. May not sound like much to the bigger guys but for a one man show this plus service work and the phone ringing a few times is a whole lot.

I dumped my van, which was only a year old, and went back to a utility vehicle because I HATED working from a van. I don’t know how you guys do it. I find that with the amount of service work and smaller jobs I was doing it was very inefficient. Load up for the day and at the first job unload everything into the driveway so I could get into the van for miscellaneous stuff. What a pain.

I bought an 06 F350 with a Knapheide KUV body. Sweet, sweet truck. It is actually brand new and I got a good deal on it. Going to stock it up today. It is a 4X4 (hence the plowing thread I started), which will be great around these parts. Should have seen me trying to get the van out of a jobsite last week in the snow. UGH.

Anyway, Happy New Year! And rather than raising your glass for a toast…Raise your rates!! :grin:

[electricmanscott]

Pictures of the new ride...
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/electricmanscott/trk1.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/electricmanscott/trk3.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/electricmanscott/trk8.jpg

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/electricmanscott/trk9.jpg

[ItsHot]

That is a nice ride! Good luck to you this year,Happy New Year! And yes we all need to raise our rates!!

[Dennis Alwon]

I see the problem already. There are no tools or materials in your truck. Not even pocket tools-- oh maybe they are in the cab. :grin:

[frankft2000]

Where do you put your ladders?

[ItsHot]

He does not plan to put tools and ladders onboard. He is going to stay organized!!

[pgordon]

Nice truck ! Is that a power stroke diesel ?

[electricmanscott]

Ladders will be on the roof..after I get some ladder racks. 24' Extension and 10' step. 4' and 6' go inside. Yes I will need a ladder to get the ladders. :grin:

No diesel. $6500.00 extra for that engine.
Standard issue 5.4 V8

[walkerj]

I see the problem already. There are no tools or materials in your truck. Not even pocket tools-- oh maybe they are in the cab. :grin:
One more problem: It's a FORD!!!!:grin:

[George Stolz]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/electricmanscott/th_trk1.jpg

Scott, it's hard to imply you've been living hand-to-mouth and then show us pictures of that awesome new truck. :D

It would be cool to see another "Pimp My Ride" thread, it's been a while. :)

From the sound of things, you are going to have a very good 2008, based on your upbeat perspective alone. :cool:

[Minuteman]

Scott, I'm in a E350 extended van and would LOVE to have a ride like that again. Not just because of the cool places to store stuff, but also you have a nice QUIET cab to ride in!

[cschmid]

hey man no power strock you will be trading that bad boy by the end of year it will consume the gas and I mean drink it..when you load that baby up and add another 2000lbs it will be nice ride but it will drink the gas..are you going to add snow plow to it??

Edited: it is a very nice ride dont get me wrong and forget the van..can you talk to my boss and get me one??

[khixxx]

That is an awesome truck. I use to work out of one. way better than a van.

[john_axelson]

Would most of you guys prefer a Utility vehicle like this one or a Sprinter Van?

[ishium 80439]

electricman,

Since your sharing I was wondering if you could give us some insight as to why you are further down the totem pole than you were a few years ago. Did the work in your area dry up? Did you rely just on word of mouth rather than active advertising? Did you purposely downsize? Have good contacts go out of business/retire/go another route? I'm not trying to get personal, just was hoping others could learn from your experiences.

That is a nice looking truck. I've never worked from a utility body so I can't speak to it's plusses, though I have worked out of a pick up with boxes and can't stand it. What I like about a van is that all of your material is in one place and you can survey your whole stock with a swivel of the head. Also you don't get wet when it's raining looing for parts. I will say however that it looks like you can keep that thing extremely organized and you have a ton of room. Also the quiet ride aspect of it would be a welcome change.

Best of luck in the new digs.

[Oakey]

Sweet ride! Dont forget the undercoating for those NE winters :smile:

[Rewire]

Just bought a 2000 ford E350 van got into it for under 5 grand ,and already set up on the inside , best of all I got the title clean. I will have me one of those 2008s it will just be 2012 before I get it.

[barbeer]

Truck is nice.......I still think this was cool from a previous thread!

http://www.isuzucv.com/images/n_utilitytruck_t.jpg

[jrannis]

As a disapointing '07 comes to an end it's time to recharge the batteries and look ahead. I am very optimistic about the New Year. I am looking forward to good things (I hope). I am making a push to get back to where I was a few years ago, very busy and making loads of money. I am literally going door to door, by that I mean contractor to kitchen remodeling companies, and selling myself face to face. Any that I don’t go to will get a mailer of some sort.

So far I have made some good contacts, I know that doesn’t put money in the bank, but it’s a start. I’m moving on the premise that waiting for the work to come is not effective at all. If I want it I have to go out and get it and that is what I am doing.

Just picked up two multifamily remodels yesterday that will keep me going for a while. Have some good kitchens in the spring, and another house with the foundation about to go in. May not sound like much to the bigger guys but for a one man show this plus service work and the phone ringing a few times is a whole lot.

I dumped my van, which was only a year old, and went back to a utility vehicle because I HATED working from a van. I don’t know how you guys do it. I find that with the amount of service work and smaller jobs I was doing it was very inefficient. Load up for the day and at the first job unload everything into the driveway so I could get into the van for miscellaneous stuff. What a pain.

I bought an 06 F350 with a Knapheide KUV body. Sweet, sweet truck. It is actually brand new and I got a good deal on it. Going to stock it up today. It is a 4X4 (hence the plowing thread I started), which will be great around these parts. Should have seen me trying to get the van out of a jobsite last week in the snow. UGH.

Anyway, Happy New Year! And rather than raising your glass for a toast…Raise your rates!! :grin:

Nice truck. I have the same one, not 4x4 but, has a really sweet duramax diesel engine and Allison tranny.
I cant see ever working out of a van again....ever!

[jrannis]

Would most of you guys prefer a Utility vehicle like this one or a Sprinter Van?

The KUV rocks. Sprinter is way too tall.

[jamesguy10]

One more problem: It's a FORD!!!!:grin:
Yeah, thats a big problem. GM only. Ford IS better than dodge or toyota though......

[jamesguy10]

Nice truck. I have the same one, not 4x4 but, has a really sweet duramax diesel engine and Allison tranny.
I cant see ever working out of a van again....ever!
that would be a chevy

[jamesguy10]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y159/electricmanscott/th_trk1.jpg

It would be cool to see another "Pimp My Ride" thread, it's been a while. :)


Next week i'll do it, when im done pimping my new truck

[ItsHot]

One more problem: It's a FORD!!!!:grin:
I knew someone would say that. Ford vans are great and as far as 3/4 ton or bigger trucks look at how many guys are using them.

[Minuteman]

Scott, ya gonna leave it blue?

[electricmanscott]

Scott, ya gonna leave it blue?


That's half the reason I bought it. I love the color. In fact I just ordered ladder racks and I'm having them paint them the same color.

[electricmanscott]

One more problem: It's a FORD!!!!:grin:


Well I just be over with my new friends then.....
http://www.ford-trucks.com/

[iwire]

That's half the reason I bought it. I love the color. In fact I just ordered ladder racks and I'm having them paint them the same color.

Great looking truck and I am glad your keeping the color. 8-)

It seems every trade truck in New England is plain white. :roll:

[electricmanscott]

Great looking truck and I am glad your keeping the color. 8-)




Even if I didn't like the color I have to think that it would cost a boatload of $$ to get it painted and being that it is brad new it would seem to be money wasted.

The reality is I have to match my work shirts and eyes. :grin:

[peter d]

The reality is I have to match my work shirts and eyes. :grin:


LOL, I just wow the customers with my stunning good looks. :rolleyes: No advertising required.

[growler]

Even if I didn't like the color I have to think that it would cost a boatload of $$ to get it painted and being that it is brad new it would seem to be money wasted.


Mr. Sparky is useing red trucks now ( looks to much like a fire truck for me ) but the blue should letter out nice.

The only reason that fleet vehicles were white is to keep the dealer from having to keep 10 different colors in stock. White being a neutral color was a compromise much like painting a house in neutral colors to put it on the market. Most fleet vehicles end up with lettering & logo anyway.

Nice Truck. Good Luck in 08.

[lbwireman]

The only reason that fleet vehicles were white is to keep the dealer from having to keep 10 different colors in stock. White being a neutral color was a compromise much like painting a house in neutral colors to put it on the market. Most fleet vehicles end up with lettering & logo anyway.

Nice Truck. Good Luck in 08.

Another, practical reason is that white reflects heat better than the darker colors and here in the SW in summer, every little bit helps. Sweet truck nonetheless. Hope it brings great luck in '08.

[emahler]

white also hides dirt better than a dark color...

[lbwireman]

I wasn't gonna mentiion that little detail:rolleyes: