Best service van and organizers/compartments?

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bjp_ne_elec

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Southern NH
Am just getting a business going, where I want to focus on small jobs and service work. Would ideally like to get a van - and it's a goal to try to find one with a bucket.

What do you guys recommend for a good quality bucket (not sure if that's proper terminology - but that is what I've always referred to them as)? Also, what are some of you doing for organizing the van. I've seen some with just shelves - and my experience with those layouts, is junk ends up all over. I've also seen several "organizer" type boxes - even some that go on the floor and have pull out drawers that you open to the back or side - dependant on where you have them installed.

THanks

Brett
 
A used bucket van might fill the bill....the cable co. uses them around here, but I can't say as I've seen many "For Sale". Years ago, as a helper, I worked for a guy that an ancient bucket truck (where I learned my bucket "skills")...that must have been 20 years old. 20 years later, I STILL see that bucket truck in his yard (work yard) and occassionally I see it out "on the job". People don't seem to eager to part with a bucket.

For shelving, have you tried www.americanvan.com ?
 
Oakey said:
I dont mean to be a thread stealer but celtic I sent you a pm. When you get a chance?
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I like the Weatherguard stuff. Its powder coated white heavy steel and you can see the small stuff in the corners. The ladder rack I have is the only one in town and you can tell that it is a winner by the red bumpers and hydraulic latch.
Bucket trucks/vans can be gotten at auctions or used truck equipment places. There is one in Deland Florida that I know of but looking for a utility bucket truck is a good deal too. I talked to someone that said he had one in south Florida and he would cruise around looking for parking lot lighting and signs to fix. He would pull up to the store ask for the manager explain what wasn't working and get paid cash on the spot. He said all he needed were a couple of different ballasts and lamps. Easy work and no headaches. Look in trucker flyers at convenience stores, they will list equipment liquidators in there.
 
Ford E250 Van with Weatherguard all the way. Expensive to set it up but worth it!
My first weather guard set up....shelves & ladder rack lasted 16 years & two vehicles. It was still functional but time to replace it. I'm on my second set now. I have tried the cardboard dividers for seperating devices or fittins, but nor seem to be onto the plastic bins from grainger.
You cannot stock as much or keep it organized in a pick up.
 
Did I dream this?

Did I dream this?

I am looking for a way to convert my van windows into access doors. I swear I've seen Tom Silva on "This Old House" walk up to the side a van and pop the window up like an awning, and pull tools out.

That would sure beat walking into the van. Am I crazy?
 
GM vans have the window doors. I like the Ford E250's because they are wider, longer, and the doors open further and the steel seems thicker and better put together. The heavier carriage helps with the weight and the style doesnt change on them so your fleet looks symetrical and up to date. There is a bucket truck Econoline combination the local CATV company uses. Im not sure what you have in mind for height.
 
Personal take, Ford 250's and 350's - front end problems and also loss of engine power starting around 50-60 k miles. So I switched to Chevy, 3500 big block. At exactly the time the warrenty ended (30,000 miles) the sliding door plastic handle hardware failed in multiple area's. Other than that, it seems to run better, but I am only at 40,000 so we'll see.
 
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