Build Me The Ultimate Residential Service Truck

[nolabama]

 

[Greg Swartz]

That is one nice wrap!

That is one nice wrap!

^^ That is one nice vehicle wrap ^^

 

[220/221]

Building out trucks has always been my hobby. After many decades I ended up using 16' box vans. They are more difficult to park and suck up gas but we make very few trips to the supply houses. They can also haul a bunch of cargo in the center aisle if needed and I can squeeze in a 16" step ladder inside.

For a service van, I want to drive to any standard job and be equipped to do it sight unseen. I want to keep the most used items the most accessible. I want items in a logical order and I want all trucks set up identically.

I also want a rolling billboard with our name plastered all over it.

I'm sure everyone has seen them before but......

Even if I don't know what I'm doing, I LOOK like I do.

 

[LarryFine]

Drop clothes.

That will certainly attract attention!

 

[bradleyelectric]

I'm sure everyone has seen them before but......
Even if I don't know what I'm doing, I LOOK like I do.

I love them things. Want to adopt a 42yo fat bald guy? I'd call you dad if I could have 1 of those!

 

[ultramegabob]

What kind of vehicle...Van, Box Van, Truck...?

73 mercury station wagon with woodgrain paneling, and magnetic signs that say "I'll wire anything, no project to big or small" Note- it would be good to have other magnetic signs for Plumbing, Framing, or Gutter cleaning incase you have a slow week....

 

[ishium 80439]

To address one of the OP's points, how do the Sprinters do in snow? Do they have AWD? After some experiences I have had w/ Dodge in the past I swore I would never by another one but I don't want to cut my nose off to spite my face the next time I am looking for a work truck. I am looking out of my window right now at 3" of snow and it of course makes me think of trying to get up driveways in January and trying to figure out how I am going to bury the tow truck call in the HO's bill .

 

[Rewire]

I have been setting up our service vans I found that most material does not need to be on the van in the quantity that I would find, 50 1/2 set screw connectors were a bit much. I started by putting just two of everything like switches ,receps,boxes and fittings one roll each of 12 thhn B.W.G , 0ne roll each of 10 thhn B.W.G.,romex 12/2,12/3 ,14/2,14/3 8/2,8/3 roll M/C12/2 greenfield 1/2,carflex 1/2.Breakers are 115,120,230,240,260 Square D and GE some odd balls And GFCI and AFCI. T8,T12 ballasts and photo cells

 

[Sparky555]

I have been setting up our service vans I found that most material does not need to be on the van in the quantity that I would find, 50 1/2 set screw connectors were a bit much. I started by putting just two of everything like switches ,receps,boxes and fittings one roll each of 12 thhn B.W.G , 0ne roll each of 10 thhn B.W.G.,romex 12/2,12/3 ,14/2,14/3 8/2,8/3 roll M/C12/2 greenfield 1/2,carflex 1/2.Breakers are 115,120,230,240,260 Square D and GE some odd balls And GFCI and AFCI. T8,T12 ballasts and photo cells

Your guys are going to spend a lot of time coming back to the shop or running to a supplier. That time is going to be expensive compared to keeping extra materials in the van.

 

[zog]

Dont forget a place for FD to sit so he can stick his head out the window.

I dont do resi, but here is my rig

http://photos.gcbsinventory.com/trailers/

 

[iwire]

lets start with a really nice extra tall sprinter -

I have seen a few Sprinter in the Boston area that are real rust buckets.

So maybe 300,000 miles from the drive train but I think the body may look like heck before you get there.

 

[steved]

Don't forget the in-motion satellite antenna so you can keep up with this forum while you're on the road.

 

[brian john]

We have Sprinters and just went back to Fords E-350's. With the 10,000 dollar cost difference and the higher diesel cost the price was not justifiable PLUS the extra repair cost.

As for the truck wrap UGH that is UGLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not on my vehicles.

 

[Rewire]

Your guys are going to spend a lot of time coming back to the shop or running to a supplier. That time is going to be expensive compared to keeping extra materials in the van.

Excess material is just that.the majority of our work is pre sceduled so we have materials in the shop that are taken to the jobsite what is on the vans is for the calls that need rapid response so having alot of van repetative inventory is not needed we have a large variety of material which means aq less chance of not having the part

 

[MikeGee]

Building out trucks has always been my hobby. After many decades I ended up using 16' box vans. They are more difficult to park and suck up gas but we make very few trips to the supply houses. They can also haul a bunch of cargo in the center aisle if needed and I can squeeze in a 16" step ladder inside.

For a service van, I want to drive to any standard job and be equipped to do it sight unseen. I want to keep the most used items the most accessible. I want items in a logical order and I want all trucks set up identically.

I also want a rolling billboard with our name plastered all over it.

I'm sure everyone has seen them before but......

Even if I don't know what I'm doing, I LOOK like I do.

Man I love this truck. I'd make the helper drive it though... That is a beast of a truck. Boss had me clear all the crap from my truck and start over. I was the first electrician at the company he came after me. I am so happy maybe I can get some real stock. Instead of 100 lbs. of scrap wire that has been on my truck for 10months as I go to Rexel and buy everything I need.

 

[sgeers]

nice truck

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Might be expensive but here is the ultimate electricians truck. You said build one so here it is. Take frizbeedog for a ride in this....

 

[electricalperson]

i would love to have a big sprinter or box truck filled to the gills with every piece of stock i need and every tool ill need including a megger :smile: i love having a nice clean truck with shelving filled with stock. makes it look like a professional drives the truck another good thing is having a door between the drivers cab and the back. you can have little shelves on that to hold books and clipboards and things like that. a little pull up table would be nice to have.

put a microwave in the back to heat up lunch

 

[peter d]

73 mercury station wagon with woodgrain paneling, and magnetic signs that say "I'll wire anything, no project to big or small" Note- it would be good to have other magnetic signs for Plumbing, Framing, or Gutter cleaning incase you have a slow week....

Now that's what I'm talking about.

 

[mdshunk]

Here's the new Mister Sparky truck, built on an NPR.

http://udbuffalo.com/group/mrsparky_photo.html