van vs truck

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iwire said:
Rookie.



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+1
 
We have a new (June) Ram Promaster High Top Van that seats 3 in the front. Admittedly, the middle guy better be on the vertically challenged side, but it does have 3 seat belts.

So far, my guy really likes it. Of course the previous truck, a 16' Isuzu box van, was not the most comfortable nor easiest to park vehicle.
 
Everyone's needs are different. If all you do is residential work, many seem to prefer vans. If you often find yourself needing to haul a lot of heavy equipment, including trenchers, excavators, skid loaders, man lifts, tele-handlers 1500 foot reels of 2/0 or larger triplex/quad cables, you probably have a need for a truck and even a heavy duty flatbed trailer. Some maybe even have heavy enough equipment they get tractor-trailers to haul some of their equipment with.

Some of us that run all over God's country, just have a 3/4 ton truck with 4 wheel drive as the primary every day vehicle. If you need to haul heavy equipment you hook the flatbed trailer on. If you have a lot of fixtures, fittings, other smaller units to haul to a job, you hook on to a covered trailer and pull it to the job. If there is snow, mud etc. on the way to the job, or even just conditions at the job itself you might end up shifting the truck into 4WD.

If you do service calls to center pivot irrigation systems, some of them you are not getting very close to the work without a 4WD truck, or if you do get close you might not be getting back out without being towed out.
 
kwired said:
Everyone's needs are different. If all you do is residential work, many seem to prefer vans. If you often find yourself needing to haul a lot of heavy equipment, including trenchers, excavators, skid loaders, man lifts, tele-handlers 1500 foot reels of 2/0 or larger triplex/quad cables, you probably have a need for a truck and even a heavy duty flatbed trailer. Some maybe even have heavy enough equipment they get tractor-trailers to haul some of their equipment with.
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That's never the case here, excavating contractors dig ditches and should an EC need any of that equipment, the rental company drops it off and picks it up. :cool:
 
peter d said:
That's never the case here, excavating contractors dig ditches and should an EC need any of that equipment, the rental company drops it off and picks it up. :cool:
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Like I said everyone's needs are different. I can't run 45 miles one way to pick up excavation equipment for every small excavation job I run into, and certainly can't have them deliver it and be reasonably priced. Lining others up to do it when you want is also a PITA, and the smaller the job the less they want to do it. If you have it, you do get other jobs with it though. Just like guys that have bucket trucks, anything that needs reached is fair game it don't have to be electrical. I often wish I had bucket truck but don't seem to run into as much overhead work as I used to except for some customers that have their own manlifts, tele-handlers, etc. that can be used.
 
kwired said:
Like I said everyone's needs are different. I can't run 45 miles one way to pick up excavation equipment for every small excavation job I run into, and certainly can't have them deliver it and be reasonably priced. Lining others up to do it when you want is also a PITA, and the smaller the job the less they want to do it. If you have it, you do get other jobs with it though. Just like guys that have bucket trucks, anything that needs reached is fair game it don't have to be electrical. I often wish I had bucket truck but don't seem to run into as much overhead work as I used to except for some customers that have their own manlifts, tele-handlers, etc. that can be used.
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If we need a trencher we'll rent it. If we need a lift we'll rent it. The rental places are nearby and it makes sense for us to do it that way. You need 4wd, I don't. Not every EC is the same.
 
chris1971 said:
If we need a trencher we'll rent it. If we need a lift we'll rent it. The rental places are nearby and it makes sense for us to do it that way. You need 4wd, I don't. Not every EC is the same.
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Did I say everybody's needs are different or did I imagine that?

:p
 
kwired said:
... Just like guys that have bucket trucks, anything that needs reached is fair game it don't have to be electrical. I often wish I had bucket truck but don't seem to run into as much overhead work as I used to ...
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They come in handy when it's time to put up/take down the Christmas lights.....

Neighbors may be slightly jealous



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brantmacga said:
They come in handy when it's time to put up/take down the Christmas lights.....

Neighbors may be slightly jealous



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Some situations I can see someone with that sort of equipment volunteering it to an entire neighborhood for that purpose.
 
kwired said:
Everyone's needs are different. If all you do is residential work, many seem to prefer vans. If you often find yourself needing to haul a lot of heavy equipment, including trenchers, excavators, skid loaders, man lifts, tele-handlers 1500 foot reels of 2/0 or larger triplex/quad cables, you probably have a need for a truck and even a heavy duty flatbed trailer. Some maybe even have heavy enough equipment they get tractor-trailers to haul some of their equipment with.

Some of us that run all over God's country, just have a 3/4 ton truck with 4 wheel drive as the primary every day vehicle. If you need to haul heavy equipment you hook the flatbed trailer on. If you have a lot of fixtures, fittings, other smaller units to haul to a job, you hook on to a covered trailer and pull it to the job. If there is snow, mud etc. on the way to the job, or even just conditions at the job itself you might end up shifting the truck into 4WD.

If you do service calls to center pivot irrigation systems, some of them you are not getting very close to the work without a 4WD truck, or if you do get close you might not be getting back out without being towed out.
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That was this weeks lesson on road transportation, next week we will cover overseas shipping methods.
 
Here is my solution. One thing I decided was that I did not want to be on my knees, whether it be in a van or the back of a pickup. I also thought about the van my former partner and I had and it just didnt seem worth it - despite hauling around 1600 pounds of crap, it seemed like we would still not have the right part frequently. So I changed to a more minimalist approach on keeping materials stocked on board. A standup van would be nice, but that gets expensive and into less choice. I also needed 4 wheel drive, and was (and still) building my house so a pickup is good for those type of tasks. The quad cab gives me dry secure spots for stuff that doesnt fit in the boxes. I have been meaning to take out the rear seat, but havent gotten around to it yet (along with putting my name and logo on the side....). It works well for me.
 

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chris1971 said:
UPS international is a good option.
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For pallets we use DHL air cargo. They're < 1/10th the price of UPS & FedEx if you know the tricks.
For small cartons we use USPS. They're about 1/3 the cost of the others. Downside is tracking is less than optimal.
Anything in between is on the customer's dime and they choose their carrier.
 
Like most everyone else, I came up in a van culture. I drove a van from the time I got my driver's license until I was hired on by my current employer, about twenty years. I've been running commercial service out of a Ram 2500 pick-up with utility bed for ten years now.

My employer is buying four new service vehicles. I was asked for my thoughts, and I asked for a new pick-up with a utility bed. It doesn't rain much here. As far as security, Austin has lots of cops and honest people so nothing gets taken out of the bed. I enjoy the easy access to ladders, benders, MC and building wire.

The fleet mechanics have pointed out that my truck rides lower than most. The leaf springs are inverted and the bumpstops ride about an inch over the axle. They have offered to replace the springs or add-a-leaf, but I insist that the ride height is perfect. It makes it so easy to grab stuff from the side of the bed (I'm 6'2" with long arms.)

But, the vans have been ordered. I'm dreading the rattle and squeak of the material bouncing around. I'm dreading climbing up and stooping around inside the van.

On the positive side, I'm looking forward to a better seat, cruise control, and organization.

I'm saying good-bye to a magnum hemi that runs like a scalded dog, a kick-butt factory stereo, and ladder racks that hold my 6 footer and 8 footer at chest height.
 
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