I know this was asked a few months ago..but what truck do you use for work and why?? What has been the most reliable, because I have found out that customers don't care for "My truck is broken down, be there tommorow."
John

we use f-150, they are in the shop 50% of the time. 1993-1995 models

All vans are GMC, 2000 or newer. We got a big custom cube van a few months ago, one with boxes on the outside. It's great. At first nobody wanted to drive it because it is so big, but it's a shop on wheels, everything is in it, when you need it. It is on a GMC 3500 van frame and cab, the box is made by Supreme, the model is 12ft Spartan. The biggest draw back it it only gets 8.1 mpg

If it wasn't for the low mileage, I'd sell all the vans and get the cubes instead.

[This message has been edited by Electric Eagle (edited 04-12-2003).]

Chevy trucks, 95-02. Have had very little downtime on the 1500's but my 2500 has had a few trips to the shop. But still never left me walking. The oldest is a 1995 V6 manual transmission worktruck loaded with tool boxes, wire, boxes, devices, ladder rack and 5 ladders. I have spent less than a grand on it since i bought it. It gets great gas milage too. I drive a 2000 C2500 and it gulps down the gas. All i can say is the less stuff ya get on it then the less there is to go wrong.

I have 99 ford E350. Been to the shop 2. Both under warranty no worries since. Also have 87 G30 recently died 130K only left me sitting once or twice. Nothing beats good maintance. I find the 1tons seem to handle load better. For service and in town use the box trucks to big. Gas milage is 12MPG lately cost roughly $50 to $60 to fill up.

Dodge. Reliable so far, especially the cummings motors.

Hey Eagle, you gotta love that 6.0 engine! Do you have a gas tanker follow you around?

Serioulsy though, have you considered a diesel? They at least get around 15-17 mpg.

Personally, I have a '96 F150, totally stripped. It's been great. Like arseegee, I have spent less that a $1000 on it in 7 years.

Peter

i have ford F-250 4X4 disesl with super high miles allready it is clocked over 565,000 miles now allready with orginal diesel engine and fuel average about 16-18 range not much diffrence for both town and hiway due i have 4:10 gearing it is all purose truck for me i haul alot of stuff in my pick up and pull hevey load up to 15,000# weight and still give good fuel ecomey the last time i pull 11k# i get about 12 mpg but note that is alot better than the big 8 liter gas motor can do it for same wight and my truck have alot of idle time too pretty high percentage of time too ave about anywhere from 2 to 6 hours idle and quite few hours for pto for generator on pto i burn average 1 1/2 gal of diesel per hour and the pto generator is 10 kw size try that with gas motor !! he he but i cant aguree with anyone it is their opion what they want to do and i am planning to get the new truck pretty soon i am not sure which one willbe yet maybe 450 series or go with med truck the cost about the same btw

merci marc

CTwireman, We looked at the Isuzu NPR with the same body. The problem with it was it made the box about a foot high off the ground, making it harder to work out of. Actually our regular vans don't get much better mileage, just 10-12 mpg.

For dependability, economy and longevity you can't beat a properly maintained diesel. Mine (Ford F250) has nearly 200K city miles still runs strong A/C still works basically just batteries and oil changes over the years and maybe a clutch and an alternator.
Brian in AZ

From a ignorant European who is trying to figure out what 10 mpg means in more familiar units:

10 miles is 16 km. A US gallon is 3.8 litres, right? That leaves me with 3.8 litres per 16 km which translates into a stunning 24 litres per 100km.

You must be talking large trucks now or did I go wrong somewhere?

{Edited to add a link to a mpg to l/100km converter }


[This message has been edited by C-H (edited 04-15-2003).]

hey ch yes we are talking large service truck with 6 to 8 liter gas and diesel engines and typical weight is about over 4.000 kg ( 8,ooo pound or more) yes indeed it gulp alot of fuel if i get my figure i use the hiway figure because i know howmany gallons per hour my engine burn it burn about 3 1/2 gallons of diesel per hour that mean about 13 1/3 liter per hour then translated to km per liter is headache for me but here it is if i get it right about 16 liter per 100 km

if i am wrong is there is a conversion chart that i can change from mpg to liter per 100 km ??

merci marc

I have a 2000 3500 series GMC with a 350 Auto and a Knapheide tool body. Get about 13mpg in winter and 15 in summer. Already has 106000 miles on it, no problems that weren't covered under warranty. Had a 97 that was identical and no problems with that either. Going to look for a new one soon not sure what but probably an extended cab version of what I have. no more single rear wheel 1 tons by GMC so I have to go to 3/4 ton. Probably cost 30,000 dollars, thats just sick if you ask me

New 03 Chevy 3500 van with the 6L and 4 speed automatic. Only a 1000 miles so far but mileage is over 15 mpg loaded.

95 Dodge ram 1/2 ton 4wd.165,000 mi. Never touched the engine except for maintainence.Have always used synthetic fluid in the crankcase. Never had an oil related failure. Change at 10,000 mi. intervals. 12 mpg on a good day.

[This message has been edited by ga.sparky56 (edited 04-15-2003).]