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#213839 08/07/14 07:24 PM
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 193
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I'm possibly in the market to upgrade my service truck. Right now I have a service body Chevy 2500. It works well except the bed is exposed and there isn't proper space to stock any parts. I am looking at possibly a used sprinter. I like the new ones, but $40,000.00, yikes. I also see some guys are using UHaul trucks with the 10' box. I like this idea except the climbing in and out.

I do mostly service work with a new house here and there(actually I have 3 in a row starting Monday, one of them 5k sf).

Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,273
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My gambit has been to use sideways Knaak boxes -- mounted directly to my service body.

Because the expense for a Sprinter -- or anything like it -- is so high -- I favor using a (covered) trailer, instead.

It's only brought into play during a serious build.

The extremely low height available with a trailer is a real step saver.

Wander over to Ask This Old House -- see YouTube -- or This Old House -- to see what Tommy Silva has rigged up. His trick trailer has a collapseable suspension that puts the floor all the way down to the ground.

You will find that climibing in and out of a Sprinter is brutal on your knees during a build. The other advantage is that you can take off for mid-day materials -- while leaving your crew enough (protected) supplies to keep on building.

In many areas, leaving materials out -- even during the work day -- is an invitation for theft.

As for the trailer: have it rigged with a natural skylight for internal illumination (like a UPS van) -- and PV panels, too. These make it possible to top up your battery packs in a secure environment -- and impossible to forget at the end of the day.

For service calls, you fall back on Plan A: just the service truck.

BTW, ladder racks are staggering fuel pigs; figure on a 20% bump in fuel expense when hauling them around. Ladders toted inside a trailer travel pretty much free.

PV arrays provide enough energy to drive LED signage and spot interior illumination... and a security system!

Hence, you're showcasing an item that you'd love to sell and install.





Tesla
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
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Guys up here run Sprinters, Box trucks, utility body (side bins),350 Ford type vans, the newer 'Transit' rigs.

Two have trailers as Tesla touted. Great to leave at a site. One has PV panels with micro inverters for 120 v. A secondary trailer is a tilt bed that he can get his scissor lift, power benders, gang boxes into easy. He also has a stake body trailer that he hauls 'scrap' for the $$$$.

When I had my business, I had Ford 350 vans, a utility body (Enclosed) with side bins, and a 55' Teco bucket w/a utility body.

Bottom line is how big is your budget, anddo you want 'new' or previously owned (certified)??

A good place to scout 'used; is "The Electrical Advertiser"


John
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 193
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I'm doing more service work, so I'm thinking more of a tech truck that would be fully stocked. I would have my existing truck for larger work.

Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,381
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OK, the service division of the states largest utility (appliance/HVAC service) has all Ford/GM E-350 vans.



John
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 21
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It's hard to beat a van for space, parking and keeping stuff dry. I like the service body's but they condensate inside the cabinets and if it's raining even more moisture gets in there.

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,335
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Had to beat a cargo van. I'm currently using a 2012 one ton cargo van and has done me good so far. You may not need the one ton chassis but I did and it has been used several times for large capacity batteries and packed to the gills with big spools of wire and such


"Live Awesome!" - Kevin Carosa
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 3
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It is depends upon your work what kind of delivery it is.


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