van, box truck, or sprinter

[scottpeterson83]

Getting a new rig for mainly cleaning and some restoration and was wondering what was the way to go. Most likely going with an Everest. Right now I am thinking box truck but starting to second guess myself and starting to think Sprinter van. Any inputs on what works best. I have 3 vans now and would love the extra room.

 

[Chris A]

I like the sprinters but I keep seeing ones around me that are no more than 4 years old with rust all over them. Probably less of an issue in ca...

 

[Giorgio]

Box trucks are nice.

New sprinters are nice too. One problem with the sprinter is no place to mount a gas tank. Another is i question their durability.

 

[scottpeterson83]

Is it possible or worth it to do a direct drive in a diesel sprinter? Im thinking of how much room you could have then. Otherwise it would be an everest with the reel mounted over the top of it.

 

[Desk Jockey]

Did you see the pictures of the box van that Sapphire had installed a Pro 1200 in? Mike put them up last month. It was badass.

 

[floorguy]

get a box with diesel.....

my box with gas MPG is bad.....9-10...i kinda knew that going in...but now i am irritated at it no won ton soup for you! no won ton soup for you! no won ton soup for you! no won ton soup for you!

1 reason i am going back to a truck (dodge cummins) and trailer setup....

CU has a sprinter set up...and has for a while......wonder if he will chime in here

 

[Askal]

Our box truck (diesel) makes up for the decreased MPG by being big enough to carry enough equipment to take on additional job as the day goes on without going back to the shop for equipment. If I was just doing cleaning (gasp!) I might go with a Sprinter although I don't know too much about them. Our GMC/Isuzu trucks are pretty darn trouble free and easy to drive. Great for advertising also.
Al

 

[Desk Jockey]

I only have one diesel left, and only 1-arm and leg too from what the diesel cost me everytime they went into the shop.

I really like the diesel mechanic we take the trucks to. Sharp sharp guy....BUT very very expensive. When he is seeing a truck, I'm usually not eating that week...sometimes the week after. -sniff

 

[Jim Martin]

I've did the van.....

I did the diesel box truck.....

Now I am using a Chevy W4500....and will shut this company down before I use anything else.....

 

[Desk Jockey]

That's a sweet truck Jim! hey now

 

[tmdry]

I saw a chevy truck (not w4500) w/ a mini version of that aerotech box. I called it the Mini Vortex.

 

[ruff]

Is it possible or worth it to do a direct drive in a diesel sprinter? Im thinking of how much room you could have then. Otherwise it would be an everest with the reel mounted over the top of it.

Why not a Sprinter with a diesel engine and a diesel slide in like PC Apex?
Good heat, good mileage, one source of gas, and no matter what Chavez says, nice looking vehicle- life is good.

I got one. (Sprinter 3500 extended.)
However it was meant for another more country location, so I am mostly using my CDs (in a Ford) in the city (not as big and hard to find parking.) So I can't testify as to durability etc. Lots of space and a very nice ride.

And......... Jim will have to shut his company down before I use anything else..... eat yor heart out Werner

 

[Desk Jockey]

Ofer you know they are atrocious, they look line a cross between an anteater and a step van. eat yor heart out Werner



eat shit!

 

[scottpeterson83]

Jim,
Thats a nice truck you got there. You have any pictures of the inside and what you have for space in there and the setup?

 

[ruff]

Ofer you know they are atrocious, they look line a cross between an anteater and a step van. eat yor heart out Werner
eat shit!

Chavez.
One more bad word about the Sprinter...
and I am sending you a Jehovah Witness!

 

[Jim Martin]

Jim,
Thats a nice truck you got there. You have any pictures of the inside and what you have for space in there and the setup?

 

[Jim Martin]

Is it possible or worth it to do a direct drive in a diesel sprinter? Im thinking of how much room you could have then. Otherwise it would be an everest with the reel mounted over the top of it.

Why not a Sprinter with a diesel engine and a diesel slide in like PC Apex?
Good heat, good mileage, one source of gas, and no matter what Chavez says, nice looking vehicle- life is good.

I got one. (Sprinter 3500 extended.)
However it was meant for another more country location, so I am mostly using my CDs (in a Ford) in the city (not as big and hard to find parking.) So I can't testify as to durability etc. Lots of space and a very nice ride.

And......... Jim will have to shut his company down before I use anything else ..... eat yor heart out Werner

I've seen Jimmy naked I've seen Jimmy naked I've seen Jimmy naked I've seen Jimmy naked

 

[scottpeterson83]

Jim,
Very clean set up. I also have a Thermal Wave 2 and have the hardest time getting the heat under control. If I let it sit running for more than 3 minutes without running water through a wand or prespray after running the machine for 30 minutes or so it will overheat. The emissions light comes on a lot. I am pushing more for an Everest next I think. Ballpark for a setup like you have you are looking around $70K for machine, hoses, reel, truck, wrap, and storage?

 

[Jim Martin]

replace the fan....I had the same problem when I got mine...it just could not handle the heat here..

went to auto zone and pick one up....part number VA08 AP71/LL...

the wiring harness is a bit different and you have to change it..and you have to drill the fan shroud for the new brackets....but this fan pushes way more air across the unit and keeps it cooler....I have had no problems since I change it and we get pretty hot here...

 

[scottpeterson83]

I replaced mine as well and it helped a little but not as much as I would have liked. I was thinking of mounting one on the exterior and interior to push more air flow.

 

[Jim Martin]

I think another thing that helps me is the truck it is in....it can breath a lot better and not hold the heat like it could in a van...have you tried a roof vent fan or something to help draw the heat out of the van itself and away from the machine....

 

[scottpeterson83]

no. good idea

 

[Jim Martin]

if you look you can see the vent on the top of mine....

I wired it to the switch on the machine so that when it was turned on..and the vent was open it would automatically come on....the vent has a switch on the cover so if it is closed it will stay off....it pulled a lot of heat out of the van and away from the equipment....

 

[floorguy]

can you get a closer pic of where your stuff hangs???

it looks great...and that is what i am always struggling with

 

[Jim Martin]

can you get a closer pic of where your stuff hangs???

it looks great...and that is what i am always struggling with

you can get it at home depot....they have all kinds of different style hook...baskets..just about anything you need to hang stuff.....

 

[floorguy]

so that 2nd row is more to keep them from swaying around??

and the wand is just on the ground

 

[Jim Martin]

so that 2nd row is more to keep them from swaying around??

and the wand is just on the ground

yes.....the second row keeps them in place when I have to stop the truck or when I take off...

the wand sits on the ground and has the top and second row to keep it from moving....

the wand i use the most hands on the hooks on the shelving...you can see it in the last picture up top with all the others.............

 

[Shane T]

Jim, Why did you go to the hydralic lift instead of the electric?

 

[Jim Martin]

Jim, Why did you go to the hydralic lift instead of the electric?

the hoist is electric.....12 volt....it is hooked directly to the truck battery....

 

[Shane T]

Oh, I see it now. The cable is electric and the boom is hydralic?