Hello gang, been thinking recently about changing vehicles. I’ve got a 2002 f-350 diesel utility body, and it’s just too pretty to work out of. Cost me 36 grand and it’s a work truck! Don’t know what got into me. Got carpets, chrome rims, and power everything. Just watching it depreciate kills me. I don’t beat on it, but work is work.
I’m really starting to fall in love with those Trademaster utility van bodies. Checked out one today, a 12’er on E-350 for about 25 grand. Tons of storage on the outside and the inside made me wanna cry. I was just picturing all my tools in there, locked up, warm and dry, and most of all ONSITE when I need them. No more driving home from the job with my $500 Makita slider in the bed in the pouring rain. The box even has nice beefy ladder racks.
Any of you guys or gals own a van with one of these bodies? You like it? Any options worth or not worth upgrading to? Any leaks or break-ins? The locks looked pretty darn good to me, buy what do I know about locks?
I’d be in a much more funtional vehicle, with lower payments and it’d be brand new. Just don’t know much about these bodies though.
Edited 11/6/2003 9:32:16 PM ET by dieselpig
Replies
Just nudging this back up....love to get some feedback on these vans.
I don't have one of those vans, but I'm one of many who wish they did. I have a Chevy C-20 with an enclosed utility bed and love the living snot out of it, but it is cramped, even with the 6 external lockboxes.
So I also am interested in replies to this thread.
I have been working out of an older chevy with a 14' van body for about 5 years now.
I will never go back to a pick up.
If I ever replace this truck, I would not get anything larger than a 12' and would get it set up with some side access doors. I find that at the end of the day, tools get piled at the back edge of the box rather than climbing in at placing in their proper place.
Try a cargo van, you will love it (OK, maybe gas milage is a drag, but other than that!)
Terry
What about a trailer? I have a 7 x 12 cargo trailer with lots of shelves and I put a rack on it. I have carried 2000lbs. on the rack and with all the tools inside and not all the little doors outside I think its less tempting to break into. No additional maintenance and on the weekends I still have a regular truck. I can carry 6 foot slider inside also. Just a thought.