Hey folks…
I need a bigger vehicle. Currently driving a small Blazer, and although I’ve become a master at packing it to the gills, it’s often just too small. Ideally I’d like a cargo van I think, but a friend offered me a ’94 Suburban in good condition at a great price. I’m doing mainly mid sized remodeling projects. Opinions on whether this would be a good short term (maybe a year) solution?
TIA
PaulB
Replies
Since you have an EZ Smart you should be able to get along with a Fiat. I have a Blazer, a Tahoe, and a 91 c1500 Silverado. I have used the first two to pick up stuff and take to/from jobsite but the truck is the horse. Have considered a Suburban. A friend who deals in auction lots had a Dodge van that I wish I had bought. I often lust after extended 15 pass vans and high top ones that I see could make great work trucks. I would like to add a small van and maybe a small enclosed trailer but have not yet.
I would go with a work trailer, then you can have whatever for a vehicle, truck, SUV, van, etc. You would also be able to use the vehicle for personal use and not have all the tools, etc to tag along.
Paul -
My Dad worked out of Suburbans for years. As the designated go-fer, it was always my job to try and find something when it was missing. You may be more of a neanik, but it always seemed like I was kneeling or bent over reaching for something in the middle of the truck. It wasn't much better than crawling around in a station wagon.
On the good side, they do hold full sheets of plywood and can carry some weight. They can be fairly comfortable too.
My preference is still a 3/4 ton truck with a utility bed and overhead racks.
Don
I worked out of a small pick up w/cap for years ... got a van and never looked back.
now .. looking forward ... to a utility van or small box van ...
the subburban will be a step up.
I'd take it.
Next step will be a van or a trailer.
I have no room to park a trailer and in the city trailers disappear too quick ...
when the van is in the shop ... I have to actually think ahead and pack the tools for that day/week ... then .. I can mostly work out of my Cherokee.
if the suburban is the right price ... I'd give it a shot.
try to keep the floor open and build some shelves down each side ...
maybe lose the back seats if U don't need them and build more shelves across the back of the front seats .. accessable from the side doors.
plus ... ladder racks.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I worked out of a Suburban for a while - 12' 2x's inside, and you can (just barely) close the rear window. Stuff stays dry, too, but...
I hated it, mostly because I was crawling to get anything I needed If you do go this route, make certain there are barn doors in the back (not a tailgate) so you can reach in farther.
I still have the Suburban, sitting on our land (its 4wd - selling when snow hits - more $$) But I picked up a 3/4 ton utility body w/ racks, and I like it much better.
Otherwise, I'd vote for the trailer option way before the Suburban.
Biggest drawback of the Suburban is the fuel mileage.
'nuff said on that
I had one for a few years but hated getting tools in and out of it.
The Chevy Astro vans are a darn good work rig for an individual artisan.
i'm curious - why is your time frame only a years or so? Planning to retire?
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Whaddya mean? I read all contractors get rich and retire fast...ummm... not so?
Actually, it's cheap enough (3 grand) that I figure while it's not ideal, if I sell it in a year or so and get a cargo van I can own it for very little.
I worked out of a suburban for a few months. It's OK once you get a good system down for packing. I learned quickly to load all the tools I use on a regular basis by the doors. MPG is the only downfall. I was getting about 10 with 350.
It'll feel like a 53' trailer compared to your current blazer.
Paul,
I just bought a 2000 Chevy express van. Infreekencredible amount of stuff that you can pack into this thing. I'll never go back to a pickup.
Jack
I also have a 2000 3500 express. Space is great but I'm on my 5th set of brakes and rotors with only 49000 on the truck. Truck is never loaded to max or misdriven. Chevy changed brake design in 2003 due to this problem. Also recent recall on brake booster and power steering assembly. Hinges on side entry doors continually sag. Then theres the mileage. I have 5.7 engine and the best downhill is 8-10. The mileage I can live with but GM won't repair the brakes under warranty again. By the way, rotors installed at the GM dealer.......................$600.00 +
Good luck
ActLtd
by my math thats a set of pads every ten thousand miles. I would be looking to unload a lemon like that. I have a 2002 gmc 2500 hd seirra and I must say i do abuse it but it has really served me well 135000 miles two sets of rear pads and one set of front and one fuel pump at 124000 otherwise it has been a very good truck except milage which hovers around 12 mpg loaded or empty never seems to matter. I would by another one becasue I have truly worked this harder than I should.
Believe me If it were finanically possible I would sell it in a heartbeat. Its paid for so the only coat is maintainance and fuel. Both killers, but no monthly payment.Its funny, GM admits a defect with the braking system but will not do anything but replace the pads, and that they told me would not be done again. I really did not need the 3500 but was told by the salesman that it would hold its value better then the 1500 or 2500. Although I would much rather drive a four door pickup the van makes better sence for security and care of the tools. I may persue the lemmon law here in Pa if GM doesent step up and take responsibility and either continue to maintain the brakeing system or replace the truck less fair useage.
Will keep everyone informed.
Hey,
Thanks for the headsup on the front brake sitsuation. I'll keep a close eye on them.
Mines a 2500 with the 4.3 v-6. Seems to run strong but no idea on the mileage it gets yet.
Jack
My experience, anything you get will only be big enough for 6 months anyway. If it's a step up for now, go for it. Suburbans ain't too bad. Not ideal, certainly, but over a Blazer? Oh heck yeah.
After that it'll be a super duty. Then you'll add the trailer. Then you'll swap trailers, get a gooseneck. Then you'll scrap the whole thing and buy a Peterbilt. But that's at least 3 years away.
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain
Hey I resemble that remark! I just bought a super duty crew cab and replaced the 6x10 w/ a 7x14 V-hull, and I still have to make two trips!Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
I'd look for a cargo van that is about the same price as the suburban.
A good deal is only a good deal if it is something you can use.
I think you will be much happier with a van.
I started out with Toyota pickups first a 1/2 ton long bed then a 1 ton with a utility body long bed, then went to a medium body 2500 Dodge ram, realized what I'd been missing all that time without a van, (those were the first 18 years) Two years ago I bought a 2500 turbo diesel Freightliner (now under the Dodge label) Sprinter Van with the tall top and medium body length and at 22mpg and oil changes every 10,000 miles, a 2800# payload, what's not to love, I may sound like an advertisement but this is the best truck I have had and I hope to keep using them as long as I am working. Some folks like utility bodies (they have models like that too) better, but I work in a city and its nice to just have to lock a few doors when you park, I built out the interior myself to accommodate a large number of different tools and supplies and I can still pick up 40 sheets of drywall no problem. I do restorations of older houses and commercial buildings. Check these trucks out, if not for now, for down the road.
I may sound like an advertisement but this is the best truck I have hadYeah, and no pictures to prove it??:-)
"Yeah, and no pictures to prove it??"
I can post a few pics in the next day or so if you are really interested, the guys at the dealership took pictures of what I did to it when I brought it in for service, though it is still a work in progress.
Man post away,I'd Love to see what you have done to it.
WoodWolf, I have been looking at those Sprinters since they came out as Freightliners. Look like a great way to go. I have a 97 Ford E250 now that has been good, but, I would like the extra room and extra milage of the Sprinter. Might have to look into a used one. There should be a few on the market by now.
Thanks for your review.
I like the extra head room, I can almost stand up inside (I'm 6'5") the ceiling is about 6'. I built floor to ceiling cabinets on both sides and my version of a knack box with a big roll out drawer for "most used tools" that rolls out the sliding side door behind the seats (I am thinking about modifying the design some, it went in too fast), and left the middle open for cargo. One of the guys I work with is also planning to go the used route, he has been following them on EBay Motors. I think I have even seen a utility body pickup truck version there.
Got a 2003 Chevy Express cargo van. Paid 13,500 brand new. Have 49,000 miles on it. Has Never given me a ounce of trouble. Had an Astro van before that, tranny problems, wiper problems, power sterring etc, etc. And it looks brand new today. Would highly recommend.
A van is a good way to go, everything stays dry and for the most part hidden. I, like you live where we get some snow so I got an F150 with a cap and four wheel drive.
I bought an E-350 diesel with a Supreme 10' body on it with utility doors on the sides.
Unbelievable the amount of things it can carry.
I worked out of a pick-up w/cap for 3 years and couldn't hold any more things.
I love the truck,except for the milage!!!!
If you have the option I would go this way
ya tell me about it.
just filled up - $98.50 to fill the tank 11-12 MPG
But is sweet to work out of.
A Ford diesel w/only 12 MPG? I'd have to pass Hondas all day long to get that kind of gas mileage! My SD with the trailer gets 13-14 w/ tow/haul on. And that's being a road-rage case!Jason Pharez Construction
Framing & Exterior Remodeling
They do tend to vary with the size. When you go to a 350 with the crew and long box, you got some extra weight there. 12 is about on par. You can approach 20mpg going to a 250 regular cab.
Oh, and the trailer. Yeah. Not like I was guessing. I've got the above truck and an 8x18 and I don't know where to put things. My shop is full, the trailer is full, the garage is full, the jobsite is full . . . I keep sayin I have to have something here I don't actually need. Don't actually use. Nope. I got one jigsaw I think I'd part with. That's not going to make much room."If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain