Not sure where to put this post, but I think a truck is a tool—-don’t you? My question is this—-I currently have a pickup but I was thinking about getting a van and rigging it up to carry most of my small tools (hand and power) in so I can lock it up better and protect them from the weather instead of the back of the pickup. Any feedback would be appreciated. I will keep the PU to haul stuff in too that would not fit real well into the van. WW—57
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I worked out of a van when I first started. Now I have a truck sometimes with a cap and sometimes without and also a 16' utility trailer. Next time I change setups it will be very tempting to go back to a van and keep the trailer for materials. I liked the van setup a lot.
j
I think your plan makes sense from a carpenters point of view. The business side might not be too appealing though. The problem is that you are carrying two vehicle expenses as overhead, including licenses and insurance.
The downside to that is that you will have two "tools" to do your advertising. That can make a small one man crew look much bigger LOL.
Lots of reasons to get a quality enclosed trailer instead of a van, beginning with initial cost, depreciation, insurance and registration.
I agree that a pickup with a cap is far from ideal for carrying tools and materials. It's difficult to access the stuff in the front half of the bed.
Have you considered using a minivan with two sliding doors? Great tool hauler, quick to load from all sides. The option to remove some or all of the seats works well too.
I've owned a folding trailer for many years. When not in use it rests upright on it's casters, inside the garage against the wall, taking up about one foot of space.
When I need it to haul materials or large objects, it unfolds and hooks up in about two minutes. Annual cost is about ten dollars for registration.
I've used a van for 15 years as my work vehicle. I'll never go back to a pickup.
While my van isn't particularly well organized, I can still carry more tools in it over a pickup; like you said, they're better protected from theft and the weather; I can park my van almost anywhere, versus trying to park a truck and trailer.
The down side is loading materials- that's easier in a pickup. But if I need enough that it won't fit easily in my van, I get it delivered from the yard.
Buy at least a 3/4 ton van.
Hi i have used several different setups over the years now i use a pickup and tandem axle 6x12 V nose for tools. i love it because if i am just doing a simple job i can grab what i need in the morning otherwise i can take the whole kit. also with a trailer you can set it up to work out of....i have Linex'd the last 4' and mounted my De Walt wet saw so all i need to do is plug in the trailer and i am ready to cut.
Craig
I've got a chevy extended 1 ton and a bad back. The truck is great but its a pain (literally) to get to tools.
If you can afford it get a trailer, you wont have to bend over all the time to get to your tools.
Family.....They're always there when they need you.
I love my Astro Van.
Everything fits and is safe and secure.
I'm currently designing a drawer system for it. I suggest foregoing the shelves on either side and going ahead with the drawers. IMO.
Others will disagree, but I have had it with the shelves personally.
I carry stuff on the top if I need to (on racks). Most of the time, I have material delivered.
I've worked out of station wagons, suburbans, panel trucks, pickups and trailers. My favorite is the utility box truck. My current one is 3/4 ton, has three boxes on each side + a flip up box on top that I keep nails and other stuff in. Also has a good set of roof racks that I use very often for material and ladders. My only complaint with the boxes is that there isn't enough room in them for the 6' level.
I also have a work trailer (6x10 ?). Seems like everything that won't fit anywhere else gets thrown into the trailer. Gets to be a mess quickly. I need to take a day and clean and reorganize both again. The trailer is handy for the bigger stuff like the chop saw/stand and table saw.
I never liked vans because it seemed that whatever I wanted was in the middle someplace and I was on hands and knees digging. At least with the current set up I can stand up while I'm searching.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
I bought an E150 window , Ford rental van in 2007, stripped out the seats and built a roll-out insert for all the tools and supplies. When I want to haul the family I roll the insert out onto sawhorses and install seats and go. The van is loaded and bought with 16k and two years on warranty.
Its the third van I have done this with, first two were Astro vans (no longer made)
Ever thought of getting a cap and installing a slide out bed?
Mike
only one draw back with a van. gas fumes from engines and fuel cans.