Comments on: The Benefits of a Work Van http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/ A new eMagazine BY carpenters, FOR carpenters. Sat, 04 Feb 2012 12:04:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bailey /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-18924 Bailey Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:30:46 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-18924 Hello, I run & manage 11 Sprinter type vehicles (Dodge & Mercedes mix) in the home automation industry. I can say as a business owner, they are completely functional & efficient. My beef with Sprinters are that my cost of operation tripled because of basic services. Not all dealers are set up to work on them either so it might require inconvenient travel for service. Everything is double cost on each van & in the transition phase when we first started converting, about year 2, we were hit with multiple issues on multiple vans. Electrical issues, dealership not putting enough oil in (6 times across 3 dealers), I got two Dodge types that can't keep a windshield in them. I have a mercedes that has been out of service more than in. I keep Ford E-250's around in both markets because I always have a sprinter out of commission. You can't beat their storage & yes, it's cool to stand up inside with plenty of headroom but you might really look at the market you are in, how long the dealer has been servicing that vehicle & so forth. I am all in love with this Chevy Access package, I had heard about them but have not seen one in action. I am writing this because I am going to start phasing back to traditional vehicles to get my cost of operations back down to realistic math. Best regards, Bailey Hello,
I run & manage 11 Sprinter type vehicles (Dodge & Mercedes mix) in the home automation industry. I can say as a business owner, they are completely functional & efficient. My beef with Sprinters are that my cost of operation tripled because of basic services. Not all dealers are set up to work on them either so it might require inconvenient travel for service. Everything is double cost on each van & in the transition phase when we first started converting, about year 2, we were hit with multiple issues on multiple vans. Electrical issues, dealership not putting enough oil in (6 times across 3 dealers), I got two Dodge types that can’t keep a windshield in them. I have a mercedes that has been out of service more than in. I keep Ford E-250′s around in both markets because I always have a sprinter out of commission.
You can’t beat their storage & yes, it’s cool to stand up inside with plenty of headroom but you might really look at the market you are in, how long the dealer has been servicing that vehicle & so forth. I am all in love with this Chevy Access package, I had heard about them but have not seen one in action. I am writing this because I am going to start phasing back to traditional vehicles to get my cost of operations back down to realistic math.
Best regards,
Bailey

]]> By: Robert /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-12523 Robert Mon, 15 Nov 2010 04:06:52 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-12523 For less than $500 I installed a security system in my trailer that locks up the wheels when activated. I also realize that some criminals just cant be stopped' For less than $500 I installed a security system in my trailer that locks up the wheels when activated. I also realize that some criminals just cant be stopped’

]]> By: Doug Simmons /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-5781 Doug Simmons Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:56:30 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-5781 Wow, those are some great ideas, I might have to try the insulation and birch ply! Wow, those are some great ideas, I might have to try the insulation and birch ply!

]]> By: Ronald Sauve /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-5777 Ronald Sauve Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:43:20 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-5777 I agree that vans are the way to go for those who do a lot of finish work. My last vehicle was a VW Eurovan. A "minivan". However, this minivan was rated to carry a little over a ton, could tow 4400 pounds, could take a full sheet of plywood behind the front seats, either horizontally or vertically, had excellent visibility all around, and could get 21 mpg. Sadly, it finally died. But I loved it while it lasted. I now get by for now with a small pickup with cap and slideout tray to get access to tools. But it won't take a full sheet of plywood inside. this can be a problem in inclement weather. I still pine for my old Eurovan. Oh well, maybe soon I can get a Sprinter? I agree that vans are the way to go for those who do a lot of finish work. My last vehicle was a VW Eurovan. A “minivan”. However, this minivan was rated to carry a little over a ton, could tow 4400 pounds, could take a full sheet of plywood behind the front seats, either horizontally or vertically, had excellent visibility all around, and could get 21 mpg. Sadly, it finally died. But I loved it while it lasted. I now get by for now with a small pickup with cap and slideout tray to get access to tools. But it won’t take a full sheet of plywood inside. this can be a problem in inclement weather. I still pine for my old Eurovan. Oh well, maybe soon I can get a Sprinter?

]]> By: Joe Stoddard /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-5203 Joe Stoddard Sun, 18 Jul 2010 16:56:35 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-5203 Hey Doug - and everyone Loved the article here. I've always had a fascination with peoples' work trucks/vans/trailers... there's nothing better than having everything you need at your fingertips, organized and ready to roll out. Along those lines --I've been enlisted to do the legwork and generate some interest in an article JLC editors are working on. Hope it's OK (Gary? ) that I post this here.. We're looking for the very "best of" work truck /van / trailer rigs ... the most innovative, efficient, unique JLC Editors and editorial 'herd' will select one or two rigs in each category (Remodeler, New home builder, Individual Trade (Gutter-Spout/Drywall/Mechanical/etc), Pro Handyman, etc...TBD). If your rig gets selected for the magazine, at the very least your ingenuity and organizational skills will be elevated to "Guru" level. We might be able to get one or more tool/product mnfcts. involved too if we get enough entries Send me: - A couple of pictures of your rig - similar to what Doug posted here: Outside, inside, cab or 'field office'(if applicable). Rough shots with a phone camera are fine for now. - Photo of details that are interesting and indispensable for the kind of work you do (innovative rack...fold-down miter station...welder mounted to the bumper...pull-out lunch cooler...) - A sentence or two in the email about your rig, your business (so I know what kind of work you're doing with the rig) and include the stuff that sets it apart (so I know what the pictures are about). - Complete contact information, including your website if you have one, phone number, and mailing address. We'll compile the entries for the next few months and then be back in touch with the winning entries for more photos. I'm not sure when the article would run, but I'm going to shoot for either the IBS (January 2011) or JLCLive (March 2011) issues. You can reply to: moucon[AT]yahoo[DOT]com ... (substitute the real "@" and "." in that email address). Thanks everyone Joe Stoddard contributing editor - Journal of Light Construction Hey Doug – and everyone
Loved the article here. I’ve always had a fascination with peoples’ work trucks/vans/trailers… there’s nothing better than having everything you need at your fingertips, organized and ready to roll out.

Along those lines –I’ve been enlisted to do the legwork and generate some interest in an article JLC editors are working on. Hope it’s OK (Gary? ) that I post this here..
We’re looking for the very “best of” work truck /van / trailer rigs … the most innovative, efficient, unique

JLC Editors and editorial ‘herd’ will select one or two rigs in each category (Remodeler, New home builder, Individual Trade (Gutter-Spout/Drywall/Mechanical/etc), Pro Handyman, etc…TBD).

If your rig gets selected for the magazine, at the very least your ingenuity and organizational skills will be elevated to “Guru” level. We might be able to get one or more tool/product mnfcts. involved too if we get enough entries

Send me:

- A couple of pictures of your rig – similar to what Doug posted here: Outside, inside, cab or ‘field office’(if applicable). Rough shots with a phone camera are fine for now.

- Photo of details that are interesting and indispensable for the kind of work you do (innovative rack…fold-down miter station…welder mounted to the bumper…pull-out lunch cooler…)

- A sentence or two in the email about your rig, your business (so I know what kind of work you’re doing with the rig) and include the stuff that sets it apart (so I know what the pictures are about).

- Complete contact information, including your website if you have one, phone number, and mailing address.

We’ll compile the entries for the next few months and then be back in touch with the winning entries for more photos. I’m not sure when the article would run, but I’m going to shoot for either the IBS (January 2011) or JLCLive (March 2011) issues. You can reply to: moucon[AT]yahoo[DOT]com … (substitute the real “@” and “.” in that email address).

Thanks everyone
Joe Stoddard
contributing editor – Journal of Light Construction

]]> By: Handyman_Business /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-4413 Handyman_Business Sat, 03 Jul 2010 11:05:10 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-4413 Great article! I do think vans are a great work vehicle and use one myself. But then again it really depends upon what type of work that you do, what kinds of tools you need, and what kind of materials you need to haul. For those looking into getting a new work vehicle, I would strongly suggest examining how they work and seeing if a van maybe right for them. Regards, Chuck Great article! I do think vans are a great work vehicle and use one myself. But then again it really depends upon what type of work that you do, what kinds of tools you need, and what kind of materials you need to haul.

For those looking into getting a new work vehicle, I would strongly suggest examining how they work and seeing if a van maybe right for them.

Regards,
Chuck

]]> By: Martin Schmidt /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-4130 Martin Schmidt Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:52:39 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-4130 Interesting article, in scandinavia, we all drive vans like this, with all the tools stored properly and with space for supplies and materials, it eases the headache from too little sleep, too much work and the telephone ringing constantly (and the kids asking when youre coming home....) when at least this part of your life is as it should be. take care of yourselves, and keep your fingers martin Interesting article, in scandinavia, we all drive vans like this, with all the tools stored properly and with space for supplies and materials, it eases the headache from too little sleep, too much work and the telephone ringing constantly (and the kids asking when youre coming home….) when at least this part of your life is as it should be.
take care of yourselves, and keep your fingers
martin

]]> By: Eric Tavitian /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-3597 Eric Tavitian Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:32:35 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-3597 The problem with trailers is that even with the finest tongue locks available a thief will still drive off with it when your not around to watch. A friend had even removed the wheels and had a great lock and the next morning after starting a job it was simply gone, never to be seen again. He lost well over $200,000. Yes that's how much stuff can be loaded into a 16 foot trailer if you do finish carpentry. That is not easy to recover from. The problem with trailers is that even with the finest tongue locks available a thief will still drive off with it when your not around to watch. A friend had even removed the wheels and had a great lock and the next morning after starting a job it was simply gone, never to be seen again. He lost well over $200,000. Yes that’s how much stuff can be loaded into a 16 foot trailer if you do finish carpentry. That is not easy to recover from.

]]> By: Eric Tavitian /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-3596 Eric Tavitian Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:19:22 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-3596 This was a great article Doug. You really put it out there that "Finish Carpenters" really have to have a van or something that works like a van. I'm General Contractor in Southern California. I have always worked all the trades myself. But really I am a Cabinet & Furniture maker and Finish Carpenter. There is something more to working with wood than concrete footings and steel or plumbing and electrical. It's just not the same thing. So I have owned vans in one form or another for the past 30 years. Some have been better than others. Your van with the flip open side doors are definitely the way to go when using a standard van. I last owned a Chevy Express van a few years ago and do miss it at times. There was nothing like being able to load 12 to 14 foot lumber inside the van with the doors closed. But I didn't have the side flip up doors. They would have made a big difference. I now operate with a Chevy Astro, a Toyota Tacoma with beefed up suspension and a lumber rack, a Chevy 3/4 ton tool box utility bed pick up for the really heavy stuff. Each on of my trucks I use for different reasons. My next truck will more than likely be a Sprinter van. At that time I will sell my Astro. There are some aftermarket companies that will install side access doors very similar to the flip up doors on your van. This will help a lot, not to say that my stuff will be left alone. We all know that if you pull up in a 'Big Box' store with tools exposed on a pickup your chances of having them when come back out are slim. There was a time you could trust fellow workers or even passerby s to respect that you also work for food on the table and to leave your tools be. But those time are long gone. I've even seen union men steal tools.(So what's up with that?)Are times really that hard? The way I see it we need to look like we know what we're doing and having a properly outfitted van makes a big difference in what we can command for a wage. And that's not to mention that our tools will be safe and easy to access. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Doug. This was a great article Doug. You really put it out there that “Finish Carpenters” really have to have a van or something that works like a van. I’m General Contractor in Southern California. I have always worked all the trades myself. But really I am a Cabinet & Furniture maker and Finish Carpenter. There is something more to working with wood than concrete footings and steel or plumbing and electrical. It’s just not the same thing. So I have owned vans in one form or another for the past 30 years. Some have been better than others. Your van with the flip open side doors are definitely the way to go when using a standard van. I last owned a Chevy Express van a few years ago and do miss it at times. There was nothing like being able to load 12 to 14 foot lumber inside the van with the doors closed. But I didn’t have the side flip up doors. They would have made a big difference. I now operate with a Chevy Astro, a Toyota Tacoma with beefed up suspension and a lumber rack, a Chevy 3/4 ton tool box utility bed pick up for the really heavy stuff. Each on of my trucks I use for different reasons. My next truck will more than likely be a Sprinter van. At that time I will sell my Astro. There are some aftermarket companies that will install side access doors very similar to the flip up doors on your van. This will help a lot, not to say that my stuff will be left alone. We all know that if you pull up in a ‘Big Box’ store with tools exposed on a pickup your chances of having them when come back out are slim. There was a time you could trust fellow workers or even passerby s to respect that you also work for food on the table and to leave your tools be. But those time are long gone. I’ve even seen union men steal tools.(So what’s up with that?)Are times really that hard? The way I see it we need to look like we know what we’re doing and having a properly outfitted van makes a big difference in what we can command for a wage. And that’s not to mention that our tools will be safe and easy to access. Thanks for bringing this to our attention Doug.

]]> By: Jim Seybert /2010/06/11/benefits-of-a-work-van/#comment-3588 Jim Seybert Mon, 14 Jun 2010 13:18:26 +0000 http://www.thisiscarpentry.com/?p=4017#comment-3588 Very well thought-out article! I agree with the "van crowd" and more so after a friend who is an electrical contractor lost two trailers full of equipment that the theives simply hitched up and towed away. Very well thought-out article! I agree with the “van crowd” and more so after a friend who is an electrical contractor lost two trailers full of equipment that the theives simply hitched up and towed away.

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