Trucks vs Vans

[jajwrigh]

What do all of you use for transporting your equipment and why? I am looking at a van tommorrow because they are relatively cheaper than trucks, enclosed, and a good way to keep the weather out. So what are your experiences with each?

[Toy2]

I have been thinking of a van as well, i'm sure it would work great, on small jobs you could toss the 21" and go, plus you have a running billboard.... :)

[MIDWEST25]

I have 5 one ton vans and love them.Be sure to get diesel.That will about double your mileage.GMC will have the duramax with the allyson tranny as soon as the army is done redoing all their equipment with them.For now I would go with the powerstroke.Much longer life also

[Grandview]

I use vans. I do chemical and fertilizer applications. I pull trailers to haul my equipment. I like have my tools and other stuff out of the elements. My oldest van I bought with 90,000 miles. I paid 5000.00 for it. It now has 250,000. Talk to dealers or delivery companies about when they will be buying new and getting trade ins. I get white vans and put my own lettering on them.

[ThreeWide]

What about fumes/smells from chemicals?

I would think that might be an issue with using a van. That's why I'm not thinking of going that direction.

[DLS1]

What about fumes/smells from chemicals?

I would think that might be an issue with using a van. That's why I'm not thinking of going that direction.

Wear the pesticide mixing gas mask as you drive. Problem solved. :D

Seriously I would never be in an enclosed vehicle with any type of pesticides.

[ThreeWide]

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped and chatted with a tech from one of the local companies who uses vans exclusively.

He liked the setup in the van, but said the smell was constant. If you used a van setup, I think a ventilation system would be absolutely necessary.

[nobagger]

A full sized 3/4 van I think its a great idea If you don't bag clippings. You can hang trimmers and smaller tools that would just clutter your trailer (hand tools like loppers smaller shovels etc). But if its fumes your worried about just put your gas cans in a sealed weather proof truck tool box. I use one on my trailer and take it off during the winter months and store it in my garage and there are very minimal to no smell of gas at all. And yes for the past 2 seasons I forgot to empty out my fuel cans so there was fuel in the cans, but again no smells.

[Toy2]

Post some pics of vans if you folks can. Thanks

[MrBarefoot]

I use a van for my fert and weed control operation. Fumes are a problem when I can't open windows, but no problem when I can.

We'll try to post some pics up, but since we have SNOW today, it may be a few days.

[A+ Lawncare]

talkin about fumes in these vans, from app. ect... what bout painter, i know their used to fumes i guess but most all painters use vans....

[Duramax99]

I use a 2500HD Chevy with a enclosed trailer. You can cary a pallet of fert with the 2500HD

[slow release]

We have two Chevy 1 ton vans. They have a dome vent in the cargo area with a fan (looks like one you'd see in a camper). This eliminates any odors.

[DiscoveryLawn]

I have a van and hate the fumes. I am going to switch to a cube truck or something similar as soon as I can afford to. In the mean time I am going to have a ventilation vent with a fan installed like Scotts has. Other than the fumes I love having everything enclosed.

David

[Green Dreams]

I do the pick up thing myself. When I was first hired at 21, I drove a van. One day....ugh....I left the lid off or loose on the tank behind my seat. I stopped hard for some reason and a tsunami of Dursban poured over me.

And when I'd have a hopper full of sulfur and hit a bump...you could see the cloud rise from the spreader and make its way to the front.

Ahhh...the good ol days.

[Tom Gs]

I have a van and hate the fumes. I am going to switch to a cube truck or something similar as soon as I can afford to. In the mean time I am going to have a ventilation vent with a fan installed like Scotts has. Other than the fumes I love having everything enclosed.

David


Can you post a pic or describe in some detail how it works?

Thank-you

[DiscoveryLawn]

Can you post a pic or describe in some detail how it works?

Thank-you
Are you asking about how my van set up works?

[LwnmwrMan22]

Use a pickup pulling a 24' enclosed trailer that holds the PermaGreen and the mowing equipment.

I've got a door off the front of the V-Nose on the trailer so I can drive the PermaGreen in and out without taking the mowing equipment off.

Usually haul a pallet of fertilizer in the back of the truck, which I can load in with the tractor in the morning, or unload quickly if it starts to rain.

If I don't have much to do for the day (10-12 bags), I'll just load them in the side door of the trailer, then they're out of the weather until I use them.

[Tom Gs]

Are you asking about how my van set up works?


Yes....How is your van set up?

[GREENITUP]

My former employer started switching to vans instead of the open pick-up's because he thought the soccer moms would feel better when we pulled up and couldn't see a possible 200 or 300 gallon chemical spill in their neighborhood. Unfortunately I was the first to get a van - they are 1] harder to work out of (especially filling a skid sprayer inside) 2] driving visibility is poor (pulling a 18' trailer isn't fun) and 3] the fumes are horrible. You can't get away from them even with windows rolled down - I guess he didn't think about that because he wasn't going to be in one. Breathing lime dust all day wasn't fun either. Get a 2500 truck dude - your lungs will thank you. Good luck.

[jajwrigh]

Right now I am bidding on a van on Ebay!! It is a v8, has a dome vent, and has the side sliding door...I will know if I win within 30 minutes...this would be ideal for my business vehicle.

[jajwrigh]

someone else grabbed it at the last second! :realmad: :angry:

[turf hokie]

I bought a 14' box truck last year and love it. Could use a 16 to turn the PG around easier.

Shelf for all my liquids, and safety equipment. 50 gallon sprayer for water to load my perma. and up to 2 pallets of fert.

I am 6-3 and can stand inside, refill the perma and nobody sees me pouring chems. At night I just lock the doors and go home. No worries if it rains. No trailer to pull.

And a 4x8 sign on the side for advertising.

I tried the pick up and the E250 van. The van won't let you away from the chems. and the p/u was way too hard to work out of.

[jajwrigh]

I have thought about a box truck as well, something in the 10' range would be ideal. It would be nice to leave most of my equipment locked up in the back and regain some of my garage! I need to do something very soon though!

[lawnandplow42]

trucks only. Its just my thing. :)

[lawnandplow42]

on a more informative note, theres various bodies you can get on a truck to match a van. If you like the closed in idea, look into getting a truck with a cab, or even a utility body.

[DUSTYCEDAR]

GET A VAN i have a soilid bulk head in mine so no splash to worrie about
yes it stinks but i am getting covered with the stuff all day anyhow so whats the big deal i have ac so on hot days i run that and it keeps the fumes at bay