Step Vans

[Lawn Enforcer]

Hey everyone-
I've been thinking about a new mowing set-up for next year and I though about an International T444E with a landscape be on it, but that would run me about $17,000 when all done, and it wouldn't be enclosed.
What about a truck like this:
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/car/720981760.html
$4,500, fleet maintained, low miles, 350 gas engine (I don't mow a lawn that is more than 4 miles from my house, and only 3 lawns 10 miles away) I have a friend who could fab up a nice ramp for the back (he's an awesome fabricator) plenty of space inside, back door can be left open to keep the gas smell down. I would also use it to haul a sprint car (which I hope to have by the 2010 racing season) In winter I could keep it at one of my customer's farm place inside the rodent-free pole shed.) I would keep my other truck and trailer in case of break downs and for spring and fall clean-up. What do you guys think? Positives and negatives.
Thanks in advance!
P.S. Pics are welcome!

[JB1]

I have not seen any step vans used like you want, several years ago there was somebody that modified a old school bus that was pretty slick.

[Lawn Enforcer]

I have not seen any step vans used like you want, several years ago there was somebody that modified a old school bus that was pretty slick.

Someone on Lawnsite had or has one, I've seen it. A school bus is maybe too big for what I need, an 18 ft step van would probably do the trick.

[Lawn Enforcer]

Any other comments anybody?

[huskres]

I mow and also drive for fedex, I can tell you thats a pretty decent price on there. Is gmc the actual chassis maker? If so I know those ones arent the best. Expect about 7 mpg on a good day. The body is aluminum right? Make sure you get to know an aluminum welder. Does it have two seats? What if a third needs to ride?

[KS_Grasscutter]

What's wrong with using a pickup and enclosed trailer?

[Lawn Enforcer]

I mow and also drive for fedex, I can tell you thats a pretty decent price on there. Is gmc the actual chassis maker? If so I know those ones arent the best. Expect about 7 mpg on a good day. The body is aluminum right? Make sure you get to know an aluminum welder. Does it have two seats? What if a third needs to ride?

Like I said, my route is very tight, and when I expand, I will drive about 7 miles to another town, and then it would be a tight route there. I wouldn't need a third seat, and if I did, it would be simple to install one. It would be a cheap rolling billboard and it would keep my equipment enclosed, and no trailer.

[LindblomRJ]

Like I said, my route is very tight, and when I expand, I will drive about 7 miles to another town, and then it would be a tight route there. I wouldn't need a third seat, and if I did, it would be simple to install one. It would be a cheap rolling billboard and it would keep my equipment enclosed, and no trailer.

Why not? Sounds like a decent plan. Depending on the ramp style if your ability to pull a trailer would not be there.

[Lawn Enforcer]

I talked to my friend and he said he's seen it done before, and he could come up with an easy to use ramp.

[KCfireman]

think about this before you buy one. Those older vehicles are easy to hotwire. Someone could easily hotwire your truck and drive off with all your equipment. I would just use your money to buy an enclosed trailer.

[LindblomRJ]

think about this before you buy one. Those older vehicles are easy to hotwire. Someone could easily hotwire your truck and drive off with all your equipment. I would just use your money to buy an enclosed trailer.

True. How easy is it to hook up to a trailer and take off with that?

[MikeKle]

I have also considered a step van for lawn care, I looked at one here someone had for sale, the only problem I saw was the wheel well tubs take up alot of floor space, I could not get a 52" turf tracer thru them, I figured I could make some sort of frame that would create a true flat floor but that would lower the ceiling height and would add alot of weight, because it would have to be pretty stout to hold 3 turf tracers! I couldnt think of any other way to get the mowers over/thru the tubs? I guess if you had nothing wider than a 36" it would work. I do like the step van idea though, rolling billboard would get lots of looks

[Lawn Enforcer]

I have also considered a step van for lawn care, I looked at one here someone had for sale, the only problem I saw was the wheel well tubs take up alot of floor space, I could not get a 52" turf tracer thru them, I figured I could make some sort of frame that would create a true flat floor but that would lower the ceiling height and would add alot of weight, because it would have to be pretty stout to hold 3 turf tracers! I couldnt think of any other way to get the mowers over/thru the tubs? I guess if you had nothing wider than a 36" it would work. I do like the step van idea though, rolling billboard would get lots of looks

I thought about the wheels, but I would measure to make sure.

[lawn king]

We ran one from 1973 to 1985. C 30 chassis, 350 4 barrel automatic. It was a good truck, set up with a 14' grumman box w/ rear roll up door. We sold it to upgrade to trucks that could work snow.

[Merlin300]

My dad owns a gutter business. He has 2 machines. 1 in an enclosed trailer, and one in a aluminum van like in the picture. The van gets horrible mileage, hotter than 2 rats screwing in a wool sock in the summer, cold in the winter, loud going down the road, very dusty, terrible ride, (beats you to death) just not a enjoyable ride at all. Makes for a long day.

He is going to sell it and get another enclosed trailer. There is no way I would run one.

[Lawn Enforcer]

My dad owns a gutter business. He has 2 machines. 1 in an enclosed trailer, and one in a aluminum van like in the picture. The van gets horrible mileage, hotter than 2 rats screwing in a wool sock in the summer, cold in the winter, loud going down the road, very dusty, terrible ride, (beats you to death) just not a enjoyable ride at all. Makes for a long day.

He is going to sell it and get another enclosed trailer. There is no way I would run one.

Thanks for the info guys!