Best way to set up a truck for irrigation work?

[OKSooner]

Question for all:

Working out of a 3/4 ton truck doing REPAIRS ONLY, so far, what is the best way to set it up for irrigation work? Specifically, what is the best way to carry all of the spray heads, rotors, nozzles, PVC fittings, locator, tools and other stuff that you need to do repairs? (Especially all those PVC fittings...)

THANKS!

[Stuttering Stan]

Put a cap on it (security). One of those slide out jobs is nice, if you want to drop big bucks. Be organized so you know where everything is located.
One of the best investments I made was a utility bed. Everything is stored in side compartments.

[bcg]

Sell it and buy a van. Really, I use E250 vans with shelves and ladder racks for service work. I can fit every fitting I could possible need from 1/2" - 1", the main fittings for 1-1/4" - 2", controllers, heads, funny pipe, valves, rain sensors, etc. I carry a bundle each of 1/2", 3/4" and 1" class pipe, at least 60' of 3/4" and 1" Sch 40 pipe, and at least a stick of 1 1/4", 1 1/2" and 2" pipe on the ladder rack and still have room for a 6' ladder. Plenty of room for tools, remote, etc. and everything is well organized due to the shelves and secure because I can lock the van. I can't imagine having to work out of a truck for service work, there just doesn't seem to be enough spaces to put everything, even with a utility bed, or a good way to keep it all safe.

[DanaMac]

One of those slide out jobs is nice, if you want to drop big bucks. Be organized so you know where everything is located.
One of the best investments I made was a utility bed. Everything is stored in side compartments.

I've built my slide/drawer unit. Don't buy one. I'll post pics later.

[DanaMac]

I personally work out of a truck. I prefer it. My guy that drives the van, prefers the van. You can carry as much stuff as you will ever need if set up properly.

[1idejim]

I personally work out of a truck. I prefer it. My guy that drives the van, prefers the van. You can carry as much stuff as you will ever need if set up properly.

dana i personally like the truck/camper with side access and shelves and drawers.

i've had utility beds but then you fall under the D.O.T. inspection and scales stops. i've built and am building another trailer from utility beds, i think their great.

they hold a ton of stuff but, i don't have many parking problems like most of you have.

[DanaMac]

Problem with my E250 van is that the technician won't drive it pulling the compressor in the fall. Too many blind spots and he doesn't feel comfortable doing it.

[Mike Leary]

Problem with my E250 van is that the technician won't drive it pulling the compressor in the fall. Too many blind spots and he doesn't feel comfortable doing it.

Good point, and I don't blame him; backing a compressor is a bearcat without being able to see behind you.

[DanaMac]

Good point, and I don't blame him; backing a compressor is a bearcat without being able to see behind you.

I agree. I may have to use it this nest fall though. I'm comfortable with my skills backing up, but not his. We've used my personal vehicle for him the last couple years when pulling the compressor. But I've since sold it, to that technician actually.

[Mike Leary]

I agree. I may have to use it this nest fall though. I'm comfortable with my skills backing up, but not his. We've used my personal vehicle for him the last couple years when pulling the compressor. But I've since sold it, to that technician actually.

Depending on how many blow-outs you do, it might be worth it to rent a Ranger or 150 to do the winterize. Nothing like a tail gate down when backing a compressor.

[DanaMac]

Instead of a ton of photos, I'm trying to find link where I've posted set ups already.

This first one is of the 2001 Ford Ranger I bought last summer. It also pulls the 100 CFM compressor.
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=282892

This is an entire thread on your original subject. It has photos of an older set up I made for the back of my GMC that Ive sold.
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=212785

My van photos start at post #6 in this one
http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=276749

[Mike Leary]

How's the backpack biz doing?

[DanaMac]

How's the backpack biz doing?

Slow, but decent. Got some good feed back on our snowboard trip. Michael and his brother Aaron gave me good advice. Aaron has or is doing raft/kayak guides, ski guides, ski patrol - so I hit him up with some questions and info. Michael has done another business and he gave me some insight into things as well. I need to bug them a little more for some extra feedback.

Retailers are still ignoring us, so I think we're going about things the wrong way with them. Or just bad timing for a new product. talking with a fella in Portland, OR so maybe I can make a trip up there if they're interested.

We sponsor an adventure race team and they are currently down in Chile and using our packs for the current race.

[Mike Leary]

Some high school friends of mine invented Jan-Sport and have done well; they got in with REI early on.

[1idejim]

Good point, and I don't blame him; backing a compressor is a bearcat without being able to see behind you.

hey boss,

only got 1 eye, so no depth perception as the world knows it. have no problem pulling trailers or compressors.

can't think of a time in the last 10yrs or so that i needed to have help backing or docking, no accidents, average 40-60,000 a season with a trailer.

driving is part of your job and if pulling a compressor or trailer is required, suck it up

[Mike Leary]

suck it up

Wondered about that avatar; thanks for the loan of the locator.

[Waterlogged]

OKSooner
I started out in a small Toyota P/U moved to 1/2 ton P/U with an open bed then a 3/4 ton Van. I now have a 3/4 P/U with a commercial topper with side doors and double door in the back. I like every thing covered from rain and five finger discounts. I built a false floor with pullout draws. You will find the best way to set it up with practice. I do not have to carry large amounts of parts at one time. I am blessed with supply houses around ever corner. I will say if you get to a job and you do not have what you need, when you do go get it buy three.
What you stock in the truck depends on what was installed in your area. I have to carry RainBird, Weathermatic, Toro, Hunter and Irritrol. You may not find all of these brands used in your area.
You're not going to have everything you need every time, don't let it get to you. :waving:

[1idejim]

Wondered about that avatar; thanks for the loan of the locator.


i'm happy to be of help, i wish russ the best of luck with it.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Sooner I'll be cutting through OK to get back to TX in a few weeks. Send me a PM and I'll try and stop in on you and give you my 2 cents. You'll get a lecture on why the remote is the most important tool in your truck but it's well worth it.

[koster_irrigation]

We switched from vans to service body trucks.

No more bending over inside vans!

A bit more investment but worth the headache of riding around in a van all day. (You'll go deaf from all the banging and clanging that goes on in a van)

And also no more smells from the glue and primer can that someone forgot to close the lid on, that can be harsh in a van.

[koster_irrigation]

I just bought a new truck about two weeks ago, my other truck is a 07' set up the same way.
Chev 2009 3500 Diesel SRW Knapheide Service Bed

No more vans, sold my last 06' 3500 chev van the other week.
My guys hate riding on buckets in the back of vans...


I cant wait for the weather to break so i can load it up. I plan to have the bed spray in liner done maybe this week. I have a pull out vise that mounts in the bed. I'll install racks in the early spring.

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Upgrade that WEBER grill dude. Nice truck though. That sucker looks lonnnnnng. I'll be interested to hear your gas mileage. I'm in a vehicle shopping stage and I'm thinking of getting a diesel for the first time but only for gas mileage reasons.

[koster_irrigation]

Im open for suggestions on the GRILL,

Im a charcoal man though.

[Wet_Boots]

you could run a diesel on brisket drippings

[DanaMac]

Im open for suggestions on the GRILL,

Im a charcoal man though.

I need to get another charcoal grille. Haven't done charcoal in years. I do have a used smoker a friend gave us though. I'll try using it this spring.

[koster_irrigation]

Sadly, I havent fired it up since November.

[bcg]

Upgrade that WEBER grill dude. Nice truck though. That sucker looks lonnnnnng. I'll be interested to hear your gas mileage. I'm in a vehicle shopping stage and I'm thinking of getting a diesel for the first time but only for gas mileage reasons.

Peter, your mileage isn't going to be that much better with a diesel. I get 16 - 18 out of my 7.3 on the highway unloaded. Towing, the mileage is a lot better than a gas truck would be but if you're not towing all the time, them mileage isn't the reason to buy a diesel. I won't go back to a gas engine though, because I like having the power when I need it (there's no substitute for it when you have to have it, just like 4WD), it's going to last a whole lot longer than a gas engine (I've got 187k on the clock right now and she still runs like a champ) and I don't have to deal with all the emissions BS that the gas engines do around here.

The newer diesels get much worse mileage than the older ones though, in trucks anyway, because of the now required diesel particulate filters, catalytic convertors, and other emissions related stuff. In the 6.0 Ford, 14 - 16 highway stock was considred good. The 6.4, while a much more reliable engine, was no better on mileage than the 6.0 was.

If you do decide to go with a diesel truck, I'd suggest a pre-2003 Ford 7.3 or a Dodge with the 24v 5.9 Cummins. I won't be without a diesel again but I'll rebuild this 7.3 forever before I get one of the newer engines until they make some real improvements to the way they handle emissions requirements so as to not kill the mileage like they do right now. The models coming out next year will add a urea tank that needs to be refilled periodically (pretty frequently but I don't remember exactly how often). The urea is to be used to flush the DPF (that's currently done with diesel) and isn't cheap. I'm not interested in adding one more thing to keep up with.

Noe if you're talking about a TDI car, none of that applies. Those get excellent mileage.

[Wet_Boots]

filling the urea tank = pissing away your money :)

[Kiril]

filling the urea tank = pissing away your money :)

Why not buy a 6 pack and fill it yourself? :laugh:

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

What is the story on Sprinter fuel efficiency? Overstated? Less power?
http://www.dodge.com/en/2009/sprinter/low_cost/fuel_economy/

[koster_irrigation]

Those things look nice for tall people such as myself, I gave up on vans awhile back.

[bcg]

I've got a friend that has a coffe service company. They used to do a lot of vending machines as well and used Sprinters for that. He says they have great power and get prety good mileage but, they had to rebuild turbos on almost all of the ones they had (they had 6 or 7). From what he told me, there were some design flaws in the turbo system. There are apparently some aftermarket kits to upgrade and correct the problem.

I'd like to have them but they're a little pricey for me.

[greenmonster304]

Im open for suggestions on the GRILL,

Im a charcoal man though.

Here is an awesome charcoal grill with a gas igintion to start the coals http://www.weber.com/grills/default.aspx?glid=4&mid=25. And I agree about the vans, they are the worst.

[cppendergrast]

Peter, your mileage isn't going to be that much better with a diesel. I get 16 - 18 out of my 7.3 on the highway unloaded. Towing, the mileage is a lot better than a gas truck would be but if you're not towing all the time, them mileage isn't the reason to buy a diesel. I won't go back to a gas engine though, because I like having the power when I need it (there's no substitute for it when you have to have it, just like 4WD), it's going to last a whole lot longer than a gas engine (I've got 187k on the clock right now and she still runs like a champ) and I don't have to deal with all the emissions BS that the gas engines do around here.

The newer diesels get much worse mileage than the older ones though, in trucks anyway, because of the now required diesel particulate filters, catalytic convertors, and other emissions related stuff. In the 6.0 Ford, 14 - 16 highway stock was considred good. The 6.4, while a much more reliable engine, was no better on mileage than the 6.0 was.

If you do decide to go with a diesel truck, I'd suggest a pre-2003 Ford 7.3 or a Dodge with the 24v 5.9 Cummins. I won't be without a diesel again but I'll rebuild this 7.3 forever before I get one of the newer engines until they make some real improvements to the way they handle emissions requirements so as to not kill the mileage like they do right now. The models coming out next year will add a urea tank that needs to be refilled periodically (pretty frequently but I don't remember exactly how often). The urea is to be used to flush the DPF (that's currently done with diesel) and isn't cheap. I'm not interested in adding one more thing to keep up with.

Noe if you're talking about a TDI car, none of that applies. Those get excellent mileage.

I have three 1997 7.3's with an average of 300k miles and they have emissions tests done each year with no problems. I agree.