FORD's new service vehicle

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

Saw this at the PROGREEN show. Gets 22-25mpg. I had Henry in an ASTRO for years and it was a great service vehicle. Since its demise nothing has been out there to replace it and get decent gas mileage.

http://www.fordvehicles.com/transitconnect/

I think outfitted it was price between 20-25,000

[JB1]

I saw one of them ar a show also, now have seen several businesses around here have them now, not a bad vehicle.

[DanaMac]

Looking at the interior space, and the 360 degree tool, it doesn't seem big enough inside for enough supplies and tools. Also, what about towing capabilities for a compressor?

[Wet_Boots]

22-25 mpg doesn't cut it. I'll take a Ranger instead.

[DanaMac]

Once loaded down with a bunch of supplies, tools, and equipment, no vehicle is going to get what it advertises for mileage. I suspect in town, multiple stops per day, loaded with a driver and supplies and tools, that vehicle will get 18-20. My E250 van gets 15-18. For some reason, it gets the best mileage out of all four of my vehicles.

[DanaMac]

I'll take a Ranger instead.

You asked for it.

[Wet_Boots]

For most residential service, one could use an older Scion xB at over 30 mpg

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/7408/8561.jpg

[bcg]

I looked at that Ford, it felt too small to me. I'm stashing stuff all over the E250, I'm sure it would be overflowing.

A Scion? Are you kidding me? You couldn't stock squat in that and where would you put a 20' stick of pipe?

[DanaMac]

I looked at that Ford, it felt too small to me. I'm stashing stuff all over the E250, I'm sure it would be overflowing.

A Scion? Are you kidding me? You couldn't stock squat in that and where would you put a 20' stick of pipe?

We up north don't carry 20' PVC for service. 5'-10' at most.

[Wet_Boots]

The coils of poly one uses on a daily basis would easily fit in a midget van.

[bcg]

OK, I can see how if you took PVC out of the equation that you wouldn't need nearly as much space. The PVC fittings take up 90% of my space.

[DanaMac]

OK, I can see how if you took PVC out of the equation that you wouldn't need nearly as much space. The PVC fittings take up 90% of my space.

Do you need 50 of each kind on a vehicle for service work? We have maybe 5-10 each of PVC, poly, and copper fittings, with maybe a few more for the most common ones.

[Wet_Boots]

Of course, woe be to the service guy driving a Scion, if he forgot his roll of tape to compactly wind up an opened roll of poly.

[Inspired]

I've been thinking of buying a service vehicle. I wonder what that little Ford actually costs with all the add-ons, technology and everything.

I had an older version of This: My buddies Ranger with and aluminum shell.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_sw_omJOvB_8/S2JukZdR_uI/AAAAAAAAAto/9jJ4UzFvEwk/s912/Service%20Ranger%20w-cap%20forum.jpg


And I saw an AV guy using this little Chevy Van:
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_sw_omJOvB_8/S2JukQJPG3I/AAAAAAAAAts/iDpF_r7KycQ/s912/Service%20van%201%20forum.jpg

I need to do something soon. My current set up was great when I had employees, way to small to work out of.

[Wet_Boots]

I'd look at a Ranger longbed with a four-banger and a stick. Supercabs are a waste.

[Inspired]

I'd look at a Ranger longbed with a four-banger and a stick. Supercabs are a waste.

Well, not so much when you're 6'4".:)

I loved the little Ranger I had before.

[Wet_Boots]

learn to slouch :p

[Inspired]

....Maybe take a yoga class

[Wet_Boots]

Get a middle seat in coach on a charter to a weight-watchers convention :)

[1idejim]

Supercabs are a waste.

i see an opportunity for a portable office, similar to a cross bed toolbox for some company to develop.

lockable storage for high dollar items, laptop and printer docks, power ports ect.

contracts and hand outs in hanging files. blueprint storage maybe?

i also like the work shell on a pick up, bill

[mitchgo]

man that transit thing is ugly

[bcg]

Do you need 50 of each kind on a vehicle for service work? We have maybe 5-10 each of PVC, poly, and copper fittings, with maybe a few more for the most common ones.

Absolutely. There's nothing that will irritate me more, or kill profitability faster, than not having what is needed to complete a job. I try to work it out so that I don't have to hit the supply house more than once a week, preferrably Fri morning when they have free donuts or kolaches.

[DanaMac]

Absolutely. There's nothing that will irritate me more, or kill profitability faster, than not having what is needed to complete a job. I try to work it out so that I don't have to hit the supply house more than once a week, preferrably Fri morning when they have free donuts or kolaches.

I have more supplies than what is in our trucks. We keep it all at the shop or in my garage. Resupply as needed.

[bcg]

I use the vans as mini-warehouses instead of keeping supplies in the shop. The mowing crews and all their affiliated stuff (tools, spare parts, etc.) pretty much take up the entire shop.

We're looking at buying some land more in the country than we are now though. If we do, I'll probably start having the supplier make a weekly delivery there and resupply the vans from that stock instead of going to the supply house. I'll be able to build the space to do that then.

I think my service area is probably a little bigger than yours also, we service about 1/4 of Greater Houston area, which translates to about a 60 mile radius. If someone is 30 miles from the shop, it's really not good to need to run back there for something.

[Mike Leary]

about 1/4 of Greater Houston area, which translates to about a 60 mile radius. If someone is 30 miles from the shop, it's really not good to need to run back there for something.

I don't give a rat if you're 30 miles or 5 miles; you should have figured out what's needed to do the repair when the client called and should have extra stuff on board just in case.

[Wet_Boots]

If the service vehicle is within reach of your parts inventory in the morning, you restock the bins and carriers. Simple.

[MarcSmith]

when chevy killed the astro van we lost a great "van" at Gu we buy any used astro we find.... its great service vehicle for out tight confines...I actually like the transit. I am contemplating one for personal use. IE get it ser up with one bench seat. as my boating hobbies take up a fair amount of space and my current tracker doesn't cut it... the transit would fit the bill nicely. except that it overhead clearance will not fit in the parking garages at work...6' 6" the transit is 6'8"

yeah its an ugly duckling, but I think with the amount storage and value it will grow on people real quick... but the uni body construction and small engine will limit its towing....

[Wet_Boots]

They should stick with body-on-frame, and find a way to lower the weight.

[bcg]

I don't give a rat if you're 30 miles or 5 miles; you should have figured out what's needed to do the repair when the client called and should have extra stuff on board just in case.

The techs don't talk to the customers when they call, the office staff does. That's why we keep a lot of everything. The only time we don't have what's needed is if either the tech has been lazy and not kept his van stocked (and he'll catch hell about that, believe me) or it's something really out of the norm for our area. Once we see something 1 time though, we stock 3 of whatever it was. I really don't like not having what's needed for any forseeable job on the van.

[Mike Leary]

The techs don't talk to the customers when they call, the office staff does. That's why we keep a lot of everything. The only time we don't have what's needed is if either the tech has been lazy and not kept his van stocked (and he'll catch hell about that, believe me) or it's something really out of the norm for our area. Once we see something 1 time though, we stock 3 of whatever it was. I really don't like not having what's needed for any forseeable job on the van.

Works for me, good going.

[irrig8r]

I haven't test driven one yet, but I looked over one thoroughly at a local Ford dealer. I was thinking of retiring my truck and getting one next fall... we'll see how business goes, and if they have any recalls...

Motor Trend's Truck Of The Year though...

[MarcSmith]

Motor Trend's Truck Of The Year though...

which really means nothing...

[Inspired]

I haven't test driven one yet, but I looked over one thoroughly at a local Ford dealer. I was thinking of retiring my truck and getting one next fall... we'll see how business goes, and if they have any recalls...

Motor Trend's Truck Of The Year though...

What is the price range?

[irrig8r]

What is the price range?

Starts at $22,500 as I recall...

And they ship them all the way from Turkey.

I hear they have a clean diesel version in Europe, and I heard something on the radio about an all electric one coming too.

Here it is:

http://green.autoblog.com/2010/02/12/quick-spin-ford-transit-connect-electric-a-good-sign-of-things/

[AI Inc]

Do you need 50 of each kind on a vehicle for service work? We have maybe 5-10 each of PVC, poly, and copper fittings, with maybe a few more for the most common ones.

poly service , coupling make up 50% of inventory.

[DanaMac]

poly service , coupling make up 50% of inventory.

What sizes do you carry? We stock a lot of 1/2" and 1". Not as much 3/4", and only 1-2 of 1.25" and 1.5". Poly is more prevalent here so we carry more poly. Not as much PVC, lots of copper fittings in the spring.

[AI Inc]

Just plenty of 1" , a few 1.25 and a handfull of 3/4x 1" .

[DanaMac]

Just plenty of 1" , a few 1.25 and a handfull of 3/4x 1" .

Most systems here have a drip zone, using 1/2" poly drip pipe. And it gets damaged more than anything. So we may have a box of 1/2" couplers on each truck. Rarely do we see anything over 1", maybe 1-2 a year for the three of us combined. So I'd rather make a run to the supplier than stock those sizes. And I may only have 2' of the larger size pipes.

[AI Inc]

Yes all trucks have a baggie full of netafim couplings too. Along with a 5 footer of drip pipe too.

[EcoGreen Services]

We've had them in Canada since last summer.
A buddy of mine who does HVAC bought one to replace a Chev Astro.

There is about 2ft less cargo length than the Astro but headroom is good.
He actually gets better mileage than advertised, But they are really gutless when you have any weight in the back and struggled towing a 5X10 trailer with 2 residential A/C kits.

They do drive nice and are very comfortable.

I think with the Diesel they use in Europe it would be a Great service vehicle.

Oh and they are Uglier in Person.

[DanaMac]

Yes all trucks have a baggie full of netafim couplings too. Along with a 5 footer of drip pipe too.

We carry minimal Netafim. The 1/2" is all regular 1/2" insert fittings. and a 100' roll of the 1/2" pipe.

[AI Inc]

It actualy has a european look to it.

[AI Inc]

We carry minimal Netafim. The 1/2" is all regular 1/2" insert fittings. and a 100' roll of the 1/2" pipe.

Ive only seen 1/2 poly here like twice in 15 yrs. Keep in mind I installed 85% of the systems we service. That helps keep inventory needs down.

[Wet_Boots]

Actual 1/2 poly is definitely a rare creature, but I've used a bit of it, now that the spray nozzles come in those smaller sizes. Makes it easy to add shrub heads without much digging.

[DanaMac]

Actual 1/2 poly is definitely a rare creature, but I've used a bit of it, now that the spray nozzles come in those smaller sizes. Makes it easy to add shrub heads without much digging.

Well, what we have is the 1/2" drip tubing, not really regular "poly" I guess.

[Wet_Boots]

Stocking the 1/2-inch Oetiker clamps and the barbed fittings is kind of a nuisance, but not having to dig out rocks when installing a shrub zone is a great timesaver. Only once did I ever pull the stuff (with a Piper!) for rotor heads, on an addition in an otherwise-unworkable property next to a glacial lake.