new service vans

[mac]

I'm thinking of replacing a couple of my service vans and was curious if any of you out there have stumbled across any of them that just stand out. Gas mileage has become real important, along with the normal requirements of a service van. Should be a full size, not a mini. Thanks in advance.

 

[cwguy.com]

Have you looked at Nissan? I purchased gelato out of one last weekend. I have only looked at little cars like that ford. I still get 35 mpg with my Honda Fit though.

 

[rph9168]

I have heard good things about the Nissan commercial van but have no idea on mileage or maintenance.

 

[wash4me]

Dodge Sprinter vans are becoming more popular. I believe they have a 3 cylinder diesel. Sounds small but I drove one and it would out accelerate a gas V8.

 

[MEP001]

Five cylinder diesel, actually. It may not anymore since Chrysler is no longer part of Mercedes.

 

[mac]

Thanks for the feedback. I did look at the Sprinters, but it's hard to justify the price for what we do. They are really proud of those things. Have had a couple of people say nice things about the Nissans and will poke around there. Seems weird. I had a 2000 Pontiac Montana that got close to 30 mpg on the highway. So what did GM do? they stopped making it. I drive a 2013 Kia Sedona with a 6 speed automatic transmission. It gets maybe 22 on the highway and 20 in the city. Really disappointed in it.

 

[cwguy.com]

I thought you were talking about large vans? The ford transit is about as big as a mini van? I have seen them and talked to a couple service people and they are suppose to be good?
http://www.ford.com/trucks/transitconnect/

Also I saw a Nissan mini commercial van today. I will probably be noticing these for a while.

 

[MEP001]

I thought you were talking about large vans? The ford transit is about as big as a mini van?

Reason for comment?

 

[cwguy.com]

Reason for comment?

I actually made 2 additional suggestions for 2 vans.... Which are about the same size as what he is using now?

The transit is actually pretty big.... I have seen it with a shelving system and they are pretty neat. They also get pretty good mpg.... High twenties. I don't think it has a 3 cylinder diesel.... But who would correct someone over that and think it was noteworthy?

 

[JMMUSTANG]

Might be to large of a truck for you but interesting.

http://www.smithelectric.com/wp-content/themes/barebones/pdfs/SmithNewtonUS_SpecSheet_2011.pdf

 

[JGinther]

My little service truck is just what you need. But I won't sell it. Its a 08 chevy colorado 5 cyl inline with 4wd (necessary in CO) and automatic. It gets about 25 mpg unless loaded with soap. The best thing about it is that it is actually a longbed frame, but has a GM short box bed on it that is set back a couple feet. The topper is made for a long bed, but the space in between has doors to match the cab doors. It is a compartment that is wide open on one side (for all the power tools), and the other side has 4 large slide out craftsman professional tool chest built in. The space above 'box' is a rhino lined shelf to put all your tool bags and fitting containers. Each side door on the topper has shelf space and 'drop-in' containers for you to put your weed in )SNL). Couldn't think of a better fit for car wash fixin.

 

[Ghetto Wash]

My little service truck is just what you need. But I won't sell it. Its a 08 chevy colorado 5 cyl inline with 4wd (necessary in CO) and automatic. It gets about 25 mpg unless loaded with soap. The best thing about it is that it is actually a longbed frame, but has a GM short box bed on it that is set back a couple feet. The topper is made for a long bed, but the space in between has doors to match the cab doors. It is a compartment that is wide open on one side (for all the power tools), and the other side has 4 large slide out craftsman professional tool chest built in. The space above 'box' is a rhino lined shelf to put all your tool bags and fitting containers. Each side door on the topper has shelf space and 'drop-in' containers for you to put your weed in )SNL). Couldn't think of a better fit for car wash fixin.

Similar to what I use, but better. Who makes the topper? Did you have to special order the long bed truck with the short box?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I don't think I have ever seen a long bed Colorado. I would bet that it is a regular cab on a four-door cab frame. Whatever it is, it looks like a pretty sweet set-up.

 

[MEP001]

There are really only two frames for the Colorado, one for the short bed/regular cab and one for everything else.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Aren't all the beds the same length though?

 

[cwguy.com]

I think he is selling his truck on ebay? JK Seem really nice and a neat setup truck. There is also a video tour of the Ecolab version which looks the same?

I don't want to be involved in the truck argument but there is/was a "Work truck" version according to edmunds.com. That might be the confusion?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevrolet-C...3c78e4a27&item=291110799911&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

 

[MEP001]

Aren't all the beds the same length though?

There is a long-bed regular cab, but you don't see it much except for service trucks; there's an extra-short bed for the 4-doors and the service truck pictured above, and a short bed shared with the reg. cab and extended cab.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Wow, I thought there was just one bed and the reg, extended, and 4 door versions of the cab. I guess when you drive a Ford F-250 you're not really up to date on the other brand's small truck.

 

[tdlconceptsllc]

My Carwash distributor has a Colorado with a Nice Ford utility body and the bed of truck sits so low to ground he said you can only put 3. 30"s without having problems of it rubbing or bottoming out when driving. Me personally I like service body's with a Lift Gate instead of dropping 30gal drums on a tire all the time. Just my 2 cent I work out a van and a F350 with service body

 

[JGinther]

You're right about the weight problem. I installed airbags since it is loaded up with tools/fittings/parts. It is perfect for car wash service, but I use an Isuzu NPR diesel box with a fold out liftgate for chemical deliveries. It gets about 14 mpg but only goes 70 mph no matter who is pushing. We also have HHR delivery wagons that are cheap, get good gas mileage (30) and are perfect for employees to bring little things back and forth. The wagons have a weathertech rubber mat that covers the whole deck, and there are even little storage compartments for tools under the deck! They would work great for most service calls, and you could find one for 6k. http://www.karldirect.com/sites/default/files/hhr2.jpg http://www.karldirect.com/sites/default/files/hhr.jpg I also have 1 ton service body trucks, but the colorado is my favorite...
BTW, the colorado topper and insert box is made by Brand FX http://www.brandfxbody.com/ It is just like the one on ebay, except 4wd and its missing the toolbox! (see attached)