What kind of van do you have?

Im also curious about the side door...I really dont care for working out of the barn doors on the side and prefer a slider door. Thoughts?

Im more of a ford guy but dont have any big issues with Chevy (other than the bailout thing) but I am doing the chevy express 2500 for simplicity with my equipment.

GMC 3500 with sliding side door.

I to prefer Fords for the most part. I think the motors and build quality are better, but I never liked the steering.

I do prefer the sliding doors over the swing out style, but they do allow more cold air into the van in the winter as you can't insulate them as easily.

No perfect arrangement, but a sliding door with those butler hose doors are a nice combination. Having a direct drive yourself, I would get yourself 2 hose doors and run that sucker closed up in the winter.

The hose doors are a little expensive (butler makes certain of that), but the guide portion of them are awesome and allows you to pull hoses at extreme angles without getting caught or binding up.

I don't like swing open doors for the side, I have a '97 Ford E250 with a sliding door.

But really wish I had more room, maybe someday I'll get something bigger.

I do agree Davey, the next time I buy a van it would have to be an extended model.

Trying to locate a good deal on a express250 now but not doing real good finding the slider

Devon07 wrote:Trying to locate a good deal on a express250 now but not doing real good finding the slider

Probably will not either.

I went searching last year at this time to put the TNT into, but couldn't find anything below 130k miles and they still wanted $14,000. I ended going box truck instead for $13,000......we all know how that has worked out.

1998 E150 purchased form a sheriff that purchased from auctions. Picked it up fro 1900.00

I was thinking lower miles like 25000 or so.

Devon07 wrote:I was thinking lower miles like 25000 or so.

You can get that from Butler, but they still charge a pretty penny.

nissan NVs are pretty sweet, they are tested to 500k miles.

dodge sprinters are nice too but expensive, however they can get like 20-25mpg

Isuzu box trucks are also great, we get 15mpg on our 14ft.

stay away from gas box trucks, they tend to get around 6-8mpg sometimes worse if they have the v10 vortec

chevy express or E series ford are pretty proven work vans and easy to find

I would say to stay away from the Sprinters....hear a lot of horror stories.

really?   I know a few contractors with them that just love their sprinters..    they are so reliable and the gas mileage is crazy even when your hauling a decent load


they are all over the road here, so many companies are using them now its becoming like the most common work vehicle

2008 chevy van extended with 52k miles
will really like a long base sprinter

ACpower1 wrote:really?   I know a few contractors with them that just love their sprinters..    they are so reliable and the gas mileage is crazy even when your hauling a decent load


they are all over the road here,   so many companies are using them now its becoming like the most common work vehicle

Maybe it is the winters....I don't know, but I've spoken to many owners around here they all told me the following:

1. Develop rust real easy, smallest ding will turn to rust in a week
2. Develops a lot of electrical issues
3. Parts are expensive
4. Have to get service by Mercedes now....expensive hourly rate.

Had a 2 Ford E350, motors blew @ 195,000 and 205,000, bodies were still good. My current Chevy 2500 vortec has 258,00 going strong. Need a new van though, looking at a newer chevy/GMC. Heard it's hard to mount TM"S in these newer uni body type trucks.

That's what I want a e350 so that I can maket up a steep driveway without having to get a running start

My current van is a Chevrolet 3/4 ton with barn doors. I've had sliders in the past and like the barn doors better. It has a Hydra Master CDS so there's plenty of room for a triple hose reel out the side doors. HM put a port hole so I can run hoses out the bottom and close the doors. I added an additional port so I can run two suction hoses out. It's much quieter when closed up.I bought the Access package when I ordered the van. It's really nice to access chemicals sprayers, etc. without the need to climb in and out.

Rainbow Rider wrote:My current van is a Chevrolet 3/4 ton with barn doors. I've had sliders in the past and like the barn doors better. It has a Hydra Master CDS so there's plenty of room for a triple hose reel out the side doors. HM put a port hole so I can run hoses out the bottom and close the doors. I added an additional port so I can run two suction hoses out. It's much quieter when closed up.I bought the Access package when I ordered the van. It's really nice to access chemicals sprayers, etc. without the need to climb in and out.

That is what I like about direct drives, being able to close them up when operating. Nobody gets easy access to steal from you, it stays warmer in the winter, and much quieter. I didn't know they had an "Access Package", but I like the sound of it.

The Access package includes three doors for easy access to your stuff from outside. One on the passenger side and two on the drivers. They stay open with struts. Makes for great ventilation also. The package comes with a bulkhead between the driver and the cargo area. (I had it removed at HM) along with three sets of shelves. I took two out and use them in a shed for storage. The third is on the passenger side and holds all kinds of stuff. Repair and re-stretch equipment Spot dye kit and spotting kit. In line sprayer and extra bottles plus all my chemicals. With a power hose reel it's the best I've ever had.

I had a close look at a Nissan NV today, and w0w it's nice. It was one with a tall roof you can stand up in, I'm 6'2" and there was an inch or two to spare above my head.  There is storage everywhere in the cab area, "I mean door pockets, a big center console that folds down into a desk, and has tons of storage area inside of it, including a filing type thing for paper work just like a filing cabinet, a slot for a laptop with power port inside for charging, and a huge space all the way accost the top front of the cab area. It's interior is really nice too, just like a car interior. Another cool thing is it has 2 120v outlets, one in cab and the other in the rear of the van. Also with it's long hood it's engine is accessible like a truck, you can get to it all for servicing from under the hood.

The owner told me he get's 14mpg from it's V8.........which is about double what I get out of my Ford.  And I'm sure the V6 model would be even better.

I think it's going to be my next van, hopefully sooner than later, heck the fuel savings alone would cover a nice part of the payment.

And I love that Japanese Reliability..........so much better than American built.

I'll admit the MV is pretty ugly, being so boxy with it's long nose.  But man, it has everything else going for it!!

I forgot to mention, it also has a rear back-up camera. Which would sure make parallel parking easier, without having to play all the bumper tag!!

Whats the sticker price on those Dave?

Seems reasonable at aoout 26-32k for one with our needs.

Over my budget. I guess its another Ford for me

I'm not sure a can do American again, knowing and seeing a superior Jap product........But before I bought I would at least look at new Ford transit, the Fiat, and Mercedes/Sprinter.

I've owned a few of each, jap and domestic cars/trucks and have always had less problems with the Japs.