Woodworking Business

You are not logged in. [ Login ] Why log in
(NOTE: Login is not required to post)

Best work van?

12/21/18       
Tony Member

Trading a conventional Ford van for a Mercedes Sprinter van 2500 (standard length) was one of the best decisions I've made, and I'm ready to upgrade from my 2004 to a vehicle with more life left. I also want the option of converting it to a camper van after 3-4 years (or if I hit the lottery sooner). I just test drove a newer Mercedes 2500 long body and am leaning in that direction, as the extra room will be great for both work needs and conversion scenario. Of course Ford is now fully into this category with the Transit, and Ram Pro is the only front-wheel drive version. Any good or bad experiences with these latter two?
Tony

12/21/18       #2: Best work van? ...
Puzzleman Member

Had a Sprinter for over 6 years. Now I currently have the Dodge Ram Van.

I really like the Dodge compared to the Sprinter. The walls are definitely straighter so there is more room at the top of the truck. It has a convenient storage area over top of the seating area. Store things up there that I don't use often but need to have.

The gas mileage is not as good. My Sprinter was the older model style and got about 20 mpg. What I heard about the new Sprinters is that they get about 15 mpg. My Dodge gets 14.9 mpg over the last year. With the lower cost of gasoline versus diesel, I am ahead cost wise in the game. The front wheel drive part doesn't really affect me one way or the other.

Both vehicles have the tall top, so that is what I am comparing each other on the room at the top. Really like the straight sides as I load items up the top of the van sometimes.

12/21/18       #3: Best work van? ...
Tony Member

Thanks Puzzleman, I love the 20 mpg on the 5 cylinder diesel of my 2004, but Mercedes stopped that engine in 2007 and went to the 6 cylinder turbo. I'd take a 2006 if it was pristine, as this 5 cylinder engine can go forever--mine has 227k. There must be some benefit on ice and snow with the front wheel drive, no? Tony

12/22/18       #4: Best work van? ...
Paul Miller

Website: http://MCCWOODWORKING.COM

I live in Michigan and I know an Engineer who works for Fiat/Chrysler and he told me that if I was looking for a new work van, I could probably get a good deal on a 2018 model if I found one on a new car lot. The Dodge vans have made design changes for the 2019 and he felt dealers would want to move these 2018 models off their lots.

I do own a 2012 Dodge CV van and I bought it new in 2013 and it has been a good van. A much smaller van than what you are looking for, but it works for us for smaller deliveries.

12/26/18       #5: Best work van? ...
Puzzleman Member

Tony, I had a 2005 and put over 325,000 miles on it.

The price difference between the MB and Promaster was also a big part of the equation. I couldn't see the the big difference for the extra money wanted by MB.

Have had my Promaster for 18 months and I am pleased with it.

12/29/18       #6: Best work van? ...
Adam

The Ford Transits are definitely worth a look. One of the stupidest moves Ford made was taking so long to bring the Euro van to the US. They've been making Ford Transit vans since the the 1960's. Read the Wiki page.

I've been to many European countries, NZ, & AU. The Transits have been everywhere for decades except North America.

All of the other vans look the same. Fiat, Renault, VW.

1/4/19       #7: Best work van? ...
Karl E Brogger  Member

Website: http://www.sogncabinets.com

I'm in the market for a van. Currently we use my personal pickup and a 18' enclosed trailer for everything. It is a pain on the days when you don't need to haul much, (one cabinet, or just a handful of tools but too much to fit in the cab), and the weather sucks.

A small cube van makes zero sense for us, too big for the small stuff, not big enough to handle big deliveries.

A 22' box truck would be sweet for deliveries, but way too big for the oddballs. Plus DOT hassles. You can fly under the radar with a pickup for the most part, tough to do in a box truck.

I think we're going to go with a one ton Ford Transit. Mostly because I like the way it looks, and I trust Ford more than Fiat. I have a Fiat pickup, purchased because I trust a Cummins over any other brand, and Fiat is the only manufacturer you can get a regular transmission anymore.

One of my contractors has a half dozen Promasters. The guys really like the low floors, but complain about them not doing well in snow. But all vans are terrible in snow.

The Ford Econoline was loved by the mechanical trades, but it's a crappy fit for cabinetmakers.

Mercedes vans were super popular around here, but I think the numbers have fallen off a lot since the other models have been introduced.

2/19/19       #8: Best work van? ...
cwwoodworking

Currently drive an ford e350, been researching vans for awhile now. Kind of a hobby of mine. lol. Here is the feel I get from all my research.

Ford-Kind of the jack of all trades. Big cubic ft, can tow, good fuel mileage, Can configure it a ton of ways, reliability is decent.

Mercedes-The best in class cubic ft, limited towing, reliability is decent. Servicing is an issue. Closest dealer to me is over an hour away. This and towing capacity eliminated it for me.

Dodge-Can turn on a dime, lowest loading height, front wheel drive. Reliability is questionable. Do not even consider the diesel. The transmission is awful.

Nissan-Problably the most reliable by default. It is built old school style, on a truck frame. Big v8 for power. Only comes in one length and gas mileage will be the worst of them all. These two were a deal breaker for me.

Chevy-old school truck frame with no high roof. A deal breaker for probably all of us. Bad fuel mileage except for diesel.

IMO, these vehicles are insanely over priced. The ford I want stickers for $46,000. If you compare that to a $46,000 truck its no comparison. The trucks are so much nicer. But if you tow a trailer, you get 10 miles a gallon while the van can get 18 mpg cruising at 70. If they made a truck that gets 18 mpg while towing, I would get that in a heartbeat. But it doesn't exist.

2/23/19       #9: Best work van? ...
Derrek

Just looked at all 3 pretty much side by Sid at KBIS show. The dodge cargo are was very nice, I have a hard time with h how ugly that thing is.
I have a ford and it’s been nice. We have med length and height model. Rented the big one for a couple weeks and it’s big and spacious. We get about 12 with it and it goes pretty good. I’d buy again.
The MB are big. They are higher off the ground. The smooth floor option was nice.
I have a couple chevies and they haven’t changed at all since 02 and they are so small compared to the ford and sprinters

4/10/19       #10: Best work van? ...
william

I have a 2015 Ford transit van. It has 185,000 miles on it so far and when this one does go I will definitely purchase a new one. I have the high top but the shorter length. I would like to have the extended length next go around. I get around 18 mpg. I was going to get a ram promaster until I actually drove one. Super uncomfortable compared to the transit.

2/21/22       #11: Best work van? ...
Sof Clarke Member

The Dodge vans have made design changes for the 2019 and he felt dealers would want to move these 2018 models off their lots.

2/22/22       #12: Best work van? ...
Tony

I ended up buying a 2008 MB Sprinter from my local school district with only 137,000 miles. It 's a nice shade of green, relatively clean in and out, and was essentially garage kept for most of its life. I had to make an offer, and I over bid at $13,000 because I wanted it. (Be careful what you wish for!) Turns out it needs either a new transmission or a remedy I haven't found yet. The person who test drove it with me mentioned a "rumble strip noise" and may have suggested it was the torque convertor, but the defect didn't present during my local drive. And I'd experienced a version of the rumble strip phenomenon in my 04 Sprinter, so I wasn't too concerned. What happens is when going uphill sometimes when the trans is trying to downshift it shutters and bucks instead.
Of course MB just wanted to replace the trans, for $9.5k. A local trans specialist would do a rebuilt one for $5k. A Sprinter specialist says it's not the torque convertor but maybe the clutch plates? I decided to just live with it. Using cruise control mitigates the problem substantially, and I'm only putting 3-4k local miles on it per year for a couple more years. I'd never get the additional 5 or 10k out of it. It's a great vehicle, but maintenance costs are outrageous from MB. If forced to replace, I might trade it in for the Ford. (The demand for Sprinters from the conversion van market is very strong.) The white ones are ugly, but I saw one in factory maroon, and it had a whole different look to it.


Post a Response
  • Notify me of responses to this thread
  • Subscribe to email updates on this Forum
  • To receive email notification of additions to this forum thread,
    enter your name and email address, and then click the
    "Keep Me Posted" button below.

    Please Note: If you have posted a message or response,
    do not submit this request ... you are already signed up
    to receive notification!

    Your Name:
    E-Mail Address:
    Enter the correct numbers into the field below:
     

    Date of your Birth:



    Return to top of page

    Buy & Sell Exchanges | Forums | Galleries | Site Map

    FORUM GUIDELINES: Please review the guidelines below before posting at WOODWEB's Interactive Message Boards (return to top)

  • WOODWEB is a professional industrial woodworking site. Hobbyist and homeowner woodworking questions are inappropriate.
  • Messages should be kept reasonably short and on topic, relating to the focus of the forum. Responses should relate to the original question.
  • A valid email return address must be included with each message.
  • Advertising is inappropriate. The only exceptions are the Classified Ads Exchange, Machinery Exchange, Lumber Exchange, and Job Opportunities and Services Exchange. When posting listings in these areas, review the posting instructions carefully.
  • Subject lines may be edited for length and clarity.
  • "Cross posting" is not permitted. Choose the best forum for your question, and post your question at one forum only.
  • Messages requesting private responses will be removed - Forums are designed to provide information and assistance for all of our visitors. Private response requests are appropriate at WOODWEB's Exchanges and Job Opportunities and Services.
  • Messages that accuse businesses or individuals of alleged negative actions or behavior are inappropriate since WOODWEB is unable to verify or substantiate the claims.
  • Posts with the intent of soliciting answers to surveys are not appropriate. Contact WOODWEB for more information on initiating a survey.
  • Excessive forum participation by an individual upsets the balance of a healthy forum atmosphere. Individuals who excessively post responses containing marginal content will be considered repeat forum abusers.
  • Responses that initiate or support inappropriate and off-topic discussion of general politics detract from the professional woodworking focus of WOODWEB, and will be removed.
  • Participants are encouraged to use their real name when posting. Intentionally using another persons name is prohibited, and posts of this nature will be removed at WOODWEB's discretion.
  • Comments, questions, or criticisms regarding Forum policies should be directed to WOODWEB's Systems Administrator
    (return to top).

    Carefully review your message before clicking on the "Send Message" button - you will not be able to revise the message once it has been sent.

    You will be notified of responses to the message(s) you posted via email. Be sure to enter your email address correctly.

    WOODWEB's forums are a highly regarded resource for professional woodworkers. Messages and responses that are crafted in a professional and civil manner strengthen this resource. Messages that do not reflect a professional tone reduce the value of our forums.

    Messages are inappropriate when their content: is deemed libelous in nature or is based on rumor, fails to meet basic standards of decorum, contains blatant advertising or inappropriate emphasis on self promotion (return to top).

    Libel:   Posts which defame an individual or organization, or employ a tone which can be viewed as malicious in nature. Words, pictures, or cartoons which expose a person or organization to public hatred, shame, disgrace, or ridicule, or induce an ill opinion of a person or organization, are libelous.

    Improper Decorum:   Posts which are profane, inciting, disrespectful or uncivil in tone, or maliciously worded. This also includes the venting of unsubstantiated opinions. Such messages do little to illuminate a given topic, and often have the opposite effect. Constructive criticism is acceptable (return to top).

    Advertising:   The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not an advertising venue. Companies participating in a Forum discussion should provide specific answers to posted questions. WOODWEB suggests that businesses include an appropriately crafted signature in order to identify their company. A well meaning post that seems to be on-topic but contains a product reference may do your business more harm than good in the Forum environment. Forum users may perceive your references to specific products as unsolicited advertising (spam) and consciously avoid your web site or services. A well-crafted signature is an appropriate way to advertise your services that will not offend potential customers. Signatures should be limited to 4-6 lines, and may contain information that identifies the type of business you're in, your URL and email address (return to top).

    Repeated Forum Abuse: Forum participants who repeatedly fail to follow WOODWEB's Forum Guidelines may encounter difficulty when attempting to post messages.

    There are often situations when the original message asks for opinions: "What is the best widget for my type of shop?". To a certain extent, the person posting the message is responsible for including specific questions within the message. An open ended question (like the one above) invites responses that may read as sales pitches. WOODWEB suggests that companies responding to such a question provide detailed and substantive replies rather than responses that read as a one-sided product promotion. It has been WOODWEB's experience that substantive responses are held in higher regard by our readers (return to top).

    The staff of WOODWEB assume no responsibility for the accuracy, content, or outcome of any posting transmitted at WOODWEB's Message Boards. Participants should undertake the use of machinery, materials and methods discussed at WOODWEB's Message Boards after considerate evaluation, and at their own risk. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages it deems inappropriate. (return to top)


  • Forum Posting Help
    Your Name The name you enter in this field will be the name that appears with your post or response (return to form).
    Your Website Personal or business website links must point to the author's website. Inappropriate links will be removed without notice, and at WOODWEB's sole discretion. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    E-Mail Address Your e-mail address will not be publicly viewable. Forum participants will be able to contact you using a contact link (included with your post) that is substituted for your actual address. You must include a valid email address in this field. (return to form)
    Subject Subject may be edited for length and clarity. Subject lines should provide an indication of the content of your post. (return to form)
    Thread Related Link and Image Guidelines Thread Related Links posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should point to locations that provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related Link that directs visitors to an area with inappropriate content will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Thread Related File Uploads Thread Related Files posted at WOODWEB's Forums and Exchanges should provide supporting information for the topic being discussed in the current message thread. Video Files: acceptable video formats are: .MOV .AVI .WMV .MPEG .MPG .MP4 (Image Upload Tips)   If you encounter any difficulty when uploading video files, E-mail WOODWEB for assistance. The purpose of WOODWEB Forums is to provide answers, not to serve as an advertising venue. A Thread Related File that contains inappropriate content will be removed, and uploaded files that are not directly related to the message thread will be removed. WOODWEB reserves the right to delete any messages with links, files, or images it deems inappropriate. (return to form)
    Sponsors
    • Rangate
      Woodworking Machinery, Supplies and Knowledge
    • Air Handling Systems
      Your Best Source for Dust and Fume Collection
    • WoodJobs.com Search Consultants
      Free Employment Service for Woodworking Related Job Seekers
    • Impact Search and Placement
      Professional Employment Recruiting Specialists
    • Machine Bid
      Online auction site for buying and selling high-quality machinery. We offer a secure, online bidding platform, featuring CNC routers, Edgebanders, Sanders, and much more; new equipment added daily
    • TradeJobPlacement.com
      Individualized Placement Services, Specializing in Millwork Design Engineers
    • OMEC/Macoser Inc
      Exclusive Importer of European Woodworking Machinery Since 1988
    • Parts Cutter CNC
      CNC Cabinetry and Closet Parts
    • Better Vacuum Cups, Inc.
      Vacuum Cups for All CNC Routers As Well As Many After Market Parts for Your CNC
    • TradeSoft
      Seamless Management Software to Improve Estimating, Job Costing, Scheduling, Purchasing, Shipping, and Shop Floor Data Collection
    • ULTI-BOARD
      The Ultimate Spoilboard - ULTI-BOARD - Specifically Engineered and Formulated for the Ultimate in Spoilboard Performance - Not Your Ordinary Sheet of MDF.
    • Cabinetshop Maestro
      Web-Based Project Management Software for Custom Cabinet Shops - Manage Jobs from Prospect to Punchlist Through Scheduling, Task Management, Time Tracking and Communication
    • INNERGY
      INNERGY is the ERP for woodworkers, by woodworkers. We are birth to death millwork.

    Become a Sponsor today!