TKK Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Ok so my astro isnt big enough now. I went from a ranger, to a crv, to the astro and now I need something bigger. Heres the ones im looking at 2009 e350 Ford 171000 miles Big shelving 9995 2008 e350 Ford 134000 miles Shelving 8995 2009 Chevy box truck 191000 miles 8995 2005 Ford.box truck 134000 miles 8995 2007 gmc savana 1500 143000 miles 6700 V6 Any reccomendations? The e350 drives great but noisy inside Pics being.posted as we speak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Since you keep growing and your loads will get heavier as you grow, you should skip the GMC Savana as it's 1/2 ton and has a V6. The box trucks are on 1 ton chassis as are the E350 vans. Are the E350's extended bodies? The box trucks will allow you to grow immensely and give you the ability to stand up as you pick products off the shelves. You should run used vehicle pricing through Kelly Blue Book at kbb.com just to see if the prices are in the ballpark. I like the 2009 Chev box with 134000 miles or the 2008 E350 that has 134000 miles. I think they will give you the most longevity and are the newest vehicles. Are these rental returns? What engines are in them, do they have AC and can you take them to a mechanic for an unbiased opinion? I used to have a 2008 Dodge Ram diesel service truck, but because of the payments I sold it and paid cash for a 2001 Chev 3/4T service body truck. It had 154000 miles last year (183000 now) but the 496 cu. in. motor and Allison tranny still run great. The newer engines and transmissions have come a long way from years past in terms of longevity. You should be able to get 200k out of a gas engine built after 2000 and if it's a diesel, you simply rebuild the top end at 200k and keep on truckin'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 Savana 6700 comes w New in box shelving 09 e350 9995 3 month warranty and they take my astro for 3k and finance for 3 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 09 box truck 8995 05 Roto rooter box truck I just dont want any dodge vans as transmissions last 4yrs. Also my route takes about 500 miles a month including 4 trips to sams. The e350 drives great like a truck were as my astro feels unstable. There was a express 3500 for 6000 but it had 320000 miles lol. Im sure all these chug as much gas. The 1500 savana is definately bigger than the astro but seems like a small step. The box trucks I posted are cool you can tell u fit a ton in there but id assume they drive like crap? The ones.im looking at are like 10-12ft I dont like the 14-16 feet they r huge with 4 tires in rear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 The only drawback to the Ford vans appears to be that they both have windows. That will only heat up your products more. The Chevy box looks like it might be smaller than the Ford box? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 They also had this Mercedes diesel for 8995 5cyl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 You should give the Mercedes some serious consideration if you have anyone reliable there who can work on it. Do some research to see if it is reliable. The diesel is a plus if it's a good motor and it will have a ton of room - the fuel is about 50 cents higher than gas, but you will get better mileage, the motors run cooler and you will have tons of torque to move a full van with. I ran three Isuzu 14' box diesels on our routes, two automatics and one stick, and loved them. You can let the engine run 12 hrs a day with the AC on if you want to. We ran insulated box reefers off the engines so ours ran 10-12 hrs each day in the summer. The engines never gave us any abnormal trouble at all, but they were Japanese. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 Hmm I never thought about the Mercedes one I Just thought next....as what if it messes up... How bout this one lol http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/ctd/4115842253.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I would stay away from Chevy trucks prior to 2000 because they likely don't have disk brakes on all 4 wheels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rmorris1953 Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I didn't see anyone mention GVWR. Anything over 10,000lb GVWR has to be DOT or you will get fined. Or at least that is the case in Kansas. Diesels are nice but expensive to repair. Have you looked in to CNG? In Oklahoma CNG sells for about $1.50 a gallon and less you get a home fueling station. Gas mileage is the same as gas but you loose some horsepower. I believe about 20%. Someone who drives 30,000 miles a year will pay off in 6 mo. I like the Mercedes and the Chevy Box truck with the over the cab storage. less than 10 gran on the Mercedes I like most. Check to see if it can be serviced where you buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfdogs Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 I have a 2005 Ford e350 box truck and I have been very happy with it. Got it with 132,000 miles. It was a Budget rental. Great shape and I love being able to stand up in it. I built my own shelves, which cost me about $150. I'd do it again... 11mpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cashman Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Go with the Mercedes or one of the box trucks, more room for growth and you can stand up is a huge plus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfdogs Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 One more thing...if you can find a SDW with a 12' box, that would be ideal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 THe guy said I wouldnt need a different license for any of these? I asked cuz it looks like a small semi truck.. I dont know anything about diesels other than they last forever but tune ups or repairs idk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 In Arizona our Isuzu trucks were 23000 lbs and we didn't need CDLs. Every state will vary. A good diesel will last forever if it's maintained properly. The only tuneups we did were valve adjustments, but that was on Isuzus. You will have to replace your fuel filter with every oil change and then there might be something specific to the Mercedes motor that gets maintained as well. Oil changes usually cost 2-3 times that for a gas engine because diesels hold more oil and it's a different oil than in a gas motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 25, 2013 Author Share Posted October 25, 2013 And its done every 3-5k as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Oil change interval will vary with the engine and manufacturer requirements. My Isuzus were built in the 90's and we had to do them every 3000 miles. My 2008 Cummins diesel was such a clean engine that the oil change interval was 7500 miles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chard Posted October 25, 2013 Share Posted October 25, 2013 Has anyone considered a step van? I'm at the same point in my business and am considering step vans since I can leave the doors open while I run my route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 I like the Chevy b0x truck, its got higher mileage but its got the biggest box giving you the most space to grow into I didn't see anyone mention GVWR. Anything over 10,000lb GVWR has to be DOT or you will get fined. From the DOT website: Companies that operate commercial vehicles transporting passengers or hauling cargo in interstate commerce must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT Number. Also, commercial intrastate hazardous materials carriers who haul quantities requiring a safety permit must register for a USDOT Number. The USDOT Number serves as a unique identifier when collecting and monitoring a company's safety information acquired during audits, compliance reviews, crash investigations, and inspections. For more info: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration-licensing/registration-usdot.htm Has anyone considered a step van? I'm at the same point in my business and am considering step vans since I can leave the doors open while I run my route. Been there, done that. it works just fine but I like the box trucks better. It more a matter or personal preference, or maybe its where you get the best deal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snack dude Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 I have a chevy one ton box truck. My wife uses a 04 3/4 ton suburban and to be truthful the next vehicle jus might be a suburban. If you take the rear seat out lay the middle seats down you have a nice 8 ft long flat surface. I have put 20 oz bottles 4 across 3 high 4 deep which is 48 cases. you can go 4 high but you need to have a bulkhead or cargo net to catch the top row in case you slam on the brakes. My wife puts 36 cases 3 high 4 across 3 deep 16 boxes of chips and a big rubbermaid bin with candy and crackers and another bin with pastries and carry a dolly. If she does cans obviously she can load a whole lot more. She loves it and I like it the couple times I have used it. I installed air bags on the rear springs tsto carry the weight. The rear door flips up in the back so if its raining you can unload without standing in the rain. It gets almost double the gas mileage as my one ton. At the end of the day or week we unload it flip the seats up and pick up some friends or hook up to our 24 ft travel trailer and head out. I am not saying this is the way to go. I just trying to throw out an option. I will enclose pic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfdogs Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 I have a chevy one ton box truck. My wife uses a 04 3/4 ton suburban and to be truthful the next vehicle jus might be a suburban. If you take the rear seat out lay the middle seats down you have a nice 8 ft long flat surface. I have put 20 oz bottles 4 across 3 high 4 deep which is 48 cases. you can go 4 high but you need to have a bulkhead or cargo net to catch the top row in case you slam on the brakes. My wife puts 36 cases 3 high 4 across 3 deep 16 boxes of chips and a big rubbermaid bin with candy and crackers and another bin with pastries and carry a dolly. If she does cans obviously she can load a whole lot more. She loves it and I like it the couple times I have used it. I installed air bags on the rear springs tsto carry the weight. The rear door flips up in the back so if its raining you can unload without standing in the rain. It gets almost double the gas mileage as my one ton. At the end of the day or week we unload it flip the seats up and pick up some friends or hook up to our 24 ft travel trailer and head out. I am not saying this is the way to go. I just trying to throw out an option. I will enclose pic. How far do you travel from Lexington? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 What about a diesel? http://elpaso.en.craigslist.org/ctd/4151615748.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZVendor Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 You should pass on the 2008 Ford diesel. That motor has had cooling problems and leaks between the coolant and oil which turn to tar in the crankcase. This was the first year for this motor and they didn't work the problems out until the 2009 and 2010 models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snack dude Posted October 26, 2013 Share Posted October 26, 2013 How far do you travel from Lexington?not sure what your trying to ask. we are located in northern ky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TKK Posted October 26, 2013 Author Share Posted October 26, 2013 Im looking at the sprinter has great reviews I just think parts would b rare. Is there a kbb for it I cant find a value Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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