Truck/Van Or SUV W/Trailer

oneelwayfan_com

I've read on here that professionalism goes a long way, obviously. Well, almost everyone seems to have a truck or van to haul their supplies in. And I'm sure that a decent looking truck or van, as long as it's cleaned up, would be a professional looking vehicle.

My question is: I have a '98 Grand Cherokee Laredo with 202,000 miles on it, and it still runs great, and aside from the back bumper coming off a little bit because a huge U-Haul truck hit me and the owner not having the ins. to pay for it, it looks great on the outside.

Since it runs great and looks pretty good, I just don't want to spend extra money on a good used van or truck to do jobs, when that money could go elsewhere.

Obviously, trailers come in different prices and sizes, but would it not look professional to have a good trailer, instead of buying a most likely more expensive new work vehicle?

I know this is one long post just to ask one simple question, but I was wanting to get my opinions across clearly, so you would understand where I was coming from.

Thank you in advance for your opinions.

Eli

Five Star

trailor is a good option if you stay on a job for long periods of time.

you can letter it up nice,and its not a huge investment.

but if you are on 2-3 jobs a day and or a service type of painter like small jobs and repairs,then it pays to get a van or pickup with a cap to look more professional and usually that justifies higher returns for labor charges.
and you can sell nicer premium jobs.

i,ll gove you an example,i had a pickup sharp truck,loaded nice rack.. i could hardly sell a job though,always got compliments on the truck. then i turned around and bought a used e-250 ford lettered it,started goin on estimates and landing 6 out of 10 jobs but mostly time and material nothing custom,or to brag about just work. then in 05 my wife came home from work and said you know, you should get a new truck.her boss has a plumbing co and bought new trucks and his phone was ringing.

so i put the ford in the paper,sold it in 1 week,turned around and bought a new sprinter top of the line,40k in the hole right. wrong once i lettered and outfitted it i would go on a estimate and walk out with bigger jobs,top dollar jobs and none stop.i paid that truck off in 7 mnths.and the jobs were much nicer and more profitable, my average deck went from 5k to 15k(composite)my average trim job went from 1500 to 2500 (crown and shadow boxing) Etc.

i figured out that the people who looked at my new truck and said ohh he must be expensive,couldnt afford me.and the people who didnt pay attention to what i drove are the ones who spend for quality.

__________________

Norrrrrrrrrrrrm

i have a nice truck I try to keep clean and a trailer that keep very organized. Both are lettered. I also carry top of the line tools. I have customers tell me how nice my truck and trailer look when shined up and how nice the inside of the trailer is. They know when I take of my items, that I will take care of theirs. I also have strangers commnet on my truck and trailer at stop lights and parking lots.
To me a Jeep just does not sound like a "professional" vehicle to carry large amounts of items to complete a job. Maybe the clients feel the same way. Sometimes you have to dress to impress.
'

__________________
Norman Sharp
http://www.sharpimprovements.com

WarnerConstInc.

I run a GMC Suburban '99, 2500 with a 454, pull a 14' enclosed trailer (untill I find one a bit bigger). I am 50/50 truck or truck and trailer.

I can fit a ton of stuff in the 'burban and do a lot of work just out of that.

Load up trailer when all the toys need to come along.

Chris Johnson

I like my truck, kinda large (Chev 3500), but I have an ARE hard cover, pull both a 24' enclosed trailer and a 14' flat bed, truck looks good ('08), can pull all my stuff, can use it to go out at night since I don't letter/advertise so it serves double duty for me.

__________________
Chris

TRC

A van might be best for you. I use my titan p/u with a retrax hard cover if i'm doing small jobs. Otherwise i use the e350 14' box truck and I love it. But if a trailer works good for you I would consider it, much lower initial cost if your comparing to new van or truck.

mnjconstruction

I think a lot of it depends on the size of your company. We run both vans and trucks. We have one 12' enclosed trailer for the larger jobs. This trailer sits on the job site until we're done, then moves to the next job. One of my guys runs his truck with tool boxes on the back. Other 2 formans has company vans. I typically run my van. If I'm doing alot of sales and dont plan on doing any work that day I take my new pickup. If your a one man show I would say pick up an older work van to start with. For 2 or 3k you can get a pretty desent one. get it lettered and you'll be able to keep all your stuff in there! If you plan on hiring a crew, might want to consider an enclosed trailer. That way everything will be available for them. But in my opinion a jeep wouldnt cut it. To me it seems you would look like a part time painter, not pro!

oneelwayfan_com

Thanks for all of the differing opinions. I'm thinking for right now, I may try to find a cheaper trailer and letter both that and my Jeep, and later get a van. My Dad works in hardwood floors, and they use vans for everything, and it works for them.

swartzj81

I do alot of flooring jobs and work out of my Jeep Cherokee. I can haul all my tools in it easily. I have a 8ft trailer to haul materials. Im not a top dog or anything but im getting more jobs. Word of mouth is helping. I have a box built for the roof that hold trim.