Truck Or Trailer?

back@it

Guys I am tired of fooling around with a stupid pickup truck to do painting out of! I like a van but have considered an enclosed trailer. What's the masses here prefer and why? Pictures of your rigs would be GREATLY appreciated as I am looking for ideas. Thanks a million!

thom

Open pick up:
Ease of access to stuff in bed
Stuff gets piled up and lost in bed
No security

Van:
Security
Tough access

Utility Body truck with Utility Cap.
Security
Ease of access
Places to organize
$$$

ron schenker

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-...QQcmdZViewItem

When I grow up I want one of these

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back@it

The only word that comes to mind is AWESOME! That is a nice rig!

(Oh wait. Another word is coming to mind -- $M$O$N$E$Y!)

painterman

I use a 7x14 enclosed cargo trailer and love it. Lots of room to move around and store everthing you need. I started with a 6x10 and out grow it in about 3 years. It was a good starting point.

THINKPAINTING

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m...cture002-3.jpg[/IMG]

try this one

http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m...cture002-3.jpg

BMAN

I think it depends on your operation. If you work with a small crew who have most of their own tools a van would be fine. I prefer a trailer because it can stay at the work site when I am running errands. I also like a truck because I supplement with snow plowing.

back@it

Nice! Any shots of the interior? I am not always that creative at arranging shelving so I like to see what others have done...

dougchips

Ron I had two of them, some things to consider:

single back wheels generally means under 10,000gvrw and cheaper for insurance and not having the over 10k dot BS.

For some reason in the states they charge more at the toll booths for over 10k.

My 9700 gvrw could carry more than my 10,700gvrw because of the body. Some of the bodies weigh so much that you available payload is limited.

The seats and cabins suck if you spend alot of time on the road.

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Workaholic

I am to lazy to type an original comment, so cut, paste.
Wa La something i already said:
It depends on if you are the boss, or if you are a working man. If you are running crews and lining up jobs, and picking up paint, then a truck is for you. If you are working the jobs everyday then imo you need a van. Painters require a lot of stuff, i drive a bright yellow gmc van.
Working out of a truck is a drag, tool boxes are not all that great campershells work good when they are clean, but after a few days on the job you will have a hard time getting to your stuff.
I often keep at least one sprayer in my van a couple of fans, stack of drops, ect..ect. When winter hits i swap the fans for heaters.
A van with good ladder racks and good shelves in the back is great
Also a trailer with a truck works good for management.

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Sean

Mike Finley

I like how you mounted the basketball hoop on the back!

lornmastro

great post...i've been thinking about purchasing one of those trailer. does anyone know how much one of those things cost?

daArch

In my painting days I've used a full sized van, a trailer, and Pick-up (Ranger with a cap), and now a mini-van (but only wallpaper installations now).

Each have their pluses and each have their minuses.

Van: Easy access with side door. Lots of room and good organization especially when you equip it with the correct shelving. Good security. I did not like the smell of thinners, paints, etc. Hard to heat in the winter. (A door would help between cargo and seats)

Pick-up: great separation between materials and driver. Easy to carry over sized stuff. Access with a cap is impossible (my side windows did NOT open) Can't carry stuff in Massachusetts' weather without a cap. If you go pick up, get a larger cab style. NO room in a regular cab for all that stuff you need up front. Security of a pickup is not as good as a van. Locks on caps are usually crap.

Trailer: great to leave on job. Saves gas. Great for organization. Not fun to drive towing something. Forget it if you work the city. Not so good if you're stuck doing a couple of small jobs unless it's a walk-in. Security is poor. I know a number of contractors who have been cleaned out over the weekend.

Fellow paperhanger in NJ bought a Sprinter (mid-length) last summer. He LOVES it. Full height to walk in. He even has a small pasting table set up for those real quick jobs. I gotta say, it's like carrying a mini-shop around with you. If you have a small job, you wouldn't need to unload ALL of your equipment. He built a wall with door in back of seats. It burns diesel and gets good mileage. He even has a trailer for extra equipment.

as I said, each has plusses, each has minuses. One size does NOT fit all.

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Wallcovering Installations by Bill Archibald|paperhanger|Eastern Mass|Greater Boston Area|Dover|Wellesley|Franklin|Sharon|MA

paintr56

For interiors I use a chevy express van. For exteriors I bought a used truck from the local power company with a thirty four foot aerial lift. Best thing I ever bought.



Jim

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back@it

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!

I'll use a lift ANY day of the week over ladders when the application works!

boman47k

Now I could see that working.

Joewho

Big ass van w/racks.

My favorite is a suburban. Drawbacks are interior height and no rain gutters for a rack.

Benefits are you can access everywhere through rear passenger doors and rear cargo. AND you can practically crawl into the engine compartment. Vans suck when it comes to engine work and cooling.

Seats fold down and a stack of 4x8 drywall fits between the wheel wells.

Nickr42

I have a 6x12 single axle with ramp back door and a side door. It also has ladder racks. I like it but because I can leave it at jobs over night, its holds everything I need and more. It works out great when there is no bathroom around to use, just grab a five bucket and get-ur-done.
It has my lettering on both sides and the back. It's nice to have a truck without tools banging around in it over the weekends.

Con's-I drive a F-250 crew 4x4 and it cost alot to drag it around. When I have jobs far away I put what I need in my bed that has a cap on it.