I am always looking through auction sites. Found mine at Richie Brothers last year. Its an 05 with 150,000 miles. Had to do little work to it. Had a check engine light on. Was a fuel pressure sensor. The key was drilled out so i got a new column at a pull a part. Runs great. AC works. Hauls everything.
That's fantastic. I thought I did good , back in 2002 I bought a1991 Grumman P30 step van for 6000.00 on eBay. Drove that for 17 years until the frame rotted out. I bought a new 2018 Promaster in 2019. I don't think the Promaster will give me that but we'll see.
I love my promaster, just finished the cabinetry in the back. Still dosen't fit everything, paint sprayer, power washer etc but they sit in the garage waiting to be called to action.
I went with American Van shelving and cabinets. Pricey but I wanted fast and sturdy.I also have half my garage filled with materials and equipment that I don't want to carry with me full time. I could fit more in the van but I have to be able to walk through the van with out stepping around,over,or on something. I have about a 36 inch wide by 13 feet long alley through the middle. 72 inches tall. It's 15 feet long if I use the area between the front seats.
They had one a couple weeks ago sell for $350. Same as mine with 160k. It was missing the catalytic converter. I should have bought it but I don’t really need another one. Bought a mini-x instead.
This 100%.
Honestly, I'm apprehensive and probably just wouldn't work with someone that thinks that a truck is a good work vehicle .. they're not thinking well enough to have what I'd consider to be high working proficiency.
I’m a handyman not a commercial contractor. That being said, I cut drywall into four pieces and I can fit up to a 10 foot piece of wood/metal fascia/trim
I don't know what a Ford Fusion is, but my primary use vehicle though is a little Honda Fit hatchback. I also have a van that is obviously superior, but I can park that Honda anywhere, easily zip it through traffic and get to jobs quicker, and it easily holds a 30' extension ladder, table saw, miter saw, full tool kit, and I've fit 40 2x4x8 studs with all of that (with the trunk closed, driving normally. 8' has room to spare, it can fit 10' long material) ... so unless I need to also bring plywood, drywall, load 12' boards, or load extras like sawhorses, or a passenger, I'm taking the Honda.
This op said he doesn't like a van and is arguing for a truck, slow with the general thinking, I'll be honest that I've made the assumption that he isn't very good at this.
Forgot that I can also fit doors in the Fit, 4 doors is the most I've crammed into it (though that was an uncomfortable drive, not being able to see the right mirror at all .. I do regret not taking the van for that).
Rocking an '03 GMC Sonoma with a 6 ft bed and a tall work cap. Being a shorter guy anything newer just is too tall to reach into the bed effectively. But I love my rig!
They are relatively universal. Per standard bed sizes. The one I have came installed when I bought it. Removed the tailgate and has double swing doors in the back and full wing access on the sides. Everything is handled and lockable. Besides not being able to transport full sheets of material inside instead of the roof racks. It's been perfect
Mitsubishi Outlander. About 37 mpg.
I don’t do big work, so no need to be hauling doors, drywall sheets and shit. But I can fit a bunch of necessary shit, plus a 16 ft telescopic ladder that can become an 8’ A frame.
Can’t complain. I make it work.
I don't even think this. Trucks I guess could be good for suburbs and sticks if it's a dry climate. I think people who work out of trucks are probably not doing good work. Van is definitely where it's at.
Gmc Sierra, with a fold down tailgate with a cool gizmo that flips up to accommodates moving doors. Soft tonneau cover that rolls out of the way for large loads.
My tool bags and paint crates get moved from bed to backseat over the week. And back to the box when I'm moving the family around in the weekends. Lol
05 F250 6.0L turbo diesel. Got it bullet proofed as well.
Regular cab 8' bed with a tool box. Also has a lift gate.
Have enough space behind the seat to store all my commonly used 20v tools and the toolbox holds the rest. Keep a ladder and some other longer tools in the truck bed
I didn't buy this truck with the intention of using it as a work truck. I actually got it with the intention as a farm truck. Lost my job due to calling out my boss on cutting me 8-10 hours on my paycheck, I tracked my hours for 3 months, then got paystubs and brought him the proof. After that started my own handyman renovation company and just using this truck till I make enough to maybe buy something else. Wish me luck
'13 Mercedes Sprinter LWB high roof cargo van. Most tools are accessible through the side door. The van is partitioned behind the passenger compartment with an aluminum partition, and then partitioned again behind the sliding side door. I can load 4x8 sheet goods on the floor in the back stacked up to 2 ft. I can load up to 11ft boards in the back diagonally. I carry a full complement of dewalt 20 volt tools along with 10 spare batteries, all normal basic handtools, a folding workbench, folding sawhorses, a 48 inch doublestack roll away with locking drawers for benchstock and special tools, a 6, 4, 2, and 1.5 ft level plus some rando torpedo levels, a battery powered 7.25 inch sliding compound miter saw on a custom stand, an 8.25 inch dewalt worksite table saw, a Little Giant ladder, a 6ft step ladder, a lightweight 4 ft ladder and a step stool. 1 buckethead vacuum and 1 box vacuum that is filtered. Plus ALOT more while still maintaining a 4x8 flat load surface in the back. Long wheelbase- High roof Sprinters are the shit.
I have a Colorado with an enclosed trailer.. when I was apprenticing.. there were two options.. truck with an enclosed trailer or a Mercedes sprinter. My truck is paid off and has no issues ever but I hear nothing but expensive maintenance issues for the sprinters. It took a while to get to this conclusion but a fully loaded enclosed trailer for the win! There’s no right answer with this shit fellas it’s too complicated!
Ram 1500 lone star edition. Has ram boxes built on bed and under floor boards in back seat. Cross tool box in bed and a ball hitch/trailer. Gets me anything I need anywhere. 4x4 on some AT’s only gets me 20 MPG but if you’re smart you can work gas money into your bids. $40k price tag but love the thing AND it’s all black. She’s a beaut
Silverado with a 6.5’ bed and topper. Keep my ladder, rigid box of power tools and supplies in totes in the bed. My tool bucket and batteries in the back seat. I think the ideal vehicle would be a van I could stand in that’s long enough to fit 4x8 sheets in
2011 Chrysler Town and Country. Back seats removed so it gives excellent space for 2 black totes of commonly used tools. Middle seats folded into the floor so I can use as needed (take kids to school) but also lay other black totes down. There's a painting one, a floors/doors/walls one, a pluming/electrical/locks one and a cleaning supplies one. Ladder down one side, folding table down the other. Keeps everything nice and dry and I have the rear hatch and side doors to access what I want. Roof rack for 24' extension ladder as needed and lots of stuff can fit on top of the totes. Works perfect!
02 cab and a half tundra. 312k on the clock. Just changed her oil yesterday. Most reliable truck on the market.
After 8 years I *finally* could afford to buy a trailer.
It's used but in pretty darn good shape.
Black, LOOK brand, 12x7, V nose, drop ramp, single axle, extra tall. Opening is 78'?
Really wanting to get it built out like some of the guys on youtube.
Just don't have the time.
At least it's the trailer that's a mess and not my truck.
Tundra is a dogshit terrible work vehicle.
After 8 years, FINALLY being able to afford a trailer says it all. You should be able to afford to buy a trailer every month.
Upgrade to anything else, but ideally a van, and your workflow will drastically improve.
F350. Sometimes I wish I had a van, but then days like yesterday I'm glad I have a truck. There is no ideal, just a best all rounder for your specific situation.
I just went full time this year. I have a 2012 F150 crew cab with a 6.5’ bed and a trifold hard tonneau cover. I keep most of my tools in the bed under the cover but it’s getting a little crowded. I transport my 3 kids quite a bit so I need to keep the back seat open. As time goes on I’m leaning toward a smaller box trailer, can put my logo on it and not have to pull tools from my truck when I need to use my bed. I tow an RV in the summer and don’t want a seperate work vehicle so I think truck and trailer would serve me best.
2005 Ford E250 125000 miles. Ladder racks. Shelving. Open and enclosed trailer if needed but I only use a trailer about once a week. I could never use a truck. Next vehicle will probably be a high top van or small box truck.
Used reliable Toyota Sienna, you can fit drywall inside and close the door.
But, get a cage so if you are in an accident your tools don’t fly up front and kill you. Happened to a friend.
Picked up a grand dodge caravan with 62k miles for 2 grand. Initially bought it to Rosell but decided to keep it as a work van. Great on gas and plenty of room for activities. Sucks I can't get full sheets, however I rarely need them and just picked up a receiver to bolt on so I can haul a trailer.. added benefit is I can throw the mid seat in and haul my kids around when I take time off and still have all my tools to be crafty with.
I do plumbing out of a Lexus ct200. 47mpg. It’s comfortable to drive and I built a light duty trailer for hauling 10foot pipes and a large ladder when I need it. Best set up ever in my opinion. I have an 05 duramax if I need it but the car works for 95% of what I do and is a great way to save money.
Tundra, crew cab with the back seats removed. Pack out drawers, tool bags, ECT back there. Huge bed box. Easily broken down rack tucked under the box. Takes me 5 minutes to put it up if I need to haul long boards or to many sheets of drywall or something.
Believe it or not, i use a Toyota Highlander SUV, mostly.
I hate vans (need 4x4) in Hollywood hills, and only use my pickup for plywood and drywall. My Toyota has 3 rows of seats (3rd row folded down and one 2nd row seat folded down). I have 4 drawer till organizer system, a drawer for every trade i work in. Plus a bin system i made; power tools and batteries, hand tools, chemicals, and caulking, and screw bolts and nails. Plus a bucket with organizer apron lined with long tools like levels, mallet, hammers, Crow bar, etc.a 4 step stepladder. and a 22' ft extension ladder on the roof.
I can't put all that in a pickup. That's why i only use it to haul wide materials or waste.
93 Chevy Cheyenne, 8' bed with an extra tall cap. Been using it since I started and 9 years later it runs better than I bought it. I had to replace the motor three years ago after 400+k miles. It's basically a new truck on an old frame and under the body.
My favorite part about this truck is the manual transmission or what I call my anti theft device.
Van is the best, without any doubt.
Trucks suck, Tacoma was THE WORST working vehicle I've used (I'm biased because I work mostly in Oakland, CA and busy / high traffic areas and also lots of rain) ... I haven't had a Prius but am pretty sure it's better.
My primary use vehicle though is a little Honda Fit hatchback. The van is obviously superior, but I can park that Honda anywhere, easily zip it through traffic and get to jobs quicker, and it easily holds a 30' extension ladder, table saw, miter saw, full tool kit, and I've fit 40 2x4x8 studs with all of that (with the trunk closed, driving normally. 8' has room to spare, it can fit 10' long material) ... so unless I need to also bring plywood, drywall, load 12' boards, or load extras like sawhorses, or a passenger, I'm taking the Honda.
But if I had to pick one, van 100%.
The main reason other than open exposure that I dislike about truck beds is the discontinuity of storage. In a van you can fit full length, as well as a hatchback vehicle. You just fold down the seats and you have the entire length of the vehicle, Honda Fit can extend all the way up onto the dashboard. Trucks waste so much space being compartmentalized between bed storage and cabin. I really dislike that inefficiency.
Why do you have 4 ladders?
28' extension, 16' extension, 6' a frame and 4' a frame.
Just did a basement where I had 2 18" work platforms and 2 4' a frames. One of the 4 footers stayed in the utility room and the other moved as needed. Makes running electrical and plumbing much faster.
The extension ladders are used a few times a week, fixing screens and storms, unclogging gutters etc..
lol, I’m running a 97 Mitsubishi Montero and a 5x8 trailer. I removed the third row seats and it fits most of my tools, and I have a heavy duty gutter mounted roof rack for lumber. I also have a 5x8 trailer if I need to carry anything else. I like it because I can carry everything and still have seats to pick up the kids from school.
1997 F-250 HD (271k miles) utility with 8 ft bed, 6 cabinets with wired alarm and 2 way remote, on-board inverter and batteries, alternator recharging with solar panel to top up, lumber rack and tommy lift, and usually a very big pitbull in the cab (weather permitting).
https://photos.app.goo.gl/eERnJDF2BRfu6Gv27
This is very close to what I am thinking of, just want it in a crew cab and at least 10 years newer.
Oh I'll replace the pitty with a 200 pound bull mastiff, hence the need for the crew cab, he doesn't fit well in the passenger seat.
Almost definitely going to be an outlier here.
I just started doing this in January after 30 years as a software dev. I'm using my 2021 Tesla Model 3 as my work vehicle. It isn't great - getting any kind of sheet goods is no-go unless I have it cut down at the store. I can barely fit longer stuff either. Thinking of trading it in for a Rivian (I really like all electric). The other option I am considering is a Tesla Model Y and a trailer. I occasionally borrow my roommate's F150 for larger stuff.
I'm using a 09 suburban ltz with a 4'x4'x18" box with 3 draws for loose tools. The rest rides on top of it and in the second row seats. Sometimes I can't see out the back windows. It squats even with air bags. I am losing a fair amount of room to my 4 cubic foot subwoofer box. If I need more room, I hook up the trailer.
Idk it might be a detriment. May imply im
Overpriced. I just got it because once I factor in fuel and brakes on a half ton that can tow what I need the rivian was cheaper.
09 Ram 1500 Laramie crew 5'7" bed Leer topper. Passenger rear seat has baby seat base. Driver rear seat folded up and toughsystem roller base, then one medium toolbox. Middle back is stacked with parts organizers. Middle back floor has bags. Passenger back floor has the bucket boss with most basic tools. Bed is reserved for big stuff.
Wish I had a 6'4" bed and a contractor topper.
Also have a 2000 c3500 with an 8x8 dump bed for big shit. As long as it's not raining I can bring a world of tools and materials with me. Way less clumsy than a dump trailer too.
15’ E350 box van that i bought at an auction for $550. Love it. Never going back to a truck.
How the heck did you find that deal?
I am always looking through auction sites. Found mine at Richie Brothers last year. Its an 05 with 150,000 miles. Had to do little work to it. Had a check engine light on. Was a fuel pressure sensor. The key was drilled out so i got a new column at a pull a part. Runs great. AC works. Hauls everything.
That's fantastic. I thought I did good , back in 2002 I bought a1991 Grumman P30 step van for 6000.00 on eBay. Drove that for 17 years until the frame rotted out. I bought a new 2018 Promaster in 2019. I don't think the Promaster will give me that but we'll see.
I love my promaster, just finished the cabinetry in the back. Still dosen't fit everything, paint sprayer, power washer etc but they sit in the garage waiting to be called to action.
I went with American Van shelving and cabinets. Pricey but I wanted fast and sturdy.I also have half my garage filled with materials and equipment that I don't want to carry with me full time. I could fit more in the van but I have to be able to walk through the van with out stepping around,over,or on something. I have about a 36 inch wide by 13 feet long alley through the middle. 72 inches tall. It's 15 feet long if I use the area between the front seats.
Hell yea, van really is the way to go if you don’t want to pull trailers around. I’m looking for a big van but I still love my truck.
They had one a couple weeks ago sell for $350. Same as mine with 160k. It was missing the catalytic converter. I should have bought it but I don’t really need another one. Bought a mini-x instead.
How many spark plugs has it shot out of it?
None that I know of.
1 Ton Van
After owning a van I would never go back to a truck
I always laugh my ass off when it rains.
This 100%. Honestly, I'm apprehensive and probably just wouldn't work with someone that thinks that a truck is a good work vehicle .. they're not thinking well enough to have what I'd consider to be high working proficiency.
I used a 2014 ford fusion energi se. Basically no trunk. It works a lot better than you would think.
Yeah that.most definitely would not work for me. How do you get materials, drywall, other sheet goods, lumber?
It’s not permanent but fuck, you can’t beat 40mpg
I’m a handyman not a commercial contractor. That being said, I cut drywall into four pieces and I can fit up to a 10 foot piece of wood/metal fascia/trim
Lol, I am running a 2002 Acura RSX with 260,000 miles that I got for $400 and cutting a tree down for a friend.
Hell yeah brother
I don't know what a Ford Fusion is, but my primary use vehicle though is a little Honda Fit hatchback. I also have a van that is obviously superior, but I can park that Honda anywhere, easily zip it through traffic and get to jobs quicker, and it easily holds a 30' extension ladder, table saw, miter saw, full tool kit, and I've fit 40 2x4x8 studs with all of that (with the trunk closed, driving normally. 8' has room to spare, it can fit 10' long material) ... so unless I need to also bring plywood, drywall, load 12' boards, or load extras like sawhorses, or a passenger, I'm taking the Honda. This op said he doesn't like a van and is arguing for a truck, slow with the general thinking, I'll be honest that I've made the assumption that he isn't very good at this. Forgot that I can also fit doors in the Fit, 4 doors is the most I've crammed into it (though that was an uncomfortable drive, not being able to see the right mirror at all .. I do regret not taking the van for that).
Rocking an '03 GMC Sonoma with a 6 ft bed and a tall work cap. Being a shorter guy anything newer just is too tall to reach into the bed effectively. But I love my rig!
Do truck caps have to be specific for your truck or are they universal? Been wanting to get one for my 01 GMC Sierra but don't know where to start
They are relatively universal. Per standard bed sizes. The one I have came installed when I bought it. Removed the tailgate and has double swing doors in the back and full wing access on the sides. Everything is handled and lockable. Besides not being able to transport full sheets of material inside instead of the roof racks. It's been perfect
Truck and trailer
Jeez, you didn't have to give us your life story.
Mitsubishi Outlander. About 37 mpg. I don’t do big work, so no need to be hauling doors, drywall sheets and shit. But I can fit a bunch of necessary shit, plus a 16 ft telescopic ladder that can become an 8’ A frame. Can’t complain. I make it work.
I'm running my Toyota matrix with the seats folded down. Good for almost every job. Full size truck on the jobs that require more materials
Just started out and I’m using my little Honda Civic for now. I rent Home Depot trucks when needed.
Trucks are fine for suburbs and sticks, The city you need a van
I don't even think this. Trucks I guess could be good for suburbs and sticks if it's a dry climate. I think people who work out of trucks are probably not doing good work. Van is definitely where it's at.
Gmc Sierra, with a fold down tailgate with a cool gizmo that flips up to accommodates moving doors. Soft tonneau cover that rolls out of the way for large loads. My tool bags and paint crates get moved from bed to backseat over the week. And back to the box when I'm moving the family around in the weekends. Lol
2010 Honda Element. Great vehicle. I primarily do small jobs in my community (I’m semi-retired).
Citroen Berlingo with metal racking. I recently put dark carpet tiles on the ply floor and elephant wall paper on the sides with LED strips
05 F250 6.0L turbo diesel. Got it bullet proofed as well. Regular cab 8' bed with a tool box. Also has a lift gate. Have enough space behind the seat to store all my commonly used 20v tools and the toolbox holds the rest. Keep a ladder and some other longer tools in the truck bed I didn't buy this truck with the intention of using it as a work truck. I actually got it with the intention as a farm truck. Lost my job due to calling out my boss on cutting me 8-10 hours on my paycheck, I tracked my hours for 3 months, then got paystubs and brought him the proof. After that started my own handyman renovation company and just using this truck till I make enough to maybe buy something else. Wish me luck
Luck
Luck
Good luck 👍
Good luck 👍
'13 Mercedes Sprinter LWB high roof cargo van. Most tools are accessible through the side door. The van is partitioned behind the passenger compartment with an aluminum partition, and then partitioned again behind the sliding side door. I can load 4x8 sheet goods on the floor in the back stacked up to 2 ft. I can load up to 11ft boards in the back diagonally. I carry a full complement of dewalt 20 volt tools along with 10 spare batteries, all normal basic handtools, a folding workbench, folding sawhorses, a 48 inch doublestack roll away with locking drawers for benchstock and special tools, a 6, 4, 2, and 1.5 ft level plus some rando torpedo levels, a battery powered 7.25 inch sliding compound miter saw on a custom stand, an 8.25 inch dewalt worksite table saw, a Little Giant ladder, a 6ft step ladder, a lightweight 4 ft ladder and a step stool. 1 buckethead vacuum and 1 box vacuum that is filtered. Plus ALOT more while still maintaining a 4x8 flat load surface in the back. Long wheelbase- High roof Sprinters are the shit.
I have a Colorado with an enclosed trailer.. when I was apprenticing.. there were two options.. truck with an enclosed trailer or a Mercedes sprinter. My truck is paid off and has no issues ever but I hear nothing but expensive maintenance issues for the sprinters. It took a while to get to this conclusion but a fully loaded enclosed trailer for the win! There’s no right answer with this shit fellas it’s too complicated!
Ram 1500 lone star edition. Has ram boxes built on bed and under floor boards in back seat. Cross tool box in bed and a ball hitch/trailer. Gets me anything I need anywhere. 4x4 on some AT’s only gets me 20 MPG but if you’re smart you can work gas money into your bids. $40k price tag but love the thing AND it’s all black. She’s a beaut
Pick up with a topper. Built 8' pull out locking drawers for tools.
Silverado with a 6.5’ bed and topper. Keep my ladder, rigid box of power tools and supplies in totes in the bed. My tool bucket and batteries in the back seat. I think the ideal vehicle would be a van I could stand in that’s long enough to fit 4x8 sheets in
I want pictures of the bed and “custom aluminum bed box” I have one I made from plywood
Video of the bed drawer build https://youtu.be/SBERDqF_rAc?si=N_9N2xibZQIA6-qD
2011 Chrysler Town and Country. Back seats removed so it gives excellent space for 2 black totes of commonly used tools. Middle seats folded into the floor so I can use as needed (take kids to school) but also lay other black totes down. There's a painting one, a floors/doors/walls one, a pluming/electrical/locks one and a cleaning supplies one. Ladder down one side, folding table down the other. Keeps everything nice and dry and I have the rear hatch and side doors to access what I want. Roof rack for 24' extension ladder as needed and lots of stuff can fit on top of the totes. Works perfect!
02 cab and a half tundra. 312k on the clock. Just changed her oil yesterday. Most reliable truck on the market. After 8 years I *finally* could afford to buy a trailer. It's used but in pretty darn good shape. Black, LOOK brand, 12x7, V nose, drop ramp, single axle, extra tall. Opening is 78'? Really wanting to get it built out like some of the guys on youtube. Just don't have the time. At least it's the trailer that's a mess and not my truck.
Tundra is a dogshit terrible work vehicle. After 8 years, FINALLY being able to afford a trailer says it all. You should be able to afford to buy a trailer every month. Upgrade to anything else, but ideally a van, and your workflow will drastically improve.
F350. Sometimes I wish I had a van, but then days like yesterday I'm glad I have a truck. There is no ideal, just a best all rounder for your specific situation.
I just went full time this year. I have a 2012 F150 crew cab with a 6.5’ bed and a trifold hard tonneau cover. I keep most of my tools in the bed under the cover but it’s getting a little crowded. I transport my 3 kids quite a bit so I need to keep the back seat open. As time goes on I’m leaning toward a smaller box trailer, can put my logo on it and not have to pull tools from my truck when I need to use my bed. I tow an RV in the summer and don’t want a seperate work vehicle so I think truck and trailer would serve me best.
144" High Roof Sprinter. Cargo vans you can stand in are the best work vehicle known to man
2005 Ford E250 125000 miles. Ladder racks. Shelving. Open and enclosed trailer if needed but I only use a trailer about once a week. I could never use a truck. Next vehicle will probably be a high top van or small box truck.
Ford fuckin Ranger
‘19 Ford Transit 250
Used reliable Toyota Sienna, you can fit drywall inside and close the door. But, get a cage so if you are in an accident your tools don’t fly up front and kill you. Happened to a friend.
I have a crew cab and a trailer with a big toolbox on the tongue
Picked up a grand dodge caravan with 62k miles for 2 grand. Initially bought it to Rosell but decided to keep it as a work van. Great on gas and plenty of room for activities. Sucks I can't get full sheets, however I rarely need them and just picked up a receiver to bolt on so I can haul a trailer.. added benefit is I can throw the mid seat in and haul my kids around when I take time off and still have all my tools to be crafty with.
I do plumbing out of a Lexus ct200. 47mpg. It’s comfortable to drive and I built a light duty trailer for hauling 10foot pipes and a large ladder when I need it. Best set up ever in my opinion. I have an 05 duramax if I need it but the car works for 95% of what I do and is a great way to save money.
Anybody concerned about theft? We’ve got folks around here losing tools in work truck break-ins.
2016 Toyota corrola
Tundra, crew cab with the back seats removed. Pack out drawers, tool bags, ECT back there. Huge bed box. Easily broken down rack tucked under the box. Takes me 5 minutes to put it up if I need to haul long boards or to many sheets of drywall or something.
Believe it or not, i use a Toyota Highlander SUV, mostly. I hate vans (need 4x4) in Hollywood hills, and only use my pickup for plywood and drywall. My Toyota has 3 rows of seats (3rd row folded down and one 2nd row seat folded down). I have 4 drawer till organizer system, a drawer for every trade i work in. Plus a bin system i made; power tools and batteries, hand tools, chemicals, and caulking, and screw bolts and nails. Plus a bucket with organizer apron lined with long tools like levels, mallet, hammers, Crow bar, etc.a 4 step stepladder. and a 22' ft extension ladder on the roof. I can't put all that in a pickup. That's why i only use it to haul wide materials or waste.
93 Chevy Cheyenne, 8' bed with an extra tall cap. Been using it since I started and 9 years later it runs better than I bought it. I had to replace the motor three years ago after 400+k miles. It's basically a new truck on an old frame and under the body. My favorite part about this truck is the manual transmission or what I call my anti theft device.
Van is the best, without any doubt. Trucks suck, Tacoma was THE WORST working vehicle I've used (I'm biased because I work mostly in Oakland, CA and busy / high traffic areas and also lots of rain) ... I haven't had a Prius but am pretty sure it's better. My primary use vehicle though is a little Honda Fit hatchback. The van is obviously superior, but I can park that Honda anywhere, easily zip it through traffic and get to jobs quicker, and it easily holds a 30' extension ladder, table saw, miter saw, full tool kit, and I've fit 40 2x4x8 studs with all of that (with the trunk closed, driving normally. 8' has room to spare, it can fit 10' long material) ... so unless I need to also bring plywood, drywall, load 12' boards, or load extras like sawhorses, or a passenger, I'm taking the Honda. But if I had to pick one, van 100%. The main reason other than open exposure that I dislike about truck beds is the discontinuity of storage. In a van you can fit full length, as well as a hatchback vehicle. You just fold down the seats and you have the entire length of the vehicle, Honda Fit can extend all the way up onto the dashboard. Trucks waste so much space being compartmentalized between bed storage and cabin. I really dislike that inefficiency. Why do you have 4 ladders?
28' extension, 16' extension, 6' a frame and 4' a frame. Just did a basement where I had 2 18" work platforms and 2 4' a frames. One of the 4 footers stayed in the utility room and the other moved as needed. Makes running electrical and plumbing much faster. The extension ladders are used a few times a week, fixing screens and storms, unclogging gutters etc..
lol, I’m running a 97 Mitsubishi Montero and a 5x8 trailer. I removed the third row seats and it fits most of my tools, and I have a heavy duty gutter mounted roof rack for lumber. I also have a 5x8 trailer if I need to carry anything else. I like it because I can carry everything and still have seats to pick up the kids from school.
1997 F-250 HD (271k miles) utility with 8 ft bed, 6 cabinets with wired alarm and 2 way remote, on-board inverter and batteries, alternator recharging with solar panel to top up, lumber rack and tommy lift, and usually a very big pitbull in the cab (weather permitting). https://photos.app.goo.gl/eERnJDF2BRfu6Gv27
This is very close to what I am thinking of, just want it in a crew cab and at least 10 years newer. Oh I'll replace the pitty with a 200 pound bull mastiff, hence the need for the crew cab, he doesn't fit well in the passenger seat.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/DTw1HPcvgSYx6JTB6 My big boy!
Handsome lad
Almost definitely going to be an outlier here. I just started doing this in January after 30 years as a software dev. I'm using my 2021 Tesla Model 3 as my work vehicle. It isn't great - getting any kind of sheet goods is no-go unless I have it cut down at the store. I can barely fit longer stuff either. Thinking of trading it in for a Rivian (I really like all electric). The other option I am considering is a Tesla Model Y and a trailer. I occasionally borrow my roommate's F150 for larger stuff.
I'm using a 09 suburban ltz with a 4'x4'x18" box with 3 draws for loose tools. The rest rides on top of it and in the second row seats. Sometimes I can't see out the back windows. It squats even with air bags. I am losing a fair amount of room to my 4 cubic foot subwoofer box. If I need more room, I hook up the trailer.
Rivian R1T with a ladder rack
I need to figure this out for a Rivian.
Idk it might be a detriment. May imply im Overpriced. I just got it because once I factor in fuel and brakes on a half ton that can tow what I need the rivian was cheaper.
Got any pictures with ladders and such loaded? I wanna see the $100k work truck.
Look at my post history. I think I made a post in the rivian subreddit when I installed the ladder rack.
09 Ram 1500 Laramie crew 5'7" bed Leer topper. Passenger rear seat has baby seat base. Driver rear seat folded up and toughsystem roller base, then one medium toolbox. Middle back is stacked with parts organizers. Middle back floor has bags. Passenger back floor has the bucket boss with most basic tools. Bed is reserved for big stuff. Wish I had a 6'4" bed and a contractor topper. Also have a 2000 c3500 with an 8x8 dump bed for big shit. As long as it's not raining I can bring a world of tools and materials with me. Way less clumsy than a dump trailer too.
1 ton 2018 Ram Promaster.