I have had to turn down a lot of loads because I cannot get 48 inch tall loads into my van. It seems the customers are listing their freight as 48 inches tall quite a bit and I wonder if their just doing this generically or whether it is really that tall? I have a Ford E350 extended and the door from the factory is close to 48 inches, but when you put down plywood and E-track, its now under 47 inches. I have turned down about 5 loads in two weeks because of this, and some were great loads. I have had to break down many a load in my time to get it to fit, but now they ask if 48" will fit, which puts me on the spot if I get there and its not four or five layers, but just an item 48 inches tall. Has anyone else run into this situation lately, and whats your thoughts? Thanks XBlastX
48" tall freight
- Thread starter XBlastX
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paullud
Veteran Expediter
How thick is your plywood? I have an '06 E350 extended I used 5/8" and I have the factory rubber mat under it still. I used the information I got from this site and I carry a wrench to be able to remove the door latch if ever needed because that would interfere with a 48" load but the opening itself is still tall enough.
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I used 3/4 inch plywood. I would have to remove the latch as you said to get 48" inside, but also the two plastic things on each side of the latch. What are those? Maybe door ajar sensors? Anyway, that is a way to get around having to turn the load down. Thanks for the tip, very much appreciated. XBlastX
paullud
Veteran Expediter
They are there to keep the doors tight so they don't rattle going down the road. If you change out your plywood in the future I would go with 3/8 or 5/8, I have had 1800lbs on a single pallet and didn't have any issues with cracking plus I figure the narrower edge is less for the forks to catch during loading or unloading.
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Had a thought last night: how about a raised roof with door extensions, like you see on paratransit vans? Depending on how you order it, you could gain an extra 18 inches of headroom, or more, with up to a foot of extra door height? Might be just the thing for people who aren't into Sprinters....
Jack_Berry
Moderator Emeritus
best to buy that upfront. as discussed here many times the rr and door ext are about 3-5 g$ aftermarket.
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guido4475
Not a Member
My old van, a Ford E-350 extended,gave me the same problems as far as height.I did remove the two black plastic tabs, and the upper door latch, to give me 48" of height with the e-track and 1/2" plywood.I hope the new owner finds all of that in the ziplock baggie in the back.But, as I have learned, 48" was not enough, and I lost alot of loads due to this.I was able to get a Spartan body Ford,12' x 65" high,49" between wheel wells, and love it.And the extra income it has generated.And the conveinence of being able to stand up and walk around from the cab to the rear of the vehicle.It is a nice alternative to a Sprinter,but after riding in Todd's new Sprinter, my feelings are changing towards them, and may be buying one as my next vehicle, when the time comes.
Falligator
Expert Expediter
Thus the reason I jumped into a Sprinter from my Ford van. Less and less opportunities for a cargo van.
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LisaLouHoo
Expert Expediter
Extended wheelbase GMC c/v with a raised roof. Has hauled many a Sprinter load. Easier to "live" in with the raised roof also.
"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008
"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008
Lisa, I assume your van has door extensions? If so, how high? Did you buy the van new and have the raised roof installed, or did you get it with the roof on it already?
(Nosey, ain't I?)
Jack, how much was the HCV over and above the cost of the van?
FWIW, I'm pretty sure most upfitters insist on installing high roofs on new vans only, but as I said in another post, "I could be wrong, just ask my wife"
(Nosey, ain't I?)
Jack, how much was the HCV over and above the cost of the van?
FWIW, I'm pretty sure most upfitters insist on installing high roofs on new vans only, but as I said in another post, "I could be wrong, just ask my wife"
LisaLouHoo
Expert Expediter
The work was done aftermarket, I think Jeff said it was around $2000.00 (in 2005), 69" total height from floor to ceiling.
"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008
"Bruises fade and bones will mend-but a psyche can be ruined FOREVER" : LisaLouHoo, c. 2008
Thanks for answering
Just for the heck of it, I might call Brightbill in Lebanon, PA. They sell paratransit vans, school buses, etc., so they'd know how much a raised roof would cost.
paullud
Veteran Expediter
Thanks for answering
Can you post the answer after you talk to them?
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Greg: Any van? I figured they'd be leery of putting a roof on a van that could possibly have been hit. I could be wrong...
Paul: will do