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Age of Van

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nobs6969

Active Expediter
I have read that to get into this field I need a van 5 years or newer. I have come across some great 2004 Ford F450 with T-Deisel with less than 120k on them. What would I need to do to get a 2003 or newer van OK'd for service? The price and condition on these are as good as some 2008-2009 cutaways with more miles on them?? I have a C class with hazmat & have been transporting cars & trucks on a trailer for 3 years now. I have had my C-Class license since I left the US Navy in 1982. Does this count as C-Class experience?

Thanks,
BS
 
paullud

paullud

Veteran Expediter
Most of the major carriers have the year set at 5 years and that is it, you might find some smaller carriers that will take older vans though. The issue of experience will play into this since larger carriers are usually a better route for newbies to the industry. The other issue is unless you get the vehicle recertified under 10k lbs you will have to scale and log when driving over 100 miles from home base or if you don't return home. On top of that you would need a DOT approved sleeper or to stay in a hotel room.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App
 
chefdennis

chefdennis

Veteran Expediter
The age thing, with the exception of a few of the "major" carriers is often waved depending on the truck.

Now that being said, i have to ask, why a e-450? They carry a higher GVW and will require the same DOT "Stuff as a ST...so if you are going to go that route, why go in a low GVW unit that is not dock high and will limit you chances at freight? Yea there are are some out their and i know of 1 team that went from a ST to the E-450 strictly because of the operational expenses...but they did admit it was costing them bigger higher paying loads that they would get with a ST....

For me personally, if i had to do the logging, scales and hos deal, iod be in the truck that would give me the best chance to make the most income i could...but maybe thats just me...
 
B

blizzard2014

Veteran Expediter
Driver
The age of the van is not important. I bought a 2004 2 years ago with 120k miles on it. I am nearing the 300k mile mark and all i've had to do to the van breakdown wise since then is replace a failing set of oxygen sensors and one air-conditioner blower motor resistor. Look at them old Estes trucks on the road, all old from the 80's possibly, but they keep all new parts and new paint on them.

If you replace parts as needed and get a new paint job every 5 years, your van can last until armageddon lol. Customers don't care one bit about that your van looks like as long as it provides on time service and completes the job as it was meant to be completed. As for the over 10k deal, i'd really think hard about that. If you want the best of both worlds i'd go teams in an under 26,000 pound small straight truck. Then you can get really high paying loads and avoid fuel taxes. It all up to you though!
 
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