Best truck choice and customization.

Jamin_Joe · Apr 20, 2014

Ok, I've got two clients that will keep me busy, what is the most economical truck deal and setting it up to live in on the road?

New vs used, what is the maximum mileage to choose from. Dont want to invest in a truck that in three years still owe on when its shot.

Since the truck is sleeping quarters, what is the most economical at lowest cost way to keep warm & cool? I will be using insulation ceiling tiles and panel board for insulation. Tie down track will bu used for securement.

Suggestions?

Greg · Apr 20, 2014

What type of truck?
Straight truck, cube van or van or something else?
How long will the trips be?

Daffyduck528 · Apr 20, 2014

Need way more info. What are you doing with said truck? A van is most economical in all categories but if your hauling 12,000 lb pallets for these customers it's not very efficient for you at all. Also, a new class 8 truck won't be shot in 3 years with you still owing a boat load of money on it.

Jamin_Joe · Apr 20, 2014

Sorry, cargo van like chevy 2500 express. It has to stay under10,000lbs gvwr and the the routes would be Virginia to/from Missouri and New York is the 2nd one.

Jamin_Joe · Apr 22, 2014

Got a 2006 Ford E250 cargo van today! Got to get rid of the cargo bins and customize it.

Questions:

1. What is the easiest and cheapest way to keep warm and cool?

2. Would a car battery last all night running one of those ceramic heaters and a small portable A/c unit?

3. What size inverter do I need to run the fridge, microwave, heat and a/c?

4. What battery chargers are good and have a way to limit the current draw from the alternator?

5. Do the truck stops charge for sleeping in their parking lot and do any have a power hookup(how much does that cost)?

6. What is the average cost to shower?

Got a low budget and need a good set up for those overnight stays.

Many thanks.

fastman_1 · Apr 22, 2014

I can tell you a single battery is good for starting the van and nothing else.

Sent from The Dark Side of the moon.

Jamin_Joe · Apr 22, 2014

Lots of my time during the early 80's I enjoyed Pink Floyd while being Comfortably Numb. Haha, glad those days are over!

zorry · Apr 22, 2014

Glad you survived them.

xiggi · Apr 22, 2014

Jamin_Joe said:
Got a 2006 Ford E250 cargo van today! Got to get rid of the cargo bins and customize it.

Questions:

1. What is the easiest and cheapest way to keep warm and cool?

First insulate, insulate, insulate. Cheapest heat probably a buddy heater. Cheapest cooling sweat it out.

2. Would a car battery last all night running one of those ceramic heaters and a small portable A/c unit?

Not even close.

3. What size inverter do I need to run the fridge, microwave, heat and a/c?

You cannot run an ac that way. An 1800 would be good for the rest, you have to run the truck while the microwave is running.

4. What battery chargers are good and have a way to limit the current draw from the alternator?

You don't use a battery charger without a generator. Your alternator charges the aux battery.

5. Do the truck stops charge for sleeping in their parking lot and do any have a power hookup(how much does that cost)?

No and very few power hookups but they cost close to or as much as a cheap hotel when you find them.

6. What is the average cost to shower?

Free with the pilot flying j professional card. 10 or 12 bucks without

Got a low budget and need a good set up for those overnight stays.

Outfitting a van properly isn't cheap. Save your money and do it right. Until then just tuff it out people do it every day.

Sent from my - Fisher Price ABC - 123

letsdrive · Apr 23, 2014

Its not that tuff xiggi lol

Sent from my SPH-L520 using EO Forums mobile app

Jamin_Joe · Apr 23, 2014

Got those darn bins out, what a pain in the rear, gonna put yhe plywood down over the rubber floor covering. I saw at home depot a 2 inch thick foam sheathing that goes on the out side of the house, but dont know if its toxic yet. Will wait on the insulation cause I'm not sure how I want to do the build out yet. I did see a nice spot underneath that a propane take would fit in, but I maybe able to design a heater and cooler there, that is a miniversion of the glycol systems that I used to work on.

The E track was way over priced at the the stores I went to and was only 2feet long for 11bucks each. Am installing 4 fold down ring hooks to get me going. Once insulated and walls are up, want to have Etrack on the walls to hook to. Maybe overkill, but may have some odd sized construction material loads later.

Murraycroexp · Apr 23, 2014

Got those darn bins out, what a pain in the rear,
YES THEY ARE!! BEEN THERE.

gonna put yhe plywood down over the rubber floor covering. I saw at home depot a 2 inch thick foam sheathing that goes on the out side of the house, but dont know if its toxic yet. Will wait on the insulation cause I'm not sure how I want to do the build out yet.
IVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY TOXIC FUMES FROM MY STYROFOAM PANELS. I COVERED THEM WITH MASONITE.

I did see a nice spot underneath that a propane take would fit in, but I maybe able to design a heater and cooler there, that is a miniversion of the glycol systems that I used to work on.
THERES A FAIR AMOUNT OF ROOM DOWN THE RIGHT SIDE FRAME RAIL. CAREFUL WITH PROPANE!!

The E track was way over priced at the the stores I went to and was only 2feet long for 11bucks each.
MUCH CHEAPER AT A SEMI TRAILER REPAIR & PARTS PLACE. I DONT KNOW HOW MUCH IS A GREAT PRICE BUT MINE WAY $20 for 10 FOOT PIECE.
I WOULD THINK PLACED THAT SELL USED TRAILERS WOULD HAVE A PARTS DEPT THAT MAY SELL IT.

Am installing 4 fold down ring hooks to get me going. Once insulated and walls are up, want to have Etrack on the walls to hook to. Maybe overkill, but may have some odd sized construction material loads later.
THAT IS NOT OVERKILL.

Jamin_Joe · Apr 23, 2014

Thank, like many things cut up, normally over twice the cost of cutting it yourself.

Kind of worried about propane, crazy driver hits you....boom! If it leaks inside the truck, you may not wake up due to lack of fresh air. Most foams are toxic when it smokes from a shorted wire or flame, just being cautious.

The next thing to go is the top bar if the divider above the door, about scalped myself.

Needed a building project.

Murraycroexp · Apr 23, 2014

I'm putting this on my birthday list!! Except extended. Anyone show where "2013" got his turtle top?

ImageUploadedByEO Forums1398308372.455847.jpg

KickStarter6 · Apr 23, 2014

I want that exact thing with the doors on my ford!

Murraycroexp · Apr 23, 2014

KickStarter6 said:
I want that exact thing with the doors on my ford!

The right side doors are sick!! Overkill, I think. But WAY tall!! I might go hump his bumper. Love that setup. Except for the short wheelbase.
The COOL thing is that immediately on the other side is a hightop Sprinter. It's like an ad for that top.
It might as well say "Why pay $50K?!"
But you have to say it like
"Why pay fiddy K?!?!"

KickStarter6 · Apr 23, 2014

The high roof and doors are so on my list of things I want. If only to be able to stand up in my van lol

Murraycroexp · Apr 23, 2014

I gotta think that's a $5K setup on an extended van. Booooooo.

xiggi · Apr 24, 2014

I used foam board in my roof lots of people use it. The two inch does not bend easily so keep that in mind.

Sent from my - Fisher Price ABC - 123

KickStarter6 · Apr 24, 2014

But that 5k could be made up fairly easily over the life of a van. My ford has 50k miles so it has lots of life left, the earning potential I think would be worth it plus I'd get an extra 10 cents a mile from Tri state