Cargo Van Vs. Cube van

aandk · Mar 14, 2014

My husband and I are looking to getting into the business. My husband has driven trucks for years and has his class A cdl and I am getting my chauffer's which should be enough to drive either. Our biggest discussion at this point is cargo van vs. a box truck. We have communicated with a couple of recruiters and they both have different opinions on the matter. So I thought I would see what the true experts have to say on the matter. What do you guys think?

Thank you for your opinion.

zorry · Mar 14, 2014

Are you buying or going to drive for an owner ?
I think most consider a cube a van with a slightly larger body, and a box truck much larger, dock high.
Cube having a floor about knee high.
Box truck/straight truck the floor would be almost shoulder high.
Which are you considering as the option to the van ?

aandk · Mar 14, 2014

We were thinking a 12-14 foot (like a uhaul) that we were talking about owning.

zorry · Mar 14, 2014

I've never been involved in smaller vehicles.
I'm pretty sure the answers will lean heavily towards the van.

xiggi · Mar 14, 2014

Some would depend on the company you want to drive for. If they don't pay extra for bigger size loads it might be hard to justify a bigger vehicle. Now to contradict myself with a bigger vehicle you have more load opportunities and maybe even better you have more room for comfort. Being a team I would probably opt for the cube for that if nothing else. Its like living in a walk in closet compared to a crawl space.

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zorry · Mar 14, 2014

Xiggi, you're talking about SRW/ under 10,000 gross I imagine.
Would you ever do a DRW/ over 10,000 lb ?

xiggi · Mar 15, 2014

Personally I would go sprinter or the type. Over ten nope jump to a straight at that point.

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skyraider · Mar 15, 2014

go rent a cube van for a week and play expediter before u pay out a ton of cash,,drive a 1000 miles and see..................

Opel2010 · Mar 15, 2014

The fuel consumption on cube van is way higher than a regular cargo van, while large loads specifically for cubes are once in a while.

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xiggi · Mar 15, 2014

I think the loads for cubes come up pretty often. There is a large number of loads out there over 4 ft tall I haul them all the time. It can be light and might only be one skid but that doesn't mean it will fit in a cargo van. Actually that describes the load getting me out of Miami in less than 24 hours today.

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KickStarter6 · Mar 15, 2014

I would go with a single wheel 1 ton with a uni-cell body on it. 12ft box so you have room for you and a load. Plus the 9600# GVW would be nice

Murraycroexp · Mar 15, 2014

KickStarter6 said:
I would go with a single wheel 1 ton with a uni-cell body on it. 12ft box so you have room for you and a load. Plus the 9600# GVW would be nice

Ditto but w the 14' narrow box.

Maverick · Mar 15, 2014

With freight variance, happenstance, and overall luck in today's market......get the one you want?

I've seen some great set ups with cubes. One guy had a electric fireplace sitting on the squared off wheel wells, with knotty pine side walls, and pictures on the wall. Looked just like a small living room. More versatility with cube, toward that regard. Might as well have fun?

If it's money for primary goal.....hard to beat a Sprinter "type" vehicle, as this should fit any company need.

If teaming....I'd go cube and have the fireplace

geo · Mar 16, 2014

i would go with sprinter van, as toll roads are higher if you 4 tires on axle
also better fuel milages
also new sprinter out with 4 cyl engine really great on fuel 24 to 25 mpg
also at tysingers we have some great prices
send pm

KickStarter6 · Mar 16, 2014

Murraycroexp said:
Ditto but w the 14' narrow box.

Would you have yourself a little sleeper or would it be all cargo space all the time lol

zorry · Mar 16, 2014

geo said:
i would go with sprinter van, as toll roads are higher if you 4 tires on axle
also better fuel milages
also new sprinter out with 4 cyl engine really great on fuel 24 to 25 mpg
also at tysingers we have some great prices
send pm

I do not recall ever seeing a toll road with ability to count tires. Axles yes, tires, no.
Or am I just having a brain fart ?

Ragman · Mar 16, 2014

zorry said:
. . . having a brain fart ?

KickStarter6 · Mar 16, 2014

zorry said:
I do not recall ever seeing a toll road with ability to count tires. Axles yes, tires, no.
Or am I just having a brain fart ?

Those brain farts are serious, you gotta keep an eye out for en

westmicher · Mar 16, 2014

zorry said:
I do not recall ever seeing a toll road with ability to count tires. Axles yes, tires, no.
Or am I just having a brain fart ?

My $printer was a six wheeler and in toll booths with attendants they can, and often do, count tires...

And when they did I was charged more than a four wheeler.