Expeditors Dream Van

dieseldoctor · Oct 19, 2003

If anyone is considering the Sprinter better hold off a few months because there is a new van coming that i think is far superior to the Sprinter. I saw the two prototypes last week and plan to have me one as soon as I can get it built. Then I have my plans worked out for the interior. Hope to have it ready to use by the first of the year or soon there after. This van has more heighth inside and also more width. You can get it on Ford or Chevy/Gmc.

ARNACUS · Oct 19, 2003

That van looks absolutely SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!!!!
Any more information on when it will be available and if it is a seperate body that needs to be purchased by a company that specializes in chassis building or will it be available to order from my local Ford dealer.

Thanks,

Adam:+

Weave · Oct 19, 2003

It is the Aerocell SRW by Unicell. It is a fiberglas van body. They build Unicell bodies in Buffalo, NY and elsewhere. You can already order an Aerocell from your Ford, Chevy or GMC dealer. www.unicell.com
Looks good!

dieseldoctor · Oct 19, 2003

You are right you will order through your dealer but please note the barn doors. This is new and so far they have only built the two prototypes. They build them in Toronto Cananda. I was at the factory last week. They are going to line the inside of mine with sprayed in foam insulation 2 inches thick and cover it with a hard plastic like liner.

Weave · Oct 19, 2003

Unicells have had one inherant problem with them- they are very lightweight. So much so that trucks equipped with them that are empty like to "blow away" and have difficulty keeping traction on wet roads and snow. An empty Unicell van is going to handle very much like an empty 2WD pickup truck. I would almost be tempted to plywood line the Unicell box instead of the plastic lining over the insulation to give the van some ballast. The van would still be way under 10k gross, plus the plywood can take a heck of a beating from pallets and such and is a good insulator in itself. Just food for thought..
-Weave-

dieseldoctor · Nov 9, 2003

I looked at the Sprinter real close and I can't believe the unicell will be any lighter than the sprinter in the back. In fact the sprinter is very light weight all over. The body sheet metal is very thin, the frame rails are light weight, and the rear axle housing is light compared to my Ford. I think with the insulation and lining, another layer of 3/4 plywood on the floor, my bed and shelves,closet, tools, cooler and such in the unicell there will be no problem with it being too light in the rear. Doesn't look like it will lighten my billfold as much as a sprinter would either.

Weave · Nov 12, 2003

I totally agree. I would go with this Unicell setup long before a Sprinter. As some Sprinters are beginning to accumulate over 100k miles now, I am beginning to hear some news on them that is not good.
That body with the Ford E350/Powerstroke diesel (and some plywood ballast) I think will eat a Sprinter alive and spit out timing chains. Please let us know how it works out for you!
-Weave-

dieseldoctor · Dec 15, 2003

Well I ordered the Areocell today on a Ford cutaway chassis. Hope to have it in about three months since we are so close to the holidays. Had about three thousand dollars of custom work done to the body. Wanted more things done but they price their custom work outrageous so I will do the other things myself. Will keep everybody informed as I think many drivers will be interested in this van. Since there is so much more room in this van I will have to build all new shelves, closet, and bins. And a whole new bed system also. Oh well that's life

Weave · Dec 15, 2003

Just saw today the Chevy Unicell version of this, the older one with a roll-up door. Even it would be perfectly fine for expediting, and is one heck of a lot bigger box than the Sprinter has. Thinking if one could build the floor up a little bit somehow to clear the wheel wells, 4 pallets could fit into that box possibly?
-Weave-

Whiterabbit · Dec 26, 2003

yup must admit mighty tempting...Weave,1000 posts!

OntarioVanMan · Dec 27, 2003

One thing is sticking in my mind about the barn door model IS The fibre doors and some nut shipper, the damage would be very expensive and leave it almost, depending on the whack, undrivable compared to good ole metal and that back step looks to be aluminum depending on the thickness used good fold up like a 5 buck folding chair. For me personally I'll be checking the back end out real close!

NEVERHOME247 · Dec 27, 2003

nice van. but i invision a dream van as: a limo length cargo van with 4 wheel drive,tandem axle,with a massive lift kit,44 inch rubber,custom flame paint job,50 series detroit,lots of chrome,lights,etc... would not be practical from a business aspect. but it sure would turn alot of heads and be fun as hell to drive... well just a dream

OntarioVanMan · Dec 27, 2003

We have one on our fleet we call him bubbleboy! He can't do Buffalo Airport cuz he stands just over 9 feet high I'd think this woube a draw back on some van runs even though with that in mind he makes out like a bandit because of the size of the door opening and weight carrying capacity quite often gets 3T and 5T rated jobs!

dieseldoctor · Apr 12, 2004

Finally got my unicell and have been putting in 12 hr days trying to get it equipped. Building the bed is taking a lot longer than i figured. Having to engineer it as i go because this thing has no straight lines except the floor lol. Am attaching a front and rear view of van and a view of part of the pulley mechanism that i worked out for the winch to raise and lower the bed. Also a picture of the frame work partly assembeled in my shop and then a trail fit in the van. Am about ready to paint it and wouldn't you know it is rainy and cool. Just my luck. Will post more pics and reports as i go along if anyone is interested.

Lawrence · Apr 13, 2004

Whoa!

That's some heavy-duty work! Keep us informed - please!

Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com

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OntarioVanMan · Apr 13, 2004

are you going to insulate it when your done?

I see your achoring the frame to the floor..Is the floor finished?
Are you adding plywood to the floor when done with frame?
how much does frame weigh?

dieseldoctor · Apr 13, 2004

Unicell installed 2"of sprayed in foam insulation between the inner liner and outer shell all around the top and sides. Also sprayed 2" under the floor and then undercoated that.
I am anchoring the frame to the floor and then will add 3/4" plywood and E track.
I'm estimating the complete bed including the winch will weigh about 300 lbs.
Got the frame finished and painted today so should get it installed and working tom.
Will keep you informed.

teacel · Apr 14, 2004

Don't let be bust your bubble!!! BUT???

My question is!!! You are doing all this work to a van, That if you are under a load over a 2 day trip or a week ender, can't use the bed. Would it not been wiser to have the uni-cell people add about 2 or 3 feet to the van shell and put the bed and sleeper in front of the cargo area?

What was the purpose for buying the uni-cell van and you are limiting yourself to the width of it with those big poles. you can't even put shelving in it because there isn't anyplace to attach the one end to because of the van shell. Seams like a lot of wasted space to me.

The dream van would be a stretched cargo van with a hi roof and a sleeper box in the front of the cargo area.

OntarioVanMan · Apr 14, 2004

Tony....I was having some of the same thoughts. The bed is unusable under load even if ya have a team driver. Personally I like the idea of ,maybe a fold down from the front that would in the up position double as a second bulkhead since a bed is only useable on a layover.
A fellow with us that has a unicell has one of them oldtime rollaway cots that he can wheel into any position and strap to the wall thus giving him different configurations.
I see doc you got the Ford version, I know Tony's going to say chevy chevy ,chevy BUT given the choice I think I'll go with the Ford also. At least ball joints you can monitor for wear, but when the fuel pump goes your done for, its hook time in the middle of Backwater U.S.A. and off the Bubba's garage! *lol*

Weave · Apr 16, 2004

Yes, from an engineering standpoint that idea looks neat Dieseldoctor, but like Tony said how in the heck are you going to use that big 'ol bed with a load in the van?
-Weave-