The latest new Load One custom

westmicher · Jul 15, 2017

Box interior is 100" wide x 147" long x 69" h.

A married couple might fit in there if they are both on the small side otherwise it is a solo driver truck.

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westmicher · Jul 15, 2017

I built this truck from an owner's point of view rather than from a driver's point of view which is somewhat different.

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westmicher · Jul 15, 2017

While I want my drivers to be comfortable, I am not going to build it big enough for a dance-floor.

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brokcanadian · Jul 15, 2017

You may want to add some reflectors on the sides for the employees

FlyingVan · Jul 15, 2017

West, I am curious what kind of fuel mileage this van gets. Could you report actual mileage after a few weeks?

Good choice of engine in my opinion. Less chance of the driver racing it.

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Kip life · Jul 16, 2017

I feel sorry for whoever will end up buying this VAN. .irregardless of how good it looks ,and the promises, van pays $1 that's not gonna change but the owner of the van will probably be in debt of 50,000 for this VAN

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Turtle · Jul 16, 2017

westmicher said:
While I want my drivers to be comfortable, I am not going to build it big enough for a dance-floor.

Maybe not dancing, but you could play racketball in there.

westmicher · Jul 16, 2017

Actually, we are very business-minded fleet owners that carefully weigh cost versus benefit on every van we build and operate... we've been doing this a while...

The Cutaway chassis costs us much less than you might imagine because of our fleet negotiations with Ford... and the materials, although premium, are purchased right. Our cost for the van and materials are less than we could spend on a $printer or other large van.

Our labor is provided by our family... so it does not matter to us what we value that at.

Finally, we pay cash for our materials... debt?

We are keeping all these in our own fleet, leased to load-1. They will be VERY profitable. Don't feel sorry for us.

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LDB · Jul 16, 2017

This is all my opinion based on almost a decade in the business. I've been retired for 5 years so I'm sure some things have changed. I believe this van could be a money maker for the right operator. John is as stand up as a guy gets and so is Load One from my experience. Yeah, for 1-3 skids it's a van, fancy, but just a van. For 4-6 skids I can't imagine L1 not paying a good bump in rate, fair to both sides. And I can't imagine them not utilizing that option every possible chance because it benefits both the customer and L1 and therefore the operator. I'm curious what mpg it will achieve, especially at 62-63mph which is ideal for expediting work. I'm looking forward to hearing just how much added revenue it produces.

xmudman · Jul 16, 2017

Don't get me wrong, this truck really is wicked pissah. For me, tho, it would be better as a four skid unit with a team-sized sleeper. I am looking forward to seeing how it does, like all of us

westmicher · Jul 16, 2017

We achieved 17.5 MPG going to the Expo but only 15.7 MPG going home. Wind, cruise, crossword are making the difference. It should be above 15 MPG average in service.

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westmicher · Jul 16, 2017

The gain in a team operated truck such as this is much less than a team in a straight truck because we can-do up to maybe a 1000 miles in a solo truck like this versus maybe 600 in a straight truck...

The Ford outfitters guidelines will allow us to add up to another foot to this truck but that will add another couple of hundred pounds that I'm not sure that we will see the payback from. I do not see the value in cutting two skids off the capacity just to fit a team in.

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xmudman · Jul 16, 2017

I realized a major difference between your outlook and mine, Steve: you're a fleet owner vs. my being a single-vehicle owner operator. I see this truck as almost a dream for my wife and me.

westmicher · Jul 16, 2017

Believe me, there was a day it was only a dream for me as well!!!

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xiggi · Jul 16, 2017

We are going backwards why in the world are we going back to not being able to put your pants on standing up!

JohnMueller · Jul 17, 2017

Best spec'd van in the industry. Seeing it, I was amazed with all the thought and technology put into it. Doors very thin and lightweight, yet sturdy as can be. Load carrying capacity exceeds most others in both weight and volume. Just very well designed and built. Excellent job!

westmicher · Jul 17, 2017

xiggi said:
We are going backwards why in the world are we going back to not being able to put your pants on standing up!

I can stand up slightly bent over. You stand up maybe 2% of the time in a truck? As an owner, I'm not going to make the whole truck 6" higher, and 200 lbs heavier, just so the driver can stand straight up a few minutes a day! That might cost as much as 1 MPG... it's just not that important. We looked at every aspect of design and every one must be an intelligent compromise. This is ours.

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westmicher · Jul 17, 2017

JohnMueller said:
Best spec'd van in the industry. Seeing it, I was amazed with all the thought and technology put into it. Doors very thin and lightweight, yet sturdy as can be. Load carrying capacity exceeds most others in both weight and volume. Just very well designed and built. Excellent job!

Thank you very much, John!

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xiggi · Jul 17, 2017

westmicher said:
I can stand up slightly bent over. You stand up maybe 2% of the time in a truck? As an owner, I'm not going to make the whole truck 6" higher, and 200 lbs heavier, just so the driver can stand straight up a few minutes a day! That might cost as much as 1 MPG... it's just not that important. We looked at every aspect of design and every one must be an intelligent compromise. This is ours.

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The front of the box where the sleeper is slants down your not gonna stand by slightly bent over. Like I stated it's going backwards but I thank you for pointing out profit is more important than the driver.

westmicher · Jul 17, 2017

Photos of the sleeper as requested. The bed folds up quickly the make room to change clothes and such. The curtains and cab separator were custom made by a local upholstery expert that makes them for a yacht manufacturer... very nice.