As long as we're on the subject of work trucks, I'm about to sound like a Ford salesman. ( In spite of the fact that my best van was a Chevy and my best car a Toyota )

Anyway, what I wanted to say is that after the first of the year, Ford is coming out with something called the Transit. It comes in different heights, lengths, and engines I guess, and should compete with a lot of vehicles including the Sprinter.

Do not get this confused with the Transit Connect which is also completely changed. I hope to buy a new Transit Connect as soon as possible and it looks like probably February before they can be delivered. I loved my first Transit Connect but unfortunately it is now in the hands of one of our techs whose GMC finally gave up the ghost.

The thought of our technicians driving new vehicles scares the heck out of me but I won't miss those trips to the repair shop for all of those little ills that befall a vehicle after 200 thousand miles.

P.S. After driving our really well equipped F150 for the last few months, my mind has not been changed in the least. You can take your pickup trucks and stick 'em. Absolutely the worst vehicle to operate our kind of business out of that there is. My wife's Toyota Sienna would beat a pickup seven ways from sundown, especially space!

I really like the nissan nv3500 highboy. That thing kicks butt, just need to buy one.

That Nissan is one of the vehicles that I will be comparing that new Ford Transit to in both convenience and price, Aaron.

Paul brand new they are 32k depending on options. You can get a low mileage used one for 20k. First day I rented one I had 6 skunks and about the same grinners, I hit a bump too hard and my eyes were watering from the stink. If I ever buy one I will build an air tight wall in the back.

Nice truck info thank you 80C for sharing it.

Aaron, perhaps this is one of the reasons I secretly favor vans. If I screw up a skunk job, the customer doesn't have to suffer near as much as I do. ( And if the aroma is too overpowering, holding the bucket on with bungees is not out of the question ) My mind always reverts back to the one year we caught more than five hundred skunks with no real mishaps.

I am a firm believer in chloroform and its proper use. Bob Noonan wrote a book about odorless skunk trapping and as soon as I know a price and where to get it, I will certainly let you all know.

While I consider myself smart enough to have removed more odorless skunks than perhaps anyone on this site, I also consider myself dumb enough to have been more harshly sprayed than anyone on this site!
.

Robb, I just wish I was showing a pic of my new truck not a brochure I got at the fair!

P.S. I will be seeing your buddy Reginald at the oklahoma FBA meeting next sat.

80C, tell Reginald when you see him to drop us a line. People have been asking about him. Thanks

I don't have many skunk calls down here. A van is sounding better all the time since theft seems to be major problem. My F 150 hit 100k miles recently and seems to be falling apart at the seams. I see the new transit. The one I'm looking at seems to have a separating wall between the front and the back. I'd have to put a backup camera on that thing or lookout mailboxes!

Paul, I will make sure to pass on the message. He has been nominated to run for president of the OFBA so wish him luck.

Wink, have you seen the dodge promaster?

http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/2014/ram_promaster/

I passed a load of them traveling through ABQ the other day, think they took a page from sprinter on the look.

We mainline exclusion bats/birds with some others composing our minor time spent. Though I've had a few skunks
in the sprinter, it isn't a daily occurrence, and we don't do dead animal removal at present so the odor issues come down
to when we do major bird or bat clean outs and that is mostly tolerable with some window ventilation.

The space in the van is amazing but above all I don't worry about folks seeing my tools or gear. You can still break my windshield or windows on my driver/passenger side doors, but you don't know exactly what I may or may not have thanks
to the cargo area being completely concealed.

(As a side note, you can also deal with too much coffee, water or soda in nearly any parking lot without drawing attention!)



We just hit 75K on our sprinter and with the exception of preparing to buy a new windshield and new set of tires, it has been rock solid for this work. Adding a ladder rack this year to the roof for the 32 foot ladder (the 24 fits inside with doors closed), otherwise, love it!

I do see why a pickup suits most when dealing with cages and mess though, and of course going off road isn't something my van is prepared for, though it takes gravelly mountain roads without a fuss by dropping the gear down to 1 and climbing.

Really like the truck setup though 80C!

Justin

Let's not forget CNG powerd

Anybody use CNG?

80c,

I just bought a new 2014 chev 1500 double cab 2 weeks ago today, and my new topper should be here in a week or so. I went with the ARE dcu commercial unit with ladder rack, double tool boxes on each side, and 6 interior lights- 1 in ea tool box and one each in the front and back of the main cargo area. it should allow me to keep a decent load on the truck at all times, but when im doing bat work I also operate out of my 6x12 v nose enclosed trailer with a ladder rack on it as well.

I don't have the trailer decaled yet but will before spring, and as soon as the topper gets in ill have the same company who is installing it decal both the truck and topper. ill post a pic when its done,

michael

I look forward to seeing your truck. I am a long way off from buying a rig like that but it sure would be nice.

80C, don't know why I missed your post but I'm guessing that OFBA does not stand for the Oklahoma Free Beer Academy. ( Probably something to do with fur bearers )

Justin, they're all starting to look interchangeable. Go on-line and type in 2015 Ford Transit. I will more than likely be buying a 2014 Ford Transit Connect. Since the Transit Connect is made in Turkey and the Transit is made here, it's anybody's guess which one we can buy first.

Sadly Paul... there would probably be a much larger membership if it was the free beer academy.

Heck I would be happy just to have a pickup.

I have been asking pesky. But havent seen anything

80, if you get that set up holler at me. Like to take a look at it.

Paul, you mentioned vans and I can see where that would be a good option. What about trailers ?

Aaron, if you ever saw me back up with a trailer ( I had to do it today ) you would know why I love vans.

My son says that vans are too unhealthy....too many odors. Well if the guys wouldn't throw everything over their shoulder and cleaned it out once every decade, maybe it wouldn't smell like that. ( A pick-up will be worse )

I am starting to itch from all the imaginary flea bites.

LOL...touche'


Thanks, Paul.

finally got my topper installed yesterday 80c. it took about 4 1/2 hours as it was the first commercial topper they have put on a 2014 Chevrolet and the wiring was different.

when I get some time and I get back from this trip ill post some pics of the tool boxes I had installed. there was I believe 8 options, and each side is different based on what I typically haul.

each tool box has its own light and there are two lights in the main box as well, for 6 lights total. the ladder rack is a lot stronger than I was thinking it was going to be, and overall im super happy with it.

now I need to get it in and get it decaled.

michael

Dang that looks Awesome!!! I wonder how long it will take you to have it packed full of "stuff"

If you like that cap...I have one in perfect shape. Willing to sell it. Purchased it used, for use...but never put it on my truck.

So let me know.

On a call.. is it for long bed or short?

Long bed.

With ladder racks too...pretty much exactly like the photo shows.

Long bed.

With ladder racks too...pretty much exactly like the photo shows.

Dang, I have a f150 short bed

80C, so do I and as much as I hate that truck for convenience, ( It's our mosquito spray truck ) I wouldn't ever trade my son for his. ( He's got one like On A Call ) I think driving one of those things is like driving an 18 wheeler.

My Transit Connect got 26 mpg,( 10 mpg more than our F150's } could carry more stuff that our F150's and was a heck of a lot easier to park anywhere. One of our techs drives it now because his vehicle died.

I have a real problem with car companies lying about their products. I plan to buy a new Transit Connect which I think looks like my wife's Toyota Sienna. ( Which, by the way, is the best vehicle we've ever owned ) If it's crappy, you will know; just like you will know if it's great.

Here's a question for you. We own ten vehicles, most of which were remodeled to suit our business.

Which is the only vehicle that I can now fit a 4x8 foot piece of plywood in?

Answer: My wife's Toyota Sienna. ( Yeah, okay, I couldn't believe it either )

Yes it is like a 18 wheeler till you realize it is only a few feet longer. I take mine where other are afraid to go. I am serious...I make it through areas that those with shoot beds get hung up !! The longer wheel base give me lots more room, more ground clearance and well...I just do better.

But I am spoiled...why would I go back

My Cummins gets about 20 MPG and I have the power of a V10.

I have 330 k on it she is getting tired but keeps on ticking.

On A Call, I can't knock 20 mpg, I can only pray for it.