pros and cons? Saw paul likes the vans.

That's funny "Paul likes vans" Paul still rides a horse and wagon.
Sorry Paul it was to easy.
Don LaFountain

It depends a lot on your service area and the services you offer. I've done both and vans are great for urban work. They keep the public's eyes off any trapped animals and protect your gear from theft at the same time. You may get some lingering odors with skunk essence and carcass removal jobs, but nothing that can't be addressed. Based on the van, if you decide to wrap it you can have more advertising space than with a truck.

Next is the 4 x 2 trucks. They are very similar to vans but require the additional cost of adding a cap if you want the same protection a van gives and at times special ladder racks which can be another additional cost ($500 - $1500 for "wrap around" racks).

Lastly is the 4 x 4 trucks. Again, if you want the protection of a van you need to do the same as a 4 x 2 truck. However, they can give you access to areas that cannot be done with vans or 4 x 2 trucks in some suburban/rural areas. My driveway is 238 ft with an 8 ft drop from the road to the house. If you have real wheel drive you aren't getting up it when the snow/ice starts falling. If you need to drive into fields or farm lanes (coyote/pig/beaver work) a 4 x 4 truck may be the best option, unless you plan on towing an ATV everywhere you go.

Other items to consider are gas mileage, expected equipment towing, and additional equipment/maintenance costs. This is why you need to look at what services you plan to offer (not currently offer, but plan to offer) as you don't won't to invest in something only to realize later that you need something else to do the job.

If all I did was moles, I'd use the motorcycle and invest in custom paint job for the bike and helmet and have something eye catching done to the jacket as well. But since I primarily do bats and it isn't easy to tow a 40 ft ladder and construction gear for a bat job with the bike, I use a 4 x 4 truck instead.

Hey, I can get a lot of stuff in that wagon and the horse is like another member of the family ( that isn't potty trained )

I really like the 2014 Transit Connect that I wrote about in WCT. We take delivery on one of those new F150s any day now and I'm sure

I'll write about that one in a future article. I also need to purchase another vehicle very quickly and I'm not real sure about that

one. Do you buy a used one and get poorer gas mileage or buy a new one and save on gas. It's a toss-up.

Paul, New vs used is one that people,have strong,opinions on. Mine is, buy the very best you can afford,and if that's new, get it.

It seems to me every time I buy a used car, over the course of the first year I am dropping a couple grant into it. And the big thing,is the time involved. I now it doesn't matter to you bigger guys, but,if,my truck needs a few days in the shop, I am in trouble.

New cars just have less worries. Every used car has quirks, and have the,time,people forget to mention those. I ha e bought one new vehicle, aand it was worth it

I disagree with "I know it doesn't matter to you big guys." When one of our vehicles goes down, I get hollered at by the technician,

my wife, my son, and my daughter. I would like to see how the guys like the new F150 before I order another one but it doesn't look

like I will have that option.

Throw back, you could also think in the lines of
If you buy a used one and have to put a grand into it
It's only 2 payments of what a new one would costs.
And if you wait just 2-3 years you will save around
10 grand

I know the pros. I have a used truck that I just got this month. Best vehicle I ever had was a used Chevy, we don't even talk about selling that one it bums me so much. I have also bought some money pit pos cars. Its not the money, it's the time and frustration.

If I could find a used fire rescue truck or van with all of those side compartments I would buy it. If I was going to buy new I would buy a commercial van with all of the side doors, a truck maybe. If I only have one vehicle I would want it to be a 4X4 even if it would be a small suv or truck.
I've contemplated a stripped out station wagon because ladders are so easy to get on top. When I was a kid some contractors had trucks or panel trucks but a lot of them had station wagons with ladders stacked up on them. A big Buick Roadmaster belonging to a little old couple would do pretty good.
I drive a truck but to be honest the van was more efficient. Paul's set up in WCT looked pretty good especially with the side compartments.

I've probably mentioned this before, but of all of our vehicles, my wife's 2011 Toyota Sienna is the only one that we can get a 4x8

foot piece of plywood in. It would also be perfect for carrying ladders, but the best part is the heated seats in winter.

Throw Back, the bad news is that Ford won't have our 2015 done for at least another month because they switched plants.

On the bright side, we took your advice and bought a new 2014 to tide us over and saved $6600.

I will be able to add an opinion to this thread in a few weeks. Just pulled the trigger on a 2012 ford transit connect after the pickup decided to clunk out on me.

Used to use a Issuzu pick up, great for moleing etc but no good for keeping rodenticides, insecticides and such, not secure enough.

Now using a used Transit swb panel van, racked it out, and have loads of room, even with the dog cage in, up to now best van i have had for work.


Brian