OT looking at trucks

Charlie from wmass

If given a choice which would you prefer for boiler work, a cab over engine box truck or a step van. Both diesels, both automatics, both 14 foot bodies, and lift gates. any experience or tips would be welcome.

R Mannino

Cabovers

Have you owned cabovers before?

Try getting into and out of them a number of times before you decide on one.  JMO

Charlie from wmass

No I have not owned them

I have test drove many over the years. Still young enough to jump up and down. In 30 years the answer may change. The F250 I had was a run and jump I am only 5'9" so the cab overs are actually easier than a traditional pick up for me.

Chris S

trucks

I'm on my 2nd Mits fuso.   This one is 4wd & I hate the ride.  My first one 2wd was a pleasure to drive, but would get stuck on wet grass.  These are great trucks to own, not bad on maintenance, very well built, and are expected to run 2-300k miles. 

I do not enjoy the ride of the 4wd., however,  It took ,me over barely plowed roads today towing a trailer & machine so I could dig out.  we had 2' of snow & some 3' drifts.  The 2wd truck would be parked till this all melt.  I have no experience with step vans.

Unknown

F250

Still does-it for me and my guys.  :-)

Charlie from wmass

62K miles for my F250

by then second set of brakes, Spark plug blew out of head, tranny was clunky when shifting, the exhaust manifold had a hole in it and the Fuel usage was bad empty or full of tools. If thats built ford tough I will go look for another manufacturer. The truck looked over loaded with just the cap on it the tail dragged.

Charlie from wmass

Tire chains

If your truck is prone to being stuck buy tire chains and learn how to use them. My Dad F150 two wheel drive made it up our hill late Wednesday night with 3 inches of snow on top of ice.

The Steam Whisperer (Formerly Boilerpro)

Spark plugs

If you don't know already,  this is a very common problem on Ford's V-8 and V-10 engines.  I don't know why they haven't been forced to recall these motors.  For those not in the know, the spark plugs suddenly come loose and blow out of the motor, taking the threads in the head with them.  Some motors have had mulitple plugs blow out at various times.   I spoke to a couple of mechanics and they have done plenty of spark plug repairs and there are tons of reports on the Internet.  So far, it appears to be the 1995 to 2003 engines.  I bet Ford is playing games trying to delay so more of these engines are in the junk yard.  I bet the cash for clunkers really helped them alot.

I have about 80,000 miles on my E-250 and have had about $8,000.00 in major repairs...without doing any plugs yet.  Poor quality and poor engineering and no help from Ford to pay for thier defective vehicles.

Big Ed_4

Cab Over

I prefer the cab over my self , the turning radius is great for urban work and you get full access to the motor .… I would like your choice the 14' box , I own the 12' utility box and it's a tad too small .... Yes, it take an extra pulling up getting in the cab but you get a better view on leg shots And its ride has a **** extra bounce with the shorter wheel stance . Everything needs to be extra secured and tied down.... You may find more space in the step van because of its straight through passage ... You never have enough space in our line of work ... I am envy when I look in a carpenters contractors truck .... Notice all the extra space ...

Charlie from wmass

I looked and drove both cab overs and step vans today

I hate vans which is why I alway drive pickups or utility body trucks. I was reminded why I hate vans and step vans are vans. I am going cab over. now which one? and new or used? Anyone by a Penske or Ryder truck before?