[Aegis]

So I'm going out on my own and I was thinking I either buy a cheap truck for now or lease something. What did you guys start out with/currently doing?

 

[Service Call]

Used potato chip step van. Even came with a spare engine, which I used. Took 6 mos before I could paint and letter it.

 

[rewire]

White vans are all over for 3-4 grand some even have racks and bins. A 3/4 ton chevy makes a good work van.

 

[brian john]

I'd do some homework researching vans and buy a used one for the short term.

It does depend on a few things
If it breaks do you have a pickup for a backup?
How many miles do you think you will log a year?

 

[Southeast Power]

Buy cheap but nice,
You will put aa grand each in brakes, tranny, and engine but hopefully not all in the first few months.
Don't lease.

 

[99cents]

If you buy an old truck or van, consider a Ford with the 4.2 V6. Guys here will tell you a V6 sucks wind but, from a reliability point of view, the engines from 1999 to 2008 were bulletproof. If you know how to spin a wrench and do basic work on it, it will treat you well.

 

[union347sparky]

If you buy an old truck or van, consider a Ford with the 4.2 V6. Guys here will tell you a V6 sucks wind but, from a reliability point of view, the engines from 1999 to 2008 were bulletproof. If you know how to spin a wrench and do basic work on it, it will treat you well.

Yeah they suck. Can't pull themselves uphill. If you're an a/v guy and all you have is your sewing kit and a box of cat 5 you might get by with it. If you actually do work with tools I wouldn't buy that paper weight. The strait 300 6 was a bullet proof engine, the 4.2 is a gutless turd. Buy a cheap 1 TON van with a V8. Ford, Chevy, or if you absolutely can't find anything else a dodge.

 

[99cents]

Yeah they suck. Can't pull themselves uphill. If you're an a/v guy and all you have is your sewing kit and a box of cat 5 you might get by with it. If you actually do work with tools I wouldn't buy that paper weight. The strait 300 6 was a bullet proof engine, the 4.2 is a gutless turd. Buy a cheap 1 TON van with a V8. Ford, Chevy, or if you absolutely can't find anything else a dodge.

Depends what you're doing. I still have an F150 with a 4.2 and it does everything I want it to. I don't carry a lot of weight, though.

A one ton van is what I started with. What a pig. Never saw a gas station it didn't like.

 

[Meadow]

Buy a used van, something that was light use like a carpet company van. If the van came from a business that went under chances are it runs. If the company is thriving chances are your about to buy someone else's headaches.

 

[The_Modifier]

Never saw a gas station it didn't like.

My 02 Dodge Dakota 4x4 was the same. :laughing:

 

[wildleg]

I've never leased a work vehicle, just personal. But based on the personal lease I can't ever imagine the many ways you would get screwed on a commercial lease. My work trucks look like they got pulled out of a dumpster by the time I'm done with em.

 

[99cents]

My 02 Dodge Dakota 4x4 was the same. :laughing:

Those things were a disaster. What a raging POS.

Seriously, if the OP is just starting out, he doesn't know where his business will take him. No sense getting trapped in a lease from the beginning. I went with a utility trailer, a van, a pickup truck, a Dakota (ugh) and another pickup truck, all old beaters. Now that I know what I want, I will be willing to commit to something newer at the right time. Too many other start up costs right now to be looking at anything bright and shiny.

 

[union347sparky]

Depends what you're doing. I still have an F150 with a 4.2 and it does everything I want it to. I don't carry a lot of weight, though. A one ton van is what I started with. What a pig. Never saw a gas station it didn't like.

Gas sucks on one tons. That's true. Unfortunately that's a cost of business.

 

[SVT CAMR]

I used my personal pick up with magnetic signs for the first year and a half till I had 10K to buy a van. Starting out the last thing you need is another hurdle to jump over. i.e. monthly payment.

Keep in mind OP that in 2007 and up Ford added bigger brakes all around and 8 bolt rear axle that increased the load capacity of the e150. I have everything I need in my van and more. I do not tow or carry heavy weight. Its got 120K on the clock and runs perfect. Just have to find a nice one. Be patient find something with ladder racks and shelves. Old ADT Tyco vans are a good starting point.

 

[brian john]

If you buy an old truck or van, consider a Ford with the 4.2 V6. Guys here will tell you a V6 sucks wind but, from a reliability point of view, the engines from 1999 to 2008 were bulletproof. If you know how to spin a wrench and do basic work on it, it will treat you well.

If you live in the mountains with weight in it, it WON'T PULL a HILL.

 

[99cents]

If you live in the mountains with weight in it, it WON'T PULL a HILL.

This place is as flat as my ex-wife.

 

[butcher733]

I really don't understand why anyone would lease anything. Maybe there are benefits that have not been explained to me yet.

 

[bobelectric]

I get 10 years of service out of a vehicle and then buy a new truck,I always use a 4x4 pick-up for where I work.

 

[Rollie73]

I guess part of the answer to your question really depends on what aspect of this trade you are primarily into. Service or construction?

IMHO.......pickups suck for service work. Pain in the rear trying to crawl around in those things but it gets much better with a utility body on a pickup or a Knapheide body....easy to work out of.

A van is great for service work for all the obvious reasons and as someone else said.....there all kinds of them out there for sale right now.

Personally, I use a pickup and a trailer but we are construction based and the trailers tend to go to the site and stay there for awhile. The pickups are usually just used for exactly what the name implies.....pick up material and deliver to the site.

 

[brian john]

This place is as flat as my ex-wife.

Boobs or bum?

The 6 won't pull a hill loaded SERIOUSLY