All the service vehicles I have used for locksmithing:
- 1984 Volkswagen Rabbit. I folded the back seat up and had all my tools and stock where the back seats and trunk were. Pros: Cheap. It's what I had at the time. Good on gas. Cons: Looked unprofessional. No space inside to work. Unreliable vehicle.
- 1986 GMC 2500 Cargo Van. I didn't have shelving at first, so all my tools were scattered on the floor. After a few years I finally bought Adrian Steel shelves and wished I had done that years earlier. I loved that truck. I put 2 extra leafs in each side of the rear and it held up to the weight. Pros: Space was ample. Looked professional. Cons: Couldn't get into underground parking garages due to height. Got into a few accidents. Couldn't see well backing up. Broke down a few times. Not tall enough to stand up in.
- 198? Ford Full Size Cargo Van. This was an employer's vehicle. It was okay. I didn't like the way it was laid out because I had to get out of the vehicle to get to the back side. Pros: Held a lot of weight. Could jump curbs to do U-turns (lots of ground clearance). Looked professional. Cons: No underground access due to height. Gas guzzler. Didn't like the interior layout. Not tall enough to stand up in.
- 198? Dodge Full Size Cargo Van This was an employer's vehicle. No shelves, except for some stock and the key machine. Pros: Looked somewhat professional. Cons: Tools, parts, stock, keys and everything was scattered all over the floor as it was a shared vehicle. Nobody really cared what shape they left the vehicle in for the next guy. Stock and keys were hard to find, if there was any left after the last guy. Big air gaps in the door seals. Propane powered was crappy to fill, especially in 40 below weather. Not tall enough to stand up in.
- 19?? Grumman? Used Postal Vehicle. Another employer's vehicle. Pros: Could stand up in it without breaking my back. Lots of room. Cons: Propane powered. Hard to fill in 40 below weather. Took about 3 minutes to get it up to 60 miles per hour (no joke). No stock, tools, keys.
- 1996 GMC Safari Used this in the city for several years. I put the Adrian shelves in the back. Pros: Could easily get into underground parking garages. Looked very professional. Fair on gas. Cons: It sagged with the weight. Blew a tire on the expressway due to factory crappy tires and the weight, resulting in a collision at about
- 19?? unknown body Box Van (delivery truck style). This was another employer's vehicle. Used this for about a month before it broke down. I loved the sliding doors on the sides and between the cab and cargo. Pros: Looked professional. Could stand up in it comfortably. Was fun to drive, especially with the doors open. It held a lot of stock, tools, etc. Cons: Very, very ugly. Very, very loud when driving. No air conditioning.
- 199? Dodge Full Size Van. This was another employer's vehicle. I hated the interior layout of this as well because I had to get out of the vehicle to access the back. Pros: Held sufficent stock, tools, etc. Looked professional. Fair on gas. Cons: Felt "light duty" compared to the Ford and GMC Full-Sized vans. Even felt light duty compared to the GMC Safari. Very unreliable vehicle. Not tall enough to stand up in.
- 2003 Ford E350 Full Size Van. This was another employer's vehicle. I laid out the interior. It was sweet. I had the keying bench on a sliding rail that could slide into the shelving to save on space. Pros: Very reliable. Very professional looking. Tall enough to hop curbs again. Plenty of space inside. Cons: Gas guzzler. Not tall enough to stand up in.
- 2004 Chevy Aveo. Yes, starting out on my own again at zero. Can't wait for a real vehicle. Pros: Good on gas. Cheap vehicle. Cons: Looks very unprofessional. No room inside to work, or for machinery, stock, etc.
My next vehicle... hmmm... I'm looking at vehicles I can stand up in. My back is getting old. I liked the full size box trucks for that.
Anybody ever own a Reading 72" tall van body?
Anybody ever own a big box truck?
Anybody ever own a van with an extended ceiling?