I’m curious to know how other furniture & cabinet makers transport their supplies, tools, materials, and completed projects.
I’m most curious to know what specific kinds of vehicles are preferred, how (& why) they are outfitted, and what kinds of project, tool and equipment needs you are trying to accommodate.
As for me, I’m satisfied with a tailgate-equipped Suburban, but would like to add a dedicated business vehicle and replace the Suburban with something fun to drive. I haven’t had to bring home any large stationary tools like tablesaws or jointers since I owend a pick-up, and have been completed far more furniture pieces than cabinets for the past few years (which has allowed the Suburban to work so well for me).
I’m seriously considering a panel van with integral (mostly shop-built) storage and abundant tie-downs. Since I don’t work on construction sites and live in San Diego, I have no need for 4WD. Based on what I’ve read, the new Chevy trucks and Suburbans with four-wheel steering seem like a terrific way to use a larger vehicle in urban areas and parking lots. I’m still on the fence re: gasoline versus diesel.
YOUR THOUGHTS?
Replies
http://autos.yahoo.com/newcars/d/dodgetruck04sprintervan/model_overview.html?refsrc=google
These could be the "next big thing". Sort of a eurovan cross between a panel/step van and a regular ole' American van.
Seen some as FedEx trucks, but with Frieghtliner badges. This is part of the Daimler Chrysler empire. First year sales have been disappointing. They were talking about a plant for them outside Savannah, GA; but that plan is currently on the back burner.
Saw one up close the other day. Huge inside. And with the extended top, lots of headroom inside. For a furniture guy, important stuff (I would think) would be deck height, interior height, and door width.
Wow, seems you still have a lot to consider. Can't comment on the large vans, but I have noticed that the Japanese models - Mitsubishi, Isuzu - have pretty much taken over the market for small commercial trucks. My truck driver uncles say we really don't make anything to compare to them.
Re. gas vs. diesel in a truck or Suburban, guess you have to look at what kind of driving you do. If you do a lot of city driving or short trips, gas is the way to go. (I've never found parking a large vehicle difficult, so GM's new steering doesn't impress me. Quite the contrary, I really have to question it's safety.)
On the other hand, If most of your driving will be 20+ mile trips, go with a diesel. More economical, the power never ends, and the things never die. There are, of course, a few shortcomings to consider. You'll never win a drag race. They're noisy. I believe that in California you have much stricter pollution regulations that may radically affect the performance of a diesel. Worth checking into that, since all performance or economic advantages may be erased.
Finally, should you choose a diesel in a non-commercial vehicle, Dodge becomes your only choice. Their Cummins is not only an outstanding engine, but really is the only one with a proven track record. GM and Ford change theirs so often that you really don't know what you'll get from year to year.
Jeff
BTW, if you really want something fun to drive, go with a '53 Chevy with a small block eight. Now that would be fun, and restoration/tweaking would make for a nice little project on those nights and weekends when you don't have any woodworking projects and are a bit bored.
I miss the full size van I had when I lived in San Diego (which was most of my life); plenty of room for surfboards (first priority) and tools and lumber (second priority). I like the new style van in the other post! For the versatility, I've gone to a full sized 4wd pickup with a cap and lumber rack and a trailer for hauling logs, etc. I was just in San Diego and I was reminded how important a good stereo system in a car is; something to do while sitting in traffic. (lol) Remember that whatever you buy, your next project will be too big!
Good luck,
Norse
I use a full size extended cab long box GMC pickup. I have a highrise cap that keeps things dry and when bigger items need to be moved than a off the cap comes. I have been keeping an eye out for a travel trailer or a fifth wheel with pop outs that has been damaged inside but still good on the outside. The idea is to gut it and equip it as a mobile work shop that can have my name and contact info on the side of it and can be left at the job sight so I can still use the truck. It would have a fuse panel and a heavy enough cord to plug it into a 220 outlet at the job site or a generator if need be.
Scott C. Frankland
Scott's WOODWORKING Website
"This all could have been prevented if their parents had just used birth control"
Being that I had a shop in SoCal for the last 20 years, before moving to Wash. Here's my take on it. As a cabinetmaker, meaning building kitchen cabinetry, entertainment centers, etc. I would opt for a stakebed truck. I had a fullsizewd, truck, a minii truck and neither would tow a large amount. The stakebed(84 Toyota w/ 10' bed) would hold a whole kithcen and all necessary tools for a days work. A stakebed works great because it only rains about 10 days out of the years. The drawback was getting sunburn on the lumber/plywood, if not careful. A fgriend of mine has a fordf350 4 door stakebed that is business/family ready. He can have the tools out, the atvon the bed, and the trailer hithched up in less thasn a 1/2 hour. You can get a nice dodge,ford,chevy with a flatbed pretty reasonable,whether you put on the bed yourself, or buy it that way. I had a fullsized truck for family/trailer towing and the toyota for business and the insurance was killing me. So, I sold the Toyota to a friendand that was one of my BIGGEST mistakes ever. When it came to delivering really nice, delicate pieces, or it was raining, I rented a Ryder panel van for about $49/day and 25cents/mile. That usually ran about $100/day to the coast and back.
Now that I live in Washington, My first choice would be a panel van, but I still wish I had my flatbed weekly.
I use a Chevy express 3/4 ton van for my remodeling biz. I have never been unable to transport any shop built cabinets, and I have built some biguns. The thing is, if it won't fit in my van it damn shure won't fit through their front door!! I rent a tandem axle 12 foot flatbed trailer from U-haul about once a month for large material purchases and runs to the dump. My van easily tows 4,000 pounds. You can buy them used real cheep too.
Thanks to all who've responded; the information you've provided has been very helpful!
PaulWhether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
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