Ya it def helps with lift. Pulls the wires up for a more precise cut.

What's with all these new vehicle designs where windows are split? Only a section moves because of some fuked up design

I have been going thru the same thing. I have a e350 extended van now and want to go to a transit connect. I drive my Ford Edge a lot for sales calls and service call because the e350 is just to big. But I put a lot of unwanted miles on it.

My final thought is going to a smaller van may involve more planning. if you work out of your house you may need to spend more time every morning planning ahead to make sure you have your supplies. So saving gas money could equal more time. Is the extra 30 mins every morning worth the $100-200 savings in gas.

exactly wtf. these vans windows scoop so low too. looks ugly.

Well, the test drives were delayed until today, but in the meantime, I've pondered over this subject until my head hurts.

Coming from a mid sized truck and trailer when needed, honestly ANYTHING is an improvement at this point. I'm at wits end trying to get a trailer in and out of some of these job sites. Either I'm getting old, or I worked jobs with easier trailer access ten years ago when I used the same setup.

There have been some good points for both compact and full size presented here. What I did decide last night, though, is a full size will take up enough parking real estate that I likely can't fit all 3 vehicles in our limited driveway, and would have to get rid of my truck. That means that on weekends, I'd likely have to park a work van with very thief attractive logos on it at river access areas where break ins are getting more frequent, so I kind of need my truck for boating purposes to avoid having my van robbed regularly. But i still may be able to work around the parking problem with a little creativity and building some good will with the neighbors.

I also reviewed my gas expenses from the last six months (yet again), and the numbers killed me. It was also painfully obvious which days I pulled the trailer.

Thanks for the input so far. Decisions are hard, y'all.

Try the NV3500 Passenger version. And get the best out of both. Pull your boat and gear and the work equipment.

The EcoBoost transit is the fastest van I've ever driven. Uncork it a little and you will smoke all the construction cowboys in their diesel trucks. 😬😬 this is the single biggest criteria for me so the choice is easy...

Also downsized to a Connect LWB a few months ago. Wanted gas mileage, smaller vehicle, we do more running around service calls, networking, etc and didn't need the big van anymore.

My desire was to stop crawling in the van. I'm tall, and tired of stooping and crawling to get a cable or part. So I took advantage of the dual doors, and had the racks installed backwards facing out (practically had to draw them a picture, then they're like Oh cool). Love it. Had to think about organization a lot, and the parts trays help a ton, and are so easy to grab.

Tools on drivers side, step out, grab your bags, it's been very efficient.

From the back we can fit ladders, wire, parts as shown, or put the ladders on the roof rack and fit a 65" (or 2) easily (make sure to get the long wheel base!) with plenty of room for a full speaker theater, and associated house equipment. We do have a pickup we utilize for larger sets. Working out great.

Need to get to the wrap.

We have a new Ford Transit (full size), Freightliner Sprinter, and Chevy Express. All have their place. By far, the Sprinter is the best driving since it's made by Mercedes. The Sprinter also comes in a diesel if you are really putting the miles on. We do a lot of commercial work, so the space in the Transit and Sprinter are a must. We tried smaller vans and a full size is the only way to go.

Exactly, one of my guys drives either the rental truck or the NV to the jobsite.

We do the same for our larger installs. Still running about 5 of the original Transits and 1 E350 van.

Our local Ford dealership rents box trucks for $50 a day. Pick up truck, pick up TV's, store them on jobsite and then return truck.

Piece of cake especially when you have 15- 75"s, 10- 60"s and 3- 90"s.

For me, the bigger the better. I want EVERYTHING I could possibly need with me. I went with the Dodge Promaster hi-top long base. I get 16-22MPG. MUCH better than my Ford E250. And I can stand up! I will NEVER have another van i cant stand up in. Game changer for me. LOVE IT.

To do it right, you must shell out the bucks and set it up right. Worth every penny when done right. Drawers, bins, shelving, etc. ALL the difference in the work. Everything has its place and you know EXACTLY where it is.

Side note: Promaster ergonomics SUCK. Cupholders too far way, as is EVERYTHING else while driving including the door armrest.

Saw the pro master city and transit connect today.
Wow they are small.

Well, test drove both an NV and NV200. I really liked both, for different reasons. But I may be over the small van thing. There are a couple things I did prefer, ergonomically, in the transit, but I feel like the NV beats it in other areas (the feeling of stability on these curvy mountain roads, for one). I just stumbled across a used NV with shelving for $15k that I'm quite tempted to jump on, but it's got 86k miles, which is nothing for a Nissan, but I know how people treat work vans

The NV feels very planted for such a large and tall vehicle. Honestly, I love driving it which I never said about any other van I have had