Your Universal Remote Control Center
RemoteCentral.com
Custom Installers' Lounge Forum - View Post
Previous section Next section Previous page Next page Up level
Up level
The following page was printed from RemoteCentral.com:

Login:
Pass:
 
 

Page 1 of 2
Topic:
So I am looking to finally get a Full size Van in the next year... test drove but what size to get
This thread has 18 replies. Displaying posts 1 through 15.
Post 1 made on Saturday January 5, 2019 at 21:44
gerard143
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2012
956
So I drove the transits, the promaster and the sprinter. Being a Ram guy i figured i'd wind up going the promaster route but honestly overall I was leaning toward the Ford. The ecoboost motor impressed me and the fact it actually has a tilt steering wheel unlike the promaster was a plus, lol. The sprinter was a dog and I don't really care for the dash in it (2019) although the 10" touchscreen option appeals to me.

So I was really thinking the ford was where I'd wind up giving my business to. Then I saw the changes they brought in 2019 overseas to the transits and it really sold me on it. So I am crossing my fingers for 2020 the US market sees those changes.

Anyways obviously lengths and roof heights are important. What I do like about the promaster is the boxy cargo area. It makes for great space. The long wheelbase extended body promaster I felt was the absolute perfect interior height and length (this is the only thing I liked over the Ford) but overall I just don't want that truck. The Ford's medium roof I feel is a tad too low. The high roof is a tad too high. The long wheelbase regular length body is a tad too short and the extended model is really long. But overall I like the Transits the best and its the way I want to go.

I decided no questions asked the high roof for sure. I just felt it a bit cramped with the mid height roof. But I am torn whether to just go with the extended long wheelbase body or just the long wheelbase body. So I wanted to come here and ask opinions.

I want to load the truck up with pretty much everything I could ever need for installs plus carry inventory in the Van...spools of wire, organized drawers with ethernet connectors, coax connectors, HDMI cables, ethernet cables and on and on. The center I want to keep clutter free and open for things like TV's, racks, etc. I plan to go with Sortimo for the upfit. Sortimo as well for the partition, a sliding door with window version. It says that takes up 9" of cab space.

So I wonder if I should just go with the Extended body and have room for everything no questions asked or go with the regular long wheelbase version and make it work.

I drove both and honestly I don't see the Extended one being to annoyingly long to drive around in or maneuver, but I wanted opinions from those of you who have gone this route and can speak from more experience then I can. I worry the extended one could perhaps be overkill and a pain driving around in on and off job sites plus be a dog even with the eco boost and just horrible on gas.


Thanks!
Post 2 made on Saturday January 5, 2019 at 23:43
bricor
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2006
902
I've got a low roof,.regular wheel base Transit and it works for me. I carry everything I might need and small parts, etc.
I think it really depends on the type of installs you do and where those are.
Do you have to deal with parking garages and downtown parking much?
I think the medium roof, regular wheel base Transit is about perfect.
I'd love a taller roof but my last van was also a low roof so I'm used to it. I also like to drive through the car wash weekly and park the van at home (gated driveway ) but don't want to push my luck with people complaining by seeing the van over the fence.

Last edited by bricor on January 6, 2019 18:05.
OP | Post 3 made on Sunday January 6, 2019 at 06:55
gerard143
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2012
956
Ya not worried about parking garages where I am.
Post 4 made on Sunday January 6, 2019 at 09:40
skynyrdfan
Active Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2006
666
i am also struggling with this decision. i am currently driving a 2014 transit connect. i have made it work for almost 5 years. one of my techs drives the standard roof promaster and loves it. i love the cargo space but do not like the looks or interior cabin. i have been looking at the med hight transit the most.. i am 6' tall. i can't stand up 100% in the transit but i do not want the supper tall one. i love the cargo space in the promaster. i also live in a gated community. i won't be able to get the van in white. i will go with a dark grey. i will lose the parking at condo's but most of my work is single family homes
Post 5 made on Sunday January 6, 2019 at 12:15
SB Smarthomes
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2007
2,634
I have the medium height, medium length transit and think it's the perfect size for me.  I have the Prime Design ladder rack on top, so it's about the same overall height as the high roof van.

I considered the high roof van to be able to keep all my ladders inside, but the med roof with ladder rack on top allows me to carry longer ladders.  I usually keep a 3ft or 4ft ladder inside and then have a 6ft and 10ft on top, but can swap the 10ft for a 12ft A frame or extension ladder without adjusting anything on the rack.

The roof rack also allows me to strap long shades and other materials on top that won't fit inside.  I have about 10ft 8in length available inside the cargo area behind the partition, but have put 12'-16' shades on top and even some 20' PVC.  With a high roof van and no roof rack, I'm not sure what you'd do if you had something that's too long to fit in the back.

I like the medium length too.  Even with this it's difficult to find parking sometimes, but usually not too big of an issue.  With the longer van, it would be a lot harder to find parking that it fits into.

I'm able to carry everything I need including a small compressor and some pneumatic tools, folding table & chair.  The only tools that I use occasionally and don't carry in the van all the time are a chop saw and table saw.
www.sbsmarthomes.com
Santa Barbara Smarthomes
Post 6 made on Sunday January 6, 2019 at 14:13
Don Heany
Senior Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2008
1,178
Transit 250 high top, 2016- absolutely love it! Turbo 6cyl has amazing response and is decent on mileage too. Bit of a PitA to keep clean due to height. Spoke with a fleet mechanic about these and the only “common issue” is some Teflon based drive shaft stabilizer that is both inexpensive and easy to replace. Have put 34k miles on it since purchase (was a left over) and it is solid. It is far and away useless in any sort of snow/ice however (no locking rear).
Post 7 made on Sunday January 6, 2019 at 18:08
bricor
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
March 2006
902
I keep 3 ladders inside the van, 4', 5' and a little giant.
The 5' and little giant are on the partition.

If I'm going to need a taller ladder, I have a medium little giant I'll just slide in the back or if i need the big ladders (26' extension or the little giant skyscraper) then I have a ladder rack that takes 10 minutes to clamp on the roof. Hope that helps.
OP | Post 8 made on Sunday January 6, 2019 at 21:04
gerard143
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2012
956
On January 6, 2019 at 09:40, skynyrdfan said...
i am also struggling with this decision. i am currently driving a 2014 transit connect. i have made it work for almost 5 years. one of my techs drives the standard roof promaster and loves it. i love the cargo space but do not like the looks or interior cabin. i have been looking at the med hight transit the most.. i am 6' tall. i can't stand up 100% in the transit but i do not want the supper tall one. i love the cargo space in the promaster. i also live in a gated community. i won't be able to get the van in white. i will go with a dark grey. i will lose the parking at condo's but most of my work is single family homes

Checkout the revised transit that hit in europe. Probably be able to order these in the US third quarter this year.
OP | Post 9 made on Sunday January 6, 2019 at 21:07
gerard143
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2012
956
On January 6, 2019 at 14:13, Don Heany said...
Transit 250 high top, 2016- absolutely love it! Turbo 6cyl has amazing response and is decent on mileage too. Bit of a PitA to keep clean due to height. Spoke with a fleet mechanic about these and the only “common issue” is some Teflon based drive shaft stabilizer that is both inexpensive and easy to replace. Have put 34k miles on it since purchase (was a left over) and it is solid. It is far and away useless in any sort of snow/ice however (no locking rear).

You throw a ladder rack on this?
Post 10 made on Monday January 7, 2019 at 06:42
Don Heany
Senior Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2008
1,178
Nope- too difficult to reach, and I’m 6’2”- can easily load a 20’ extension ladder when needed.
OP | Post 11 made on Monday January 7, 2019 at 16:19
gerard143
Advanced Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2012
956
I figured I’d go with one of those ladder rack models that has the handle and lowers the ladders down and to the right side of the truck. Or do these not work well with the high roof trucks??
Post 12 made on Monday January 7, 2019 at 17:32
Don Heany
Senior Member
Joined:
Posts:
September 2008
1,178
On January 7, 2019 at 16:19, gerard143 said...
I figured I’d go with one of those ladder rack models that has the handle and lowers the ladders down and to the right side of the truck. Or do these not work well with the high roof trucks??

Depends on your wingspan- so long as you don’t need to grab a ladder to grab a ladder I suppose;)
Post 13 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 14:14
SB Smarthomes
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2007
2,634
On January 7, 2019 at 16:19, gerard143 said...
I figured I’d go with one of those ladder rack models that has the handle and lowers the ladders down and to the right side of the truck. Or do these not work well with the high roof trucks??

I have the Prime Designs Ergo rack on the top of my Med Roof Transit and love it.  I don't know if they have an option for the high roof that drops the ladders down far enough.  Here's some photos showing 6ft & 10ft ladders on top.





www.sbsmarthomes.com
Santa Barbara Smarthomes
Post 14 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 14:17
SB Smarthomes
Super Member
Joined:
Posts:
July 2007
2,634
I'm not sure what's standard on the new vans, but I rely a lot on the rear camera and backup sensors which were an option in 2015 when I purchased mine.
www.sbsmarthomes.com
Santa Barbara Smarthomes
Post 15 made on Tuesday January 8, 2019 at 15:16
punter16
Active Member
Joined:
Posts:
May 2011
594
Van looks good! Do the 2 rows of interior racks ever limit you on carrying TVs? Do you ever wish that you went with just one rack and left the other side available for components?

I want to get racks in our van but I don't want to put them on both sides and then find out that I can't carry anything.

Thanks!
See our Youtube page for info about smart homes, great audio and more.

[Link: youtube.com]
Page 1 of 2


Jump to


Protected Feature Before you can reply to a message...
You must first register for a Remote Central user account - it's fast and free! Or, if you already have an account, please login now.

Please read the following: Unsolicited commercial advertisements are absolutely not permitted on this forum. Other private buy & sell messages should be posted to our Marketplace. For information on how to advertise your service or product click here. Remote Central reserves the right to remove or modify any post that is deemed inappropriate.

Hosting Services by ipHouse