Truck advice [RE-wrenches]

[Wes Kennedy]

Howdy,

We just purchased a second Dodge Sprinter.  These are Mercedes rigs,
labeled as Dodge here in the States.  Great mileage (23-26 mpg,
depending), big inside, a v6  turbo diesel.  We run on B20 typically.
Stand up inside, shelves on one wall, bench seat in back.  Gets tools,
up to 5 guys and 8+kw of PV inside.  

Downside?  They aint cheep.  Used ones are becoming available more and
more though...

Wes Kennedy
Namaste Solar Electric
Boulder CO


>
> Wrenches,
> One of our planned capital expenses for 2007 will be a new(er) truck.
We
> are
> small, with only two trucks, so this will replace the oldest. I'm
writing
> for suggestions.
>
> Both of our current trucks are one-ton conventional Chevys with
utility
> boxes (in place of beds) and overhead racks for conduit. Both have
been
> set
> up in similar arrangements, developed over many years, of wire spool
racks
> and bins and boxes for fittings and small parts. As such, unless
there's
> an
> approach that is so super-outrageously-wonderful that we should start
> over,
> we'll keep the same basic service-body approach so part locations
remain
> familiar.
>
> What would your next truck look like if you had $25,000 to invest?
(This
> would probably start with a late-model used something.) What if you
chose
> to
> spend ~$40,000 and could choose something new? Make, model, engine...
>
> We're tired of ten mpg on gas, but unsure about the time investment
for
> veggie-diesel (one +E owner drives a veggie-Rabbit, and I am nearly
done
> converting my old diesel Mercedes, so we're not ignorant about doing
this)
> on a commercial truck.
>
> Both trucks weigh 8,000-10,000 pounds ready to work, so a small truck
> isn't
> an option.
>
> Isuzu or GM diesel? New Freightliner/Mercedes? Dually pickup with bed
> conversion? 4WD would be nice but not essential, as the newer existing
> truck
> is 4WD, and most of our business growth is grid-tied, not remote.
>
> I have the job of recommending what we get, and I'd like to hear what
> works
> well for you. Thank you for any good advice.
>
> Allan at Positive Energy
>
>
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