Step Van - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TheDon · #16 10-04-2014, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwampYankee

Unfortunately you are correct. The smaller buses are typically used for kids with physical and intellectual disabilities.

We use regular sized busses in FL. But the cool thing about short busses is that the whole bus is the back!

Mölyapina · #17 10-04-2014, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

Really its going to be mobile/stationary storage. Think of driving to a location, unloading a ton of oddly shaped things, then loading them back up a few hours later and then returning the vehicle to where its parked the majority of the time. Convenience in loading is less a priority than maintenance ease, reliability and storage space.

I think from the replies I'm looking at a diesel (maybe non GM) or the E450 front box truck.

Is this going to be legal? I would definitely avoid the school bus, as the windows will allow the cops to peek in.

The diesel motor will be too loud for sneaking around in, too. Go with the gasser motor.

Also, make sure that you'll have a way to shoot at federal agents while being chased by them. I would probably go with a Grumman, because the "box" in a box truck is bigger than the cab and will block you from shooting backwards very well.

martureo · #18 10-04-2014, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Is this going to be legal? I would definitely avoid the school bus, as the windows will allow the cops to peek in.

The diesel motor will be too loud for sneaking around in, too. Go with the gasser motor.

Also, make sure that you'll have a way to shoot at federal agents while being chased by them. I would probably go with a Grumman, because the "box" in a box truck is bigger than the cab and will block you from shooting backwards very well.

I'll spill the beans and say it's a church plant. The vehicle will be parked at a church who's property contains a little league field and will be regularly patrolled by police (people try to steal stuff from the field storage all the time).

The oddly shaped items are 60in round tables and chairs. And a few food service items.

I will probably be the only one driving it, but there may be a few others on the insurance. I'm not too worried about someone filling it up incorrectly as this is a farming community, and a good amount of my associates are farmers.

But thanks for the advice Jooseppi?

Mölyapina · #19 10-04-2014, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

I'll spill the beans and say it's a church plant. The vehicle will be parked at a church who's property contains a little league field and will be regularly patrolled by police (people try to steal stuff from the field storage all the time).

The oddly shaped items are 60in round tables and chairs. And a few food service items.

I will probably be the only one driving it, but there may be a few others on the insurance. I'm not too worried about someone filling it up incorrectly as this is a farming community, and a good amount of my associates are farmers.

Oh, I see... so you're working with "plants"? Your "associates" are "farmers"?

I thought that were talking an Isabella Stewart-Gardner kind of deal here, but now I'm getting a different idea...

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

But thanks for the advice Jooseppi?

No problem, bro. Always here to help out.

Mölyapina · #20 10-04-2014, 01:18 PM

In the interest of actually being helpful for a change, what do you think of a used UHAUL truck? You know it's been maintained.

U-Haul Truck Sales®: 14' Ford F350 box truck for sale in Hyattsville, MD, 20782

kerry · #21 10-04-2014, 01:47 PM

I'd go with a trailer myself. No need to inspect or insure it and very little maintenance compared to a truck. If your associates are farmers, it's almost a certainty that they all drive trucks with hitches.

97 SL320 · #22 10-04-2014, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

In the interest of actually being helpful for a change, what do you think of a used UHAUL truck? You know it's been maintained.

U-Haul Truck Sales®: 14' Ford F350 box truck for sale in Hyattsville, MD, 20782

Maintained while in service, not so much at end of life before sale. These trucks usually have interstellar mileage and even if it has a southern license plate, they see work up north in the salt. I bought a 89 Ford diesel box van to use for storage, the box wax pretty good, truck beyond bad. ( bought from someone that had bought from U haul and used it a few years )

U haul no longer get diesels from what I've seen, I bet they figured out that the extra purchase cost / repairs isn't offset by the slightly longer engine life. ( U haul gets no benefit from reduced cost per mile of fuel use since the customer pays for fuel. )

If you are near a military base / state maint garage / university, there might be some stuff at auction. Have a look at www.govdeals.com
and their related sites, they seem to be a real auction site not a " Seized Mercedes SLR for $ 500" type site.

A trailer or box truck converted to a trailer would be the most direct route but trailers have a pretty high theft rate. A box truck / smaller U haul converted to a trailer is a bit more conspicuous and homemade looking so it might not attract much attention of thieves. I'd go so far as to sink 4 anchors into the ground and chain the trailer down, add some sort of lock to keep wheels from turning and a motion detecting / door open alarm system. If you do the converted box truck the parking cables can be used as a wheel lock.

To convert, cut the frame under the cab, fold inwards, add a hitch coupler. Hydraulic brakes can be operated my a surge brake style coupler.

For what you are doing, a box van will end up being more expensive to maintain. A used ambulance is a possibility. However, given a limited budget, the best choice is that combination of purchase price and running costs. If someone gave you a box van , that sure would tip the scales in that direction.

martureo · #23 10-05-2014, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

In the interest of actually being helpful for a change, what do you think of a used UHAUL truck? You know it's been maintained.

U-Haul Truck Sales®: 14' Ford F350 box truck for sale in Hyattsville, MD, 20782

I'm trying to avoid van front trucks because they are a major pain to work on. The pickup front end looks decent on this one though.

I wouldn't purchase a U-Haul even for someone I didn't like. I've had too many problems with them. Wheel off anyone?

Most U-Haul locations don't repair anything whatsoever. The truck most likely won't come back to them, so they send it out looking halfway healthy to the next customer.

martureo · #24 10-05-2014, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I'd go with a trailer myself. No need to inspect or insure it and very little maintenance compared to a truck. If your associates are farmers, it's almost a certainty that they all drive trucks with hitches.

Trailers are inspected and require insurance here.

Yes, this is a farming community, but it's also a growing bedroom community for DC and Baltimore. I do know quite a few farmers (who have trucks), but that means I need someone to show up every time. And I need to make sure it's someone who knows how to maneuver a trailer (too much experience with people bending hitches/destroying property).

I'd love just to have a truck/tow vehicle myself. But that's a dream at this point.

cmac2012 · #25 10-05-2014, 07:10 PM

I have an '87 Grumman with a 6.2 Chev diesel. Was going to make it into an RV and may yet complete that. But insurance is steep round here. About $800 a year. I have it in planned non-op now and use it for storage in front of my shop.

kerry · #26 10-05-2014, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

Trailers are inspected and require insurance here.

Yes, this is a farming community, but it's also a growing bedroom community for DC and Baltimore. I do know quite a few farmers (who have trucks), but that means I need someone to show up every time. And I need to make sure it's someone who knows how to maneuver a trailer (too much experience with people bending hitches/destroying property).

I'd love just to have a truck/tow vehicle myself. But that's a dream at this point.

You can register the trailer in Maine for about $80 for 5 years. No inspection required. Don't know about how insurance would work. All my trailers are registered in Maine.

Mölyapina · #27 10-05-2014, 10:04 PM

Could the 300D tow a trailer for short distances?

martureo · #28 10-05-2014, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Could the 300D tow a trailer for short distances?

4 miles, plus big hills, the biggest of which is a long 200ft hill to the parking lot where "it" (trailer/truck) would remain during the week.

Even with a double axle I don't think I'd want to try it with my TD.

Mölyapina · #29 10-05-2014, 11:01 PM

Is the 'TD on the road now???

How many tables and chairs are we talking about? How much do they weigh?

martureo · #30 10-05-2014, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Is the 'TD on the road now???

Unfortunately no. I can drive it, but it kills off all the mosquitos in the neighborhood. I'm looking into just replacing the engine. Cyl #4 has 120psi and hasn't improved through soaking the rings. Which is a shame because the others have great compression. It also spits oil out of the exhaust and has a coolant leak somewhere in the back of the block (maybe headgasket).

It's always been an outside project (no garage space), and pulling the head at this point is more cost than I think it's worth. I'll probably diagnose the pulled engine later, or sell it for scrap.

Quote:

How many tables and chairs are we talking about? How much do they weigh?

30+ steel folding chairs, 7 large round folding tables, assorted chafing pans/serving equipment. I'm thinking around 700-800lbs minimum.