Best sprinter/cargo van to buy?

nike781

New Recruit
Owner/Operator
I saw the Mercedes 3500 but a new one is 60k. Looking to find something reliable etc that can fit 3 pallets any suggestions?
 

Larry D

Rookie Expediter
Researching
Buy the longest and tallest van that you can afford.
Many like the Ford Transit 350.
I'm leaning towards a Ram Promaster 3500.
Both have their plusses and minuses.
Don't buy a dually because there's not enough space between the wheel wells to fit a standard pallet.
 
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LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
For some one who has no experience, what would you recommend?
Here's something I wrote a while back.

You love traveling and decide you want to be a plumber, lab technician, dental hygienist, barber, real estate broker, or maybe paralegal. What is the first thing you do? You go to school and study and learn all you can over many months. Then you finally know enough to be dangerous but capable so you can proceed. So, if you want to be an expediter the first thing you do is go to expediter school.

That's here, on EO. You read back a minimum of 5 years in the General, Newbie and Recruiter forums. You read every single thread title as you studiously work your way back. If the thread title sounds like it is in any way the least bit pertinent to your expediting goals you read every word in that thread. That will take you several weeks minimum. Once you've done that you'll know enough to know how much you don't know but you'll know enough to ask the right questions to learn more of what you need to know.

Expediting is FAR more than opening the doors to allow someone to load freight into your vehicle and turning the ignition key to drive off down the road. You won't become any of those other career options without major studying and training. This is no different if you want to succeed. The turnover rate for expediting is often greater than 100% because too many people think it's just turn the ignition key and go. Good luck.
 
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sergen

New Recruit
Driver
Here's something I wrote a while back.

You love traveling and decide you want to be a plumber, lab technician, dental hygienist, barber, real estate broker, or maybe paralegal. What is the first thing you do? You go to school and study and learn all you can over many months. Then you finally know enough to be dangerous but capable so you can proceed. So, if you want to be an expediter the first thing you do is go to expediter school.

That's here, on EO. You read back a minimum of 5 years in the General, Newbie and Recruiter forums. You read every single thread title as you studiously work your way back. If the thread title sounds like it is in any way the least bit pertinent to your expediting goals you read every word in that thread. That will take you several weeks minimum. Once you've done that you'll know enough to know how much you don't know but you'll know enough to ask the right questions to learn more of what you need to know.

Expediting is FAR more than opening the doors to allow someone to load freight into your vehicle and turning the ignition key to drive off down the road. You won't become any of those other career options without major studying and training. This is no different if you want to succeed. The turnover rate for expediting is often greater than 100% because too many people think it's just turn the ignition key and go. Good luck.
So? What kind of van he needs to buy?
 
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danthewolf00

Veteran Expediter
3 skid capacity and a place to sleep while loaded.
A box van wide enough to place 2 skids side by side...or 2x2 but always have a place to sleep other than the front seat.
 
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savannasanders

Guest
I saw the Mercedes 3500 but a new one is 60k. Looking to find something reliable etc that can fit 3 pallets any suggestions?
Hey there!
Yeah, the Mercedes 3500 is a beast, but that price tag can be a real punch to the wallet... . If you're looking for something reliable and can handle 3 pallets, you might want to consider checking out some other options... .
One solid choice could be a Ford Transit or a Ram ProMaster. They're known for their durability and cargo capacity, plus they're more budget-friendly compared to the Mercedes... . And hey, speaking of making smart choices, if you ever need help with assignments or looking for accurate answers, this website is an awesome resource to check out. They've got great solutions to make tackling those tough tasks a lot easier.
 
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mal2478

New Recruit
Owner/Operator
Just bought a Mercedes 3500, 2022 with extended cab. 3500 miles on it. 53K and not confounding Arctic White!!!
 

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
Just bought a Mercedes 3500, 2022 with extended cab. 3500 miles on it. 53K and not confounding Arctic White!!!
So you're going to build a false floor into it and give up those several inches of cargo height and raise the center of gravity on every load by that much?
 

brokcanadian

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
So you're going to build a false floor into it and give up those several inches of cargo height and raise the center of gravity on every load by that much?
Nothing a few minutes with a sledgehammer won't cure

Just need a coupla inches...
 
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