Newbie looking for advice

[mtorr69]

Hi, to all experienced members. I am in the process of buying a cargo van. It will be used mainly for intrastate trips. I have two options so far. A 2006 Ford E150 with 63k miles V8 and an 04 Sprinter with 180k miles 5 cyl diesel . They are both in good condition. Which one would you recommend ?

 

[scottm4211]

An E150 is useless in expediting. You might sneak by with a 250 but a 1 ton is ideal. You also should make sure it's extended.
The sprinter might be too old but carrier you talk to will let you know.
Good luck.

 

[Dakota]

I wouldn't recommend the E150 that is a light duty van you want the E350 at least
The Sprinter only if you have complete maintenance records, Sprinters aren't very forgiving on lax maintenance. Plus '04 is getting close to the cutoff on age of vehicle, all depends on who you are running for.
Personally I'd pass on both

 

[Turtle]

Personally I'd pass on both

Yeah, pass on the E-150 for sure, unless you know for sure that all of your loads will be under 1000 pounds, no more. 180,000 miles is a lot on a Sprinter unless you know for sure that the maintenance was meticulous and that all of the things that are going to break between 180,000 and 200,000 miles have already been recently replaced, which they almost certainly have not (wheel bearings, rear axle seals, alternator, water pump, belt tensioner, fan blower motor, lots of things). A little thing skipped here or there and the problem multiply and domino like crazy, and if those wear parts haven't been replaced already, you're looking at replacing them very soon, and if you wait until they break, you'll be looking at some serious tow bills.

 

[mtorr69]

Thank You all for your advices . I just found an 08 e350 XL. The only thing is that it has windows all around but it also has a heavy duty cage. Would that work?

 

[Dakota]

Yes, there are some expeditors with window vans.
I can't see that a window van would be any colder/hotter than the steel on a cargo van. Just black out the windows, add some insulation if your going to be sleeping in it and you'd be set

 

[Dakota]

Also, check with your carrier. We can say it's fine but they may have a problem with windows. Just to be safe!!!

 

[guido4475]

I wouldnt go with a van period.Sprinter, or a E350 cutaway with a 12' box on it, SRW is the way I would go.Vans are becoming less and less in demand.Size matters.There are alot of Best-Buy fleet trade-ins right now for sale on Truckpaper.com For around $10,000, miles in the low 100k range.They have the height and width of the Sprinter, but not as long.Most are 12' long, and there are a few 10 footers out there.Decent trucks for the money.They come with Tommy gates, which can be removed.