I wanna see....Mobile work shops

[venturesomerite]

I will be starting work for a large company doing mobile fleet maintenance and repairs on the companies various sites, for their trucks (generally 2500,3500,4500 chevys and 250,350,450 fords)

I'll be going across the state and will have to bring anything I need with me.

I currently do something similar with Zambonis, but I will have to redo the truck for strictly mechanics. I carry alot of carpentry stuff (to fix rink boards), light fixtures, plumbing, etc, and will need to focus strictly on mechanics now.

I have a 99 f250 super cab long bed 4x4 auto with the 7.3. I have an open (no cap or tonneau) reading utility bed with the flip top boxes and a stout ladder rack. I do have a small vise on my rear bumper. I do not have any on board air or power inverter. I have made a set of jersey bars to add security.

One thing I would really like is to have drawers, like a tool chest in one of my boxes for wrenches, sockets,ratchets etc. I currently only have the stock shelves. (open to all suggestions, especially home made ones)

I want to see everyones set ups that they take with them, especially space saving ideas, and stuff you gotta make sure you have.


I also would like any ideas on how the make the boxes more usefull, especially things I can make instead of buying, as I don't have a whole bunch of cash for that right now.

 

[Fixnair]

I'm thinking an F 250 would be a good truck to get your feet off the ground. But you will soon outgrow it if business is good. To go full tilt you will need an F350 DRW minimum. I'm in a 350 and have outgrown it but seeing as I will probably retire within 5 years I am limping along. You didn't mention if you had dual rear wheels or not but if you are going to get an air compressor and a welder/generator you had better plan on duals. I will try to get pictures up tomorrow.

 

[venturesomerite]

I have a srw. One reason why I have a srw is be because there is a main restricted access highway that will not allow drw or 10000 gvw on it, and in a lot of cases that adds a lot of time to circumvent.

The other would be that I already own it, and do not owe on it. It does have an f350 suspension on it.

I would need a good compressor and a generator. Any welding will be minor and could be run off the generator.

 

[readhead]

The welder would be the generator. Years ago I had a similar setup and I used small tool boxes with drawers and removed the lids so the top space was still usable. I can't think of the name right now but there is a company that makes a compressor, welder, generator all in one box. Good luck on the new venture.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Not mine but I did see one local construction company use a box truck for a mobile workshop. It gets you out of the weather when need be.

 

[venturesomerite]

Not mine but I did see one local construction company use a box truck for a mobile workshop. It gets you out of the weather when need be.

Unfortuately the highway is pretty restrictive, No vehicles over 8' tall, over 7500 lbs, no commercial plates, no trailers, no duallies.

Even more unfortunate, it is THE easiest way to get to the locations, and will over the corse of a year save thousands in gas.

So when business is booming, I plan on a E350 SRW van. I technically am illegal in that, and in my f250, but the cops look the other way for those, as everyone runs them on it. They pull over duallies and box trucks in a heart beat.

 

[neel2008]

Unfortuately the highway is pretty restrictive, No vehicles over 8' tall, over 7500 lbs, no commercial plates, no trailers, no duallies.

Even more unfortunate, it is THE easiest way to get to the locations, and will over the corse of a year save thousands in gas.

So when business is booming, I plan on a E350 SRW van. I technically am illegal in that, and in my f250, but the cops look the other way for those, as everyone runs them on it. They pull over duallies and box trucks in a heart beat.

So its a public state highway that doesn't allow over 8' tall, over 7500 lbs, no commerical plates, no trailers and no duallies? WTF? I have never heard of such a thing.....signs for "no thru trucks" in residential areas is one thing but that is absolutely absurd....

 

[NUTTSGT]

So its a public state highway that doesn't allow over 8' tall, over 7500 lbs, no commerical plates, no trailers and no duallies? WTF? I have never heard of such a thing.....signs for "no thru trucks" in residential areas is one thing but that is absolutely absurd....

. . . wondering the same thing too. .

 

[danski0224]

So its a public state highway that doesn't allow over 8' tall, over 7500 lbs, no commerical plates, no trailers and no duallies? WTF? I have never heard of such a thing.....signs for "no thru trucks" in residential areas is one thing but that is absolutely absurd....

Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

Any other street classified as a Boulevard or Drive in Chicago.

Many suburban subdivisions prohibit overnight truck parking, even in your own driveway. Others prohibit the parking of lettered trucks/vans.

Technically, any truck plate (class B and above) is a commercial plate here. Any windowless van (cargo van) or small pickup qualifies as a Class B license plate. Class D is ~7700# to ~8500 or so GVRW (not GCRW).

A single rear wheel truck or van can be over 7700# GVRW and therefore require an Illinois D classification and license plate PLUS biannual safety inspection sticker.

Those that put class B or State issued vanity license plates (environmental, cancer, etc) on 7700# plus GVRW trucks to skirt the whole class D thing are driving an improperly plated vehicle and risk major fines if caught.

Some with trucks and truck caps use an RV tag to avoid having a B or D tag.

 

[AndyL]

Uhaul has those srw mini cube vans just saying... they do pop up at auction and don't usually sell...

there are versions of the f4/550 in srw that look just like f250/350s.

 

[venturesomerite]

Uhaul has those srw mini cube vans just saying... they do pop up at auction and don't usually sell....

Unfortuately those also fall under that category. People get pulled over for them all the time.

You can see the rules here:

Like I said, my F250 is technically illegal, but they let it slide, largely because I managed to get combination plates, instead of commercial.

there are versions of the f4/550 in srw that look just like f250/350s.

Never seen a SRW 450-550, I've seen 350s though.

 

[Strouty]

The roads he is talking about are probably "parkways" very common in CT and NY and yes they are a pain in the ***. On some parts, a dually would literally have to drive in both lanes to either clear the old arched bridge or not hit the guardrails. You may consider an excursion as well, that would give you the enclosed space of a van, but look like a family vehicle. I had a suburban with roll out drawers in the back for many years. The van would probably be the most economical way out. Use the truck for now, but I think the lack of enclosed space will be a pain, especially during the may white months.

 

[venturesomerite]

The roads he is talking about are probably "parkways" very common in CT and NY and yes they are a pain in the ***. On some parts, a dually would literally have to drive in both lanes to either clear the old arched bridge or not hit the guardrails. You may consider an excursion as well, that would give you the enclosed space of a van, but look like a family vehicle. I had a suburban with roll out drawers in the back for many years. The van would probably be the most economical way out. Use the truck for now, but I think the lack of enclosed space will be a pain, especially during the may white months.

Yeah, parkways. Excursion with a bed slide isn't bad idea. Yeah, ultimately, I think a van would be best.

 

[Racecarl]

I don't understand something here...You are going to do mobile service work on vehicles which are not allowed on the roads that your own service vehicle cannot travel.

How can they drive on these roads and you cannot? What am I missing here?

 

[Zelatore]

I believe it's not that the trucks to be serviced are on the restricted roads so much as he wants/needs access to the restricted roads to save time and miles getting to them.

 

[venturesomerite]

I believe it's not that the trucks to be serviced are on the restricted roads so much as he wants/needs access to the restricted roads to save time and miles getting to them.

Yes, There is only one major restricted road. This restricted road is the best, most fuel efficient way to get between locations in many cases. More often than not, it is also the most direct. The things I will be servicing cannot be used on this highway, but is of no concern to me, my concern is getting to them.


The main reason why there are restrictions are the exit ramps and bridge heights. 11'-12' bridges are normal. Alot of the exit ramps are the exact same radius and length as when the model t's were driving them, so they are as hairpin as hairpin gets. Also alot of the on ramps are 100' before a bridge and have stop signs, that you have to sit in until traffic breaks enough for you to enter. It's extremely antiquated.

 

[Fskof]

My friend has a Dodge/M-B Sprinter Van that he works out of. He has a generator, air comp, welder, and all of his tools, workbench with vise in it. It has interior and exterior lights for 24hr service, Its like working in a mini workshop on wheels with heat and a/c. The vehicle has enough head room that he can work standing up without his head hitting the ceiling.. Its a cool set up that he has. He loves it. I wish I had a few pics of it.

 

[crewchief888]

Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

Any other street classified as a Boulevard or Drive in Chicago.

Many suburban subdivisions prohibit overnight truck parking, even in your own driveway. Others prohibit the parking of lettered trucks/vans.

Technically, any truck plate (class B and above) is a commercial plate here. Any windowless van (cargo van) or small pickup qualifies as a Class B license plate. Class D is ~7700# to ~8500 or so GVRW (not GCRW).

A single rear wheel truck or van can be over 7700# GVRW and therefore require an Illinois D classification and license plate PLUS biannual safety inspection sticker.

the city of chicago is one of the most f'd up places to have to service equipment.

i've been on lakeshore drive, michigan ave, and nearly every other resticted street in and around the city, parked on sidewalks, blocked alleys, pulled illegal uturns, ect ect in my F550 service truck, and never had a problem.
i had heard rumors that one of our guys was ticketed for being on a boulevard, but i really never believed it.
a few years ago, one of our transport drivers asked me for directions to a machine that was down, and not repairable in the field. i told him the way i always go, "i cant go that way, it's a boulevard". i was headed back to the same area on another call, and had him follow me right to the broke down machine, passing several chicago squad cars along the way.

kinda ***** for the OP to physically not be able to use a road that is more convienient, but is that your fault?
kinda hard to carry tools and equipment in a yugo...

 

[bmxr4life87]

Are you doing emergency repairs or typical preventative maintenance? These arent moving trucks your working on is it?

 

[bigenos]

If they allow passenger vans and/or sprinter vans on this road you could always upgrade to a passenger version of one of these vans and tint the windows very dark. Yep, nothing to see here, just hauling passengers. How about "fake" windows? Doesn't GM do flip-up sides on cargo vans where the windows would normally be? Get one and paint those panels black. E250 badges on an E350 are also an option.

 

[kbs2244]

Trailer ?

 

[Zelatore]

I don't know if it's within your limitations, but I'd cast another vote for a Sprinter with a high roof. Those are available in 3/4 and 1-ton, single and drw, two wheelbases, etc. Seems like a great mobile shop option.

I haven't looked at them, but I know a couple of local guys have started going with the Nissan van instead of the Sprinter as it's apparently considerably cheaper up front.

 

[Armstrong1720]

Im in trucking bussiness and i have a question how about a single axle big truck ? It wont know the weight is even there and with a single axle it will get better milage and less break downs Longer frame =more tool space

 

[HSpencer]

Here is some neat photos I had on the computer. I am thinking about doing something like this myself.