What ya driving or running for your crews? Reliability?
Been hearing promasters are garbage. Transits seem solid. Nissan NVs are attractive. Not sure I want to spend on a Benz but they are an option. Expresses are a classic.
Most likely in the 2500 class. 3500 just seems a bit much.
Same issue here, have Pro master works good but the front wheel drive is an issue. Wil never have another dodge in my lineup. Looking at the Ford Transit in all wheel drive extended high top 57K plus the interior buildout and ladder racks. Compared to a crew cab chassis truck with a service body about the same money. Wow who said being in business for your self was all money. 65K for a wok truck:? I feel your pain.
I drive a 2018 Transit 250, extended length, standard height. 6 cylinder, thing has zero guts. 41k miles and no major issues, except for the rear pads and rotors were completely worn away at 40k on both vans in our fleet, so keep an eye on them, cheaper to change just the pads than everything.
Oh, and the driver seat is stupidly uncomfortable, and the sun visor is just moronic.
Run the Denali with the work trailer now and want to get back into a van. Miss my express. Contemplating getting a smaller van now and keeping the trailer. I run 2 types of jobs anyways mostly.
Doesn’t look like they make the smaller vans nowadays with any guts, what happened to the Astros? Loved those years ago.
I’m running 2 2500 Promasters and an E350. Yup the front wheel drive is an issue, but overall the guys like them. The E350 has earned an A+, but the guys like the headroom in the promasters.
Yeah I came from an GMC Savana 3500. Loved that thing. Had a 454 that had zero hesitation. 260k miles and nothing wrong with it until it got rear ended by a 30foot box truck then plowed into by a tow truck. That was a sad day.
I had a e350 for many years, burned through a few trannys, got a 2018 Nissan nv2500 loved that besides its a wind sail. Now have a big truck 2019 kenworth. Hate it
So I was walking down an alley the other day…….and all of the sudden it
.
Screenshot_20201204-0607012.png
One mistake i made was purchasing new. I learned to late to just buy the Express or Savanna used and run them till the cost you money.
They still make the E350 Chassis Cabs, why not get one with a work body on it?
https://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/listing/2021-Ford-E350-5014746810
HRG
5fc5145ee3e618351e3a39f1.jpg
They still make the E350 Chassis Cabs, why not get one with a work body on it?
https://www.commercialtrucktrader.com/listing/2021-Ford-E350-5014746810
HRG
This would be a perfect work rig for many people. I wish I could still run a smaller rig
Had a friend in the boat as you guys, runs his own business, always ran Chevy vans, took a chance on a Ford and hated it, had lots of issues. We went to the car show and looked at everything available, and in my novice opinion the Mercedes offered the best overall. So even thought the extra expense, he bought one. He won’t let his guys drive it, it is solely his. He has never said anything bad about it, and since it is his driver, I am guessing he likes it.
The metris does look attractive with 2.0l turbo, has the highest payload of the class too. Be able to pull around my 5×8 trailer when needed. Reviews look solid.
The transit 2.0l i4 diesel also looks nice. Might be the first year for em? Only few grand more for the diesel.
Gonna ask a car guy today what he thinks of all these newer rigs, he specializes in used cargo stuff.
The metris does look attractive with 2.0l turbo, has the highest payload of the class too. Be able to pull around my 5×8 trailer when needed. Reviews look solid.
You consider a Metris to be a 2500-class vehicle? Keep in mind, the MB brochure is comparing it to the Transit CONNECT, not the full-size Transit.
HRG
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mr.Beads wrote:</div>
The metris does look attractive with 2.0l turbo, has the highest payload of the class too. Be able to pull around my 5×8 trailer when needed. Reviews look solid.You consider a Metris to be a 2500-class vehicle? Keep in mind, the MB brochure is comparing it to the Transit CONNECT, not the full-size Transit.
HRG
No, I did mention in another comment here I was thinking of maybe going smaller route while having the option to pull small trailer.
Their sprinter line is in the 2500 class, for a benz not bad on the wallet with electronic 4×4
There is a guy up Hwy 10 past the Boat Center that all he sells is work vans and trucks. They are mostly lease returns, talk to him. He can fill you in on the good, bad, ugly of these vehicles.
ironmanmotors.com
X2 on the KNAPHEIDE box.
Highly recommend that option, especially if you handling alot of tools.
Also – Make sure anything you purchase has a back-up camera.
I will just say on the Metris, they eat up tires and brakes. Where I work we service a few of them for a fleet and they all needed tires at like 28K. I can’t say too much bad other than that except oil changes are more expensive.
So I was walking down an alley the other day…….and all of the sudden it
.
That is awesome and so very true nowadays!
I’m picturing Casey Affleck & Scott Caan jumping up and down on a vans bumper in Oceans eleven. 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Hot Runr Guy wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mr.Beads wrote:</div>
The metris does look attractive with 2.0l turbo, has the highest payload of the class too. Be able to pull around my 5×8 trailer when needed. Reviews look solid.You consider a Metris to be a 2500-class vehicle? Keep in mind, the MB brochure is comparing it to the Transit CONNECT, not the full-size Transit.
HRG
No, I did mention in another comment here I was thinking of maybe going smaller route while having the option to pull small trailer.
Their sprinter line is in the 2500 class, for a benz not bad on the wallet with electronic 4×4
Sprinter…? and you think ProMasters are garbage ?!!! 
Losing Sprinters and adding ProMasters has cost us a lot in service repair and maintenance work. Good luck !
I’m picturing Casey Affleck & Scott Caan jumping up and down on a vans bumper in Oceans eleven.
Or Lloyd @ Harry in the Dog Van
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mr.Beads wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Hot Runr Guy wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mr.Beads wrote:</div>
The metris does look attractive with 2.0l turbo, has the highest payload of the class too. Be able to pull around my 5×8 trailer when needed. Reviews look solid.You consider a Metris to be a 2500-class vehicle? Keep in mind, the MB brochure is comparing it to the Transit CONNECT, not the full-size Transit.
HRG
No, I did mention in another comment here I was thinking of maybe going smaller route while having the option to pull small trailer.
Their sprinter line is in the 2500 class, for a benz not bad on the wallet with electronic 4×4Sprinter…? and you think ProMasters are garbage ?!!!
My intent was to gather information on these work vehicles G, I have heard things and spoke to that.
Please enlighten me, us, on your experiences, would really be much appreciated.
I don’t know anyone with the full size benz, but I do know couple with metris and they’re very happy.
Check with the guy at Ironman Motors. He will fill you in on Benz.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>belletaine wrote:</div>
I’m picturing Casey Affleck & Scott Caan jumping up and down on a vans bumper in Oceans eleven.
Or Lloyd @ Harry in the Dog Van
LOL! Every time I see a Nissan NV I honestly think of the Dog Van. Just needs to be painted brown with floppy ears.
IMHO, Sprinters, compared to Transit or ProMaster, are built cheaply and are very uncomfortable. For a vehicle that the driver typically can spend all 8 hours in the seat, you would think they would make it comfortable or at least ergonomically correct. I think 50% their clientele buys them and guts the interiors anyways and installs Luxury Captain chairs, they are purchased more a status symbol (Mercedes Benz) for the fancy Hotels and their shuttle services. I would hope they are improving them now, but from 2004-2010, when Dodge badged them, they didn’t change much at all. The glow plugs were constantly failing and 75% of the time, upon removal, they snapped off in the head… then we would remove the head and send out to the machine shop, where 50% of the time they could extract them.. the other 50% of the time, was a new head. Also the air filters were designed as they were pulling in dust constantly, and if the driver didn’t check them often (think FedEx home delivery vans) they would plug and get sucked through the turbo into the engine. The ProMaster uses the proven Gas 3.6L engine, the same engine used in many Chrysler Products. We get many Sprinter customers here, trying to see if we will work on them, because Mercedes is too expensive… if its simple things, we tackle them here, but anything drivability, we won’t touch. Their diesel engine and diesel exhaust systems are so finicky, I don’t need that headache. I would steer you away from the MB and towards a Ford or Ram, having been exposed to the service side of all 3 brands.
To clarify your experience was from 10years ago?
Nope, they didn’t make the ProMaster 10 years ago… we still get all 3 of them here on Maui, new and older models. Just go slam the doors on all 3… check out the door designs in the rear. Most I see here are heavily modified and have aftermarket bus entry type doors… for a work van, where doors are used constantly, there is a difference in the durability among the 3 I see. Just to be clear.
Gotcha, appreciate your insight.
What G told ya is what Ironman Motors will tell ya. He specifically told me he would not recommend a Benz for what I wanted to do.
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