I'll second the trailer thought. Between roof racks and a trailer, I've not
had much use for anything more than a car for a long time, and don't have to
suffer a mileage penalty everyday.
A top end hitch, with a removable receiver and electricals for an Impreza
will cost $500-700 if you drive it in for someone else to install, $250-400
if you do it yourself.
Why drive a truck or minivan if it's not really what you want to drive every
day?
Jack
-----Original Message-----
From: shop-talk-bounces@autox.team.net
[mailto:shop-talk-bounces@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Pat Horne
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2010 8:09 AM
To: shop-talk@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Better construction vehicles?
Jim,
I've always been a big fan of having everything I might need for a job
on site each and every time. My previous vehicle was a full size Dodge
3/4 ton van. It held everything I needed, but it was too tall for some
places and it only got 12 MPG. When gas prices shot up I was in a
position where we bought a new car and needed to get rid of one of our
old ones. The choice was between the Dodge van and a 96 Ford Taurus
wagon. We got rid of the van and now I only carry the tools I need every
day in the wagon I have several trailers, including an enclosed trailer
for tools and a 16' flat bed trailer for materials. I can carry a couple
sheets of plywood or drywall on top along with long trim, etc, or if I
need to haul a pile of materials I hitch up the flat bed trailer.
If the Impreza is working fine, and not nearing the end of its life, I'd
just get a trailer that will hold the sheet goods, or if you need to
transport longer material often, a longer trailer may be right for you.
In bad weather you can always tarp the load.
A trailer is much cheaper than a replacement vehicle, and you don't have
to haul around the extra weight and size when you don't need it.
I wish I had gotten the Taurus years earlier!
Peace,
Pat
Thusly spake Jim Franklin, On 10/17/2010 9:31 AM:
> I've been thinking about getting a better vehicle for my side construction
> business. The Impreza does great except for the plywood sheets :-)
>
> A pickup truck isn't weathertight and rides like a truck, and more often
than
> not I'll have things in there that don't want to be bounced around.
>
> I've been thinking about a mini-van. A few people have told me theirs will
> haul 4x8 sheets. I'm assuming if it can haul 7 people it'll be ok with
bags of
> mortar, etc. Any thoughts?
>
> thanks,
> _______________________________________________
>
> Shop-talk@autox.team.net
> Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
> Suggested annual donation $12.96
> Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
> Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
> Unsubscribe/Manage:
http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/pat@hornesystemstx.com
>
>
>
--
Pat Horne, Owner, Horne Systems
(512) 797-7501 Voice 5026 FM 2001
Pat@HorneSystemsTx.com Lockhart, TX 78644-4443
www.hornesystemstx.com
-- We support Habitat for Humanity - a hand UP, not a hand OUT --
_______________________________________________
Shop-talk@autox.team.net
Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
Suggested annual donation $12.96
Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
Unsubscribe/Manage:
http://autox.team.net/mailman/options/shop-talk/jibjib@att.net
_______________________________________________
Shop-talk@autox.team.net
Donate: http://www.team.net/donate.html
Suggested annual donation $12.96
Archive: http://www.team.net/archive
Forums: http://www.team.net/forums
|