box trucks

Does anyone out there use a box truck? I am looking into getting a Ford E450 with a 14 or 15 ft box, but am concerned about being able to drive my Lazy Liner and machine up the ramp. Is a 12 ft ramp sufficient?

if your looking for a box truck get one that the bed sits lower than the wheel well, you will have the bumps on the inside to deal with but you can build shelves over them. They make a fold up ramp that after you close the door you just fold up and lock into place i think they are 8 ft but you can drive up them with a linedriver or lazyliner2. the LL1 had a problem going up it but could be helped with a second man. the ramp makes it easy to load paint with a dolly. a truck with the bed above the wheels i think would be to high to drive up unless you have a long ramp, remember the ramps you see on moving trucks are not wide enough to drive on and pulling a 12 ft in and out would fast become a pain in the a**. you might be able to special order a folding ramp that size.

FIND A U-HAUL DEALER,BEST THING I EVER DID.1990 E-350 14 FT. BOX LOW TO THE GROUND,MORE THAN ENOUGH ROOM.THEY WILL SHOW YOU THE SERVICE RECORDS FOR ANY OF THE TRUCKS THEY HAVE FOR SALE.TAKE YOUR PICK.PICKED MINE UP FOR 3500.00,112000 MILES,AIR,NEW TIRES,7.3 DIESEL,ALL IT NEEDED WAS PAINT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE UGLY ORANGE.

sundog wrote on Feb 27, 2006:Go to #1

I am looking into getting a Ford E450 with a 14 or 15 ft box

Have done that, the engine won't hold up, tends to burn valves and piston tops, the load is just too much for that class. The F 450 diesel with the 18 foot landscapers box is better.

i picked mine up at u-haul 5 years ago, and still is doing great, i also got the diesel-automatic and carries three machines, blower,stencils, and all the paint i can put down in a day.i also have the header rack that extends over the cab that makes for a great extra storage area. for the money, i don't think it can be beat.

I have a ford with a 14ft box, and a 460, with a hydraulic lift on the back. This has been great for me, but it doesn't get very good gas milage. The lift on the back is the best. You only have to lift it up and down to get you pumps out, then you lift it half way up and it works as a step. After that you have a nice moving work bench to hold all your stencils and tools. My next one will be a diesel with a longer box.

A-Striper, Do you have a LazyLiner or a Line Driver attached to your striper when you load into the van with your hydraulic lift? I wondered about a lift, but I didn't think you could load the LL and striper still connected because of the dimensions of the lift itself. Thanks for all the input guys.

sundog wrote on Feb 28, 2006:Go to #7

A-Striper, Do you have a LazyLiner or a Line Driver attached to your striper when you load into the van with your hydraulic lift? I wondered about a lift, but I didn't think you could load the LL and striper still connected because of the dimensions of the lift itself. Thanks for all the input guys.

You have to unhook and load separate.

Look at Ware-Ever's web site. He has a picture of his truck with a ramp.

Nice truck, Ware-Ever. Great website too. Ware-Ever, How do you store that ramp? Currently I have a Ford E250 extended van in which I am able to store everything I need. (Of course, I do not yet have a LL or LD, but am trying my best to go bigger so I can get one thanks to ///STRIPER\\\ Ken and others!!) I use a metal clad door as my ramp and it works GREAT. It is just the right length to push my striper up into the van and fits nicely stored on it's side all the way up against one side of the van. Thanks to all for the box truck input. Sounds like a Ford E450 diesel with a low box is the ticket. Ramp or hydraulic lift to be determined!!

Previously owned a Ford 350 diesel flat bed. Presently own a Dodge 1 ton converted from a box to a flat bed. Also, presently own a UD 1200 series 4 cyl turbo diesel flat bed.... The UD beats the others hands down. I highly recommend the small diesels... highly maneuverable, good fuel mileage, enough torque to pull a load, low enough to load equipment.

I have a ISUZU NPR it is worth looking at. 17 mpg city.

Dwan, I was speaking generically referring to the UD. I think they all are great i.e. the Mitsubishi, Isuzu, UD, Volvo, etc. The little diesels 1 tons won't get you any second looks for beauty but they really are work horses. The maneuverability is incredible. They can turn almost too sharp. I've popped lug bolts off my trailer from tire scrub because of turning too sharply. No kidding. Makes for getting in and out of construction areas easiler, getting closer to unloading areas especially for wheel stops. We also do water blasting "on the fly" with the wands mounted to the front.

For our type of operation, the box truck or cargo van works best. Probably the majority of our jobs can be handled efficiently with two machines. Since we use paint pot stripers, two machines can paint any color by switching pots in under 5 minutes. We generally carry 3 striping machines and 1 pusher (LD or LL) in the truck. If it is a really good sized job, we will hook up a trailer and add a couple more stripers and extra LD or LL. I Will be the first to admit that from an economic point of view, the cargo truck is by far the most expensive to operate. Maintenance, insurance, fuel taxes, licensing, etc. So why do I use one? Convenience. I don't like to hook and unhook a trailer. I don't like to back up a trailer. Many of the lots we work in would be tough to maneuver with a trailer. It is just so nice to hop in the truck and go. One of my main philosophies when it comes to striping is that if it isn't enjoyable, I fix it so it is enjoyable. I am sure you can tell from the posts of people in the striping business for a while is that we really enjoy what we do. It may be hard work at times but that doesn't mean it can't be fun. Thanks sundog for the positive strokes regarding the website. As they say, a picture is worth a 1, words. Our business seems to be more visual than others. It is important to grab the reader's interest when they go to our sight. They then can read all they want once you have their attention. RE: the ramp. Like yourself, I just lift it up and turn it on its side and slide it in. Very easy. When you get your LL or LD , which I hope is soon, you just back it out and drive it back in. I agree with Dwan about the cab over cargo vans and their maneuverability. If I was to purchase another van I think I would take a look at them.

Ken, I figured that is what you ment. I just have experience with the NPR's but don't see why any of the other cabovers wouldn't be the same. I do believe my NPR frame is a little lower then the F350's I have which would make the floor of the truck a little lower. Another thing is there are a lot of used delivery trucks on the net for sale cheap. My little 4 cylinder diesel has enough power to pull my trailer around here with no problem but we do not have much of a highway to worry about.

With the F450 are you going to need a CDL to drive it? That right there would be enough for me not to get one. It is hard enough to get a helper now and then and to get one with a CDL would be a miracle.

SD you might want to look into that. I beleave CDL requirements for truck only are over 26,000 lb. GVW. and a F 450 or even a F 550 don't even get close to that.

Don't need a CDL for the 450.

why not use a trailer that way you dont have to pay extra insurance and maint coats. Dave

I have to agree with WareEver on that one. I would rather have everything self contained in one truck... jump in and go. I am not crazy about hauling a trailer around, backing up and manuevering around small lots. I also don't really have a place to fit a truck/van with a trailer at my house, which is where I operate from. I wish I were more comfortable with a trailer, because I know they are MUCH cheaper than a big truck, but I just don't think it works for me. Thanks everyone for the great input. I will continue to shop around, but it sure makes it easier to have others' opinions on different vehicles.