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somebody rammed into the end of my 9 year old Toyota pickup (hit and run, the truck was parked), and it will probably cost more to fix than the thing is worth, so i need to find a new vehicle soon. (the truck runs fine, but it doesn't look very nice).
so, does anybody use a wagon instead of a truck? i've been looking at the Suburu Forrester and the VW Jetta Wagon. both could carry a ladder or a sheet of substrate on the roof (i think). since i'm in an urban environment, both have a little more security than the open bed of a truck, for supplies and tools. and i think with the seats folded down, both can carry a longish sign if i need to deliver it.
just wondering who's using an SUV or station wagon and what limits or advantages you've found. i find that i haven't "needed" the bed capacity of my pickup that often.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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Scooter, My dad always had a Chevy Malibu wagon for his "shop vehicle". He'd have one for 5 or 6 years and then get another one. :-) I remember him getting signs in and out of it with no problem at all.
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3723 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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i got an 85 dodge ram van, which ive had since 95, and another van prior to this one. full size van works good. looked at an chevy astro van, but find it small. since i bought the 74 chev p-30 step van, i can haul anything i want in that up to 16' long.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I've used vans, wagons and pick ups. To me the best setup is a pick up with a shell. If you are worried about security, they can be locked. The main drawback to a van or a wagon, and it's a major drawback to me, is the smell. The paints and solvents we work with are stout enough without cooping them up in small spaces. Even if you unload every day, a thinner soaked rag can smell up the inside of a car bad enough to last a week or more.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
I've been using an S-10 pick-up for the last year or so (no shell). Don't care for it. I also use a Chevy Caviler station, like this because most of my stuff is covered. Actually, it kinda works ok. HOWEVER.... I've got a GMC Safari Van (same as an Astro), up in the barn and working on it as we speak. I can't friggen wait to paint it and put it to work! For ME... it's appears to be a decent size vehicle to work out of.
My 2 cents.....
Mark
-------------------- Mark Neurohr "Ernest" Paintin' Place 141 Sunnyside Road Kittanning, PA 16201
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I have a 72 Plymouth station wagon that carrys 4'x 8' sheets without a problem. Gas miliage is excellent, insurance is cheap, and its 10 disc Kenwood and A/C does the trick.
BTW, I'm in the market for a Toyota p/u or maybe I can sell you a bed!
email me
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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geo...did you see my paint brush box? its plastic and i got it at scotty's. has a lift out tray and under that tray is a drawer with bins that hold my brushes. the bottom part of the box is where i throw the smelly rags....and when i put the lid on it...its air tight!!! as for my paint, its in a wooden box i built, and its almost air tight. both of these boxes take up only 18" at the back door of the van. the wooden box i built, it opens from the top, out, and i put a leg on it so when open the lid is a tabletop!!!
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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A few years ago I had to park my 74 Mercury wagon, so I bought an 85 Chevy wagon to replace it. I don't do a lot of painting on site, so the smell hasn't been a problem for me, but I can see where it could be. Mostly I haul for installs. With the older fullsize wagons you can haul 4x8s real easy. I can haul 16' lumber if I take it to the windshield.
The thing I like is, when you put any kind of graphics on an old wagon, it MAKES people look at it. Plus, I personally think they ride and handle better than pickups or vans.
-------------------- Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane. Posts: 2319 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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For a long time we used a Dodge Caravan with all the backseats removed. It was OK about 80 percent of the time. It was especially nice during the El Nino winter for getting stuff to the job dry. After that we went to pickups, then there was always the security issue when carrying lots of small tools. I think I would steer you towards a full size van. Vic G
-------------------- Victor Georgiou Danville, CA , USA Posts: 1746 | From: Danville, CA , USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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Hey we use an old '90 Isuzu truck - it's tough as nails got big 'Ol mudder tires on it & oil cooler & x-tra parts - ai'nt much but we have fun - R.C. Colas & Moon Pies !?!?!?U no whut I mean Willis....................
-------------------- Carl Wood Olive Branch, Ms Posts: 1393 | From: Olive Branch,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1999
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there are a lot of good reasons for a van, but i don't think its one of my options right now. the vans get crappy gas milage. the Jetta wagon gets 31 mpg highway, and a typical van is about 15 to19 mpg on the highway. vans are also longer, and i waste enough time trying to find parking in this city.
my choice is either pickup truck or wagon.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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