Best Box Truck or Box Van for Flooring Company

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

Hi everyone, I'm new to this forum. About 4 months ago I purchased a flooring company in Idaho and our Box truck that we have been using is a 1998 and it's starting to fail. It's a Ford E350 with a 17 foot box on it (see pictures). I want to replace it with a new unit.

What is everyone's thoughts on the best truck/van/vehicle to use to for a flooring company?

What about a STEP VAN (like FEDEX uses)?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!!!!

Mark
Espinoza Flooring
Ketchum Idaho

 

[Floorist]

I used a 1980 Ford box truck for 20 years. Had 320,000 on it when it caught on fire.

 

[C.J.]

I see a lot of mid sized Hino and Isuzu box trucks out there these days. 14’ to 17’ box seems about right. The box does sit higher though so you’re lookin at a lift gate vs a ramp or at least a bumper with a step. No biggie if you’re mainly delivering but if you’re workin and climbing in and out of the truck all day that could get old real quick.

 

[highup]

What will be it's main use? Lots of short, in town use where size and manuverability matters?

 

[JPfloor]

If you’re working out of it and not just delivering materials I much prefer a van/step van with access through the side and from the cabin. As mentioned, way easier to get in and out of and access tools and supplies. They come in all shapes and sizes these days.

I ran my business with two Ford extended vans rather than one larger box van. More seating for the crew, more comfortable to drive and easier to park, and the crew can split up when needed. For smaller jobs one stays at the shop.

 

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

I see a lot of mid sized Hino and Isuzu box trucks out there these days. 14’ to 17’ box seems about right. The box does sit higher though so you’re lookin at a lift gate vs a ramp or at least a bumper with a step. No biggie if you’re mainly delivering but if you’re workin and climbing in and out of the truck all day that could get old real quick.

Great input CJ, thank you

 

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

What will be it's main use? Lots of short, in town use where size and manuverability matters?

Hi Highup, We do all our own installations (we have a crew of 5) so it will be used to haul the carpet from our warehouse to the job. It's a resort town so all the installs are within a 5 mile radius.

 

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

If you’re working out of it and not just delivering materials I much prefer a van/step van with access through the side and from the cabin. As mentioned, way easier to get in and out of and access tools and supplies. They come in all shapes and sizes these days.

I ran my business with two Ford extended vans rather than one larger box van. More seating for the crew, more comfortable to drive and easier to park, and the crew can split up when needed. For smaller jobs one stays at the shop.

Hi JPFloor, yes, we'll be working out of it at each job. No not a box truck huh, you like the step van idea. Attached is a picture of what I am looking at.

 

[C.J.]

All you need is a set of rollers and that van is good to go.

 

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

All you need is a set of rollers and that van is good to go.

What do you mean by "a set of rollers" CJ?

 

[Floorist]

What do you mean by "a set of rollers" CJ?

The kind like grocery stores and Walmart use to make it easy to slide out boxes. They make loading and unloading carpet a breeze,

 

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

The kind like grocery stores and Walmart use to make it easy to slide out boxes. They make loading and unloading carpet a breeze,
View attachment 15997

Ah, ok, got it, Thank you so much for your interest and input CJ!! It means a lot. Mark

 

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

Ah, ok, got it, Thank you so much for your interest and input CJ!! It means a lot. Mark

Oops, I meant CJ and Floorist

 

[JPfloor]

So you’re doing primarily carpet? That’s a beautiful truck and it will certainly get the job done. Rollers are handy for tile and wood but not so much for carpet. If you have rolls too big to carry on your shoulder slide um out the back right onto the carpet cart. Put furniture slides under them when you load the truck if you have to. I’ve been know to tie a full roll off to a tree and drive out from under it.

I think all those shelves are just going to be in the way. Maybe the high ones could come in handy but I’d want something to stop stuff from flying off of them. Cabinets for tools and supplies would be nicer.

Personally I’d rather be driving a smaller regular sized extended van. If everything is within 5 miles get your guys started and make 2 or 3 trips if you have to. You know with a big truck like that the first cut you need is always gonna be on the bottom…

 

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

So you’re doing primarily carpet? That’s a beautiful truck and it will certainly get the job done. Rollers are handy for tile and wood and but not so much for carpet. If you have rolls too big to carry on your shoulder slide um out the back right onto the carpet cart. Put furniture slides under them when you load the truck if you have to. I’ve been know to tie a full roll off to a tree and drive out from under it.

I think all those shelves are just going to be in the way. Maybe the high ones could come in handy but I’d want something to stop stuff from flying off of them. Cabinets for tools and supplies would be nicer.

Personally I’d rather be driving a smaller regular sized extended van. If everything is within 5 miles get your guys started and make 2 or 3 trips if you have to. You know with a big truck like that the first cut you need is always gonna be on the bottom…

Great input JPFloor. We do have a van that we use for smaller jobs. We do mostly carpet, then luxury vinyls and then engineered flooring last.

 

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

Great input JPFloor. We do have a van that we use for smaller jobs. We do mostly carpet, then luxury vinyls and then engineered flooring last.

we would be using the truck/stepvan for larger jobs. I thought that too about the lower racks getting in the way. I'll ask if the lower racks can be removed.

 

[JPfloor]

Ski resort I assume? Vans suck in the snow…

My dream was always to own a four wheel drive van…

 

[Espinoza Flooring SV]

Ski resort I assume? Vans suck in the snow…

My dream was always to own a four wheel drive van…

Yes, it's a ski town, but I talked to the FEDEX and UPS drivers and they use these stepvans without issues all year long......

I agree, I originally started looking for a 4-wheel drive or AWD vehicle but none of this stuff comes in 4X4 (must be for a reason?)

 

[C.J.]

Ski resort I assume? Vans suck in the snow…

My dream was always to own a four wheel drive van…

I knew a guy that had a 4x4 conversion done on his van. Didn’t make sense to me living in the city but I could see it’s usefulness in a ski resort town or someplace like that.

 

[JPfloor]

I knew a guy that had a 4x4 conversion done on his van. Didn’t make sense to me living in the city but I could see it’s usefulness in a ski resort town or someplace like that.

Or fishin/camping on the beach…