Pickup or Cargo Van?

Just curious as to which of the two most common vehicles used for carrying scrap you prefer. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages, so opinions can differ greatly. For me I use a pickup (s10) to carry my scrap with, debated this myself before settling on pickup due to the more easy availability of 4wd/awd, since both are notoriously light in the back end and I live in the northeast where winter can be very unpredictable, so having the ability to have all 4 wheels powered is a DEFINITE plus in my book. Only real drawback, having to tie down your load so it doesn't fall out on the road...

I think a truck is more versatile......I can get longer and bigger pieces in my full size bed than I think I could get in a cargo van........Just my opinion as I have never used a van to scrap in

I love having a pick up truck. But there are times when I wish I had a van, just so I didn't have to use so many straps, or risk ABS plastic flying out of the truck on a highway.

I have had both and will be buying another van this winter. The van is great for hauling things that need to stay dry. ESPECIALLY tools. You can put everything right there where you need it with you at all times. I think if I were to scrap in a van I would have to use a trailer. The bed of a truck is just too versatile. If you are worried about stuff flying out just buy a cheap tarp and tarp off the load.

I have found that throwing a pallet on top of my loose items and tying the pallet down holds everything in place

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Originally Posted by Geiser093

If you are worried about stuff flying out just buy a cheap tarp and tarp off the load.

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Had to do that a couple of times when I ran out of bed space and there were a few "questionable" small pieces in there...

I like vans as first they are more private and a good cargo can handle plenty of weight I once saw a van pulling a converted pick up bed to a trailer and thats got pick up beat My old cargo van halls 4000 with ease I know i can go more and whats in the truck stays in

if you can only choose one, you can always get a crew cab truck and put a camper shell on it, that way ya sorta get both

I love my pick up ! A van has limited upwards space and. Harder to load stuff. But vans do have upsides too, just don't fit my operation.

I have and love both but the van is usually pretty handy and being a 1 ton van with a diesel i have had some pretty heavy trailers on it with no problem, if i get some time in gonna make a heavier bumper for the front so i can mount the winch to it too and it will be almost ideal, now if only i felt ambitious enough to make a 4x4 van.....

Truck all the way, but a van does have its pro's but they look to sketchy creepin down the streets.

Are you a kidnapper or a scrapper. Answer this question and you have your answer.

trailers aside, you asked about truck or van, a van has definite height, width, and access point limitations(unless the sides and top are open :D)

Against my better judgement I'd like to contribute twice; because Bear made a good point. It depends on what you're hauling. If you handle water heaters,fridges, anything over 4 ft has to be layed down.

I actually had a cargo van before my steel hauling days. I know of its limitations through experience. A van can be great if you just want to do e waste or run a little bit of non ferrous here and there. how about insects or vermin inside of something youre hauling? A trailer or pick up bed can be power washed and or sprayed for bugs, which, by the way I recommend.

I've only seen a couple guys using vans around here. I believe only because its their only means. I can tell they have to strap bikes on their grills office chairs on their roofs. It's goofy and they struggle to unload at the yard. Use the right equipment for the right job and you'll be much happier.

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Originally Posted by Russell

A van can be great if you just want to do e waste or run a little bit of non ferrous here and there. how about insects or vermin inside of something youre hauling? A trailer or pick up bed can be power washed and or sprayed for bugs, which, by the way I recommend.

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Excellent point, friend of mine had to deal with a stinky old sewer pipe in an enclosed vehicle that one of his scrapping buddies found, when asked why it stunk, his buddy told him LOL...

I have and use both, but use the van the most. I like being able to lock up my tools quickly and easily, and the security of closing the doors when having to make multiple trips to load it up in a strange area. The other thing I like is the lower cargo area in the van when loading heavy objects. Volume wise the largest load to date has been 3 fridges, dryer and a old dishwasher with steel tub.

On a side note...scrapping with a topper on a pick up is a PITA imo.

I prefer the van because I don't want everyone knowing my business or asking me questions.

Secondly, it's easier to collect the smaller and more valuable items in my travels throughout the week without the stuff being exposed in the open and having to worry about theft or deal with a bunch of nosy looky-loos.

I try not to carry around too much stuff at one time to avoid burning excess gas but having the enclosed environment keeps things convenient so I don't have to go straight home every time I score something good.

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Originally Posted by KZBell

I have and use both, but use the van the most. I like being able to lock up my tools quickly and easily, and the security of closing the doors when having to make multiple trips to load it up in a strange area. The other thing I like is the lower cargo area in the van when loading heavy objects. Volume wise the largest load to date has been 3 fridges, dryer and a old dishwasher with steel tub.

On a side note...scrapping with a topper on a pick up is a PITA imo.

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3 fridges, a dryer, and a dishwasher? Are you using a cargo van?

I guess another thing that makes me glad that I chose a pickup is that (my luck) I frequently find stuff that has earwigs on it (two cast iron sinks just yesterday had a couple on them), wouldn't want those things crawling around inside a van :eek:.

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Originally Posted by Bear

3 fridges, a dryer, and a dishwasher? Are you using a cargo van?

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Ford E150 standard size cargo van...1 fridge went in parallel to the front seats and the other two length wise. Dishwasher in the front seat and the dryer was broke down and smashed flat and went in the very back with other misc metal.

were any doors left open, such as the side door? I had come to thinking maybe they'd fit in 2 stacked on the left, one on the bottom right, with the dryer and dishwasher on top of it ; ) I drove a 1 ton ford econoline van for a long long time, it had right at ten feet from just behind the front seats to just inside the rear doors. It sure was a great little truck, I did a lot of traveling in that thing (it was my "oklahoma motorhome" ; )

Anyhow, scrapping, for me, definitely a "the sky is the limit" pickup! I can understand about the benefits of having some things inside and lockable, but I'm fortunate to have an extended cab and a truck box for those "need to lock/protect from the weather" items. Even though I usually keep a tarp in my truck box, it really wouldn't bother me if most things I've picked up as scrap get plum soaked a time or two, even computers/electrical items. The survey doesn't cover availability of another important addition to the tools, i.e. a trailer, or the fact that its addition will usually be blocking one of the vans most important access points, the rear doors

Managed to get all the doors closed Bear, passenger side mirror was useless with the dishwasher in the seat tho.

Depends on your specific types of work, I would imagine. I don't believe I would personally have any practical use at all for a van. Four pickups for me, ranging in size from an S-10 to the one pictured at the left, and an assortment of trailers, ranging from pickup box, to car trailer, to 16' utility, to the one at left.

Guess I need 2 post , See I am a curb hunter & I can't predict the items i will find or order so a van just seems way better and allows you to pick up more stuff .Even full there always seems a way to shove that last item in . When truly full you still have a roof that if you really wanted could be set up well . Since scraping is watched tight now by local police pick ups are not a good choice any more.

I have both. They're not mine but, I use a 2000 Step side Silverado for Scrapping but my dad also has 08 Chevy Express Van for his Carpet Installing work, sometimes we can haul something if we pick something up from a job or what not.

I like my truck. BUT A CARGO VAN IS AWESOME ON TRIPS IF ITS EMPTY. Me and my dad went to Chicago from PA, and we slept right on the cargo bed. My dad put two pieces of pad and put really soft carpet on top and it was like a great mattress. Screw paying upwards of a hundred bucks for a room while traveling lol.

pickup...if did use an a van, and i have i would still tie down the load..don't take to much off a fender bender to put that load in the front seat with you or worse on top of you...

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Originally Posted by jackww

pickup...if did use an a van, and i have i would still tie down the load..don't take to much off a fender bender to put that load in the front seat with you or worse on top of you...

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also its nice to be able to back up to the big magnet and go...

I use a truck because I got a family the cab is always clean and the bed is beat up. can't put a infant in a van you scrap in lol

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Originally Posted by Russell

Are you a kidnapper or a scrapper. Answer this question and you have your answer.

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Depends...how much per pound does the yard pay for children. LOL!!!

It's a Canary Yellow Ford F-150 Ext Cab Long Bed for me. With the ext cab all of my tools can be secured from theft along with any smaller more valuable items. I have a friend that brings me scrap in a little chevy astro van from time to time and it doesn't seem to bother him at all. Still, he is not a full time scrapper, so i am sure that makes a big difference.

One side note here: Locks just keep honest people honest. So even with your/my tools secured in the truck, if a thief wants what you have bad enough he/she WILL find a way inside to get it.

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One side note here: Locks just keep honest people honest. So even with your/my tools secured in the truck, if a thief wants what you have bad enough he/she WILL find a way inside to get it.

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If your windows are dark tinted they can't see what's inside and a better chance for it to be there the next day.