Next Truck: A Suburban? - Page 2

Converting a club wagon into a pickup with three rows of seating is out!

Box vans are also out. I owned one until it basically imploded. It was a 1997 Ford 15' E350. The 5.4 couldn't go up hills loaded, crosswinds were terrifying without a load, and the last time i checked MPG, I got 6.5 average. For 300 mile trips, that ain't gonna cut it!

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I've been intrigued by the maxi van idea. Our guy does refurbish a few church vans, so it's a possibility. What concerns me most is the winter. My father always called those vans "funding for the funeral homes". He drove two back in the 80s. Have they improved? We work WY, MT, and ID sometimes. Our winters can be bad! This was one of the big reasons a Suburban appealed to me. Less overhang, and 4x4 if needed.

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@SirScrapALot- What is your minivan? How many average-sized towers can it haul (Both weight and dimensional limits)? How has towing been?

And most importantly, what makes you want to look at a full-size van next time?

Thanks for the tips! Please keep them coming!

And, yes- there will be pictures!

Maybe these pics of our past/current trucks will help. These are my '"larger loads" from the "Show Us Your Truck" thread:

Originally Posted by matador

Alright, while we're on Dodge Dakotas, this was/is my first truck:

1992 Dodge Dakota LE (4x4, 5-Speed, 3.9 V6) What a truck!


This load was a good 2000#



This image is half-unloaded. The load went all the way to the tailgate. See that ugly grey duckling in the background? That's a 1987 Chevrolet R10. It's 2x4, and has the 305/4 Speed Auto combination. That was what the truck looked like when I fixed it. Here's what she looks like today:



That load of cases scaled at 1260 pounds. I drive the Chevy once or twice a week. The Dakota is on the DL with a cracked transfer case. I think the green and white Oliver paint scheme looks nicer than the "50 shades of grey" theme

This is what I currently run. Depending on what the Chevy needs to be reliable, I may build a box-type thing and make a "mini box truck"??? What are your thoughts on that idea?

Mine is more of an old style, not like the old Astro's. Well it's a mix of old an new, I guess.

I'll get you the sizes later today Matador. Far as how many towers..I've had up to a 100 in it. Being my sandbar is a smaller market then most of you guys. I can also fit about 30 TV's depending on size if I pack it right. When I picked up 105 of them a couple years back it took me about 4 runs to fit them in. All 28 or 30 inch tube tvs.

I have a 99 dodge. I love the bloody thing. When I bought it I had my reservations being it's a mini-van but it's handled everything I've thrown at it so far.

Far as another van..I'd like a cargo van, or one of the older Econoline (I think thats the name) ones. If I ever get that last one I'd not use it for scrapping. A regular cargo van tho I'd use the hell out of it. It works for me cause I don't need the seats in there most of the time, cept on rare occasions. Two bench seats that pretty much sit in my shop acting as a storage. LOL.

I'd like a cargo van for a bit more room floor to ceiling. An of course for all of my non-ewaste scrap.

Sirscrapalot - Anyone want a cookie?

100 towers in a minivan!? Wow!

If you have some pics, that would be great! I'm still trying to wrap my head around that type of volume in a minivan!

matador- It's hard to be cool in a minivan. - The Oak Ridge Boys

Sadly I don't.

It's not a often occurrence. an it's all in how you pack it. Just like a truck or station wagon, etc. When I get big amounts like the 100 above, their usually all the same style/type. Next time my guy who brings me amounts like that has some, I'll take a pic. It's usually only twice a year when he calls. He saves them up then calls me. I'll make sure I get a pic tho. He should be calling here in another month or so. Usually once before the season hits, an once after.

I also have a lot of experience as a professional mover, and in shipping/Receiving so I'm used to getting the most into a space as I can. I may get creative but it gets in most of the time. lol. The batch that was 100 in there was a lot of gateways. A good mix of towers an lay down type. I just stack'm in go. Unlike you guys I don't travel that far when picking up. The main area here where I live is maybe..25 to 30 miles. Sandbar is about 120 from the far north down to the Ferry in Hatteras. So I can cram it all in an not have to worry about a long trip, or stop n' go traffic.

I like my mini-van. It might not be an old boxy type like the astros of old or the older dodge ones but it sure gets the job done. It's not like the newer ones at all. Bench seats that come out, not captain chairs that don't. I wouldn't use a newer mini-van for this tho, I don't think their designed properly for such things. Mine you can tell it was designed to be able to move stuff. Only beef I have with it is the way they designed the area under the Serpentine Belt. If I go through a deep puddle fast, it'll know the belt off. Not had that problem tho since the last time. It was a common issue with the 95 to 99 dodge's if I recall right when I was looking into it.

Again, you gotta go with what works best for you.

Sirscrapalot - Load n'go!