My question is how will the box trucks hold up to corrosion by the enclosed SH fumes?
We had to remove the back door of our box truck because the fumes were so bad, and eventually the aluminum box was coming starting to come apart, after 5 years though.
I am thinking of a box truck is the way to go for this reason: can keep ALL equipment in it ready to roll, ladders can be suspended from ceiling above other equipment and if big ladders like 32/40 footers are needed you can install access doors over the cab that when using a 14' box truck gives you at least 5-6 feet of ladder clearance over the cab and a few feet past. I would (will) seal the entire inside with a liquid rubberized paint like EPDM rubberized roof coating or highly chlorinated pool paint or chlorine resistant paint (still lookin into it).
As for holding tanks I would vent them out the top of the truck and coat the top of the truck with same paint. Maybe also set up vent fans while working inside the box even if its just a cheap box fan.
The fact that its a roll'n billboard is a major factor. no need for a liftgate, if climbing in and out is a worry well....
Man up! (J/K JHW.)
P.S. 5 years Chris is a good ROI for the adverising it did ya I bet!
-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Friday 14th of October 2011 11:34:51 AM
Yup I'm heading in the box truck direction. For starters I def need the room for a 2 man pwshing system. 2 men on a gun can really speed things along. Im looking at a diesel, preferably the way too expensive 5 cylinder Mercedes on the Sprinter. I was told to stay away from gas with a truck this size. I have roughly 10-12k budget. If anyone can locate a super deal I'd be willing to fly out and drive it home.
-- Edited by Roof Cleaning New Jersey on Friday 14th of October 2011 02:17:58 PM
When working the doors always open and I'd circulate the air anyway to limit the buildup of fumes plus I'd install over cab access doors to pass big ladders thru with louvred rear vents for circulation of fresh air. I'd vent the SH tank directly out the roof.
Whats nice about a box truck is if you don't have a garage or shop space you can keep everything safely locked up in the truck and park it anywhere, driveway etc. No commercial storage/shop space cuts down on overhead BIG time.
-- Edited by Maverick Contracting on Friday 14th of October 2011 06:18:54 PM
I really like that idea of advertisement on the box but I do use my 32 or 40 pretty often and spur of the moment. Currently i use an open 14 foot tandem with all open and full ladder racks welded all the way around. Also I looked at a large box but then your using a sit load of gas and that wont work for the small jobs. Does anyone have these ladders in or on a box truck and any pictures.
Yup I'm heading in the box truck direction. For starters I def need the room for a 2 man pwshing system. 2 men on a gun can really speed things along.
How are you going to remove the heat given off from your power washers in a box truck? Heat turns SH back to salt water.
Marcus we run through 500 gallons of sh every 3-5 weeks. We are filling our truck tanks every day.
Maybe I misunderstood you Ed. I thought you were just fixing to buy an enclosed truck for the 1st time. I never have bought one because I heard the held in the heat too much.
Art-I like your hooks, thanks. Tom- she's my buddy, thanks. Ed- I drove 18 wheelers for years & I would NEVER but a truck with a Mercedes engine.
I heard nuttin but good things about the 5 cylinder Mercedes. Even my mechanic says its good. I trust the guy. You see those Sprinters with 200k miles and they still can ask upwards of $10k-$15k.
Art is it apples to apples compared to 18 wheel rigs?
Ed-my F250 Super Duty has 240,000 miles with a V-8 gas engine. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, I just wanted you to go into it with your eyes open. I hope the sprinter vans have a better engine than what mercedes builds to install in tractors. Apples to apples, no. Same manufacturer, yes. Different production facilitie(s), IDK. Good luck.
A cab over, box truck diesel, WITH a 50 ft articulating lift.... Now we're talking
RE diesel motors, I got lucky, but am partial to my "million mile motor", the 7.3 TD by Ford. I met a power washer guy in my area driving a similar truck this summer - he had 500K miles on it and it was still going strong!
Apple Roof Cleaning Tampa FL (813) 655-8777 wrote:
Roof Cleaning Katy Texas (281) 392-2304 wrote:
My question is how will the box trucks hold up to corrosion by the enclosed SH fumes?
We had to remove the back door of our box truck because the fumes were so bad, and eventually the aluminum box was coming starting to come apart, after 5 years though.
The truck is just a tool , no different than a pump , a tank or a ladder . It will wear out , either corrosion , mileage , etc. Its a cost of doing business . I also plow snow , trucks last me 5 years before the corrosion sets in , I sell them at that point and get another good used truck .
Gas vs diesel , to me it realy doesnt matter , if the trucks wheels are turning its working , making a dollar , a gasser is cheaper to repair and a diesel gets better mileage , a gasser is cheaper up front , a diesel generally runs longer , but the truck will probably corrode out before the diesel stops running . (unless its a ford 6.0 ).
remember once you hit the 10K lbs that most box trucks are , you have to have your DOT number and medical card and all the rules and regulations that go with it . And depending where you live where to park it?
Actually, Federal DOT Rules & Regs Start at 26,001 lbs. You can even have a vehicle with air brakes as long as you stay at 26,000 lbs. or less. However, SH is a corrosive on the DOT tables, so you are limited to 119 gal. unless your vehicle and driver have the appropriate training, credentials, and paperwork onboard. Be smart and don't take chances. You won't get caught breaking the rules until the fines are huge. -Murphy's Law
Yup I'm heading in the box truck direction. For starters I def need the room for a 2 man pwshing system. 2 men on a gun can really speed things along.
How are you going to remove the heat given off from your power washers in a box truck? Heat turns SH back to salt water.
Marcus we run through 500 gallons of sh every 3-5 weeks. We are filling our truck tanks every day.
Maybe I misunderstood you Ed. I thought you were just fixing to buy an enclosed truck for the 1st time. I never have bought one because I heard the held in the heat too much.
if heat scares you they have solar rv roof vents that would help