Need a new work truck

Mercedes field rigs...what's the world coming to. Next thing you know folks will be charging $6,700 for 2/3 acre lot surveys.

Mercedes diesel vans are some tough and rugged vehicles. Rather heavy for where I go.
😎
Now they make a https://www.google.com/search?q=mercedes+4wd&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjM66CGx-rPAhUB4SYKHfWJBkwQ_AUICCgB&biw=1216&bih=599&apos ;">4WD

A Harris, post: 396220, member: 81 wrote: Mercedes diesel vans are some tough and rugged vehicles. Rather heavy for where I go.
😎
Now they make a https://www.google.com/search?q=mercedes+4wd&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjM66CGx-rPAhUB4SYKHfWJBkwQ_AUICCgB&biw=1216&bih=599&apos ;">4WD

Looks like they would be a great field office - on wheels..

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/03/30/2015-mercedes-benz-sprinter-4x4-first-drive-review-video/

I have 3 years on a Transit Connect. I am a city surveyor. If I'm offroad it's because I'm on someones lawn.
Everything, including my 4'x4' box, from the old Suburban went right in.
My only regret is that I had to buy before the diesel was available.

I have 3 years on a Transit Connect. I am a city surveyor. If I'm offroad it's because I'm on someones lawn.
Everything, including my 4'x4' box, from the old Suburban went right in.
My only regret is that I had to buy before the diesel was available.

A lot depends on the amount of gear, weight of that gear, number of people, pavement only, etc. While adding costs, 4WD or AWD is handy at times even on wet grass or a construction site. Diesel is nice, BUT probably only if the crew needs to run longer distances, new diesels aren't particularly fond of extended idling without ever working them. For all the firms I have worked for in the western USA, nothing short of a full size 3/4 ton pickup has been adequate to cover all situations and my current vehicle is a 2001 Dodge Ram approaching 300K, full size, 4WD, diesel, heavy duty. I am solo and go into remote rugged terrain sometimes, and this vehicle has been real reliable, have not walked out yet. I have worked out of full size Chevy Blazers, too light duty, 1/2 ton pickups of GM/Ford brands, also too light duty, Isuzu Troopers (what a joke), full size Chevy Suburbans, 3/4 ton and 1 ton pickups.

I don't know if I would buy a diesel again or not, while a big fan of diesel power (hey my car is diesel powered too), the newer gas engines are getting some pretty good mileage reports AND generally cost quite a bit less on the front end, probably isn't going to ever pencil out until way over the 100K mark. Still, there is something to be said for massive TQ numbers where all that TQ is available not too far off of idle, you don't need to be driving with your foot on the floor all the time or worrying too much about running out of oomph when running off pavement uphill on a muddy logging road.

SHG

I've never worked out of a 3/4 ton truck as a surveyor. Why would a surveyor need such a rig? Is it personal preference for the larger vehicle or does it serve a necessary purpose. (No judgement intended, just curious).

I've always worked out of smaller vehicles. Now that I'm solo, I could work out of a very small vehicle, but the 4runner is doing a great job. It does at times work as the family ride, which is a pain pulling equipment out and then putting it back again.

I like the roominess and short turning radius of the older, pre-lift gate 4WD Yukons and Tahoes. Suburbans and Yukon XL models are OK too. In good shape with normal maintenance they should last to at least 300,000 miles for what I do with them. About 3 years ago I retired a 1993 Suburban with 335,000 miles. I currently have a 2002 Yukon XL (only 2WD) thats getting right close to 20mpg on the highway and shows 257,000 miles. 3 months ago I bought a 1996 Yukon 4WD with 131,000 miles - its in good enough condition that I'm expecting it to last too 300,000 miles - and I have only $3400 invested in it!

Long ago when I first started surveying, my boss used regular cars for work trucks! I remember a 1963 Chev, a 1964 chev and a big old Bonneville! It took some doing but I did eventually talk him into half ton pickup trucks!

And once the possible vehicles are narrowed down, don't forget to confirm your coffee cup fits in the allotted space. We don't want any mishaps of the cup being too big now, do we? 😀

Shawn Billings, post: 396672, member: 6521 wrote: I've never worked out of a 3/4 ton truck as a surveyor. Why would a surveyor need such a rig? Is it personal preference for the larger vehicle or does it serve a necessary purpose. (No judgement intended, just curious).

I've always worked out of smaller vehicles. Now that I'm solo, I could work out of a very small vehicle, but the 4runner is doing a great job. It does at times work as the family ride, which is a pain pulling equipment out and then putting it back again.

From my experience with the weight western USA surveyors normally seem to pack around, the heavy duty trucks last longer, the 1978 1/2 ton Chevy pickup I was assigned in 1982 actually broke the frame clear into two pieces near the rear axle from stress, weight, crew abuse, rough roads, who knows, probably all three, I got the vehicle after being passed around for 4-5 years. My current truck with all my gear runs between 8000 and 9000 pounds all the time without adding an ATV or trailer/ATV, too much weight for anything light duty. Maybe I carry too much stuff 🙂 I sometimes deploy for a week+ into areas where there are NOT going to be supplies or maybe even anybody to come tow you out, need to be self reliant with a vehicle that will get you there and back. Just came off a week long project last month where I would leave pavement in morning and not see pavement or another vehicle or person all day long.

I think it really depends on where you go, how much material and equipment you need to pack just in case, etc. I just know for my operation a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup chassis works much better.

SHG

Dave Tlusty, post: 396673, member: 311 wrote: Long ago when I first started surveying, my boss used regular cars for work trucks! I remember a 1963 Chev, a 1964 chev and a big old Bonneville! It took some doing but I did eventually talk him into half ton pickup trucks!

From 1996-2000 I worked out of a Grand Am, rented a better off road vehicle when I needed too, it wasn't fun, but it worked out and even a lot of dirt roads were accessible. Wasn't my 1st choice nor would I recommend it, LOL. I believe my friend Bruce Small works out of a Camaro (or did at one time) by choice, it worked for his operation. That wouldn't work at all for my operation.

SHG

Shelby H. Griggs PLS, post: 396685, member: 335 wrote: From my experience with the weight western USA surveyors normally seem to pack around, the heavy duty trucks last longer

Perhaps you could just turn down the second slice of pie 😉

Just traded in a Tacoma for a GMC 2500 HD and the comfort of not being beat up by the interior or hitting my head on the roof edge was instant love. That and 20mpg instead of 16 and always shifting.

James Fleming, post: 396690, member: 136 wrote: Perhaps you could just turn down the second slice of pie 😉

Well, I don't think it is the pie, at least these days, my wife brought home about 3/4 of a sugar free berry pie from a gathering a couple weeks back, ended up tossing over 1/2 of it, I am trying to cut way back or carbs, couldn't even hack the sugar free version.

Maybe too much clothing and things I "might need", but who knows. I showed up on an USAF base about 13 years ago, my POC on base was astonished I had brought so much stuff, BUT did remark at the end of my TDY duty that I had pulled almost every tool or piece of gear out at least once 🙂

SHG

half bubble, post: 396691, member: 175 wrote: Just traded in a Tacoma for a GMC 2500 HD and the comfort of not being beat up by the interior or hitting my head on the roof edge was instant love. That and 20mpg instead of 16 and always shifting.

Often times the bigger vehicle just loafing is a far better performer in all aspects than a smaller vehicle being wrung out, plus it is more comfortable as you note. Only real downside is usually extra cost at the outset (generally offset somewhat by higher resale value though) AND a bit less maneuverable in tight spots.

SHG

Shelby H. Griggs PLS, post: 396700, member: 335 wrote: Often times the bigger vehicle just loafing is a far better performer in all aspects than a smaller vehicle being wrung out, plus it is more comfortable as you note. Only real downside is usually extra cost at the outset (generally offset somewhat by higher resale value though) AND a bit less maneuverable in tight spots.

SHG

I can attest to that. I have a 2004 4X4 4L Ranger extended cab that I bought new as a crew rig. I figured that the inconvenience of the smaller size would be made up for by the mileage and maneuverability . Boy was I mistaken, I get better millage out of our 5.4l F150 crew cab. Not that it would have been a good truck for personal use, it is just too burdened with all of the gear we carry around. Now that I have liberated myself of additional full time crews I think I'm finally going to be able to get rid of the thing

Shawn Billings, post: 396672, member: 6521 wrote: I've never worked out of a 3/4 ton truck as a surveyor. Why would a surveyor need such a rig? Is it personal preference for the larger vehicle or does it serve a necessary purpose. (No judgement intended, just curious).

I've always worked out of smaller vehicles. Now that I'm solo, I could work out of a very small vehicle, but the 4runner is doing a great job. It does at times work as the family ride, which is a pain pulling equipment out and then putting it back again.

It's either a 3/4 ton long box or a shorter one with a trailer, I prefer the long box 3/4 ton.
Have to have the 4 wheeler in the back, the lighter shorter ones, can't carry it and all the gear.

Shawn Billings, post: 396672, member: 6521 wrote: I've never worked out of a 3/4 ton truck as a surveyor. Why would a surveyor need such a rig?

Consider that the load rating is for occasional maximum loads, but the load in a survey rig isn't intermittent. You are hauling several hundred lbs. of stuff around all the time, mile after mile. That wears on the drivetrain, the brakes, the suspension, etc, etc.

Shawn Billings, post: 396672, member: 6521 wrote: I've never worked out of a 3/4 ton truck as a surveyor. Why would a surveyor need such a rig? Is it personal preference for the larger vehicle or does it serve a necessary purpose. (No judgement intended, just curious).
I've always worked out of smaller vehicles. Now that I'm solo, I could work out of a very small vehicle, but the 4runner is doing a great job. It does at times work as the family ride, which is a pain pulling equipment out and then putting it back again.

I work out of a 2001 Tacoma extended cab with a 6ft bed and with the towing package and offroad package it is rated at 3/4 ton truck. I tow a 5x10 trailer with tools and ATV most every day.
A beefy and stiff suspension is a big plus in my book.
Had an El Camino for my first work truck that I added big block springs in the front and station wagon springs in the back and neoprene bushing all around.
Just like an ATV, you get a smooth ride from spring and shock action and by adjusting air pressure in the tires.

Back in the early '90s I worked out of a series of vans. They were very popular back then. The drawback was always that the cab was hard to heat or cool because of all the interior space involved. That and the noises/smells of the equipment being right there in with you at all times.