Steve Payne
Finally, freedom to roam where I need to go…
Canadian ContractorContractor Bill McCance writes about finally getting a 4x4 work van for the first time in his life... and how he is never going back to RWD.
While the following post by Mayne Island, BC contractor Bill McCance sounds like a paid ad for Mercedes Sprinter vans, we can only assure you it is not! We are expecting a whole bunch of Chevy and Ford fans to post Comments (scroll down below) that those companies make good 4×4 vans, too! Except Ford is only offering its Transit in a rear-wheel drive format, these days. We don’t know why. Anyone figure that one out? The Europeans get a 4×4 Transit, but not us….
“After having a Chevrolet Express van for work in the city where low underground parking lots won’t allow tall vehicles, I had the chance to change to a Ford Transit with 6 foot interior cab height a few months ago because I live in a rural area now. Unfortunately, it was unable to climb slight slopes, slippery grass lawns, steep hills and driveways covered in a layer of muck as only one wheel drives. So I was stuck many times and had to be pulled out. On one job, I was required to park along a roadway and walk all the tools and supplies 200-300 feet up the inaccessible driveway to renovate the home. Enough of that: I was able to get into a Mercedes Benz 2500 4×4 van. I can now drive any and all of the worst, steepest, slippery driveways. This van is nicely equipped with a bulkhead wall which keeps the heat in the cab and the dust in the rear. It has covered walls to which I have attached the shelving system I had in the Express. There are tie down systems all along the floor and walls to strap down any goods which might tip over while driving. I put on the rear view camera which really helps avoid rocks, trees and lumber obstacles at job sites – and it’s good for the trailer hitching. The vehicle also has the Bluetooth phone feature for hands-free operation – great for making calls during the work day. Finally, freedom to roam where I need to go. I suspect many van manufacturers will need to have a 4×4 version available as the old one wheel drive cannot be good in many snow, mud and mountain terrains in North America.”
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We have also been really bewildered as to why on earth the American automakers don’t think tradesmen drive on anything other than pavement . Our one solution was a VW Transporter van which had front wheel drive , a one and a half Ton payload and would go just about anywhere a 4×4 would. We had 2 of them in succession and only had to pull it out of the mud once in six years. It suffered a salty fate so we have been looking for something else . Sounds like this fits the bill.