A van is not a safe, comfortable environment for drivers that live/sleep in their vehicle for long periods. Cargo is dangerous, smelly and dirty and should not be placed in the same compartment as a driver. A pickup truck with 4 wheel drive and a cargo box is safer, handles better and is more comfortable. With seating for 5 or 6, It can also be a family vehicle used for personal camping, fishing and hunting (great deer blind!).
It has a clean, comfortable cab and a separate, well designed cargo/sleeper box.
A viable alternative to vans is now available, because vans have no cab!
Cargo is:
Large trucks don't have cargo in with the driver, WHY should small trucks be at greater risk? Vans have no storage space for a driver's personal items: sleeping bag, cot or mattress, pillow, cooler, food, clothes, tools, straps, chains, etc. Teams have twice as much stuff. Stuff is stored in the cargo area where it gets dirty or damaged and limits capacity, leading to fewer loads. Driver's stuff is visible every time a customer loads/unloads a van... what about privacy?
If it is a full load, driver must place all their stuff on the ground then pile it on top or around the customer's freight or jam it in the very limited seating area. Not very professional or comfortable!
Sleeping in an un-insulated, cluttered metal van with no windows, proper heating, cooling or ventilation is not a comfortable environment. Truck stops and rest areas are not quiet places and with rain and wind noise added, it can be very difficult to sleep.
A van's small hood and an engine cover in the drivers space make it difficult to maintain or perform repairs. Cramped over the driver's seat with the steering wheel in your back and your legs hanging out the door is not a good position to be in when trying to repair a critical breakdown on the road with limited tools.
If you decide to leave expediting, it is doubtful you will keep an unfinished van with only 2 seats as a personal vehicle. There is a very limited market for used, high mileage work vans.
It's features include:
The First Class Expediter box is as functional when parked as it is efficient under load. It has windows and is well insulated and ventilated with plenty of storage. The insulation helps reduce noise in truck stops and rest areas. Better sleep!! Optional generators, auxiliary 12 volt systems and awnings can make layovers quite comfortable.
Drivers may be able to park a pickup/camper where they live or in places that do not allow "commercial vehicles" like plain white vans or sprinters. This is a huge advantage in response time and may get drivers more loads. It can eliminate the cost to own an extra vehicle (plus insurance and maintenance) to get to where their van is parked.
Resale value: If you decide to leave expediting, you have several options. You can keep the truck as a camper and refine the box for your personal preferences or just have us remove the cargo box. We may buy it back or sell it used to another expediter.
Unlike buying a work van and then trying sell it at a loss, the only real investment to try expediting is the price of the cargo box. Pickup trucks are extremely popular personal vehicles and are easy to buy and sell.