There's a lot to be said for work vehicles that really work for you. A recent entrant to the work van market is the Dodge Sprinter (far right), which rolled out in 2005. Sprinter's three available wheelbases (118, 140, or 158 inches) and up to 473 cubic feet of cargo space offer flexibility. A 5-cylinder, 2.7-liter turbo-diesel engine can manage a 4,824-pound maximum payload capacity. Although standard roof height is 64 inches, the optional 73-inch interior height allows a 6-foot-tall worker to stand upright inside (above).
Also available in this category are GM's Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana full-size work vans in ½-ton, ¾-ton, and 1-ton configurations with optional 135- or 155-inch wheelbases. The vans have a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of 12,300 pounds and a 10,000-pound towing capacity. This year, GM adds the new 6.6-liter turbo-diesel to its list of available gas engines including a 4.3-liter V6 and a 4.8-, 5.3-, and 6-liter V8. Also on the market are Ford's E-Series vans with regular-body or extended-body styles on a 138.5-inch wheelbase. Tow up to 10,000 pounds with a gas-powered 4.6- or 5.4-liter V8, a 6.8-liter V10, or a 6-liter V8 Powerstroke turbo-diesel engine.
Adapted from the March/April 2006 issue of BUILDING PRODUCTS magazine.
