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We have one service van so far with the "katerack" system, just for res. service for a cleaning tech ( not a senior tech ).
Has a roof rack with 2 ladders = cut the gas mileage to approx 18mpg.
Repair tech's mostly have Sprinter vans that are the medium height roof of 5'-5" inside at approx 17mpg.
luck dan

Wish they would bring back a SAFARI / ASTRO sized van ( for the people who do not need a 1 ton monster ) , 1 sliding side door ( not 1 opn both sides ) , van doors ( not liftgate ) on the back like most of these glorified minisized station wagons they try to pass off as a service van.

My buddy has one and it was in the dealer 4 times for AC. It has the same size motor as a ford focus. I wouldn't buy one and I like small vans. I drive an Astro. The transit is a car if you ask me

One of our bigger union shops has a fleet of them. Service-oriented, of course

Ran into an old friend this afternoon who has a Transit Connect as a service van in the ELEVATOR trade. Calls it a 4 wheel tool box with A/C.

He carries a tool pouch , shop vac , lube , cleaner , small parts , relays and a few circuit boards in it. Supposedly when the revised version comes out they are trading these in ASAP.

I drove one on San Juan Island, WA (resi, light comm & marine) and it was WAY to small even though I was never more than 20 minutes from the shop. Good thing it got good mileage because I never had what I needed. If you have a small focus business ie...one trick pony, then it might work for you. I got my hands in too much stuff (comm & ind ref) to be running around in that thing all the time. Good luck getting anywhere on snow, ice or a hill with loose gravel...nothing more embarrassing than getting stuck in a customers driveway in the summer! Now I drive a 1 ton extended express and still feel cramped. Also, don't overload it or try to pull a trailor...the transmission is very, very light duty and expensive to replace. It does make a good taxi, flower delivery, soccer mom van, or interior decorator vehicle though!

Another thing...notice my avatar picture? I need to post this in Wall Of Shame. I was doing both resi & comm and one day I needed to add 410 to a high end (CFO Dole Foods) waterfront property heat pump. I had to dig through my stuff to find the 410 and (thought) I found it. Added 8 lbs and noticed my head pressure acting strange. Long story short...401 looks very similar to 410 when you're upside down, trying to pull sheet out of an overstuffed van! Yes...that was a long day! I know...dyslexia is a beotch!

FORD is supposedly ENLARGING the current version of the TRANSIT Connect when they introduce the new BIG size TRANSIT version REPLACEMENT for the E model Dodge ( RAM ) is bringing back the full size van based on a FIAT model as well as redoing the small RAM cargo van

Originally Posted by PatDoody

I have a 2002 e250 now its bare bones and has served its purpose and its time to move on. I really dig those Sprinter vans with the high roof and I recently saw the nissan nv2000 high roof at the auto show. They both have inverters with 12ov power outlets. Id like to put a small bench on one wall with for my 110v Pittsburgh and a small brake to make plenums on the road. Power windows and locks would be a nice upgrade to.

Drove a Sprinter for 5yrs, TONS of room. Diesel Sprinter gets about 20MPG. Had 150k on mine when I turned it in, good van for the most part. Be aware that anytime you have to get it fixed out of warranty it costs a fortune. Vans have since been replaced with the transits.

I use a Transit for mostly service and the odd install.I kept my 2008 GMC for
installing.

I got the metal partition for myself as it cuts down on noise and it was a freebie from Ford

I just use some tubs instead of shelving for parts and tools and I have a
Ref Drum tower bolted to the partition.

Works well for the residential service that I do.

Also do a site search here and you will find some great Transit threads some with pics of the Katerack package
for the TC.

I have a 2002 e250 now its bare bones and has served its purpose and its time to move on. I really dig those Sprinter vans with the high roof and I recently saw the nissan nv2000 high roof at the auto show. They both have inverters with 12ov power outlets. Id like to put a small bench on one wall with for my 110v Pittsburgh and a small brake to make plenums on the road. Power windows and locks would be a nice upgrade to.

almost got one... lol. i decided to keep my old astro. my colleague has one. small. very small, you have to be neat and a good packer to fit what normally would fit in an astro. you could do resi install out of it. just one eqp each time. I personally would go to half ton with service cap. or ram van.

Good info, pretty much what I was expecting. They are pretty affordable new, and damn cheap used. I figured their size would be their Achilles tendon

Any one have any photos of one from the back with shelves installed?

X2. Last place I worked had a couple. Once you put the shelves in it plus the stock about all it's gonna be good for is service work. With the shelves you got no room for a coil, furnace or condenser. They do pretty good for service work and compressor changeouts if you dont mind the rough ride after you load em down

Originally Posted by PatDoody

I have been shopping around for a new vehicle. I like the idea of these smaller more fuel efficient "vans" My biggest question is there room for tool storage and materials at the same time? Ive yet to see one with shelves installed. Is it possible to fit a furnace, evap coil and a condenser all at the same time?

I am thinking of buying one of these for maybe just the service guy, and a sprinter or something larger for the instal crew.

My buddy with another Co. Uses one.
With shelving installed, plus his tools he had enough room for a few blower motors and maybe a bottle of gas.
It's definatly a "service" van, nothing else.

Anyone using a Ford Transit connect vehicle for the trade?

I have been shopping around for a new vehicle. I like the idea of these smaller more fuel efficient "vans" My biggest question is there room for tool storage and materials at the same time? Ive yet to see one with shelves installed. Is it possible to fit a furnace, evap coil and a condenser all at the same time?

I am thinking of buying one of these for maybe just the service guy, and a sprinter or something larger for the instal crew.