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Offline chris s

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Small vans
« on: March 26, 2016, 07:45 AM »
I am considering getting a small van ford or dodge. Can some one  tell me if a full sheet of plywood will fit standing on edge? The dealers don't seem to know. Thus it would be nice to hear that someone has actually done it.  Thanks in advance
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Offline Peter Halle

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #1 on: March 26, 2016, 07:50 AM »
Hey Chris,

It might get you a better answer if we know which  of the models are you looking into?

Peter
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Offline Peter_C

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #2 on: March 26, 2016, 02:56 PM »
Go drive them and bring a tape measure. Of course you can look at the spec sheet online too. Mercedes has been running ads for their new van too, claiming it is more spacious for a small van, and would be worth looking at too.
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Offline Brice Burrell

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #3 on: March 26, 2016, 05:09 PM »
I'm pretty sure none of the small vans can fit a full 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back.  My Ford Transit Connect is about 7' in the back, the new Dodge Ram ProMaster City is about the same.
« Last Edit: March 26, 2016, 05:17 PM by Brice Burrell »
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Offline Peter_C

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #4 on: March 26, 2016, 05:31 PM »
Quote from: Brice Burrell on March 26, 2016, 05:09 PM
I'm pretty sure none of the small vans can fit a full 4x8 sheet of plywood in the back.  My Ford Transit Connect is about 7' in the back, the new Dodge Ram ProMaster City is about the same.
Mercedes Metris will, which is what they are touting in their ads. I giggled the first time their ad played  ;D
http://www.mbvans.com/sprinter/commercial-vans/metris-cargo-van
Cargo Length (without partition):    105.4 in
Cargo Length (with thru-loading partition):    111.5 in
Max. Cargo Width:    66.3 in
Cargo Floor Width (btw. wheelhouse):    50 in
Min. Cargo Height:    53.8 in
Max. Cargo Height:    55 in
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Offline bkharman

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #5 on: March 26, 2016, 07:35 PM »
I am not a tradesman but the Benz is nice. Saw one the other day when I took my E in for service. It is very spacious.

Well worth checking out.

Let us know how you get along!

Cheers. Bryan.
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Offline Indywoodworker

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #6 on: October 16, 2017, 05:46 PM »
When I attended the recent Festool Connect 2017 event in Lebanon IN, I saw a Mercedes van that was setup for Festool products.  Does anyone know if this small van will be available in the US or is it a test market vehicle?  I would certainly be interested in this vehicle.
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Offline Peter Halle

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #7 on: October 16, 2017, 08:33 PM »
That van was the new Mercedes van - the Metris.  The van itself is available now.  The ranking system isn't available yet here in the US.

Peter
« Last Edit: October 16, 2017, 08:38 PM by Peter Halle »
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Offline Sanderxpander

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #8 on: October 17, 2017, 03:31 AM »
In my 2008 unextended T5 the cargo area is 220cm long (thought the hatch has a slight curve). I can't fit a sheet of 244cm in there straight against the side. I'm a musician by the way, not a contractor, so this was never a consideration until I went to remodel my house. Anyway, the car is about a meter wide too so I CAN fit plywood from corner to corner. I mostly used half sheets of 244 by 61 because they were easier to handle inside and could handle about 11 at a time. If I'd used full size probably a bit less because of the curved van walls. It's not ideal but it works fine if it's only necessary occasionally.
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Offline Thebesciak

  • Posts: 85
Re: Small vans
« Reply #9 on: October 17, 2017, 07:25 AM »
I have MB Metris,
I made shelfes for the systeiners with thhe tray for the F tracks.
Great car, it fit full sheet of plywood on the floor, or standable anywhere if there is no cargo partition. Plywood fits easy standable with original cargo partition on the angle...
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Offline Thebesciak

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #10 on: October 17, 2017, 07:25 AM »
If anyone have a picture of the Metris Festool?
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Offline Peter Halle

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #11 on: October 17, 2017, 08:07 AM »
The company (Bott LTD.) that manufacturers the system was at the Festool Connect doing some market research.

You can see an image of the rear of the system in the slideshow here:  http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/photos/festool-connect-2017

Peter
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Offline cubevandude

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #12 on: June 10, 2018, 05:15 PM »
Quote from: chris s on March 26, 2016, 07:45 AM
I am considering getting a small van ford or dodge. Can some one  tell me if a full sheet of plywood will fit standing on edge? The dealers don't seem to know. Thus it would be nice to hear that someone has actually done it.  Thanks in advance
The Dodge Grand Caravan with the stow and go seats will fit a 4x8 sheet of plywood.  At least 2002 to 2007 will.  That was one of their selling features.
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Offline tbrian

  • Posts: 1
Re: Small vans
« Reply #13 on: June 27, 2018, 08:08 AM »
Quote from: Peter Halle on October 17, 2017, 08:07 AM
The company (Bott LTD.) that manufacturers the system was at the Festool Connect doing some market research.

You can see an image of the rear of the system in the slideshow here:  http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/photos/festool-connect-2017

Peter

Hi Peter, that looks fancy. But is the Bott system available in the US? I have never seen it before.
I'm currently using Sortimo for my van (the Bosch Boxes fit in their shelving)
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Offline yetihunter

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #14 on: June 27, 2018, 03:22 PM »
Drove a Ford Transit (whatever the little one is) for a couple of years for work.   This was for retail (product, fixtures and materials).
I can say, with 100% confidence, it's designed not to fit anything.   Building materials?  They fit in in my sedan, not in that Ford Transit.   

The Metris looks perfect.
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Offline Sparktrician

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #15 on: June 27, 2018, 04:55 PM »
Quote from: tbrian on June 27, 2018, 08:08 AM
Quote from: Peter Halle on October 17, 2017, 08:07 AM
The company (Bott LTD.) that manufacturers the system was at the Festool Connect doing some market research.

You can see an image of the rear of the system in the slideshow here:  http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/photos/festool-connect-2017

Peter

Hi Peter, that looks fancy. But is the Bott system available in the US? I have never seen it before.
I'm currently using Sortimo for my van (the Bosch Boxes fit in their shelving)

I gave a careful look at the Bolt system at the last Connect.  They are very well made, but what struck me most is the waste of space in that system.  When I spoke with the rep there about my perception, he was very receptive, but it appeared that they're system designers without real-world experience.  I had suggested that they re-size their system to eliminate wasted space as it is (well, at that time) to make more useful space available for the small stuff that we all seem to need to take on jobs, or have handy, just in case.  The point I made was that by moving the partitions closer together to be little more space-efficient, leaving a larger space that is useful left over.  Alternatively, space the partitions at just a bit over twice the width of a Systainer for a double stack.  I have no idea whether this input was or ever will be implemented, but it was worth a try. 
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Offline Peter Halle

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #16 on: June 27, 2018, 07:07 PM »
I have come to the conclusion that commercial van outfitters do what most companies do - they listen to input, they actually try to integrate that input and then they go back to what their experts decided before as being the "best" solution.  One size fits all.

For carpenters using Festools and wanting to have the perfect solution for them - build your own.  But build it modular and adjustable.  It will take usually more than one version to make happiness exist behind the driver's seat.

Peter
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Offline Holzhacker

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Re: Small vans
« Reply #17 on: June 27, 2018, 09:11 PM »
A Plumber buddy bought a brand new MB Metris, must be going on two years now. He loves it and it does fit a sheet of plywood. 4x8 sheet fit was one of his criteria. I don't remember the numbers but he got a great deal with all the incentives they were giving to push these out the door. if I were going to get another van, I'd go for the Metris. I really like the cargo space of the fat Nissan but man is that thing ugly.
Another guy I know has the Ford transit. If you are a service tech who needs to park easy its great. For a contractor or wood worker concerned about lumber or sheets, forget it.
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