Living and hauling in a converted van

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by JennaJay, Jun 29, 2022.

  1. JennaJay

    JennaJay Bobtail Member

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    Jun 29, 2022
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    My rent is too high and buying a home nowadays wouldn’t be practical. I’m thinking of living in a converted van such as a Mercedes Sprinter and using to haul to make money. Have you heard of anyone doing this? If not, how would you begin? I would like to make at least $2K a week, but I’m worried would it be enough for the wear and tear on the vehicle? I have looked into hotshotting but I would prefer a van.
     
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  3. Boondock

    Boondock Road Train Member

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    You need to look up expediting.
     
  4. DRTDEVL

    DRTDEVL Road Train Member

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    Not gonna work. You need to get the 170 EXT model in order to have room for a tiny bed and 3-pallet capacity. This isn't a full conversion, just enough room to sleep behind the driver's seat. A converted van will already be pushing the weight capacity of the 2500 after adding up cabinetry, holding tanks, heating/cooling systems, insulation, etc., and the 3500 isn't good for this work as it gets worse fuel economy and the dual tires are tucked underneath the van, thereby taking up the necessary width to slide a pallet between the wheel wells.

    You have to pick: Use the van for work, or use it for play. It won't do both at the same time very well.

    How about moving to where the rent isn't so high?
     
  5. Boondock

    Boondock Road Train Member

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    The best van for expediting is the Ford Transit high roof extended wheelbase models. There are youtube channels and websites specifically about expediting you'll be able to learn more about it through them.
     
  6. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    A few drivers do that in a van. The bunk folds up against the wall of the van in case that space is needed for freight sometimes.
    ~
    Can use a mail service to have mail/packages either held for you or forwarded to you.
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  7. DRTDEVL

    DRTDEVL Road Train Member

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    When I was expediting freight, a couple of guys had Transits. They were full of electrical problems. Meanwhile, my Sprinter was running circles around them with 4 times the miles on the odometer (and getting 10 mpg better economy, too).
     
  8. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    A semi-truck can haul a lot more, is more versatile and already has a dedicated sleeping/living area. Trying to do this in a sprinter van will severely limit the freight and the pay you can earn. Learn to back a trailer and you have MANY more options.
     
  9. Boondock

    Boondock Road Train Member

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    You have a right to your opinion even if it is wrong...lol
     
  10. DRTDEVL

    DRTDEVL Road Train Member

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    Show me a Transit that gets 30 mpg like my 2004 Sprinter did... on the original everything (except the alternator that died at 309,000 miles and the cooling system that got replaced preemptively every 150,000 miles).
     
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