Suggestions for 1 Ton Grip and Lighting Van

[Tyler Bourns]

I am looking at purchasing a 1 Ton Cargo Van or Sprinter to use for my production gear. I currently have a Toyota Tundra Crewmax, and it just isn't efficient organization wise nor is it quite enough room for everything. I have equivalent to a 1 Ton Lighting and Grip Package and want something that is reliable, not a huge pain to drive around and has ample space to put up shelves for milkcrates, Kino Coffin, stands, flags and nets, sandbags, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions, advice or words of warning in relation to this purchase. I'm looking in the 8k to 12k range price wise.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Justin McAleece]

It's hard to find a newish Sprinter van for that type of price. I got my Chevy cargo van at an auction. It's a former Comcast van and is in good shape and was at a good price. If you know anyone that can go to auction then that is a great way to find a van with no windows that is secure and possibly already has a roof rack and interior racks.

 

[Matt Gottshalk]

I bought a Nissan NV1500 That has been working great for me.

 

[paul schefz]

sprinter is the way to go....but good luck finding one in that range...mbz offers some great financing several times a year....running and maintenance and mpg is great so your costs are lower and resale is much better then anything else....

 

[Eric M Hurt]

The solution that's worked for us is to have a tow behind trailer.
They're inexpensive and you can unhook it at the site and continue to use the tow vehicle for other purposes.
Also if your tow vehicle goes down you can just use another one. Trailers are easy and cheap to maintain and give you a ton of space for the buck.
You can pull a very large trailer with that Tundra you already own.
As far as it being a pain to drive around goes....well I've towed the trailer all over the country for work and it's been pretty darn simple and easy.

 

[Keith B Plummer]

I too have a tow behind trailer. I bought a 6 x 10 and customized the inside after debating whether to buy a Sprinter. I see advantages in both but I liked the aspect of leaving it on set and the security it provides. The 6 x 10 is easy to tow behind my Ford Flex. It is just handy to have. Once you get use to towing you're set to go anywhere.

 

[David W. Jones]

If it were me, and it was a few years back, I would keep my eye open for a used Sprinter van. I found one used which was traded in on a new model Sprinter and I couldn't be happier. Expense wise, expect to replace the water pump, the turbo resonator, maybe the transmission. That is over the course of a lifetime. My 2005 Sprinter is nearly at 400,000K miles now and is as strong as ever.

 

[Jon Carr]

+1 on the Chevy Express. I have a 2500HD extended, perfect for 1 ton G&E, and I can fit my camera in it also. I was gonna get a sprinter but, its harder to park in NYC, and I'm a GM guy also