Dennis Miskow, Branch Manager of Cullen Diesel鈥檚 Vancouver Island operations, started his career with Cullen as an apprentice heavy-duty mechanic. Over 20 years later, Dennis sat down with 彩票平台大全 to discuss Cullen鈥檚 fleet and his decision to add a commercial van to it.
Dennis manages a fleet of seven service vehicles, and when it was time to replace an aging truck, Dennis went straight to his truck builder.
鈥淚 spec鈥檇 out a truck with a crane and was ready to place the order. It was going to cost about $150k, so I decided to compare it to the cost of a commercial van. The van ended up being half the price.鈥�
Because of the significant savings, Dennis decided to explore commercial van options.
鈥淲e chose the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter over the other vans because the Sprinter comes in a 4x4 option, which is necessary when we鈥檙e travelling to jobs in remote locations,鈥� says Dennis.
Though the initial draw to the service van was cost, Dennis was aware of other benefits that come with having a van instead of a truck.
The Cullen Diesel Branch Manager also appreciates the extra level of protection from theft and the elements the enclosed space of the van offers:
鈥淭ools and equipment are kept safe inside the van from theft, but also from rain, sleet, ice, and snow. My team also appreciates the enclosed area to store and organize their tools instead of standing around the outside of the truck in all types of weather.鈥�
In addition to the cost, size, maneuverability, and enclosed protection from theft and the weather, the van acts as a moving billboard for Cullen, as there鈥檚 much more advertising space on the van鈥檚 body.
Having never had a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter or any type of service van in his fleet before, Dennis did have some concerns about how it would hold up in challenging applications. Cullen Diesel services a lot of equipment found in remote areas, often requiring their vehicles to travel in mountainous areas up logging roads.
鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure how the van would be able to make it up the logging roads, even though the Sprinter is a 4x4. But on its first service, it drove easily up to the job site, right behind the trucks. Even our logging customers were impressed!鈥� shares Dennis.
Another concern was how long the Sprinter van would hold up in these challenging, dirty, and demanding applications.
鈥淵ou see a lot of vans used as delivery vehicles, driving on the roads, but we weren鈥檛 sure how it would hold up after continuously being tested on trails and logging roads,鈥� says Dennis. But fast forward to years later, and Dennis confirms he no longer has any worries: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been three years, and we haven鈥檛 had any problems with the van.鈥�
A typical service job sees mechanics travelling up to logging camps, down to docks for marine repairs, and off to other remote locations. This is where the Mercedes-Benz 4x4 Sprinter van really shines:
鈥淥n its first service call, it drove easily up the logging roads to the job site, right behind the trucks.鈥�
After selecting his new service vehicle, Dennis planned the upfit with Sterling Fleet Outfitters, a commercial van and truck equipment upfit company. Dennis was pleased to find this upfitter was experienced in cargo van upfits and had plenty of options specifically designed for Cullen鈥檚 Sprinter van.
When it came time to choose the air compressor, Dennis reflected on Cullen Diesel鈥檚 current gas drive air compressor.
Unfortunately, these problems are common for many mobile mechanics. But they don鈥檛 have to be...
With the surge in popularity of commercial vans comes an increase in specialized equipment, like the UNDERHOOD庐 40 Van Series Air Compressor鈥攖he only air compressor specifically engineered for commercial vans.
The UNDERHOOD40 placement within the engine compartment saves space in the cargo area. It also solves common safety issues, like toxic fume exposure and the risk of gas fires, faced by many operators with standalone gas air compressors installed in the cargo area.
With the UNDERHOOD40, the only space required in the cargo area is 1.7 cubic feet for a combined air/oil cooler and air/oil separator tank.
鈥淢y mechanic specifically asked for an UNDERHOOD air compressor for the van,鈥� said Dennis. 鈥淏ecause we鈥檇 been experiencing problems with our older gas drive air compressor, I was happy to get him what he was asking for.鈥�
Dennis worked with Darren Darnley, his 彩票平台大全 National Sales Representative, to get the Cullen Diesel Mercedes-Benz 4x4 Sprinter van upfitted with the UNDERHOOD40 Van Series.
"Darren was great to work with. He was the point person, and he gave the same high level of service we would give to our customers," notes Dennis.
Like with any investment in new equipment, Dennis did have some concerns, mainly about cost.
鈥淭he Van Series Air Compressor is more expensive than a gas drive air compressor, and I also wondered if the UNDERHOOD was too much power for our applications, as it鈥檚 rated for up to 40 CFM.鈥�
However, once the UNDERHOOD was installed on the van and his mechanics were using it, he had no more doubts.
After having the UNDERHOOD40 Van Series Air Compressor for over three years, it鈥檚 easy for Dennis to list his top three benefits:
鈥淚nvesting in the right tools for the job is part of the professionalism that Cullen Diesel is known for,鈥� notes Dennis. 鈥淭he Sprinter van provides a modern look for our service vehicle and having an UNDERHOOD Air Compressor tucked away is part of that clean, professional look we鈥檙e striving for.鈥�
Investing in the best quality air compressor is also important for his mechanics鈥� day-to-day work. Dennis explains:
鈥淗aving an UNDERHOOD air compressor allows my team to work more efficiently, but it also improves morale. My technicians appreciate having high-quality equipment that always works, instead of struggling with a frustrating piece of equipment that doesn鈥檛 perform.鈥�
And it鈥檚 not just the improved look and morale that has Dennis praising 彩票平台大全's air compressor.
鈥淭he UNDERHOOD Van Series is cleaner, quieter, and quicker than our previous gas powered standalone air compressor,鈥� says Dennis. 鈥淥peration of the compressor is convenient and easy-to-use. You just push a button and it鈥檚 working and producing full air power.鈥�
It鈥檚 now been several years since Cullen Diesel first got their 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van equipped with the UNDERHOOD Van Series Compressor, and so far, 鈥渋t鈥檚 done exactly what we want it to do,鈥� confirms Dennis. 鈥淭he air power is there and there鈥檚 been no issues and no downtime. It鈥檚 been exactly as advertised.鈥�
And when asked for his advice to anyone who is thinking of upgrading to a UNDERHOOD Air Compressor, Dennis鈥� answer is confident and succinct: 鈥淒o it!鈥�
鈥淚 want to get another van, and when we do, it absolutely will have another UNDERHOOD40 Air Compressor on it,鈥� says Dennis.