[pianotech] Vehicle Recommendations

[John Ross]

I have been driving Dodge Mini-Vans since they came out, and have been  
well satisfied.
I had spare parts cabinets and stuff built in.
I travelled sometimes over 2 hours one way, so wanted to make sure i  
had everything.
I recently changed to a 2010 Dodge Journey.
Is seems to be quite versatile, seats fold down, side doors open full.
i am still trying to figure out minor modifications to make. i.e.  
shelves etc.
I seldom used most of the stuff I used to carry, so since i don't  
travel as far afield, I carry less.
I reschedule if I don't have what is needed.
Mileage seems quite good 27mpg (yours) on the highway. I expect it to  
get better, when it gets broken in.
John Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia

On 22-Apr-10, at 5:32 PM, Paul McCloud wrote:

> I'm not moving pianos.  The store is just musing about using it for  
> that.
> We have a (too) big van for moves.  It would be used only very  
> occasionally
> for digital delivery when I'm not out tuning.  When we had lots of  
> sales, it
> didn't matter because they were out and about delivering pianos  
> anyway, so
> delivery of a small digital was part of the route.  They just  
> thought it
> would be better to own the vehicle than pay me to use mine using IRS
> reimbursement rates, and burning up the big van for something that  
> would fit
> in the back seat of most small SUV's.
> I am forwarding all your responses to the boss, Ric Overton.  Am
> appreciating all the comments, thanks.
> 	Paul McCloud
> 	San DIego
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org]  
> On Behalf
> Of David Ilvedson
> Sent: Thursday, April 22, 2010 12:55 PM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Vehicle Recommendations
>
> Leave the piano moving to a piano mover unless part of your job is   
> piano
> moving.   In that case get a panel truck...
>
> David Ilvedson, RPT
> Pacifica, CA  94044
>
> ----- Original message ----------------------------------------
> From: tnrwim at aol.com
> To: pmc033 at earthlink.net; pianotech at ptg.org
> Received: 4/22/2010 12:17:59 PM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] Vehicle Recommendations
>
>
>
>> Paul
>
>> There is a huge difference between looking for a vehicle that can  
>> carry an
> action, or
>> oven a small portable keyboard, and one that can carry a small spinet
> piano. The
>> actions and keyboards are relatively light weight, and so most cars  
>> that
> have the
>> room in the trunk, or back area, like a SUV, HRR, or minivan, would  
>> work.
> But when
>> it comes to moving pianos, even small spinets, I would tell the  
>> company to
> use the
>> moving crew, with the appropriate truck.
>
>
>> Wim
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: pmc033 at earthlink.net <pmc033 at earthlink.net>
>> To: Pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
>> Sent: Thu, Apr 22, 2010 4:33 am
>> Subject: [pianotech] Vehicle Recommendations
>
>
>
>> List::
>>   The store where I work is offering to purchase a new vehicle for  
>> me to
> use, which
>> will also be used to transport keyboards and perhaps some small
> uprights(?).   One
>> of the sales staff has a Prius, which appears to have enough room  
>> to carry
> an
>> action, and they have used it to deliver digital pianos  
>> successfully.  So
> that is one
>> choice, though I doubt a small upright will fit.   I'm also looking  
>> at some
> of the smaller
>> SUV's like the Ford Escape, and some of the minivans, as well as  
>> the Chevy
> HHR
>> (thanks, Wim!).  I want to be sure I'm getting a reliable vehicle,  
>> so if
> you know what
>> to avoid, or have had a bad experience, you could post it here.   
>> I'm a bit
> wary of
>> the domestic brands because of reliability concerns, but I'm not  
>> opposed
> either.  It
>> will have to be a late model as the budget limit is around $15k, so  
>> a new
> vehicle is
>> probably too much right now.  It's going to be mostly freeway  
>> driving, s o
> it has to
>> have enough power to get around.  MPG's should be reasonable.
>>   Any suggestions are welcome.  Thanks in advance.
>>
>>   Paul McCloud, RPT
>>   San Diego
>>   PianoSD.com Service Technician
>>
>>
>> pmc033 at earthlink.net
>> EarthLink Revolves Around You.
>>
>
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