The company I work for must still like me.

anton

I got a new 2014 Dodge Promaster diesel puller van today.It is pretty sweet, lots of bells and whistles. I can give my 06 Chevy van to one of our plumbers.
My company is pretty good to me, got a van that comes with a gas card, road rescue card, oil changers card, and a fleet service garage next to our shop.
All I have to do is build and fix stuff in return, seems fair.
>-

johnkitchens

Way to go Anton! 

SGH

It sure looks better than what I'm riding on. I'm stuck on a 500 foot topside heavy haul barge.

stemc33

@anton‌, if they really liked you, they would of hooked you up with some rims

NPHuskerFL

Nice!!! I like the ones that have the ladder rack for extension ladders and interior holds a 6' A frame atop for easy access to tools and stock. What trade are you in. I saw you said plumbers but, I know some companies have multiple tradesman. For what I do a 2500-3500 is a bare minimum must have. Enjoy the new ride

anton

@NPHuskerFL, I am a Jack of all, master of two. I am J-man drywall finisher,and J-man carpenter both with certification and union apprenticeships,also have the skills of J level painter, J level plumber, J level electrician,T bar,flooring,storefront doors, fair at concrete but I hate it,you name it I do it, just no HVAC. I'll leave that to you pro's. Right now one of my projects is installing access hatches for HVAC techs so they can get to some poorly placed units in a Starbucks ceiling. I also am a specialist at banks,I work on their locks, vaults,some data tech stuff, and gen services.

I am going to keep everything internal, I can't have ladder racks , I have to rely on parking garages a lot, new Dodge is seven feet four inches tall, gonna be tough in San Francisco parking garages.

@SGH, yeah but yours looks like more fun!

@stem33, I'm working on that or some neon underlighting.

anton

I hope that didn't come across all boastful,was not meant to be, but that isn't all, I am the company estimator, and project manager as well as a service tech when necessary. Many hats pays good, never out of work, I have only worked for two companies in the last 20 years. We are a company of 22 men here in my town, and we have two other divisions in Ca.

Jeepster47

It did not come across as boastful, more prideful.  Good employees are well worth the extra benefits ... obviously, your company agrees.  Good on you!

NPHuskerFL

Not at all! I've been in my trade for...many years. Perks of the business is a company vehicle. Bigger perk is "earning" the newest one in the fleet. If folks are jelly it should inspire them to be the lead tech. That's how it works in my experience. Good on ya brotha.

anton

@johnkitchens, @Jeepster47, thank you also gents. @NPHuskerFL, agreed sir, feels real good to get to top dog, I have seen and read your work posts, you are top notch, I can tell by how many different aspects of the trade I have seen and read you posting about. I have been involved with convenience store buildouts, walk-ins,slurpee machines etc, ad nauseum, you do the hardest and most involved stuff it seems, everything from glycol, to ice cream dispensers, coolers, and the like. That's what allows us to blow all kinda dough on these BGE's and meat, and eggsessories, and  cookware, booze, you know, the important things.
:-bd

NPHuskerFL

I enjoy my occupation. And I strive to be the best and do the best I am capable of. That said years of experience helps and teaching green techs is also part of the gig. But, I continue to grow both personally in marriage, friendships etc and professionally. I figure when I stop doing that it's time for the long dirt nap and I'm not ready for that

NPHuskerFL

And another thing just because a guys ride is the oldest in the fleet doesn't mean he's necessary a bad tech or worker. There are a lot of other underlying factors involved when taking about a $35K-$60K vehicle (iincluding bells & whistles). And one should always take pride in their vehicle whether it be the newest in the fleet or the hoopty.

anton

Yep, agreed, too many don't these days. I am still working toward an ultimate goal in life, which is buying another few properties to use as rental income property. I need a retirement boost, and I have a business partner I am doing it with, we buy our first property under our LLC in the next three years. I aspire to be a California slumlord some day!! J/K ( I will be the greatest landlord ever).
)

anton

@NPHuskerFL, we have the "treat it like it's yours, not like it's stolen " motto, keep em clean, oil changed every 3000 mi, and all the scheduled tune-ups and tires you need. Car wash is our duty.

nolaegghead

Nice van!  I've been looking at those Transit Connects.  I need a truck, but not professionally - just for house projects, moving motorcycles, towing trailers, collecting firewood.  I'll probably buy a junker.

Do you really change your oil every 3000 miles?  Is that what the manufacturer recommends?

NPHuskerFL

@nolaegghead‌ Probably conventional oil. Not blend or synthetic. Unless that's just fleet managements policy.

anton

@nolaegghead, yes the old 2006 Chevy gas engine I used to have until today, I did every 3000, yes it was conventional oil.
Nola, if you want the ultimate in cargo space and height, yes those Transit Connects, and these Dodges are FWD, no driveline, so they dropped the floor, and raised the roof, it is amazing, I am 6" 4" and I only had to crouch a little in the back, my boss, stood straight up, he's like 5'11 or 6'. Tons of room.

nolaegghead

@NPHuskerFL - my point is, if you're following the manufacturers' maintenance schedule, (including the type of oil), they're typically, at the shortest, 5000 miles.  Not many schedule under 7500 miles unless you're in "extreme" conditions (super hot, pulling trailers, driving on the autobahn super fast, etc.). 

New engines are built with very precise tolerances and oil, even non-synthetic, is good enough, if you buy the right grades, where you aren't going to lose an engine to lubrication change issues (if you follow the guidelines) under 250,000 miles.

Oil change shops recommend 3000 miles.  Why?  Because they make more money.   Many cars out there are on 15,000 mile schedules, or even more, or once a year.  Usually the engine control computer tells you when to change it.

anton

I might fall into semi extreme conditions, I do speed, and pull trailers, and haul hella heavy loads of materials, all while blasting  the A/C, and the average temp here in summer is mid 80's.   I am sure it's overkill, but yes fleet mgmt recommends we do as such. I still have to read up on the maintenance policy on this new Dodge though. :-B  

nolaegghead

@anton - Follow company policy.  I'm just saying, the company should follow the manufacturer's policy.  If the company has a more stringent than recommended manufacturer's schedule, that's not going to hurt anything, it's just money and time out of your pocket that you could save.