1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Service / Cargo van ??

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Rex Kramer, Jan 11, 2020.

  1. Jan 11, 2020 at 3:26 PM
    #1
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2017
    Member:
    #7181
    Messages:
    6,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2002 4.7L RCLB 4X4 2007 5.7L RCSB 4X2
    As I age I find climbing in & out of the back of my 2002 long bed Tundra when running service calls is becoming tough on my knees, so I am researching the possibility of transitioning into a small economical service / cargo van.

    Do any of my fellow Tundra drivers have experience with the the Nissan NV200 Cargo van? The NV200 appears to meet my specific needs without being too large, and the prices for new & used are quite good. As far as I know, Toyota does not offer anything like it.

    2020-nv200-compact-cargo-van-20tdipace101.jpg.ximg.l_full_h.smart.jpg

    I plan to test drive one at my local dealer this Monday.


    I will also look at Ram ProMaster City and Mercedes-Benz Metris
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2020
  2. Jan 12, 2020 at 8:50 AM
    #2
    tech1208

    tech1208 Old Salt, New truck

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2019
    Member:
    #39920
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2023 Tundra Platinum 4X4 Blueprint Blue
    Rex,

    I have two at my store for Pool Repair. I swear by the NV200s. No matter how you drive them, you get 21MPG. City, HWY, doesn't matter. We fit large Heat Pumps in this mini van without the pallet. We have shelving down the whole left side, and none on the driver's side. the van has a ton of room. Don't let the empty ones deceive you. If you need to carry a lot of stock of large things, you may feel challenged. My guys carry numerous bins of PVC parts, and repair parts and o-rings. They load each day the equipment needed for each job on the route and any extra they might encounter at the customer homes based on photos we have of all of their equipment.

    One store I know of has a Metris, and while they enjoy driving it and the size, they hate repairing it. And it goes in quite often, and MB looks at them like why are you here, can't you see we have luxury cars to service?

    Both of mine are 2017s and bought new. I have two eight inch PVC pipes on the roof ladder rack for pipe storage of 10 feet lengths of multi size. The only repairs have been a radio had some button feature loss and was replaced, and the rear door gasket started to fall off, and they replaced as well. All under warranty (5yr/100K bumper to bumper).

    Tires have been replaced at 24K miles, and I spec'd newer designed Michelin's to replace the original Continentals. Plus these have a mileage guarantee, the Conti's didn't.
     
    Rex Kramer[OP] likes this.
  3. Jan 12, 2020 at 8:55 AM
    #3
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2017
    Member:
    #7181
    Messages:
    6,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2002 4.7L RCLB 4X4 2007 5.7L RCSB 4X2
    I will give them another look, because I don't want to own a service whore.

    Thank you.
     
  4. Jan 12, 2020 at 9:17 AM
    #4
    SprinterAE86

    SprinterAE86 New Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2018
    Member:
    #15447
    Messages:
    1,065
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ian
    Charlottetown, PE, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2012 Toyota Sequoia Platinum
    Bilstein 5100 2.3/1.5, TRD sway bars ft/rr, Cooper Tires Discoverer AT3 XLT 295.70.18, Vision Manx 2 18x9 +12, APS side armor steps, TRD-Pro Grill and Bulge, de-chromed, blackout emblems, OEM mirror caps and flares, TRD shift knob, Leather wrapped steering wheel, All weather mats
    I believe metrics is rear wheel drive and have a decent tow capacity.
     
    Rex Kramer[OP] likes this.
  5. Jan 12, 2020 at 9:41 AM
    #5
    duece292

    duece292 Appalachian American

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2017
    Member:
    #6776
    Messages:
    1,884
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Greg
    Green Bay, WI
    Vehicle:
    2013 Tundra SR5 CM TRD 5.7 4X4
    Friends of mine who own a tinting business have one NV200, possibly two. They put on alot of miles and have been very happy with them.
    My shop does alot of contractor packages and I rarely see a Nissan. Ford Transit Connect seems to be the popular small van around here.
     
    Rex Kramer[OP] likes this.
  6. Jan 14, 2020 at 12:15 PM
    #6
    Rex Kramer

    Rex Kramer [OP] Vinyl Spinner

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2017
    Member:
    #7181
    Messages:
    6,620
    Gender:
    Male
    Georgia
    Vehicle:
    2002 4.7L RCLB 4X4 2007 5.7L RCSB 4X2
    I appreciate the replies & input...

    I have decided to keep the truck and just get myself some sort of light weight mobile step to make it easier for me to climb in and out of the back of the old Tundra, the vans are nice enough but I do not want to give up the elevated commanding view of the road seating position I get with the truck.
     
  7. Jan 14, 2020 at 12:20 PM
    #7
    BIGUGLY

    BIGUGLY I the SheepDog. I have the capacity for Violence.

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2017
    Member:
    #9982
    Messages:
    702
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Paul
    Vehicle:
    2018 Limited
    What if you installed a bed slide. Might help.
     
  8. Jan 14, 2020 at 2:29 PM
    #8
    tech1208

    tech1208 Old Salt, New truck

    Joined:
    Dec 15, 2019
    Member:
    #39920
    Messages:
    266
    Gender:
    Male
    Orlando, FL
    Vehicle:
    2023 Tundra Platinum 4X4 Blueprint Blue
    Money in hand and something you are happy and familiar with is always a better choice with me. Best of luck.
     
  9. Jan 15, 2020 at 8:15 PM
    #9
    Warbirds

    Warbirds New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2019
    Member:
    #36797
    Messages:
    12
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    Vehicle:
    ‘18 Crewmax SR5
    Yes- My wife owns a 2016 Mercedes Metris Passenger van. Absolutely reliable, rwd, 5,000lb towing capacity. Can pull the seats out and put my Ducati in the van quicker than loading/unloading the truck.
    It is not longer than other minivans by much, but it is wider and just has a much more useable interior. Not MB luxury trim either- these are meant as workhorses. She just rolled 65,000 miles zero issues.

    to address the service comments above. That is simply not accurate. Service A is an oil change -synthetic every 15,000 miles, service B is oil and air/cabin filters etc also a 15,000 mile interval. The 1st transmission service is with the first service B, then mot again until 75,000 miles for the trans.
    We are still on the original batteries (has 2), brake pads, and rotors.
    I have replaced both low beam headlights.
    Also- the Metris is incredibly easy to do your own maintenance.
    Mine has a 7 year 105,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty which we did pay for and so far haven’t needed.
    Also- I always have ppl who don’t own MB Vans that the dealer will treat you poorly but again, I have never had that first hand experience.

    8C88FE03-AB89-4C1F-82AB-24FD8E1F75AA.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 15, 2020

Products Discussed in

To Top