booster
Minnesota
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Certainly not trying to stir up the old Sprinter vs other brands controversy for Class B's, but I saw a very interesting thing on the way to work today.
What I saw was Chevy dually cutaway, I think a 3500, with a fiberglass box on the back that looked almost like a slightly "bulged" Sprinter. It was fairly short in length, tall, and at first glance from the rear, I thought it was a dually Sprinter. Maybe slightly larger box than a Spinter, and definitely smaller than the dually box trucks they use when the need more room than a Sprinter. Didn't notice if it was a diesel or not.
Is Fedex moving away from Sprinters? If so, that would put a big hurt on the usage in this country.
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n7bsn
Yes
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Probably a route or load that required more room. I've seen every size Fedex delivery vehicle in my neighborhood from a van to an extended box truck
2008 F350SD V10 with an 2012 Arctic Fox 29-5E
When someone tells you to buy the same rig they own, listen, they might be right. When they tell you to buy a different rig then they own, really pay attention, they probably know something you don't.
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booster
Minnesota
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n7bsn wrote:Probably a route or load that required more room. I've seen every size Fedex delivery vehicle in my neighborhood from a van to an extended box truck
As have I, but I have not seen a Sprinter size van that was not a Sprinter in a long, long time.
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McK
Arkansas
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Maybe you saw one of FedEx's new energy efficient trucks:
FedEx Adds More Than 4,000 New, Fuel Efficient Vehicles
or one of these:
Maxx Automotive
Robert
2006 Sportsmobile Sprinter
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booster
Minnesota
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Definitely not the electrics, but it did look a lot like the Ultramax in the link, and they mention Fedex and it being a replacement for Sprinters.
Upfitted by Turtletop on Ford or GM. Very remindful of the Roatrek 200, but with dual wheels. It sure looks like that it would be an interesting starting point for do it yourself version.
* This post was
edited 02/09/12 11:53am by booster *
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McK
Arkansas
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And since what you probably saw was a cab chassis, we must demand that you move this thread to the Class C forum. 
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Eyegor
NY
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Another possibility: it may have also have been a expediter running for FedEx' Custom Critical division. The Aerocell body is fairly popular among that crowd.
87 Mallard Sprinter 24' Class C Ford E350 w/460 gas "The Runny Duck"
Shiny side up, Rubber side down.
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diepenj
Bowling Green, OH
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Last week, I drove through Nappanee, IN and saw hundreds of FedEx trucks at the manufacturer. I didn't know they were built there but its only a few miles south of Elkhart so i wasn't surprised. I really didn't pay much attention but nothing jumped at me so I think they were all Sprinters. It's likely the new models are built in a different location but I'll have to drive by the next time I'm in the area and take a closer look.
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RSchleder
iowa city, ia
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When we were shopping for a Sprinter RV, I asked our FEDEX driver what he thought of his sprinter van. He kinda cocked his head and smiled. I said, really tell me what you think as I'm looking for an RV built on/in a Sprinter. His reply was " the Sprinters really ride and drive great. The only issue we drivers have with it is the door configuration is not as convenient as some of the other vans we use". He went on to say that as an RV, he thought it would make a great van.
So if FEDEX is indeed moving away from the Sprinter, it could very well be for the reason of wanting to increase the delivery efficiency with a van that has a door configuration that is more user friendly for their drivers.
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McK
Arkansas
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Ref door configuration, I wish that the option of replacing the sliding door with a hinged door half the size had been available. Because of the lower cabinet layout, the rear half of the sliding doorway is blocked. The sliding door is a bit of a pain if you are opening it frequently or are parked on a uphill slope.
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