UPS switching fleet to RAM trucks??? That's the rumor I just heard

[Wayne M.]

Wayne, part of me suspects $$$$ at purchase over actual support . Rarely does a large entity actually think much beyond the initial contract.

JR, part of the contract bid prospectus is the ability of the vendor or rep to handle and support us in warranty and parts supply, for an example, parts supply 24/7 during a major storm or disaster. So far Ford has proven itself. It’s a real issue with some Chinese equipment bidders, so they get knocked out.

 

[JR]

Well, Kudos to NYC to doing it right!

 

[Wayne M.]

Well, Kudos to NYC to doing it right!

We’re public safety and health, hence the caduceus in the logo. People died in the blizzard of 2010 due to the tire chain FUBAR and bad mgt call to plow up and get out there.

 

[TFucili]

When we went to the Mack museum we spoke to a guy whose whole career was fleet support(not sure on the terminology). The cynical side of me knows some component of that is wining and dining the appropriate folks, but I also know that they have to take up-time, parts fill rate, and fleet technician training and support seriously, especially in today's technology driven environment.

 

[Wayne M.]

Fleet support is so important. TF, it wasn’t “Dan” was it?
Many lessons learned. One of them was back in the early ‘80’s when NYC was looking for a new collection truck design, there were 2 trucks narrowed down, and one was a complete truck called “Macon” (they still make truck tailgates today) and they went bankrupt and couldn’t support us. Another mess was back in the landfill days, an off road articulated dump by Wagner was a mess and we were stuck with 30 some odd trucks we couldn’t use for a long time.

EDIT. *Maxon* not Macon

 

[AH64ID]

Say what you want to about Ford. But when they have a recall, parts are available that day.

That hasn't been my brothers experience with his F-250.

 

[Bill Lins]

Going back to the original thread, around here UPS is using Sprinter vans in addition to the package cars.

 

[jgillott]

That hasn't been my brothers experience with his F-250.

It's been my experience and in a couple of cases, same day appointments in the service department. Can't ask for more than that.

 

[RVTRKN]

Promaster is just a rebadged Fiat, they don't look road worthy to me. You see the strait axle in the rear with the suspension the wires and brake lines going to the wheels and other componets. My ex company bought the Ford Diesel Transit, and even though its a Ford, the quality is much higher than the cheap Promaster/Fiat. That same company bought me a 2014 2500 CTD service truck, that ended up in a Lemon Law suit. They won that suit and got all of their money back, even the service bed purchase (see picture). While the Transit is still running today without any warranty or serious repairs.

 

[Wayne M.]

Ozy, who really knows these European vans coming over here, says the Fiat Ducatto aka the promaster is the most durable van in all Europe.

 

[JR]

There is an industrial HVAC company that comes in to our plant and services all the units on the complex. Chuck, the owner replaced his entire fleet with the pro masters. He's been in the business 30 years so has had a good number of vans and says the Promaster is the best van yet. He has nothing but positive feedback on them. A few of the vans run between Cleveland, OH and Erie PA on a regular basis and have alot of miles. No issues aside from routine maintenance.

 

[DonFitzwater]

View attachment 112271 Promaster is just a rebadged Fiat, they don't look road worthy to me. You see the strait axle in the rear with the suspension the wires and brake lines going to the wheels and other componets. My ex company bought the Ford Diesel Transit, and even though its a Ford, the quality is much higher than the cheap Promaster/Fiat. That same company bought me a 2014 2500 CTD service truck, that ended up in a Lemon Law suit. They won that suit and got all of their money back, even the service bed purchase (see picture). While the Transit is still running today without any warranty or serious repairs.

I vaguely remember that.....what was wrong with that truck?

 

[RVTRKN]

The rear diff scrambled at 14K miles, we lost the truck for two weeks. Instead of ordering an assembly, they elected to rebuild with a new axle tube housing and all new parts. Then an electrical gremlin took hold of the charging system, after frying three alternators and loss of the vehicle, and to add insult I gave a two week notice, it was never resolved and Ram had to pay all related costs in the purchase.