RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 3/6/2006 12:49:07 AM
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Action
Posts: 109
Joined: 2/22/2006
Status: offline
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Roy,
You give new meaning to the word, "prepared."
I'd like to see the look on the insured's face (and their neighbor's) when you pull up.
Cha Cha
_____________________________
Charlie "Action" Jackson
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 3/20/2006 11:28:20 PM
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REWARDADJUSTING
Posts: 91
Joined: 12/1/2004
Status: offline
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VW JETTA WAGON TDI. The turbo diesel VW wagon gets 48mpg + I average 650 miles out of a 14 gallon tank. I put 30,000 miles on the vehicle in 5 months running around the gulf and south florida. The rear seats flip down flat, plenty of rear room for cargo and a fold up 16 foot ladder. The wagon has a roof rack, I put on a bicycle rack and use it as a ladder rack. I can strap on a 24 to 30 foot ladder and it does not extend beyond the bumpers. With the way fuel prices are going up and the run on the gas stations every time an evacuation order is called diesel is the only way to go. No waiting in long lines for gas, diesel pumps rarely have a line and when the gas pumps run dry there is still diesel. When the power goes out for weeks at a time I have a 5,000 watt power inverter hooked up to the battery, I can leave the diesel running for days to power up my office. I could not imagine putting 500+ miles per day on a large truck or suv that drinks fuel at a rate of 10 miles per gallon, way to much overhead cost for all that fuel waste.
If you are looking for a reliable, economical vehicle for cat work the Jetta or Passat TDI is your best vehicle.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 3/21/2006 1:25:03 PM
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dcmarlin
Posts: 145
Joined: 2/10/2006
Home base: Morrison, CO
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I'm not sure it if was the best decision, but one time I flew into the Cat site and rented a car (bought a 17' fold up ladder at Costco for $100). Another time I rented a vehicle from my hometown and drove to the Cat site. Although I was able to negotiate good rental rates, it wasn't cheap. The plus is now I do not have a car payment and put all those miles (depreciation) on someone else's car. And I can still have the tax deduction for the miles.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 3/22/2006 9:44:53 AM
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Action
Posts: 109
Joined: 2/22/2006
Status: offline
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dc,
The lease fee is deductible, too. But to CMA, check with your accountant.
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Charlie "Action" Jackson
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 5/30/2006 4:16:02 AM
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Gale
Posts: 736
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Murray, KY
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The first week of May we rented a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder and put 1600 miles on it in 5 days during a road trip. I think it would work for many adjusters.
My objective was to have something that was comfortable to ride in due to my hip pain (got a new hip the following week so that pain is gone) since I was going to be mainly riding the entire trip. The Pathfinder rode wonderfully. William who did 95% of the driving said it drove and rode much better than his Grand Cherokee. The 4.0 liter V-6 had more power than required to merge with 75 MPH traffic and on the road it hit 20 MPG but I would expect 18 would be what one could expect and that was in 2 wheel drive mode. I did not price one but I am guessing $30K plus which is a lot to put into a piece of metal going to zero in value over time.
Clearly renting the vehicle for a long trip that you are considering buying could help you make the best decision. Since I bought my first Nissan in 1973 and drive an 1986.5 Pick-Up you might guess I see Nissans as dependable vehicles. I had asked for a Trail Blazer because they look nice but a GM dealer needed on for a customer for some reason and since they demand a GM for a loaner for a GM customer I got the Pathfinder and was very pleased.
The one thing that blew me way was the way it stopped. It stopped faster than anything I have ever driven and on take off the traction control was awesome as well. Since I was able to get it for a week for about the same cost of 5 days and we did not get back home until Saturday morning I drove it over the weekend. Naturally the wife and kids loved it so I decided to see how it stopped in light rain. It stopped short and without any skidding due to the antilock brakes and stayed completely straight. I think is comes in that about 6000 GVW rating and it had full size towing receiver. I did look on E-Bay but those things really hold their value compared to an Explorer.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/2/2006 11:36:38 AM
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JBeasley
Posts: 1
Joined: 6/2/2006
Home base: St. Benard Parish, Louisiana
Status: offline
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2006 Honda Ridgeline. I purchased the ridgeline in December. I've been at the State Farm cat site in Luling, working the Katrina claims since Sep. 10th. I have the Ridgeline, w/ Navigation, and 14 foot fold up, and 23 foot little giant ladder. Hilti Laser, which has helped me measure all of my claims. Truck gets about 21 miles to the gallon, which isn't great, but it's a honda. Drives like a car, is 4wd, and will get you up, over, and out if needed. Changed the exhaust, and intake to help w/ mpg, and horsepower(275). I've put alot of miles on it, but it's a Honda. Great vehicle for adjusting, inbed trunk, 3 power outlets, rubber mats. The Navigation is priceless, if you don't have this, get it.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/19/2006 12:56:48 AM
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Gale
Posts: 736
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Murray, KY
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Some adjusters already drive Blazers but after just picking up a 2002 Blazer I think it would work fine for adjusting. I knew one adjuster who used the 2” receiver hitch of mount a luggage rack when traveling to a storm but pulled it afterward for the most part.
After my left hip revision I decided to never have a daily driver that I have to get UP and OUT of on a daily bases. I wanted a 2 wheel drive with leather because leather makes siding in and out much easier and the two wheel drive rides better and is less for gas and repairs. My Blazer came with 102K miles and a $20K depreciation and met my requirements of automatic transmission, power steering and windows and a height that lets me slide out of without requiring the use of a step so for $6601.00 I decided not to pass on a four year old vehicle that had 120K less miles and was 12 years newer than my current car.
As I mentioned we had rented a 2006 Pathfinder for a road trip just before my hip surgery and we liked it very well for size and vision so moving to my first SUV was not without a trial run. Now that my position takes me on the road on a regular bases I decided to get something that was OK on gas and easy to find service for when traveling. While the old BMW’s I have driven for the past 13 years have never left me on the road they are harder to find service for in certain areas and time of day. I have a Nissan Pickup that I really like because it is easy to get in and out of with only 120K miles that I have had for 20 years but it is a manual transmission with no power steering or windows. Do you know how many 25 year old guys who can’t drive a manual shift?
Now that my job is mainly staff and business development and I am out some a couple weeks each month, I try never to hit the road without taking a staff member for some department in the company. Why pay someone to ride a 1000 miles while I drive just because they can’t drive a stick shift is my new position? :)
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/25/2006 10:38:43 PM
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The Bennetts
Posts: 19
Joined: 9/4/2005
Status: offline
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Quandary..
We are thinking of changing from a motorhome to a fifth wheel but we have no truck to pull it yet. The motorhome is a class C one ton and we pull a tow dolly with a Town & Country. The T&C is a great scoping vehicle but it's awfully heavy to be towing with the tow dolly. The ties will never stay taut and we stop and check it constantly. The only alternative is to drive both vehicles to our deployment site. I don't like this because, frankly, I like my hubby very much and would as soon be in the same vehicle simultaneously. Plus, the motorhome tends to be a bit smallish.
My question concerns the truck. I want diesel and we need the crew cab (the dogs need the space to ride too) which means that we are faced with the choice of long bed and short bed. The long bed is a beast of a truck and would be hard to park in standard parking spots when not towing something. The short bed is hard to turn corners unless you have a slide hitch. What experience does anyone here have with a slide hitch?
This is getting more and more complex. What are other adjusters using to tow their RV's on deployment? The fifth wheels have loads of advantages and tow so much easier than the pull behind RV's. We wanted a used diesel truck but used ones cost near as much as new ones. Nice to know they hold their value so well. And while I'm at it, why in the world don't travel trailers come with generators like motorhomes?
If anyone has any feedback or suggestions, we would appreciate any response that might help us come to a decision.
_____________________________
It takes more than insurance to make us whole.. God bless the victims of the storm.. we're here to help.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/26/2006 12:05:17 AM
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Lonestar
Posts: 13
Joined: 3/28/2006
Status: offline
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I'm in the process of buying a Chev 3500. diesel, 4 door long bed, to pull a 36' 5th wheel I will be buying in about 2 months.
I did not want the long bed and studied all the options. For me I'm going to convert to a goose neck hitch and put a hide a ball hitch in hte bed. Pull a lever and pull the ball out and turn it over and the bottom is totally flat again. I want the bed space, and the goose neck still allows the tralier to pivot with the truck.
And the big bonus is the goose neck conversion and the hitch all costs a lot less than a 5th wheel hitch for the truck.
Go diesel or go home.
Sorry, it just sounded good.
_____________________________
David in E TX
DO OR DO NOT!!!!!! THERE IS NO TRY!!!!!!
Yoda
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/26/2006 9:12:22 AM
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givemeroofs
Posts: 301
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Houston, Texas
Status: offline
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http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/Comparos/articleId=115662
Should help with the diesel info. Looks like the Chevy was at the top of the list.
I know Ford is having some issues with the 6.0 since they changed from the 7.3 powerstroke. I know a few guys that have a Chevy 3500 Duramax and they have had many trouble-free miles.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/26/2006 9:59:07 AM
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Agility Cat
Posts: 15
Joined: 6/15/2006
Home base: Asheville, North Carolina
Status: offline
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CHRIS, This is for you. if you want to go non expensive. 5 years ago I've got a Jeep Cherokee, it has now 217 K and still have to give. I don't sear by it but it is a great vehicle Go to the US department of Forestry; they unload periodically what they called "OLD VEHICLE" !!! However since they are Gov property they are fully loaded and well maintained. GET THIS: I 've got my in Greenville South Carolina, Original Chassis and transmission from Jeep, and the head of the engine has been changed to fit hard terrain in national Park. This vehicle is a rough one, but it runs and runs (regular maintenance) The price >>> $ 2600.00
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/26/2006 10:49:49 AM
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jlombardo
Posts: 335
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: clearwater, fl
Status: offline
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givemeroofs..
I have heard that the 6.0 power strokes have had some issues with blown head gaskets when used to tow max loads at high speeds for an extended period of times......the solution appears to be to change the exhaust from the turbo back to a 4" free flow system...this lowers the temps at the manifolds by 200 degrees......this is what is floating around for info down here in Florida at the local truck shop.........I put the 4" exhaust on, did the computer and a free flow air box and I have a incredible amount of horsepower and torque.......I have a ball with the mustang gt's from a roll.....
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/26/2006 5:57:54 PM
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The Bennetts
Posts: 19
Joined: 9/4/2005
Status: offline
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Givemeroofs, thanks for that link. I checked it out and found the results quite interesting. I was considering a 2500 instead of a 3500 and I would be interested in any arguments in favor of one or the other. I did find something very interesting today while watching an RV show on cable. There was an ad for a SuperGlide hitch which claims to work automatically with no manual adjustments for short bed trucks hauling fifth wheels. Here's the link if anyone is interested:
http://www.pullrite.com/
I have not yet seen a price but it probably costs as much as the truck, LOL.
_____________________________
It takes more than insurance to make us whole.. God bless the victims of the storm.. we're here to help.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/27/2006 2:55:39 PM
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wtxj
Posts: 15
Joined: 3/29/2006
Home base: DFW, Tx
Status: offline
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I think that glide hitch is about $2500, that's the reason I don't have one. I have a short bed, ford, use just the standard old 5th wheel hitch. No problems. Just don't turn a 90 degree turn. What's going to happen if you do cut it to much, break your rear window. They are replacable. Will not kill the truck. I think you need to look at a 3/4 ton, single rear wheel truck, Ford, Dodge, or Chevy. All have there own little problems. Dualies are hard to park. Keep pin weight under 1500 hundred lbs. Make sure truck comes with E rated tires. IMHO, the important thing to look at is the trailer, buy only quaility. Remember, you may be living in that trailer for 5 months at a times. You don't want the trailer to break all the time or any of the time. Look real close at the floor plan, make sure that's what you want. Then only buy quaility. Quaility means more money, than a base model trailer. I had the factory install a small generator in my trailer, use it in the parking lots, etc. Runs on propane. Good luck in your quest.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 6/27/2006 3:55:21 PM
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ranger
Posts: 186
Joined: 11/20/2004
Home base: Bonham, Texas
Status: offline
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The truck most contractors I know have switched to is the Dodge with the Cummins Diesel. I have not purchased a Dodge yet. The largest seller of Dodge trucks in Texas is in Bonham, Texas and they are the are the 17th in internet sales (www.bonhamchrysler.com) in the USA. I am considering purchasing a Dodge Grand Caravan and I am not planning on pulling a trailer. I hope this helps someone save some money on the purchase of a Dodge truck.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 7/3/2006 5:32:28 PM
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mwhitman
Posts: 1
Joined: 4/18/2006
Status: offline
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If you don't care what it looks like, buy a SCION XB. The ugliest car on the market, however it is 15,000 brand new. I have used mine for 16 months and it has 67,391 miles on it and I have closed just over 1600 files. With that math in mind the car cost less than 9.50/file and is worth about 7,000 dollars today and that brings the cost per file to $5.00. IT IS DISPOSABLE at that point. It holds a 17' Little Giant and all computer gear.
Lots of grief from teenage children but no bills and the bankers likes me. Remember you can't climb ladders forever.
Mitch
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 7/3/2006 6:03:21 PM
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dcmarlin
Posts: 145
Joined: 2/10/2006
Home base: Morrison, CO
Status: offline
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Mitch,
I agree, the Scion is an ugly car but it is big inside. I test drove one and liked it. It is a good bang for the buck but, due to the small engine, the thought driving it a long distance to a CAT site would kill me. What was your experience?
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 7/16/2006 1:28:41 PM
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Wally
Posts: 8
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Seabrook, TX
Status: offline
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My wife and I both have the 3/4 Dodge Ram Diesel. Hers is a 2000 with about 225000 miles and mine is a 2002 with about 120000 miles. We both have extra diesel storage tanks (hers is a 78 gallon and mine is a 90 gallon.) In Katrina we only had to fill the tanks about every two weeks or so. No worries about getting to a storm site and finding fuel. They both get 20 mpg. I pull a small utility trailer with generators, equipment and supplies. Louise pulls a 26 foot regular trailer. We stripped the innards and made it into an office with a kitchen and a bed.
Works of us.
Wally Burfine
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Skype: wallyburfine
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 7/16/2006 3:46:16 PM
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lakevip
Posts: 3
Joined: 7/14/2006
Status: offline
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i bought a 2006 ford single cab,this truck has 4 doors and abought 1-1/2 ft. behind the seat for quite a bit of storage,4.2 six cyl.,gets 21 m.p.g.,the seat can fold back if i had to sleep there.I installed a perminent hook to chain and lock the ladders at night.truck drives very good @70-80mph,best thing is @$13,600 brand new,,hard to beat.
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RE: Best adjuster's Vehicle - 7/16/2006 5:35:27 PM
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okclarryd
Posts: 612
Joined: 4/19/2004
Home base: Oklahoma City, Ok
Status: offline
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I have a '05 Dodge Quad cab with a hemi, short bed. I have a slider hitch that I've never used to move the hitch location back in the bed. It turns and parks just fine pulling my 30 ft 5th wheel Dutchmen.
My first Dodge Quad cab wasn't nearly so user friendly. The difference is the Hemi. Plenty of power and pretty good mileage. 11 with the trailer, 18 without. Highway mileage.
I just can't stand the smell of diesel and the oil changes will wear out your check book.
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LARRY D HARDIN
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