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Harold J. Geoffrey (Stormadjuster)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 30, 2000 - 6:56 pm: | 
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I just wanted to let everyone know I decided to go with an expedition. Thanks for all the posts. I received some valuable information |
Jim Heiden
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2000 - 2:45 pm: |
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1997 Mercury Mountaineer - I had a 1991 Ford Explorer, I put 235,000 miles on that one before I got tired of the color. The Mountaineer has full time all wheel drive V-8. A little classier than the Explorer. Great stereo too. |
David Bennett
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, March 06, 2000 - 2:07 pm: |
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I have a Dodge Dakota 4x4 w/extended cab. V6 as I don't pull a trailor, but it works great for pulling most recreational vehicles. I use ladder jacks mounted in the cab when two stories are the norm, otherwise they remove easy and I carry a little giant 18' ladder in the bed. The addition of the bed cover added to the gas mileage, approx 21 mi. to the gallen. The extended cab allows for carrying of most supplies and the ride is excellent. The 4x4 helps for those flood losses and winter storms and of course if you live in the Northeast its almost a necessity. Bottom line, if your going to do 2 story roofs, you really need to be able to carry your own 28' or 32' ladder rather than rely on contractors to meet you at the loss and of course comfort and style do make a difference.
As most indicate, you really don't want to pull up in a Mercedes or Jag to adjust losses, nor a fully decked SUV or PU. Keep it simple, comfortable, affordable but neat in appearance cause you don't want to pull up in a run down clunker either. |
Paul Bagnato
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2000 - 8:00 pm: |
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I agree with RD Hood, I also have a really big GMC Suburban and the TV cost $2200.00. The kids think I got it for them but heck, they keep quiet when it is on so it really is for me. As far as the gas goes, 40+ gln tank cost a pretty buck to fill up, yet when we drive, and we all drive, the comfort pays us back. Pay for the comfort now and not later when you complain about the truck.
The Little Yankee |
smith
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2000 - 10:50 am: |
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you need to hit a happy medium on the vehicle. an unusually expensive vehicle will certainly cause thoughts, if not talk, among company peope about cutting paychecks. too old/beat-up/ vehicle will cause as much thinking and talking in the opposite direction- no company wants you adjusting claims, or making a bad impression on their insured, with a junkmobile. overall, i think you'll do better with a clean late-model (new or used) conservative vehicle. |
Ghostbuster
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2000 - 9:58 am: |
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...Which behooves us all to park our rigs in as inconspicous areas of the parking lot and avoid as much as possible social interaction with the company personnel. Thats the vendors supervisors and reinspectors job function. They do the PR work, we just turn the files. From personal experience, its too easy for a loose lip to sink the whole ship. And that 4x4, crewcab, leathered out, diesel truck in the parking lot with the custom wheels and chicken lights doesn't help our image one bit. And mind you, I'd like to have chicken lights on my truck but my wife won't let me. Poor lil ol me... |
paladin
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2000 - 9:06 am: |
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Regarding the resentment factor, more than once a negative comment has been made to me by company adjusters about the money that a cat adj must make to be able to afford such a vehicle. The usual bit about overpaid and underskilled. Funny, no one wanted to trade their steady jobs though. |
storm pro
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2000 - 8:11 am: |
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Cocerned:
To each his own I guess, but driving around in the old Brady Bunch mobile is not my idea of comfort, reliability or professionalism. Furthermore, when I am on a storm I barely have time to get my laundry done let alone haggle with Herb Tarlick down at Honest Al's Used Auto Sales when my 20 year old station wagon gives up the ghost. And I really don't think the company folks are really that impressed with my Explorer as they seem to have a fair assortment of nice vehicles in the employee parking lot as well.
Whatever works for you my man! |
Concerned2
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, March 03, 2000 - 1:42 am: |
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Used cars are the ONLY way to go. S-10 Blazer's with the 4.3 V-6 will go 200,000 easily and reliably. Pick-ups and used Station Wagons are another good choice, especially big ones with a V-8. You can get a decent mid 80's one for $2,000 or so, comfortable, big enough, easy to reach an extension ladder on and off the roof rack. If it develops major problem or gets hit by some idiot, you buy another one. You can buy 10-15 of them for the price of an new Explorer or Suburban. Keep the expensive car at home and enjoy it when you don't have to work out of it. Also, you don't generate a resentment factor in the company employees and the insureds, neither of whom like to see you arrive in an expensive vehicle. |
jim
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2000 - 7:59 pm: |
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I had a 95 ford xlt extendded cab 4x4 sprayed in bedliner dual tanks loaded capon the back enough room to haul ladder rack on the top could drive all day next vehicle a 97 f250 or 350 powerstroke dual door 4x4 setup the same way last me forever |
storm pro
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2000 - 2:01 pm: |
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I bought a '99 Ford Explorer last year and right now I have put on about 25,000 miles or so and have very few complaints. Plenty of room to haul around my mobile office, decent gas mileage and very good ride. Hindsight says I should of went up to the next size (Expedition or Tahoe) for the extra cabin room (Explorer is a little cramp on long hauls) and the $18,000 tax write off.
I would not recommend a used vehicle unless the mileage is very low and it has an extended warranty available. We need reliable vehilces out here. |
Tom Toll
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2000 - 12:08 pm: |
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I forgot to mention that the Jacobs electronic ignition system I put on the Ram made a tremendous difference in gas milage, power, and torque. Here is the website. Also added a K&N Generation II air filter and it made a big difference. Jacobselectronics.com |
Tom Joyce
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2000 - 12:44 am: |
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Used Jeep Cherokee, Chev Astro conversation and Pontiac Transport with the Pontiac winning hands down on comfort, reliability and all around work vehicle. But the Pontiac was last seen in pieces all over I-95 north of Hollywood, Fl, so we'll see how the Le Sabre does, great to get there and back, but for work???? |
MKDCO
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2000 - 12:05 am: |
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Well, I like my "82" Chevy Full Size Blazer with it's diesel engine. Room to carry what I need and a back seat to lay down on when the road gets longer than my eyeballs can take. That diesel gets me 25 mpg on the road and 20 in town driving. Can't complain too much about that. With a 30 gal. tank I'm good to go for 700+ miles easy on the road. Just wish the bladder could hold out that long. It may not look like much but it gets me there and back. |
Stormcrow
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2000 - 12:03 am: |
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My 84 Impala keeps rolling over the clicks. Suits me. |
Trent Massey
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2000 - 12:01 am: |
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My wife and I drive a 98 Dodge 3500 dually, Ext. Cab, 4 door. It's Cummins diesel gets 20 mpg on the road and pulls our 33' 5th wheel easily. If you think you might go the route of pulling a trailer to cut down on motel expenses, your choice will need to be able to handle the task. (Campgrounds can be found for $200/mo and up, versus motel charges of $1500/mo and up; plus not to mention the savings of being able to cook instead of dining out always.)
The ext. cab handles our printer, cameras, and supplies. The front seat accomodates both my wife and I and the laptop. The only drawback with a dually is icestorm claims trying to negotiate 4' snowbanks along drives and street curbs. However, it can be done. |
R.D. Hood
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 5:54 pm: |
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For my $$ the GMC Suburban 4X4 1500 5.7 gas mobile is the ultimate.
Get decent mileage, have room enough to carry all needed to set up a complete office. Plus can tow trailer if needed. Can carry a 30' Ladder on the roof if necesssary, 16' folder always in the back.
Dont get to see the TV cause its in the rear seat, but the passengers enjoy the vcr.
Put 225,000 on the first one and 186,000 so far on this one. Long wheelbase gives super ride and 42 gal tank only requires one file to fill, and range is 600+ miles. Guess im addicted, but wilth all the miles may as well enjoy the ride. |
Don Elkinton
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 12:56 pm: |
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So, I guess my 1974 Plymouth Satellite isn't the best adjustermobile?
Classic Adjuster Don |
Ghostbuster
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 11:03 am: |
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For the past three years my rig is a 97 Ford supercab Lariat 2wd truck. It's quiet, smooth, comfortable, and gets with the small V8 on cruise control @ 68mph on flat ground, 21mpg. All the gear except the chained down ladder is inside. After 14 hours of driving, the only part of my body that is tired are my eyes. Reliability has been first rate. Service-ability is OK. Working out of it is very easy. I've noticed that an increasing number of us have gone to these rigs.
Whatever tickles your fancy tho, go ahead & spring for all the bells and whistles. Don't be cheap! That's right, get the leather, get the power everything. Get the 6 CD changer along with the AM-FM cassette player. Don't forget the sliding rear window and bedliner. Above all, besure you have the towing package even if you aren't towing anything. It includes the bigger radiator, altenator, battery, oil cooler and who knows what else! Hard experience showed me this is a good way to go. And NO, I do not sell cars on the side. Yeah, I know what it all costs, but what in life that is worth having doesn't? |
Tom Toll
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 10:35 am: |
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I use a 1999 Dodge Ram, extended cab, 4 door. Extremly comfortable and plenty of room for everything. I built my own lap top carrier for the cab for $15.00 in NC and it works great. We pull my wife's Jeep cherokee for her to work in and it works great also. After a few modifications to the engine, the Ram develops 310 HP and makes an average of 20 MPG on the road and 15.5 in town. Needless to say we use the Delorme Atlas for mapping purposes in both vehicles. After having been in this business for 38+ years, I have learned that comfort is essential to good adjusting. |
Muleskinner
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 10:13 am: |
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Well the other day I saw one of the ol' time adjusters who still writes estimates by hand riding his mule with a paper road map in hand on his way to the Dallas hailstorm. Hope he gets there before it's over. If not, maybe he can get a job with the rodeo. |
Dick Benson
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 9:46 am: |
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Chev. tahoe, 4 x 4 is my currrent choice. Plenty of cargo space and easy to handle. Gas milage not the best but livable. I chose a 4 x 4 because of living in the upper midwest, we can get a bunch of snow, but not this year. What ever works for you as far as storage of your equipment, cloths etc and fairly comfortable to be in for extended periods of time. DON'T forget that we spend an extended amount of time in the vehicles and comfort is a must. In reading all the posts below I beleive you are getting some good info. After all, we should have the same passion for the vehicle as a piece of equipment as we do a computer, a ladder etc. |
Ron Smith
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 8:54 am: |
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I now drive a full size conversion van (Ford) with the rear seat pulled and a ladder rack on the roof to carry the big ladder and the fold up ladder in the rear. I just had it to New Orleans and the east coast (4800 miles) and it drove like an old Caddy use to. A lot of room for you and all of your things.
I was using a chevy minivan and it was uncomfortable on long trips (plus 180,000 miles) and it was time for something else. I use to purchase only used vehicles (because of price) but the van was under 20k. Drive them all and then YOU decide what works best for you. |
kenneth wayne smith
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 1:40 am: |
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i'm currently using a ford ranger extended cab with a camper shell on the bed and a ladder rack on top. i bought it because it was cheap, rather than ideal, for troopng but it's turned out surprisingly good. gas mileage runs better than 20 mpg without a trailer and 15 with a 5000lb trailer. at 58000 miles, have had good service and no maintenance problems- knock on wood. it might be a little small to carry 2 people comfortably on long trips, but it's about right for one people. the small size and good manueverability makes it real handy in traffic and city streets. the camper shell on the bed provides plenty of weather-proof lockable storage and, with acess on both sides plus the rear, getting to all areas of the bed is quick and easy. the biggest gripe is that it runs out of steam above 70 mph- it's geared low for trailer-pulling and is definitely not a road racer. year before last i drove an s-10 blazer, which was nicer/prettier and a whole lot faster than the ranger. however it didn't have enough cargo space and the leg room was cramped on long trips. if i were looking for another vehicle today, it would be a van with a good work area (not just a jotto desk) set up in the back, or a toyota pickup or dodge cummins with a camper shell on the back. i quit worrying about 4wd 15 years ago. if i need extra traction, i set a bag of sackcrete or sand in the back. |
Jim
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 1:10 am: |
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Have a Jeep 4 WD Wrangler, plenty of room, and it can go just about anywhere. Can be towed 4 wheels down without any modifications. Roof rack carry's ladder just fine. Bad side is the gas milage is about the same as a truck. If I was going to buy a new work vehicle and did'nt pull it with RV, I would look at a mini-van. Suggestion: if you plan on towing, check the needed modifications. NOTE: Haven't got to use 4WD on storm site yet.(+4 years) Agree with JF with regards to its need. |
Tom Weems
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2000 - 12:49 am: |
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I drive a Villager Minivan. Great on fuel, front wheel drive, and drives great on trips. Rack on the top for the long ladder, Jotto desk works great between the seats and LOTS of room for all the stuff we have to have.
Drives and parks like a car, works like a truck. I love it.... |
John Durham
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 29, 2000 - 11:44 pm: |
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Harold:
I use a ford Explorer with 4WD. With the back seats folded Fwd there is enough room for everything needed to adjust. The gas mileage runs between 19.5 and 21 MPG. I keep very good records on petrol use and do all required maintenance, which is very reasonable. The size of the vehicle allows me to access just about any claim I am assigned. Winter use is very good. All interior features including the Compass, etc. is usefull. I have previously (20 years) had chevy Blazers and this is my second Ford. Probably will stick with Ford's from now on. Look at several different vehicles and determine which one meets your needs and "dont look back." GOOD LUCK! |
Jim Flynt
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 29, 2000 - 11:21 pm: |
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I just bought a Chevy S-10 LT Blazer 4WD 4DR which is my 4th Blazer. You really don't need the 4WD unless you plan on handling a lot of winter storms and can use it elsewhere (camping, 4 wheeling, etc.) I have shopped them all and wouldn't have anything else.
Find something which is comfortable to drive, economical to operate, has plenty of storage space for computers/equipment/clothes/etc., and has easy access for ladder handling and stowage.
A station wagon or van would also be something to consider. |
Harold J. Geoffrey
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, February 29, 2000 - 10:31 pm: |
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I am thinking of purchasing a used vehicle for storm duty, I would like to hear what others have to say and what they would recommend. I am looking at Tahoe's, Yukon's and Explorers 4 wheel drive. I would like to hear from any owners about what they think of thier vehicle. For example comfort, gas mileage reliability Ect. |
