I got a crappy E250, for now.

"Rainbow" (rainbeaux) 08/04/2016 at 08:52 • Filed to: None

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So, those of you who thought I would get a minivan for work at Charter... You’re wrong! I got an E250. It’s old, but I don’t mind. The thing I absolutely hate, though, is the ladder rack. Every other van here has a thing that lowers the ladder to the side of the van. Mine doesn’t. So I have to lift a 115-pound, bulky, steel ladder over my head every time I take it off or put it on. I’m legitimately worried that I can’t do that. I can carry the ladders, but only either on my shoulder or at my side. I don’t think I can lift them that high. And my supervisor won’t let me trade vans with anyone.

The good news, though, is that I’m gonna be one of the first in line for a brand new Transit within the next month or so. They’re automatic, but they have a clutchless manual setting! Super excited for that.

But until then, I’m stuck with a smelly old 230,000-mile piece of poo with no rubber on the brake pedal. That will be fun when my shoes are wet....

OPPOsaurus WRX > Rainbow 08/04/2016 at 08:59

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go behind the van and put the top of the ladder up and lean it against the van, then go to the bottom and walk it forward until it tips onto the top of the van, that way your only lifting half at a time

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Rainbow 08/04/2016 at 08:59

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Doesn’t sound like the E 250 I know

Rainbow > OPPOsaurus WRX 08/04/2016 at 09:08

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I’m not sure that will work, though. There are little blocks to hold it in place, so if it falls short, it will snag.

pjhusa > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 08/04/2016 at 09:09

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This is what came to mind for me.

Cé hé sin > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 08/04/2016 at 09:12

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That’s what I thought of too. I wouldn’t mind if somebody insisted I drove an E250...

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > pjhusa 08/04/2016 at 09:14

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Is/was the E-Class ever offered in the US as E250?

FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem > Cé hé sin 08/04/2016 at 09:14

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Become a cab driver in Germany.

pjhusa > FSI - alcohol enthusiast with a car problem 08/04/2016 at 09:23

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As a Bluetec (CDI) for the last generation, yes.

fhrblig > Rainbow 08/04/2016 at 09:28

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Here I am, waiting at an insurance center hoping that my 370k plus E-250 doesn’t get totaled. It’s the most reliable van in my fleet and I’ll be really bummed if it goes away.

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > Rainbow 08/04/2016 at 09:30

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When you go to put the ladder up just lift one end at a time instead of the whole thing, opposaurs said it better than me though

Rainbow > fhrblig 08/04/2016 at 09:42

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I’m sure it’s a nice van. I just don’t like the rack. Or the vinyl seats.

On the plus side, though, it’s missing the front splitter. So it will have slightly worse fuel economy than the others, meaning I spend slightly more time filling it up, using a company has card, and getting paid to do so.

That’s really, really reaching for a “plus side” though. I can’t wait for the Transit.

fhrblig > Rainbow 08/04/2016 at 12:33

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I don’t know that I’d use the word ‘nice’. I mean, it’s ok, but cargo vans are bouncy and uncomfortable in general. I wish this one had had vinyl seats because after 370k fabric seats are nasty.

brianbrannon > Rainbow 08/04/2016 at 14:07

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I think legally you have to team lift if it’s over 50 pounds