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Pickup / Van Combo
Business is booming for a Kansas firm that began marketing a luxury van and pickup truck combo just three months ago.
"Acceptance has been unbelievable. We're turning out three trucks a day and have three months of back orders already," says Pete Saunders, sales coordinator for Eldorado Industries, Inc., Minneap
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Pickup / Van Combo PICKUPS Modifications 4-3-21 Business is booming for a Kansas firm that began marketing a luxury van and pickup truck combo just three months ago.
"Acceptance has been unbelievable. We're turning out three trucks a day and have three months of back orders already," says Pete Saunders, sales coordinator for Eldorado Industries, Inc., Minneapolis, Kan., noting that when Ford discontinued manufacture of their crew cab last year, a new market for big cabs opened up.
"We've got more than a crew cab, though," he told FARM SHOW. "The cab has all the luxuries built into a luxury van or mobile home, including a couch-bed at the rear, carpeting, and custom seats. The cab is made from heavy-duty fiberglass painted to any color desired."
Behind the cab, on the truck's 1-ton Ford or GMC chasis, the company mounts a full-size 8-ft. steel pickup box, with both '79 and '80 model boxes available. At this time, they're not retrofitting existing trucks, instead buying chasis and parts directly from the truck manufacturers.
Many of the early buyers have been farmers and ranchers who do lots of
over-the-road travel with fifth-wheel livestock and grain trailers. Saunders stresses, however, that besides comfortable long-distance traveling, the truck will handle any pickup work around the farm.
Eldorado works only with Ford and GMC chasis and boxes, selling the new truck combos in the range of $13,000 to $17,000.
Another firm, L & D Manufacturing, in Sturgis, Mich., has developed a similar hybrid truck to fit Dodge chasis. "Our Dodge trucks are fitted with a 460 cu. in. engine, which is no longer available in standard pickups. All chasis are fitted with duals and full-size steel boxes," says Gene Lehman, president.
L & D's hybrid Dodge, Ford and GMC trucks retail for $15,000 to $18,000.
For more information, contact:
FARM SHOW Followup, Eldorado Industries, Inc.. Minneapolis, Kan. 67467 (ph 913 392-2171; Kansas residents can call toll-free at 800 2557212).
FARM SHOW Followup, L & D Manufacturing, Sturgis, Mich. 49091 (ph 616 651-4728).
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