What’s Better: Traditional Work Truck or Coming-of-Age Euro Van?

A longstanding symbol of hard labor, it’s tough to compete with the can-do attitude that the traditional work truck exudes. Capable, dependable, and just plain cool, who wouldn’t want to tackle tough jobs from the commanding seat of a burly Ford F-250?

But, like most things in life, sometimes the attractive option isn’t always the most practical option.

Let’s face it: Euro vans are kinda like granny-style free throws. They’re goofy-looking and awkward, often suffering under the accusation of being emasculating. But at the end of the day, they work. (Just ask Wilt Chamberlain, who scored 100 points in what many people consider to be one of the best basketball games of all time on March 2, 1962, by doing what? Shooting underhanded!)

Just like their prototypical counterpart, the pickup, Euro-style work vans are capable and dependable. They’re also practical and cost-effective. Plus, they add extra cargo security and protection into the mix, along with better fuel efficiency and a veritable billboard of advertising space.

But, alas, they are undoubtedly—not cool.

To the OEMs credit though, they are certainly trying to change that.

While the styling will never compete with the rough-and-tough traditional work truck, cargo van aesthetics have improved over the years—largely thanks to a European influence.

Early vans in North America were largely informed by popular pickup truck design, says Dave Sowers, head of marketing for Ram Commercial Trucks in WorkTruck Magazine. (Think big V8 engines, body-on-frame designs, RWD, and little differentiation among manufacturers.) But, when you look at “vocational vehicles” from other parts of the world, you don’t see that trend, he explains. “So, in reality, conventional American box vans developed in isolation from other automotive design trends around the globe.”

But Euro vans? “[They] didn’t have those same design limitations,” says Sowers. “So, they were much more open to innovation. Moreover, they were designed to operate in very congested cities with old, narrow roads and work in a culture that was much more focused on fuel efficiency than the U.S. was at the time.”

When the Mercedes Sprinter landed in North American markets in 2001, consumers didn’t know what to think. But, as domestic automakers began to see the potential and reworked their own cargo van lineups, popularity grew. The unibody Ford Transit landed on the scene in 2014, quickly outselling its own bigger E-series, and becoming the best-selling van in America.

In fact, in 2018 alone, Ford sold three times as many Transits than RAM ProMasters (the next best seller in the segment) and nearly 4.5 times as many Sprinters. Not too shabby for an automaker revered for its long-reigning, rugged American traditional work truck, eh?

Image is Everything…Or is it?

“So OEMs have addressed the styling issues of the Euro van. Big whoop,” you say. “They still can’t compete with the capability of a pickup.”

Well, yes and no.

It’s true, if you work a dirty job in an off-pavement location, a pickup truck is likely the best choice for you. With a stronger engine, available 4WD, better driving visibility, and potential off-road upgrades, the traditional work truck can get you through rough terrain and over obstacles, all while hauling a messy payload and towing work equipment. You’ll also look incredibly compelling in the process, splashing mud and spraying gravel, while wide-eyed woodland creatures look on in terrified awe at your mastery over Mother Nature and Bob Seger belts out heartland rock and roll.

Somehow that image is a harder sell when you replace “gnarly 3/4-ton pickup” with “economical toaster-shaped van.”

HOWEVER, while that brave little toaster may not be able to plunder the countryside like a battle-worn Viking, it might surprise you to learn that some Euro vans actually have better payload ratings than comparable half-tons—with a smoother ride to boot.

In fact, the 2019 RAM ProMaster Cargo sports a higher maximum payload than its much-better-looking RAM 1500 sibling (4,680-pounds versus 2,302 pounds), with better fuel economy numbers and a slightly better price. Granted, it can’t compete on towing. The all-new RAM 1500 boasts 12,750 pounds max towing, while the ProMaster claims only 4,427 pounds. But it holds its own when hauling tools, supplies, promo materials, week-old fast food, and a menagerie of other things one finds in the mobile workspace of a busy worker bee.

On-the-Go Office Space

Which brings us to our next bone of contention: how do the traditional work truck and progressive Euro van compete as roving offices?

Let’s start with the upfitted cargo van, since it seems better-suited off the bat. I say “upfitted” because, in stock form, the quirky Euro van is going to face its fair share of challenges. Road noise, shifting cargo, temperature control, and worker comfort/safety are all issues that will need to be addressed if you or your employees plan on spending an extended amount of time inside of a paneled box.

That being said, the aftermarket is quite ripe with solutions. Insulated wall liners and rubber-matted flooring from brands like VanGuard and Legend Fleet Solutions ensure cargo (and feet!) don’t slip and slide, while companies like DECKED and CargoGlide keep supplies secure and easy to access. Furthermore, Euro van design is particularly accommodating to solar panels and power inverters from brands like Zamp and REDARC, making it easier to run laptops and other equipment. Which, by the way, can be made more ergonomically accessible by a company like Havis, who specializes in high-quality docking stations.

With all these clever and affordable solutions, you could justify making your van a full-time office, running all operations from behind the wheel and literally going wherever the customers are. (Really, when you throw in the roof height and enclosed cargo area, it’s arguably more comfortable than most corporate cubicles.)

That doesn’t mean pickups can’t compete.

Is it more difficult to work full-time out of a traditional work truck? Yes. Impossible? No. Plenty of aftermarket companies create innovative cargo and storage solutions to keep supplies organized in the bed. Again, DECKED and CargoGlide are at-the-ready, as are BedSlide and CargoEase. Locking consoles provide on-the-go filing cabinets for receipts and important documents. And who needs solar panels when your truck comes equipped with pre-installed 12-volt and 110-volt outlets allowing you to hook up computers and test equipment?

Plus, really creative companies like TruckOffice have engineered products that actually turn your backseat into a desk, complete with shelves and cargo trays. (Although, that product is meant to be a permanent fixture, so it could negatively affect your vehicle’s resale value.)

Overall, a pickup-turned-office is possible but likely a little trickier to achieve. Additionally, to reach full storage potential, you’d likely have to sacrifice a fair amount of passenger space, which might not be an option if that truck performs double-duty as a family vehicle. However, it is worth mentioning, that even if it’s sporting a company logo, many business owners prefer to park a traditional work truck in their driveway than say, a plumbing van advertising, “We’re #1 at #2!”

Credit Where Credit Is Due

We’re continually impressed with the quality and versatility of DECKED products—particularly as it pertains to fleet vehicles. That’s why we felt they deserved a little extra attention. As noted, the company produces clever storage solutions for both work trucks and vans that save time, money, and perhaps most importantly—your back.

“DECKED offers a solution to the inefficiency of accessing, moving, and organizing tools and materials at the job site,” says the company. “Good ergonomic behavior is supported. And, with a 2000 lb payload on the deck, operators get full use of the vehicle’s bed while still being able to store and organize 200 lbs of tools and other necessities in each full bed length drawer.”

By situating tools, materials, and gear in the “power zone” (i.e. between the waist and shoulders), DECKED systems eliminate unnecessary body strain, enhancing productivity and keeping workers safe. Regardless of what work rig wins your vote in the battle of truck vs van, ergonomic safety and comfort is a critical issue that should be addressed with solid aftermarket support.

Looking Forward… and Inward

Before we wrap up with a non-answer that leaves this decision in your hands, we would like to bring one more feature to your attention: Innovation.

Both traditional work trucks and new-age Euro vans sport impressive on-board technology. From Wi-Fi hot spots and voice recognition to GPS locating and advanced media centers, mobile offices are just as well-equipped (if not better) than many 4-walled offices. But as we inch closer to a future of electrification and autonomous driving, it might be worth considering which vehicle design is going to transition better. (If you’re the long-long-game kinda shopper, that is.)

Many would argue the Euro van will prevail—especially Volker Mornhinweg, the newly-retired Head of Mercedes‑Benz Vans. Last year, when word of the redesigned 2019 Sprinter was buzzing, Mornhinweg called it “the first van of a new type – a fully connected integral system solution … unlocking a new dimension in terms of efficiency, flexibility, connectivity, and profitability for our customers.” This “unique, holistic transport solution” is, in fact, quite Tomorrowland-esque, with fuel and maintenance monitoring, remote vehicle tracking, and even a creepy digital assistant who learns your habits.

Now, this isn’t to say pickups won’t roll with the times. (In fact, Ford is already planning electrified F-150s.) But, generally speaking, the traditional work truck carries a certain cachet, a legacy that says “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” Just as vans don’t fit in the picture of rugged off-road work vehicle, traditional pickups really don’t jive with a vision of future transportation centered on eco-friendly, urban-minded “mobility solutions,” sporting plastic-bag-recycled captain’s chairs, on-board Kombucha brewing, and mood lighting synchronized to the mating calls of endangered whales.

Perhaps I’m getting ahead of myself here.

Ultimately, you have to pick the vehicle that’s best for you and your needs. What kind of work you do, what you haul, where and how far you drive—those are the kinds of qualifiers you need to weigh before deciding what’s better: a traditional work truck or coming-of-age Euro van.

And if it is the latter, you’ll need to ask yourself—will you err on the side of practicality or popularity?