
That was evident from the responses we received to the call in SNIPS' May and July issues for readers to send in pictures and stories about their service vehicles. Those who wrote in were certainly excited about their vehicles.
Donald Lang of D.J. Wagner Heating and Air Conditioning Inc. in Westville, N.J., sent in several truck pictures, each of which had a story. Lang says the company's 24-foot Isuzu box truck with a rear hydraulic-lift gate is affectionately called "The Beast."
"Our employees couldn't be happier for the back strain she saves them, not to mention the big loads she is able to handle," he says. Lang also included a picture of the company's pickup, a 2003 Ford F-350. It sports a ladder rack custom-made by employee Mark Edwards. It's Wagner's "go-anywhere-and-look-good-getting-there" vehicle, Lang says. He adds that Wagner workers "love them equally."
Just as proud is Michael A. Weber, president of Thomas & Galbraith Heating and Cooling Inc. in Cincinnati. He wrote to tell me that his company's Web site, www.MasterWorkService.com, features a rotating image of a company service van.

Tidy places
Judging from the images that came in, it seems many contractors keep their trucks amazingly clean and well organized, at least before pictures are taken.
Scott Nelson, president of Oceanside Service Inc., a residential and light-commercial HVAC contractor in Allenhurst, N.J., says his company's trucks are "the neatest and cleanest around - or at least I am told this by many people." Nelson started Oceanside 15 years ago with just one pickup truck. Today, he also operates Air Doctors Inc., a 10-year-old duct cleaning and indoor air quality firm.

Advertising on the road
It also appears many readers use their trucks as traveling billboards - a good idea, since advertising is often expensive, but also essential in a highly competitive industry. That was the idea behind the glow-in-the-dark lettering on the trucks of Bogota, N.J.-based Mike's Refrigeration Service Plus. According to owner Miguel Barreto, the standout trucks work very well as advertising devices. "Many people call our truck a ‘billboard' truck," he says.
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