December 2008 - Plumbing & HVAC

SIRIUS satellite radio. It can be combined
with SIRIUS Travel Link that provides
a collection of data services
including real-time local traffic, coastto-coast
weather and fuel price information
at different gas stations.
Ford has also added a reverse camera
system that is activated whenever the
vehicle is shifted into reverse. The image
is displayed on the navigation screen for
vans equipped with that option or on
the self-dimming rear-view mirror.
Diesel only
The German-made Dodge Sprinter was
revolutionary with its fuel-mizer fivecylinder
turbo-diesel when it was introduced
in 2003. When the Sprinter was
re-designed for 2007, the company
The interior of the Caravan cargo mini-van seems to
get more workmanlike every year.
garages, requiring only two meters
(6’8”) clearance. While it doesn’t quite
have the cargo capacity of the much
missed GM Astro and Safari small vans,
total cargo capacity is 143 cubic feet and
it can accommodate loads up to 6.5 ft.
in length and 4.7 ft. in width, making
the typical residential furnace or water
heater an easy fit. There are sliding
cargo doors on both sides along with
rear doors that swing open 180 degrees.
Besides its small size, the fuel economy
is a big plus at 19 mpg city and 24
mpg highway. “It drives like a car, works
like a van and is engineered to be as
tough as a truck,” reports Rob Stevens,
chief engineer for the Ford Transit
Connect.
Chrysler continues to refine its
Dodge Grand Caravan
cargo van to suit the needs
of business owners as it
celebrates the 25th
anniversary of the minivan
in 2009. New upfit
options include exterior
vinyl window shading, full
width cargo dividers, wire
mesh and solid metal window
inserts, a cargo compartment
floor mat and
molded wall liner. Cargo
capacity is almost identical
to the Transit Connect
The GMC Savannah and Chevy Express are available with “Pro Access” panels
for easy tool retrieval.
at 144.4 ft. Payload capacity is 1,500 lbs.
GM’s only small van for 2009 is the
HHR retro panel truck. The base model
2.2 litre Ecotec engine in the HHR
receives variable valve timing for 2009,
which increases horsepower to 155
from 149 while also boosting mileage.
The HHR can travel 805 km on its 49-
litre fuel tank, reports GM. However,
cargo space is only 63 cubic feet, ruling
out the ability to carry large pieces of
equipment.
Safety features such as GM’s
StabilTrak electronic stability control
system, anti-lock brakes and traction
control are now standard. The commercial
version of the Chevrolet Uplander
mini-van will be discontinued at the
end 2008.
Radical changes and new designs are
relatively rare in the cargo van market.
However, it is reasonable to assume that
manufacturers are hard at work on
changes that will boost fuel economy.
And that leaves contractors with a
tough decision – whether to upgrade
now or wait until something better
comes along. Stay tuned!
introduced a new 3.5 litre gasoline
engine for operators that just couldn’t
get their heads around a diesel – and
one with an odd number of cylinders at
that. However, in 2009 the only engine
available is the 3.0 litre 154 horsepower
turbocharged V-6 diesel introduced at
the same time.
New features for 2009 include
optional 180-degree rear door opening,
electric power sliding side door, twostage
side-door opening and optional
roof rails. It is available in three vehicle
lengths on two wheelbases – 144 inches,
170 inches or 170 inches extended with
15” rear overhang. There are three interior
heights: Standard – 65 inches, high
– 76 inches and “mega” – 84 inches.
Over at General Motors, 17-inch steel
wheels will be standard on the
Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana
G1500 and H1500 half-ton cargo models,
with aluminum wheels as an option.
The gross vehicle weight rating increases
to 7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg) on both models.
Those models with the 5.3 litre V-8
get a more powerful 125 Amp alternator,
which should be a big help when
using an inverter to run power tools. An
engine oil cooler will help 4.3 L V-6
models run cooler while a fast-idle
option on models powered by the 6.0
litre engine makes it easier to run accessories
while idling.
The small vans
The new Ford Transit Connect trade
van, expected to be available in Canada
by mid-summer, is the big news in the
small van category. First launched in
Europe in 2003, this van was designed
from the ground up as a commercial
van for use in busy cities. Its size allows
easy access to underground parking
The little HHR panel does look pretty cool!
Door Opening Width
Door Opening
Height
71 3/4
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The HHR interior, however, is a little cramped.
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With its aerodynamic shape, Aerocell CW will help
save you time and money at the pump.
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www.plumbingandhvac.ca November/December 2008 – Plumbing & HVAC Product News 29
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