Road star: our third annual Site Commander™ is ready for work and headed for prime time

Tools of the Trade, Nov-Dec, 2002 by Rick Schwolsky

I just saw Arnold Schwarzenegger's latest movie, The Nailbanger. In this flick he plays an action movie hero who retires to become a framing contractor. Everything seems normal until one morning when he tells his secretary, "Ah'll be back," and jumps into the cab of his totally awesome work truck. Turns out he's driving our very own 2002 Site Commander[TM]. Perfect, right?

Arnold checks e-mail on the way to the jobsite and knows what's waiting for him when he gets there. He pulls the truck onto the site like a chopper headed into a hot LZ, and all Hell breaks lose. Grabbing a nailer and ammo while barking orders to his crew, Schwarzenegger zigzags from a Dumpster to the lumber pile, then he low-crawls to the foundation and dives onto the deck, pumped and ready for action. Then, from somewhere off screen, a voice yells, "Arnold--give it a rest man, we're just framing a house."

That's when I woke up, but I think I'm going to write the screenplay and cast Schwarzenegger to co-star with the Site Commander. Maybe I'll get Tim Allen to ride shotgun, just for a few laughs. This movie may be a dream, but the Site Commander 2002 is definitely a dream come true, and way beyond Hollywood.

Site Commander 2002

First, we started with a very tough truck: Ford's commercial-line F-450 with crew cab and 7.3-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel engine. The truck has dual rear wheels and plenty of towing capacity. Then we added tons of carrying capacity and equipment storage with Omaha Standard's awesome service/utility truck body, A.R.E.'s Deluxe Commercial cap, and X-Tender Drawer's roll-out tool-beds. All this is fully loaded with the latest Porter-Cable electric, cordless, and pneumatic tools, including the revolutionary Tiger Claw recip saw and the company's new LR1100 rotating laser level. We've also equipped the Site Commander 2002 with Drill Doctor's amazing drill bit sharpening systems that will sharpen even the most damaged tips on all types of bits, including carbide-tipped. A full line of laser levels and accessories from RoboToolz, including the company's new RT-7690-2 rotating laser that shoots plumb and level simultaneously, also are onboard.

And as if that weren't enough, we've added a 16-foot ToolTrailer rolling workshop this year.

Remember the scene in The Nailbanger where Arnold checks e-mail from the cab of the truck? That wasn't a dream either. The Site Commander's mobile office, provided by Rovenet Inc., includes a wireless laptop and combination PDA/ cell phone hooked up to Rovenet's server that lets you work with your own construction documents, and send and receive faxes through the company's handheld device.

Our goal in building this year's Site Commander was to put together a package that'll help you put more work into production, spend less time running around, and make more money through the resulting efficiencies. So take a tour on the following pages, and make sure you enter to win the Site Commander Sweepstakes by December 15, 2002 (see opposite page for details).

THE MACHINE

The Site Commander combines a powerful Ford F-450 and all the tools and equipment a framing/trim crew could ever need. From the mobile office in the cab to the rolling workshop trailer--technology, tools, and customized storage save time and effort every day.

The heavy-duty front end gives the Site Commander 2002 a no-nonsense attitude. Super Winch 10,000-pound winch, ARB lights, and J&J Enterprises' Ford vertical grille add to the Ford-tough look.

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Goodyear tires mounted on Alcoa aluminum wheels make their mark--where the robber meets the road. Brite-Tread running boards from Dee Zee not only look good, but they're as tough as the ultimate work truck.

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Omaha Standard's service/utility body combined with A.R.E.'s DCU cap gives the Site Commander all the rugged tool storage any contractor would ever need. A.R.E.'s cap fully opens at the rear for access to tools and equipment. Double-decker X-Tender Drawer units roll out for loading and unloading tools.

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One of A.R.E.'s cap compartments was set up to carry RoboToolz rotating and split-beam lasers, tripod, and other accessories. The laser levels ride in open custom-foamed sections that protect the tools but offer easy access.

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Wireless technology provided by Rovenet powers the Site Commander's mobile office through the company's handheld device--with wireless e-mail, fax, and document management. Any document you use on your desktop or laptop computer can be accessed by the handheld device. A slick GPS system provided by Audiovox Electronics will get you anywhere you need to go.

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THE TRUCK

Ford F-450

* Four-wheel drive * Crew cab * Dual rear wheels

* 7.3L Power Stroke V-8 turbo diesel engine

* 15,000 lb. GVWR

* HORSEPOWER: 250 @ 2,600 rpm (auto trans.)

* TORQUE: 505 @ 1,600 rpm

* COMPRESSION RATIO: 17 to 1

* Trailer towing package Dual batteries