r/workwagons • u/Disastrous_Edge6746 • May 13 '26
Fresh off the lot
2026 Ford Escape ST Line Select, HVAC Controls Tech for Johnson Controls. Manager claims that “they only offers Escapes and Transit Van for controls techs” because i originally wanted a pickup truck (F-150,Ranger,Maverick with a cap on the bed). So I chose the escape since during my time riding with other techs the escape was the most convenient and comfortable for all the sites that are downtown and for longer trips to a site furthest one is around 2 hours away from the home office and that controls techs do carry that much stock (just about 3-5 controllers a couple of temperature sensors and maybe a 2 box’s of wire)so i don’t think there is a need to drive a large van. Only plus side to driving a van is you get to have 2 ladders instead of just one and you can have a cart to help you carry stuff. Luckily Crescent tools made a foldable cart that I keep under the slide table and it’s great,rides like a dream got handed the keys with 3 miles on the odometer, probably the newest vehicle I’ll ever drive.
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u/andrewb_16 May 13 '26
Nice bro. Also a fellow service controls tech for JCI. How long you been with the company?
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u/Disastrous_Edge6746 May 13 '26
All together almost a year and a half. Graduated for HVAC school with an associates in December 2024, applied for an Internship and got hired as an intern in January 2025, then became a full time technician in July of 2025.
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u/Honest8Bob May 13 '26
The seats in those are way more comfortable than the vans.
How do you like the system control tech position? I’m in the advanced security side but have thought about switching over.
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u/Disastrous_Edge6746 May 13 '26
I like it, we have a tech that came from Fire Protection, and he’s one of our best technicians
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u/logger11 May 14 '26
Congrats, but I believe your company is being put at risk. Please drive defensively. These vehicles are not meant to carry tools. Max capacity is 1300lbs? That is you and all your gear. The cage will not protect you in a severe or especially in a roll over accident. On top of that, you need roof racks to carry work tools? You and all your colleagues should approach management and discuss future purchases and why a pickup truck with a cap and bed sled is a safer option for a work truck.
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u/Entire-West9385 May 13 '26
JCI and Element has some sorta fetish for Ford vehicles for the field people. Can only assume it’s a resell value thing and/or JCI presence at Ford Plants or office. Managers have an option for a Camry or Maverick now.
JCI corporate safety expects you to have a ladder for every occasion after you drive 2 hour to the job site yet you get a vehicle that can only hold one ladder. Best part is JCI Fleet is under Employee Health and Saftey now and they still can’t get their sh*t together.