Tradie Tips Q&A: Jack Middleton - Builder

Jack Middleton and his 3.2-litre Ford Ranger XLT. (image credit: Brendan Batty)

Builder Jack Middleton works alongside Mark Purkiss as part of Purkiss Construction.

The 3.2-litre Ford Ranger XLT 4x4 was purchased new in 2017.

The Ranger's tray gets a solid workout every day as it's loaded with tools and equipment.(image credit: Brendan Batty)

Crafty: Why did you buy your Ford Ranger?

Jack: It was Mark's old ute [Mark Purkiss and Jack work in Purkiss Construction], so it was only six months old when I got it.

It's mainly a work car, but I do use it for towing my boat.

Crafty: What's a typical work day for your ute?

It gets pretty loaded up, just dropping stuff off to sites for the boys. The tray's really durable – it gets loaded up with rubbish and we don't go easy on it.

Crafty: Do you use your Ranger outside work?

Jack: We've got a big boat, me and my old man, so it tows that around, that's good. That's about three ton loaded up.

I already had the Ranger before we got the boat, but it was one of the good reasons for getting the boat because it's easy to tow around. It makes a good towing vehicle, 100 percent.

The Ranger's roof rack is handy for carrying six-metre lengths of timber to work sites. (image credit: Brendan Batty)

Crafty: Any mods?

Jack: It has a Rhino rack, ladder rack (because we carry six-metre lengths of timber), and Kings seat covers (to save the seats from getting trashed).

Crafty: Any problems?

Jack: No.