Originally Posted By: threeputtpar
My father worked HVAC for Trane for 35 years and had Chevy vans the whole time. They got whatever bulk 5W-30 the shop on the corner had in their tanks that day, and each van was "retired" (given to the low guy on the totem pole) with over 200k miles. This was from 1970 - 2006. There was one Ford in there, but he doesn't like to talk about it.
In reality, any conventional oil you buy now with the SN spec will be partially synthetic to meet the spec. You really can't go wrong with the cheapest one that meets API SN and a decent filter for 5k miles. At first glance, your usage of the van may seem severe but it's really not that bad. 5k miles may even be a bit short, but you'd need a used oil analysis to determine that.
threeputtpar, I was an HVAC pipefitter/welder for 25 years. Trane equipment was my favorite product to use, of all the HVAC equipment used in my field.
I know WI. is the home of Trane; did your father work in the factory itself?
I did one job where we installed (3) 1500 Ton Trane Centrifugal chillers. We got (2) of them in the CEP room when suddenly a bad thunderstorm appeard. The 3rd chiller, which was still outside, was struck by lightning, and it fried it really well!
I don't know what a chiller that size costs' today (DNewton3 should know) but I would not want to foot that bill!