Utility Cycling - "Long JohnBi" type cargo bike.

I'm thinking of starting to save my pennies towards one. I'm not sure of which type. Given the realities of the shops here, I'd have to order one; I'd probably order a frameset and have my LBS build it up.

I'm considering the Metrofiets, the CETMA Cargo Bike, the HPM Long Haul, and the Organic Engines' Long Juan.

Any suggestions?

I have ridden the HPM and the CETMA. I bought the CETMA. It is very versatile, and rides well both loaded and unloaded. I have even taken it on some smoothish dirt trails. I have carried myself and several hundred pounds on it with no troubles. The hooks for tie-down straps are very useful.
I recommend wide rims and wide tires. I put a snowcat rim on the rear and a Rhino Lite on the front with Schwalbe big apple 2.35 inch tires. It makes for a sweet ride. The CETMA has tons of tire/rim clearance.
I would also go with 203mm rotors on at least the back brake. My 160mm rotors are showing signs of overheating.
I may yet spring for a Rohloff hub.
The Dutch Bakfiets is a very nice bike if you don't climb many hills. It's main drawbacks are the poor handling when empty, the rigid riding position and the weight. I do love the chaincase, integrated lock and rust resistant coatings.
Hope this helps.
Doug

Yes, Coldbike, it does help. That's the main reason I ruled out the Bakfiest; being in WV, the ability to take hills is a major consideration for me.

In your opinion, are there any drawbacks to the CETMA?

There are drawbacks to any bike, a series of compromises if you will. For instance, I decided to put a bakfiets rain cover on my CETMA, it doesn't exactly fit.
CETMA is a small company and have some backlog to their ordering. Lane was very reasonable to work with though and I would certainly order from him again.
The handling on the CETMA seems to be a little bouncier than the bakfiets (I rode one for six months) I find that I can corner faster on the CETMA but some might find it disconcerting.
I would like some water bottle mounts on the frame. I also would like to see some seatstay braze-ons for my rack (to avoid brake clearance issues). I needed a long stem because the steering tube needed to be short enough to fit in a UPS shipping box.
I am in the process of putting clear coat on the frame and some grip tape on spots that are getting abrasions - the bakfiets has this standard.
So far the CETMA stand is the best I have seen but I would like the feet to have rubber bases.

Thanks, Coldbike. Have you tried any of the others on my list?

'fraid not, the Metrofiets was on my short list but I was looking for something with a less Dutch riding position. I did try the Larry vs Harry and it is good but seemed to lack the versatility of the CETMA.
I bought the CETMA without actually riding it first, I based my decision on the limited reviews available and a long series of correspondence with Lane at CETMA. If you look at the videos on the CETMA site, you can see that Lane is currently riding his CETMA with the stem reversed. There is a lot of room in the cockpit for making changes like that.
I have ridden a few of the longtails as well and I had considered getting a Madsen (and upgrading the crummy components and fork) or a Big Dummy or a Yuba Mundo.
I really wanted a step through frame, it is very helpful for a heavily loaded bike of this type. The mixte frame of the CETMA is a really good compromise between strength and convenience.
Doug