Smaller Trucks?

[John Rayl]

Can anyone tell me if I can get a 48" Turf Tracer into the back of a Chevy S-10, Ford Ranger, or a Dodge Dakota? I need to get a truck, and I'd like to get a smaller one if the mower would fit without a lot of hassle. I'm just starting out, so I'll be working solo for a while. Any info would be appriciated!

[GREG R]

I believe the wheel wells in a those trucks are smaller than
48" (I think they are slightly larger than 36")
Go for a full size than later on you can pull a trailer
with it. Won't be a big differance in cost either.

[Premo Services]

I believe Greg R is right about the wheel wells, and another thing to think about,I worked for a company about 8 years ago and they had the dodge dakotas with the 3.8 V-6,these trucks sucked gas worse than my full size gmc 4 by 4 that I have now,although they would pull pretty good because of the lower gear ratio.

[motor86]

I am using my Toyota this year for mowing. You can get a 48" in the back, just back it in. The wheels on a walk behind should go between the wheelwells and the deck will fit behind. You will like the smaller trucks. Mine gets 20+ mpg. Great for me.

[CT18fireman]

I started with a Toyota first with the box and then a flatbed. I was a one man operation. When I went to two mowers I could easily pull them on my 12ft trailer using the Toyota 4x4. The bed was then converted to hold trimmers, hand tools and clippings. Then I went to big trucks ehic are great for big trailers and riders. I am now in the process of rebuilding a Toyota similiar to what I had to use on small jobs. Can't go wrong with a small truck if you are a small operation. Even towing I could still get 15mpg. Good Luck!

[GREG R]

Don't get me wrong small trucks are great for the
right situation. I started out with a gmc S-15 4x4
ext cab. bought it used. put my push mowers in the
back. Put a plow on it for the winter.
Still have it, its paid for itself time and time again.
Pulled the stock bed off of it and stuck a steel
flat bed on it, a couple of yrs ago. but
after nine yrs in the biz, We use full size trucks
and 12-16ft trailer.(and no longer have the push mowers)

[mowerman90]

No, your 48" anything won't fit. Take some advice from someone who's been there, DON't get a small pickup for anything. Get yourself a full size and don't make the same mistake I did. I was pulling my 12ft trailer with my 98 Chev S-10 and decided that I needed a bigger engine so I got a 2000 Ford Ranger with the V6 and automatic. Ya, it pulls better, but I'm lucky to get 10 mpg. My buddy has a GMC full size with a small V8 automatic and gets 16 mpg pulling his 14ft trailer. Go figure. Get the big one!!!

[Mowman]

I OWN A 1998 S-10 AND USE IT FOR MY BUSINESS. I STARTED OUT WITH JUST A 21" TORO PRO-LINE. NOW I'M PULLING A 5X10 TRAILER WITH A WALKER ZTR AND ALL THE OTHER MISC. STUFF. TOTAL WEIGHT IS APPROX. 1800#. IT HAS THE VORTEC 2.2 W/5 SPEED AND GETS ME 22-25 MPG PULLING MY EQUIPMENT. SO THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION YES YOU CAN START YOUR SERVICE WITH A SMALL TRUCK. MY ONLY REGRET IS NOT GETTING A 4X4 AND THE 4.3 SIX W/ AUTO. THAT WILL BE MY NEXT TRUCK SO I CAN ADD A PLOW FOR AN ADD ON SERVICE.
GOOD LUCK,
Mowman

[TJLC]

Excellent advise given here. I use an s-10 to pull my 12 ft. trailer with two w/b's and a tool box. It has a 2.8v6 and you can tell you are pulling it! My next truck will no doubt be a full size with an engine to match. Live and learn I guess. I bought this before I found lawnsite. Now I know better.

[CT18fireman]

I am not throwing out insults here. I love the big trucks to. I have found that mileage depends on driving style. My crews will burn gas or diesel no matter what. I can conserve it. They also go through brakes even with trailer brakes. A small truck can pull a 10-12ft trailer no problem. I have pulled my 16ft with my brother's 67 Mustang on it with my old Toyota 4x4 4cyl. No problem. Of course you feel the weight but is still pulls and get good mileage. (we drove over 400 miles)
My advice would be to look at where your business is. Are u alone, or one helper? What can you afford? Don't break the bank on a big truck if it is not affordable or too much for your route. If you are starting out go with what you can. Move up to a trailer or bigger truck as you go. You can always sell the smaller one or keep it as a spare or run a second crew or a driveway, shovel truck in the winter. The possibilities are endless. Don't be swayed by the horsepower fever that is on this board.

[scottt]

My s10 with the 4.3 v6 and a 5 speed can pull a loaded trailer just fine, but stopping is where I have trouble. That is the only reason I am getting a full size truck for this year. It's kind of hard to stop when your trailer almost weighs as much as your truck and you have no trailer brakes.

[Esby]

I currently drive a Dodge Dakota, it pulls my 6*12 trailer just fine and gets OK gas mileage. I deffinatly am going to get a full size Chevy for my next truck.

[VLM]

I would go with a full size V8. You'll want it sooner than you know. It's all about HILLS. When I was working in Hampton Roads, all we used were s-10's but the highest piece of land there is about 100 ft above sea level. Here in No VA it's all hills and a small truck really struggles. If you pull a trailer with it expect to replace your brakes about every year and keep an eye on your clutch too.

[Cutter1]

for the price of some of those midsize trucks, you might as well get a full size truck. I still have my origianl truck. Toyota T100, runs perfect, looks a bit rough, but runs good. Pulled a 12 ft tralier with it, still has the original clutch!! 100k miles on it. If I had to do it again, I would buy a full size truck.

[Paradise Yard Service]

Wow talk about sticker shock for a newb 'mini' truck. Would not get a mini these days. I bought my 86 Mazda new for just under 6 grand, still in service with Amsoil.
P.Y.S.

[bobbygedd]

i am using an 88 dodge dakota, it pulls my 16 ft trialer with two walk behinds, and 2 pushmowers with no effort at all, but it does not like a heavy load in the bed(stone, etc) if i could swing it, id buy something bigger, that dumps too.

[Randy Scott]

John Rayl, I never tried to get a walkbehind in the back of a small pickup, so I can't answer that. It sounds like by a couple of the guys here that it won't fit too good, if at all. I guess all I can tell you is get the biggest you can afford. It's just that simple. Even with you starting out and being one man, the truck will fill up faster than you will think. I would imagine your minimum equipment needed will be the mower,string trimmer, blower,gas can,small hand tools,rake,ramps to load the mower, and whatever else you may need for the day. Even a 8 foot fullsize pickup is already overflowing by now, get my point. So I think it's going to fill up faster than you think. Once again though, you have to start within your financial means, but maybe shop around and do some good comparing before purchasing. The full size may be within your reach. Good luck with your decision. Just something to think about.:)