small trucks again

[bw]

i've asked this question before, know i just want to know how many of you use small trucks for your business and what you use? with the price of gas the way it is, and i'm just starting out i cant afford the big trucks, even though that's what i think i need. so in other words, i want you guys to tell me "it's ok get a small truck"...

[Lazer]

it's ok to get a small truck.

[Retro67]

By small truck, do you mean full size pick-up? An S-10 or Ranger? I would use a full size truck if you can. &lt;p&gt;Make sure you don't get a four cylinder even if you have to use a small truck.<br>Also, if you get a small truck, trailer brakes might be helpful.&lt;p&gt;John

[cantoo]

If you have to buy a big truck next year the few dollars you save in gas this year will be long gone. <br> Not sure what equipment you have but I have a long box and a 16' trailer and I never have enough room unless I am just cutting a lawn. Of course I load my trailer like a boy scout,, &quot;always be prepared&quot; you can never have everything you need or want.

[scottlawns]

well i started last year with a v6-ranger it struggeld to pull the trailer and i hated it,but at least it was a truck...4 months later i bout a F-350 and now im happy,but if you cant afford to get a big truck then start with a small one and just take it easy on it.and i think trailer brakes would really help.

[cutntrim]

My partner and I used to have a Nissan and a Ranger. The Nissan was awesome on gas and we'd pull around a 4'x8' trailer with a 36&quot; WB, and a 21&quot; honda, plus our trimmers. Our blowers and gas would have to go in the bed, plus our lunch coolers and water jugs. Didn't leave a ton of space for much else. It's nice having full-sized trucks now, but we certainly managed ok with our 1/4 tons for a number of years. Both were stickshift and obviously better on gas then our V8's now. Nothing wrong with a small, economical truck if you're bootin' around doing smaller properties (especially if you side discharge or mulch). Not a ton of room for grass in the beds. The Nissans are reliable and affordable. Having said all that I'd still consider a used full size. Our newest truck is a 85 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 with 70,000km and cost $3,500 CDN.<p>----------<br>Dave in S.Ontario<br>

[bdemir]

last year i pulled a 16' trailer with a toyota and it was not too nice but it works. I would say if you are pulling a ten foot and smaller trailer then a small size truck is ok but my opinion is you will not have to but will probably want to upgrade to a bigger truck with a bigger engine. No prob w small size if you ask me.<p>P.S. might have to use trailer for fall cleanups.<br>Dont frorget to get a 4x4 for snow if it snows by you.<br>

[Mowin4cash]

Right now I use a V-6 powered Dodge Dakota. It's a wonderful truck, but only gets 12 mpg pulling a 6X14 trailer w/ one Dixie Chopper. As soon as I get as rich as ERIC, I'll buy at least a 3/4 ton with diesel or the biggest gas v-8 option they have. It takes a certain amount of fuel to get a job done I've learned, so get the engine/truck combo to do the job quickly. Long live the BIG BLOCK!

[Finecut]

Guys, up until 96 Ford put out a 300 ci 6 that could pull a house. Teamed up with a 5speed or auto. it still would save on gas compared to a v-8 and still get the job done for you. As a matter of fact the 97 F-250 was available with that motor also. It seems that they weren't retooled for the change over until 98 for F-250.

[TPC]

I have had a few trucks,the first was a 94 f150 with the 300ci,and 5speed tranny,that got about 14-16mpg,it was a great work truck and it pulled better top end then my next truck which was a 90 F150 4x4 302ci.that got 10mpg..But then I graduated to a 99 F250<br>powerstroke diesel,which gets 16 mpg,and of course I can now pull just about what ever I want..The trailer<br>that I pull is a 6x16 and can hardly feel it back there......<br>I guess just like every one else it all depends on what YOU need!!<p>

[CA Enterprises]

I had a 94 Ford Ranger that had a 4 cyl. Not a wise choice. 8 months later traded for a 96 Chevy C1500 with a 305ci. It was good but still lacked in the power dept. Now I have a 98 Chevy C3500 with a 454ci. I can pull anything that I need and a bit more to boot. I think now that the money would have good to invest in a Diesel. I really like the new Ford Super Duty. Overall you really won't notice the gas trade off for what you need to pull, however once again it's all in what you need and want. By the way my 454 gets 13mpg in town. Pretty good for such a hoss!<p>Adam :)

[Evan528]

i no this is off topic but here it goes.... right now i am in the process of looking at a new truck to buy. i have narrowed it down to either the chevy 2500 or the ford f-250. still not quite sure whether im getting the extended cab yet. the chevys interior is alot nicer than the fords but the ford also had a nice look. the chevy im intrested is a chevy 2500 extended cab Lt fully loaded. (34,000 bucks!) beutiful truck but i dont no if i want to spend that much. i am also considering getting the f250 reg cab well equiped wich is about 26-27,000. help me out! what do you guys think. i am definitly getting one or the other by end of summer! help me out!

[scottlawns]

just my opinion....i wouldnt want a really nice interior,when you use it for a work truck its nice not to always worry about getting it dirty,i really like fords and think they are a tough work truck,i think the chevy rides nice but it is not ment for work like the ford.

[TPC]

I have to agree with scott,I needed a good strong WORK truck and didnt need all the bells and whistles..So I got the 99 F250 p.s.<br>5 speed,2wd,vinyl seat,just a very basic truck..But it still looks sharp and was in the low 20s,,,and is a geat truck with lots of power.......<p> timcampbell_cleancutlawncare@hotmail.com

[lawrence stone]

I consider my truck to be a &quot;small' truck.<p>I use a truck that started out as a half ton<br>that now is a one ton IMHO.<p>It's a 92 C1500 4.3 V-6 F.I. I bought new for $10k with<br>a auto trans., factory step bumper, and<br>sliding rear window for options.<p>I have added a 4.10 posi rear, hot computer chip, foam air cleaner,<br>rear overload shocks, 30&quot; LT tires, greedy<br>boards, and a handy ramp end gate.<p>I have V-8 power but get fuel milage of 15<br>when loaded down pulling a trailer and<br>between 17-20 mph highway without a trailer.

[RYAN]

Last year was my first year in the biz and i had to use my 1990 Ranger with a four cylinder pulling a 5x8 trailer. it was a learning experiance. Especially if you consider I do bag some lawns and would fill the bed with grass. This off season I bought myself a 1994 Chevy 1/2 Ton. This should make things a lot easier. More power and a lot more room.

[MOW ED]

For the last 3 years I have been using my Chevy S-10 4x2 with the 4.3l V-6 w 4 sp trans. The only mod I made was helper springs in the rear. It has 77k miles on it and runs great. I pull a 14x6 trailer without any trailer breaks. No problems stopping wet or dry. I don't do snow. I like the truck but I do need bed space so this year I am putting boards on the side. These Chevs don't have stake pockets so I will design my own boards. Gas mileage is between 15 and 20. Dont buy a small 4cyl engine unless you are not gonna pull a trailer. The 4.3l 6 has lots of snot.