Truck choices i've narrowed.

[Bob_McNaughton]

I've been looking around at a truck to pick up for my LC and Plowing business I want to start next you. I've got a few deals i've managed to find. Which one you guys like the best out of my list?

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2001 Dodge 2500HD Quad Cab - Loaded 5.9L Engine w/Stick and trailer tow package and HD Alternator, etc. $26000.00 (2k under invoice) Brand new. Red in color w/sport pack and all the trimmings. (ugh stick)

Pros: Awesome power, heavy duty, sweet looks and options, brand new with 10 miles. Good price, considering what it is.

Cons: Extremely high payments.

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1998 Dodge 1500 Quad Cab - Loaded, mint, 30k Miles, 5.2L Engine. One owner, very clean, tow package. $16999.00 Black, with SLT and all the trimmings.

Pros: Reasonable cost(350ish a month), almost brand new looking, lotsa features and wonderful to look at.

Cons: Weak engine, light duty truck, no plowing or hauling, and limited trailer loads.

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1997 Ford F250HD Club Cab (older body style) - Most options, tow package, heavy duty everything. 72,000 miles. Looks fairly clean, with no major defects, some minor scratches and nicks, was used as a work truck for a contractor. 5.8L Engine. $11,000.00

Pro: CHEAP, rediculously low payments (190.00 a month or less). Heavy Duty all around, and strong engine.

Cons: Well used. Old Style Ghetto body. Higher miles. Will need 2 new tires within a year or so. Has really dumb looking cap, running boards and mud flaps. (wierdos) Easy to remove those I guess. Hehe


Any advice? I guess my delima is, live with the 1500, and its inadequacies, or pay big bux (even under invoice, still expensive) for a new one, or buy something cheap, and older that will do the job.

I'm torn up deciding guys! Help me out!

[KirbysLawn]

Well I notice all are gas engines, you had mentioned pulling an enclosed trailer. With the Dodge 5.9 get ready to fill up often! I had a 96 Ram and got 7-8 mpg pulling a trailer and 13 empty.

I have stated before, if you are pulling a heavy load and are buying a gas engine to "save" money, forget about it! I was spending $260-270 a month in gas, I now spend $160-180 a month in diesel. My payment is about $110 more with the diesel, combined with the fuel savings I'm breaking even and have a much more powerful truck with a better resale value.

If you have a very short route and will use it for business only gas may not matter, I use my truck for business and personel and it has 67,000 miles and it's a 99 and I love the mileage I get with the diesel.

Things to consider....

[jeffyr]

Of the choices you gave why not look at the older ford right now. It will not fall short of any of the work you have in mind, payments won't be rediculous, you wonn't freak out because you got a scratch on your new work truck, and once you get established and make regular money you can get the toy you want. At this point it seems like a new truck is a waste when the money saved can go into equipment that will earn you more money in less time.

I agree with Kirby on the 5.9 liter--it chugs gas. Since mine is a personal vehicle, I am sorry I didn't get a little jeep or something similar in size since I am spending a fortune on gas.


jeffyr

[AltaLawnCare]

I used to have a 1500 with a 318 before I got my 00 2500 diesel. I used to work for a fellow who had a 360 1500 - he kept it 2 months before trading for a 2500 diesel. The 5.9 gas just didn't seem to have much more power than my 318, or more importantly, torque.
IMHO, if you can't swing a dodge with a 5.9 cummins, that ford is the way to go. My second choice would be the 5.9 gas dodge with the straight - you don't want a dodge gas engine with an automatic - unless you can get 4:56 gears under it !!

[southside]

What about the small cabover trucks? Isuzu and Mitsubishi.
Mitsubishi make a 4WD model Canter. I would imagine it would
be effective as a snow plough.

[roscioli]

I personally would go with the ford. The 5.8 has good power for a gas engine, and i love that body style :). They make good work trucks, dont have to worry about the paint, etc.. Sell the cap, keep the running boards and mud flaps. I have found that while plowing, to get a look at what i am plowing, i can stand on my running boards while driving (slowely and cautiously of course)
But wait a minute, now i read again, club cab. WHat size bed? I personally need a 8 foot bed, and USUALLY, not always, extended cab means 6foot bed, and if it IS 8foot, that is one hell of a long truck.
Mike

[TLS]

Bob,

Do they have Truck Trader magazines at your local conveince store? They're $1.25 and usually span a 100mi radius. I just opened last weeks up and saw the following:

1995 Chevy K3500 Silverado SRW
V-8, 4x4, Auto Loaded 78K mi
Clean Truck$14,995

1995 Ford XL F250HD Ext Cab 4x4
PS-Diesel Auto 115K
$13,595

1997 Dodge Ram 2500HD LT
V-8 Auto running boards plow prep
Towing package
$16,500

This was just a pick of a few that I just turned to. Dealer ads were full of nice trucks, just no prices on them.

Dont rush into this purchase, look around, go and talk to some local garage mechanics, they seem to know when someone is looking to sell nice trucks! Also, spread the word to friends about your needs, news travels fast. When people go to trade in say that 97 truck and see that the dealer was only going to give them $13,500 they put an ad in the paper and ask $16,500. That same dealer would have it marked up to $18,500! Try Kelly Blue Book dot com.

[TotalLawn]

Keep looking for a better deal. I found mine in the truck trader:

1999 Ford F350, Quad cab, 9' flatbed, 4x4, Diesel, 6 speed.

I paid just over $19,000. That just a little over$2000 more than the 98 1500 you listed. It still has some of the Mfg. warranty on it. Ganted, the resale value varies from region to region, Good used trucks in Okla. are hard to find. You have until the first of next year, don't get in a hurry.

[racerdave]

Bob, have you built your business plan?
You really should do this before you buy anything for your biz.
Just some advice....

David

[CMerLand]

Bob,

My only point would be to get an automatic for plowing. Long hours on the clutch are not fun, and you go much slower in reverse in a stick.

Personal experience is that clutches get blown, not everyone can drive stick and there is less room in the truck if you have to cart shovelers with you.

Eleven grand for that F-250 is cheap. Have it looked over thoroughly as that truck should sell for 2-4 grand more over that, at least along the lines of the trucks Im looking at.

CMerLand

[Bob_McNaughton]

Yes I did a business model, still not 100% done with it yet. But close.

As i've said in previous posts, I did this part-time with 30+ accounts a week when I was 17ish for 2 years. (saved enough to pay for degree) In addition, I was forman for 2 years for a guy that runs 2 rigs, and has 150+ accounts or more.

Most of my questions are resulting from lack of being in this business over the last 8 years. I'm still working for the man, and looking to break out of it.

Something about the Lawn business I always liked. I'm not sure if its the smell of fresh cut grass, or the freedom and good pay. Hehe

I think I have close to 10k in cash im willing to spend on equipment, anything else will have to be financed. We just bought a house and put alot down, so cash is a little short for now.

The biggest headache for me so far has been the truck. I am pretty sure on the equipment I want, have a trailer all picked out, have the marketing material layed out, and the accountant and lawyers on hand for the incorporation and other matters.

Just the damn truck thats driving me crazy. Hehe

[Bob_McNaughton]

The truck wasn't 11 grand, when I stopped by, the dealership was closing, and the guy sweeping the floors "Thought" it was 11k.

Called them today, they want 14k for it. Which I feel is a rip off, because it was obviously a work truck, and has some cosmetic issues.

[mdb landscaping]

what, no chevys?

[LAWNGODFATHER]

if you are going to plow stay away from 1/2 tons and smaller

as far as cab overs the alt. s are $1000 each I would think about using one of them but repair costs are real high
and the only 4X4 model only come in a 5 speed

look around at some small car dealers, get a truck trader or equivalent

try and make a friend at a small car lot so he can take you to an auction and you might find a nice truck that got repoed

just remember the truck you use to work in will get torn up especialy plowing so don't waist a lot of money for it to be you toy
if you want a toy don't use it for work

deisel would be nice but you have to consider where can I get fuel
if there is no where close it wouldn't do you any good

what ever choise you make I hope we all help LGF:blob3:

[Kent Lawns]

Do NOT buy a truck with a manual transmission.


A mid-90's Chev/GMC 4x4 extendo SWB might be your best truck.
1500, 2500 doesn't matter too much, just put HD torsion bars and you're good to go.

They seem to be the best work/personal/value combo IMAO.

We've have very few problems with ours. (We own/have owned all makes/all decades since 1970's.)

[Randy Scott]

Instead of hemming and hawwing (spelling?) over this, figure out what you can afford to the dime. That is step one! Then get whatever that amount will buy. I would say that most people in this line of work will never say they have too much truck, but most likely could use a little more. I have a F250 diesel. Great truck, good power, pulls my 20 foot enclosed without batting an eye, sits perfect. Now I just bought an 8.5x12 tandem dump trailer and with 5 or 6 yds. of topsoil in that, the truck squats in an ugly fashion. Pulls O.K, but the steering starts to get a little light, it's not the safe way to tow. Now I wish I had a F350 or bigger. There are some good deals out there, take your time and look. I went to 7 dealerships before getting my truck, trying to beat them up. You can work some of them some of the time. The spread from high to low on what I found for prices for identical ordered trucks, was over $200 a month for payments, sounds like BS but it is the truth. Some dealers just will not budge and some will. Work those people!

[thelawnguy]

You are not going to enjoy plowing with those long cab pickups. Buy the wife a Voyager or something and get a regular cab truck with crank windows and vinyl floor cover to plow with.

A side note, you do not by any means want a mopar 5.2 in a 4wd unless your daddy owns a filling station.

[GreenStar]

go diesel,5 year 100k warranty.look at gas prices diesel stayed a
flat rate.gail banks has all the parts if you need more power.cummings makes the best it's a little loud though.
stay away from the new duramax it's crappy.call oakland dodge they have some good deals now my buddy works their.

[TLS]

Originally posted by GreenStar
stay away from the new duramax it's crappy.

Greenstar,

Just what do you feel is "CRAPPY" about the Duramax? Do you own one? I have been a member of www.thedieselpage.com for a while now and I am constantly reading posts of owners of the GM products that have the Duramax engine. Everyone seems to be very happy with that particular engine. And for a first year release of this product, I feel its doing very well. This will be the engine in my next truck, just need to save my pennies and dimes!

[Bob_McNaughton]

Greenstar, Oakland Dodge in Michigan? If so, tell me your buddies name so I can work on a deal this winter.

After 7 days of truck shopping, I decided to wait until winter to buy one. This will save me 200-300 a month in payments while I still work for the man. Wife made sense in the end. If im not starting the business till next year, why waste money on a truck now?