Trailers and hitches

[green-pa]

I know this sounds dumb to all u guys who have trucks and stuff. But right now I only have a luxery coupe. It's a really nice car, but I know it's going to look un-pro pullling my equip out of the trunk. Should I see about attatching a hitch or something and find a trailer somewhere to just until I can afford a descent used pick up? Or is it hard to attatch a small ( say 5x6) utility trailer to a car? I'd probably have to get another plate and insurance for that wouldn't I? Just want to do it as good as I can, yet without going broke my first year.:rolleyes:

[MudslinginFX4]

Sell the car and buy a truck, never look back.

[green-pa]

Or maybe trade it in? I love that car though. I just got it a few years ago and I had been wanting this particular model since like 2000. Now that I have it, I don't want to part with it. I'd rather look rough for a few weeks, or til I know I'm making enough to make payment on a truck. Even just some old thing for under a grand. Do u guys think I could get some descent running old thing for under $1,000 somewhere? I wouldn't mind a little rust and dents and stuff. Just something to get me through a month or two or maybe my first year. Or is something that cheap just too hard to find? I could always paint over the rust and shine it up as best as I can and tell the customers that my good truck is in the shop or something 'til I get a truck or get a nice one.

[lawnpro724]

look around you can find a good old truck for a couple thousand or less that would get you by for a couple years. I wouldn't even waste the money on a trailer that small, you will out grow it the year you bought it.

[MudslinginFX4]

Can you not afford a decent used one for a couple hundred a month? You could finance out a used one that costs 5k-10k and stay around a couple hundred a month. If not, I'd figure out a different way to make some money and come back to the lawn business when you have a little more cash built up. I couldn't imagine running my business without a truck.. or multiple trucks at that.

[Mow2nd-2]

check auto trader/truck trader magizine the have some good deals in there.
you need a truck ASAP, trade in the car or sell it you should be able to get enough loot out of it and with your grand added to it get the best most reliable truck you can, remember you get what you pay for!

[HOOLIE]

A hitch is around $300 installed, and even a tiny trailer will be near $500. If you just have one mower you wouldn't even need a trailer, just drive it up some ramps.

[green-pa]

Maybe I could get financing for a cheap truck. I don't know. If I have to, I'll just tell em my trucks in the shop. Just 'til I"m bringin' in the $ to make the truck payment. I'm really low on cash now and I like I said before, my car is my baby!

[biggin69]

I think you need to figure out wether you want to make $$$ or you want to keep your car. If you cannot part with your car, you still need a truck. Financing for 5 years runs about $100 per month for every $5000 spent. I would not waste the $$$ on a trailer that small.

[kmann]

Sell the car and buy a truck, never look back.

Do what he says. Your not going to get too far using a Car. What happens when you need to do other things? I just can't see not having a Truck of some type.

[green-pa]

Yeah, hopefully I could get approved for a 5 year deal on a $4-5 grand truck. That may be more than I need to start off with. Or maybe a 2-3 year term on a 2-3 grand truck. I just want to be as cautious as possible. And I've thought about how it's probably a waste of money to get a trailer when I could get an old truck for the same price, or at least a down payment on a descent one.

[carterlandscaping]

Sounds like a vanity issue to me. Who cares if your truck isn't so pretty. Why lie about a "nice truck" in the shop!? Look, sell your car and get a truck. How ridiculous would a trailer look behind your car! How could anyone not laugh at that.

[TTPRODR]

I know this sounds dumb to all u guys who have trucks and stuff. But right now I only have a luxery coupe. It's a really nice car, but I know it's going to look un-pro pullling my equip out of the trunk.

you dont want to look like this folks here,right?check out:

http://www.stupidcollege.com/items/Weights

[Mow2nd-2]

Lmao Off At That Video!!

[AndyTblc]

No you don't wana look like that. That might and more then likely did do some damage. But yah if you wanted that car bad then don't sell it. I'd go for the older pick-up deal. Trucks are trucks.

[ozd12005]

Just start the season using your car, use some bungies to hold the string trimmer and blower on the roof, put the gas cans in the passenger seat,the mower in the trunk and if you bag you got the whole back seat :dizzy: :laugh:

[lawnspecialties]

I think you need to figure out wether you want to make $$$ or you want to keep your car.

Probably the key line to this entire thread.

you dont want to look like this folks here,right?check out:

http://www.stupidcollege.com/items/Weights

That was friggin' funny, right there.:laugh:

[mcwlandscaping]

LMAO at that video!! hahhahahaha

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

If you arent looking to go big or what not, a Ford Ranger V6 or Dakota or an
S10 will do just fine for pulling a small trailer and still be a TRUCK!!! A car is not really intended to pull a trailer with. You will end up spending more in repairs than you will make. It just isnt worth it. You say you want to be cautious, but isnt business about taking some kind of risks?? Plus, I think people would spend more time laughing than paying you to work. I am not trying to knock your game, just dont be foolish and kill your car. Those trucks I listed can be found for a dime a dozen. Good luck!!

[SongBird LawnCare]

I can and tell the customers that my good truck is in the shop or something 'til I get a truck or get a nice one.

lol.. that's exactly what i'd do.

first off.. you can buy a truck for under a grand. you just have to look.. and be a little bit lucky.

i got my current one for $800.. but i did get really lucky.. as i've been told it should not of sold for anything less than 2 grand.

you can still get one that is functioning well for that amount.

now.. so far as selling the car for a truck. you can look at it this way.. you could sell that.. buy a truck.. f*ck the small trailor.. and purchase the same car you just sold.. only a better version.. AFTER you run your business for a season.. sacrifice for your business.. and you'll be good to go in the long run..

i might sell the car... telling myself i'll buy a better one later.. even if it's the same year/make/model.. after my s*t's straight.

but then again.. i've always been told.. "you ain't right"

who knows..

:)

[Puller504]

Drive your car for personal use. Buy a used small truck of your choice for commercial use. The interest you pay on a bank commercial loan is a business expense to deduct from your taxes. Miles travelled for commercial use are deducted also, (as cents/mile). I used a S-10 Chevy that I bought new in 1990 and an old boat trailer that I made into a tilt-bed mower trailer, for 10 years! I'm now running a one ton Chevy 4x4 (with snowplow for more $$$ in winter) and a much larger trailer. Grow as your business grows! Hope this helps, Don

[green-pa]

you dont want to look like this folks here,right?check out:

http://www.stupidcollege.com/items/Weights

I'm not this ignorant and a little trailer with a 21inch, blower, and things, will not look so bad. I know u guys are used to your trucks, but personally, if I like the job someone does, I like the person, and their vehicle is nice, I don't care about anything else. A truck just makes it easier on them. I've read a book about this biz, now it was written in '81 but it's the one that gave me the idea. A lotta guys started out with their cars and then moved up to trucks. I don't mind someone telling me their opinion but don't try to insult my intelligence or waste my time posting useless messages. I have a damn nice car that I've worked and dreamed for since '00 and I'll be damned if I let it go because of what some of u prideful folk think. If a customer wants me more for how I look than how I perform and am, then I wouldn't want them anyway, unless it was just business, but I can do without. I'm going to try to get something. I'd rather have a $700 old pickup than pay just as much or more for a trailer. I may as well just put the 21 inch in my trunk. If nothing else, that's what I'll have to do. I know one thing for sure, that if and when I do make it, I'm not going to put down the guy/s who are just starting out and can only afford the vehicle they have to transport their equip.!!!:usflag:

[green-pa]

lol.. that's exactly what i'd do.

first off.. you can buy a truck for under a grand. you just have to look.. and be a little bit lucky.

i got my current one for $800.. but i did get really lucky.. as i've been told it should not of sold for anything less than 2 grand.

you can still get one that is functioning well for that amount.

now.. so far as selling the car for a truck. you can look at it this way.. you could sell that.. buy a truck.. f*ck the small trailor.. and purchase the same car you just sold.. only a better version.. AFTER you run your business for a season.. sacrifice for your business.. and you'll be good to go in the long run..

i might sell the car... telling myself i'll buy a better one later.. even if it's the same year/make/model.. after my s*t's straight.

but then again.. i've always been told.. "you ain't right"

who knows..

:)

THanks for the encouragment Songbird! I'm in the process of looking for something under a grand. I found one for 700 but it was already sold. I'm sure I'll find something I can afford. Maybe I'll get a small business loan or something.

[green-pa]

Hope this helps, Don

Thanks Don! It's refreshing to see someone not cracking jokes, but giving constructive advice!

[Jim-n-i]

Here's one for you members ( get a can of paint and a brush and pait your logo on your car so people will know your in business HA HA Ha

[Sydenstricker Landscaping]

I have to ask the question everyone is probably wondering........What kind of car is it??

[cranium2001]

Here is an example close to you. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-S10-GAS-SAVER-4Cly-5-Speed-Runs-Drives-Great_W0QQitemZ160096798076QQcategoryZ13488QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I know mileage is high but consider the value even if it only lasts one season. Once you own and drive a truck you will wonder how you ever got by without one.

[NELawnCare]

look around you can find a good old truck for a couple thousand or less that would get you by for a couple years. I wouldn't even waste the money on a trailer that small, you will out grow it the year you bought it.

The market is ripe for truck deals. Trucks are at an all-time buyers market right now. Many good trucks are on the market because the "arm-chair" truck owner doesn't want to pay for the increased gas prices. I'm sure you can find a great truck deal. If you can go new, Ford is offering 0% for 60-months right now.

I agree with lawnpro724 on the trailer. A trailer should be a well thought out decision. I think I went too small when I bought my 6x12 gated trailer. I think I should have gone with a 14'.

Good luck.

[Ecoscape01]

Thanks Don! It's refreshing to see someone not cracking jokes, but giving constructive advice!

I wanted to use my car when I decided to start my business. The guys cracked jokes on me too but I'm glad they did cuz it forced me to really think about my situation. As a result, I put some real thought into what the repercussions of using my car would be. The single biggest factor in me deciding to buy a truck (besides the fact that I would be embarassed) - my car is fairly new and financed and if I used it for work it would get trashed in a season. I started looking for a truck and found the one I have now for $1500. '89 F-150 4x4 Extended Cab Lariat with only 115k on it. The thing runs beautifully and now I won't look stupid and it opened up a world of opportunities for my business. I can do so much more with not only a truck, but my old truck. Picked it up for 1500 and I'm expecting to get the tranny rebuilt before I plow with it but right now the thing runs like a champ. As for using a car, most coupes that I know of don't even have a frame, they have a uni-body which as far as I know you can't attach a hitch to. Good luck dude and don't feel bad. I was there once and I know how you feel:)

[Prestige-Lawncare]

Look for a used S-10 or something .. like the one listed above on eBay. You've got to make an investment in your future, and the future of your company. You can use the truck in more ways then you imagine right now ... and trucks are always a good investment.

Good Luck ...

[green-pa]

Yeah, I'm looking guys. I just hope I find one that is genuinely a good deal.
And not something that is going to break down mid season. Just hope I can find something within the next few weeks!

[Puller504]

Try TruckTraderOnline.com. I looked to replace my 1986 Chevy Silverado 2500 4x4 for about 6 months. I found my 1998 one ton 4x4 through TruckTraderOnline.com, I got an excellent deal! Hope this helps, Don