Which would you choose? Truck choice

[Currier]

I realize there is the truck forum, but this relates to cutting more than just truck ??

Currently I use an f-250 with a grass lift installed in the back. I pull a 16 ft trailer. We remove lots of grass (feed it to cows). This year I have begun some good landscaping jobs and plan on offering lawn maint. and landscape install and renovation.

I have the opportunity to purchase (very reasonably) a 3500 chevy dually with a 2 yard dump bed. This would be a great landscape truck. It has low mileage and is in excellent shape. I figure I can ramp into the back of the truck from the tralier.

Any one have experience with the 1 ton with a dump? Any thoughts, words of wisdom, or screams of warning? The f-250 works well right now but the grass lift really limits its use for anything other than a mowing setup. At this point it is one or the other (can't swing both just yet) which would you do?

[f350]

i really dont have an answer about the truck, i more concerned about feeding the cows. are you worried about pestcide residuals when feeding your live stock.?

[landscaper3]

Even though I own a Chevy 3500 im not a fan of them I always liked the Fords but I will tell you if the price is right any make is right for the job if it will earn you money! Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!! As far as a decision which one to keep I wont tell you my answer even though its listed above but I will tell you if you deliver mulch, loam, rock or any bulk material that Chevy 3500 dump will be a god-send in labor reduction. Like I said if the price is right do it!

[Currier]

The cows only get "clean" grass. Been feeding them for seven years...pretty much like everyone else around here that has access.

[landscaper3]

Even though I own a Chevy 3500 and a 1500 HD im not a fan of them why do I own them (THE PRICE WAS RIGHT!!) I always liked the Fords but I will tell you if the price is right any make is right for the job if it will earn you money! Go for it!!!!!!!!!!!! As far as a decision which one to keep I wont tell you my answer even though its listed above but I will tell you if you deliver mulch, loam, rock or any bulk material that Chevy 3500 dump will be a god-send in labor reduction. Like I said if the price is right do it! We at present time run a Chevy 3500 454 pickup a 1500 H/D pickup, a Dodge W350 flat bed, 2 Ford diesel dumps and a Ford Diesel pickup all are 4wd but the 1500HD and most were purchased cause the price was right and could make money with them. So to me Ill go with the Ford if the price is the same but if the Chevy or Dodge is cheaper and in the same condition thats what will be sitting at our shop!

[odin]

We have a 1997 3500 heavy duty duelly with a three yard bed and the 7.4 engine in it and its been like a rock.
It Likeing the gas has been our only problem with it .
It dont get good mileage .
Im prejuiced being a GM retiree but chevy has always been like a rock for me.

[f350]

oh alright, i live in the burbs so the closest cow is 40 miles. i was just curious. i own a 2000 f350 dually diesel. this by far is the best overall truck i've ever had. i had a 98 f250 and it was great, but i need a 1 ton. alot of people i know have strayed away from chevy trucks ( because of the duramax ), what year is the chevy, my brother had a 91 1 ton dump and he wasn't to happy with it. he bought a 2000 f650 chassis cab and put a dump box on it, this thing just plain rocks

[Currier]

I'll be checking it out more in the next couple of days. I believe it is a 98 and was a government truck. It has 28,000 miles on it they want 15,900.00 figure I can probably get decent trade in on the ford (95)
Sure appreciate the info. Thanks!

[hoagie]

Hey bud, if you can, try to hook up w/ an f350. I'm not tryin to knock anybody elses choice of equip... all depends on your application.
Over the years working w/ many different landscapers I have had the opportunity to use chevy, ford, dodge, and Mitsu. The dodges were very comfy and stylish (my personal fav for a personal vehicle), but lots of brake/front end and tranny probs, just not very heavy duty, the cummins is awfully nice though. Chevys reminded me of a 1 ton on a car chassis, again not very rugged, especially if you plow. Mitsu's were awesome trucks... hardly ever a problem, and good power from only a 4cyl turbo diesel. The only thing is finding a dealer close enough and they are a little pricey.
I have always been a chevy fan and ford hater (and old camaro/mustang thing from back in the high school days), but I do have to say that Ford makes THE best work truck out there. The 7.3L will out pull anything out there. After using a 350 side by side w/ a ram 3500 and a Mitsu for 2yrs, I have seen the light.
Good luck w/ whatever you go w/. -kj

[slplow]

I own a dodge 1 ton dump. I won't get in a truck war here but it does handle loads better than my 97 gmc did. A 1 ton dump is a must in doing landscaping and one of the biggest time savers. I say buy it...

[GreenIsland]

I am not a chevy vs Ford person But, I have worked many years with construction contractors in all parts of America ( all Phases of contracting- builing,pipe lines, utility etc.,) and almost 95% of the trucks out there are FORD for one reason- dependability. The other percentage tends to be mostly made up of Dodge - watch out some later models 5 speeds Dodges have a weak link manual transmission- there is fix to where you get a machine shop to go in and weld a nust in the case that keeps backing off (i believe 1999's??- Chevy on the other hand doesn't do that good in the heavy work department-- while some may have had a great experience--I just would stay away-- ask a heavy equipment contractor-- You just won't see many chevys. My brother was ex-wifes family ran a used heavy truck dealership (specializing in tons) selling hundreds of trucka a year to contractors and farmers and they cringed when someone brought in a chevy ton as a trade-- THose were the ones that sat on the lot for months. I have had real good luck with the chevy 1/2 and 3/4 tons although-- I just would put my money in the ford-- or second choice of dodge. good luck- and again no brand loyality --just what I have personally seen. I may add Ford is not known for their getting good MPG with the gas engine. Always trade offs.

[SJR Lawncare]

While ALL manufacterers have their occasional problems, I agree that Ford is the best choice when choosing a dependable truck for heavy pulling & a hard working truck. Especially the 250 or 350 Power stroke diesel. While the 150 is a nice truck, its not really built for heavy duty use. It's not the #1 selling truck for no reason. Of course, this is only MY opinion.

Steve, SJR Lawncare

[bubble boy]

i would say that is somewhat odd. round here chevys and fords dominate.

and if you look at sales #, ford does outsell the other two. but ford and chevy FAR outsell dodge-dont quote me but last i saw wasn't dodge only 20% of the market?

i know that includes all trucks, not just work, but stilll seems dodge falls behind.

they are good looking for this year. and POWER. wont be challenging any with the silverado soon.

[f350]

hey i went by the ford dealer this morning ( coffee shop next store ) they had a 2001 1 ton dump with plow for 26k out the door. now this is a big price jump from 16 but if you were to do a commercial lease on this truck, i bet you could steal it. check in on commercial leases they are alot differant than passanger leases. i know you can get them for like 30k miles a year and so on.

[hoagie]

Hey F350... fords commercial track leases are pretty damm appealing, although I chose to buy this time.
They have UNLIMITED mileage, AND no wear and tear penalties!! You can get a lower payment AND best of all a monthly write-off on the payment for the full term! READ: business expense, not an asset. The only thing that dissuaded me was the idea of having to pay a 20% balloon payment at the end if I wanted to own it (which totaled almost 8grand more than the STICKER price in the end!). If you dont want the thing they will take it to the truck auction at lease term and depending on what they sell it for you might end up having to pay OR if you take real good care of it and keep the mileage low (or just dissconnect the sensor, cough cough) they will give you the difference on the sale. But then, your left w/ no truck. SO, if you want to beat the ever-livin hell out of a work truck, need the write-off and dont mind paying a little to dump it off after 5 yrs, looks good. Myself, I'd rather pay a little more now, and not have ANY payment in 3yrs. -kj

Oh and one more thing... do your homework BEFORE you go into the dealer!! Get retail prices for the dump body that you want and invoices on the trucks themselves. The dump isn't included in the sticker and they will try to make $$ on you when they drop the price once you've deceided on the truck. I ended up getting an '01 450 for close to $5g less than the sticker... $800 over invoice and cost for the dumper, and I could've probably gotten it a few hundred cheaper!

[stslawncare]

hey if u could keep the pickup also, dont want to be driving around doing estimates in a mini dump, also always good to have a backup, and could use it for when doing small mowing or whatever, second crew possibly too. whats the grass lifter thing u are talking of?

[Currier]

Thanks all for the info and input. I think it has all ready been sold. But you know, now that I got the bug...:)

Sure appreciate your help.

[odin]

Ford otsells chevy by itself but when you add in GMC it dont
Put it like this general motors sold more full size pickups in 2001 than anybody and set a new record for todal truck sales.
Im ex gm but i dont begruge any ford sales because ford and gm are american companies and ford and gm workers are uaw brothers.
The new duramax diesel has narrowed ford diesel advantage a lot and is one of the reasons gm got the pickup truck sale leadership back
Ford had been outselling gmc - chevy since 1994
Before 1994 gmc and chevy always outsold ford by a good deal and 1977 and before chevy by itself always outsold ford.

[ohiolawnguy]

i say they are all decent trucks, but i just cant imagine snowplowing for 10-12 hours or more consecutive in a ford. simply not enough leg room for me. maybe im just spoiled from using the newer dodges which have plenty of leg room.

[mdb landscaping]

like odin said, chevy and gmc arent combined when gaining the figures, but truly, gm has always outsold ford. this last year, chevy alone outsold ford. i think you better watch out for a lot of chevies to show up in the heavy work industry. the duramax gives the powerstroke a run for its money. always been a chevy fan and currently own a duramax. i think chevies styling has always topped ford. just my opinion though.

[PrimeGreen Lawn]

OK, here we go again.
Anyway, I own 2 Ford trucks. 2000 F350 Diesel, and 2001 F250 Diesel. My buddy just bought the new 2002 Duramax Sierra 3500 and I've got to tell you......that thing pulls, and pulls. It seems to have a slight advantage over my Powerstrokes. The trans. is the best part...the 5 speed Allison tranny. Shifts VERY smooth, and the rpm's rarely see more than 400-500 difference between shifts. Not like the Ford's tranny, especially between the 2-3 shift. Lots of rpm drop. Lots of drop in RPM's as well as about 10 lbs of boost. (Both trucks have boost, pyro, and tranny temp gauges.) But I still love my Fords. Next truck we're thnking about is one of thoes F650's. We'll see how these next couple seasons go for us. Chow.

Scott