New Truck

[BensLand]

It's time to buy a new truck maybe used. I'd like to hear different opions to compare makes of trucks.Pros and cons.I'm interested in a diesle but wonder if they are worth the extra cost. I'm a one man show right now I do 40% maintenance an 60% construction. Right now I'm using a 1967 Ford F100 short bed and pull a 14' trailer.

[gusbuster]

Get the most that you can afford, but at least 3/4 ton P/U. I'm not going to say a brand to buy because you'll get another 100 different people saying this and that.

Happy shopping
John

[HOMER]

Buy the diesel, save on your fuel costs. You will be better off in the long run because it's going to be a truck that will last for years, it will most likely be 3/4 ton which offers better pulling and braking over the 1/2 ton. I'm happy with the one I bought.

Homer

[Currier]

I have a 95 f250 and I love it. I have used 1/2 tons in the past and always felt they were stressed to the max. The 3/4 ton has been seriously loaded down but has not "felt" like it was about to give up the ghost. Go at least 3/4.

[lawrence stone]

The Isuzu NPR with a 14' stake body and custom made handy ramp end gate looks like my next truck.

Now I can put nice lightweight 8 ft truck camper on my pick up a up coming version of mtv road rules.

[RYAN]

I would recommend going with a 3/4 ton. I use a 1/2 ton now and wish I had gone for the 3/4. Which I will do for my next truck. I would go for a used truck which is still in good shape to save some $.



Ryan



If you are going to steal second make sure the first baseman doesn't have the ball hidden in his glove.

[CCSwanson]

I just bought a Chevy 2000 K2500 (old body style) equipped with 5.7 auto, ac, am/fm cass, tilt, cruise, 3.73 L/S gear, for 22500 brand new The truck pulls a skid loader with no problems and holds a load very well. Have yet to see how well it will push snow. But overall I am very happy with the truck 5 months old 15,000 miles.

[Lawnworks]

I would not buy brand new.

[John DiMartino]

I would buy a 94-98 used,they are the best value in my opinion.Definetely go with a 3/4 ton.Towing with a 1/2 ton the truck is always rocking around due to the light springs,especially with tall loadfs on trailers.I do not want to tell you what brand to buy,thats your decision,based on the whats available used in your area.I would personally Buy a GM truck,but thats me.I feel they hold up the best,and are by far the easiest to work on and the ride height of the 3/4 ton isnt so high that the bed is useless like on the Ford SD 4x4,and Ram 2500 4x4's.If your buying a diesel,maybe look into a Dodge,or(gulp)Ford-I hate that word.

[CCLC]

Of course 3/4 ton is the way to go if you can afford it. Money is always the issue. If you have to get a half ton make sure you get HD shocks and springs, trailering packages (HD Tranny cooler, HD radiator), correct load range tires, etc.

[Rufur]

heavier suspension f250s 2500s big difference also I hear diesels dont make good plow trucks look for something w nice body and good interior (and usu mechanics are in good shape too)

[gene gls]

Cab over,short wheel base,auto,4cyl deisel, 10' platform dump,Isuzu or Mitsi..Cheaper to buy,shorter turning radious,larger pay load than 3/4 ton pick up.

[KirbysLawn]

The NPR option is good if you are going to buy a dedicated company truck and are going to have another vehicle for personal transportation. I choose to buy a F250 with the hopes that in 2 years I will have enough income to buy a NPR or Bering truck.

As for pick-up trucks, I reccommend a 250/2500 or above with diesel. I have discussed the cost of the diesel v/s savings in fuel in an older post: http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?threadid=304

Even with todays high fuel cost my diesel truck and equipments monthly fuel bill has not reached what my old gas trucks monthly fuel bill was by itself!

Ray

[thelawnguy]

A diesel is ill suited to startup, drive 1500 feet, shut down, mow, do it again 10 times a day. Unless you plan to trade every 5 years then watch out if u buy used...

[Tony Weston]

I would definitely go 3/4 ton, 4 X 4. If you can afford it, buy new. Dodge has a great deal for small business owners. If you have a tax I.D. number, you can get a 5 year-100,000 mile warranty on engine and transmission for no extra cost. I have three Dodges that I have like this and I just called to see about another new one for 2001 mowing season and they still have the promotional warranty going on. If you go to a dealer, ask them about it. Alot of them don't even know about this offer themselves.
Tony Weston

[geogunn]

despite all of the kudos to the .75 ton club I'm using a V-6 toyota extra cab to get around.

I've got a line on a friends F-150 with the triton v-8 that will be coming off of lease soon. I'm crossing my fingers.

HOWEVER...every day that thatI meet one of the big dodge 4X4's out there I am more impressed. those things are massive! the bigger the more awsome! they are huge and intimidating!

as many miles as I drive, I need something bigger than the TOY. people just dont pull over when you tailgate them. with that big dodge on their bumper, I'll bet they'll yank the wheel to get over!!!

GEO

[thelawnguy]

Originally posted by Tony Weston
Dodge has a great deal for small business owners. If you have a tax I.D. number, you can get a 5 year-100,000 mile warranty on engine and transmission for no extra cost. I have three Dodges that I have like this and I just called to see about another new one for 2001 mowing season and they still have the promotional warranty going on. If you go to a dealer, ask them about it. Alot of them don't even know about this offer themselves.

Dodge also gives $500 rebate to Farm Bureau members. Its worth it to shell out the $50 or so to get $500 back. You must be a member the 30 days prior to taking delivery however.

[chrisbolte]

Lawnguy what is required to get into the farm bureau? Also for the extended warrenty all you need is tax id number?

[Tony Weston]

This is correct about the farm bureau but you can only do one or the other. I felt like it was worth more to get the extended warranty at no extra cost. If you only plan on keeping the truck for 36 months, then it would be better off to join the farm bureau.
Tony Weston

[thelawnguy]

Go HERE (http://www.fb.org/state/) and pick your state, they will have the info you need.

My experience has been if you take the 500 and put it in a coffee can somewhere you will come out ahead of the extended warranty, but like any insurance you decide. The powertrain limits are too restrictive to be of value to myself.

[Edited by thelawnguy on 11-18-2000 at 07:42 PM]

[cat320]

If you said that more than half your business is new contruction you should atleast have a a F450-500 4x4 Diesel with a 9' body on it. then you can do anyting and pick up anything and not be at the merssy of delivery trucks unless it's a big job.But deffineatly go diesel.

[guntruck]

Bensland, I would strongly recommend the diesel. I have a 95 dodge ram 2500 with the cummins(pictures are on syzers post of our equipment). I just turned 100,000 miles and the truck runs like it was new!! I am still getting 21 miles to the gallon and i sometimes pull a 34 foot cigarette boat, full size back hoe and other equipment with no problems. It is the motor of choice for pulling. Hope this helps =)
http://www.members.home.net/mane/mower/Dsc00292.jpg

[Edited by guntruck on 11-19-2000 at 01:05 AM]

[cat320]

Guntruck you can pull a 17K LB backhoe pluse the trailer with a 3/4 ton single rear wheel truck even with the diesel it just seams to be an imposablilty.I would like to see pics of this if you can post them on here.

[RMc Lawn]

I have a 1999 1 ton dually w/ 8' dump box. 4x4 454 5 spd. Can pull trailers with no problem, haul materials, spread rock push snow. Not cheap but money well spent.I went gas , diesel concerned me with all the short run times and noone local to work on it.