Principle truck

[Mowin4cash]

Right now, I operate out of a Dodge Dakota, V-6 gas hog, pulling a 6X14 single axle trailer. Was thinking of getting a 12 - 14 dumping stake body truck (Dodge cummins or an Isuzu NPR Diesel) so that I could haul yard debris w/o having to go to the dump 2-3 times a day when doing shrubs and stuff. Do you think a one man operation using this type of truck is overkill? Thanks.<p>----------<br>When the mowing gets tough, sharpen your damn blades!<br>

[OBRYANMAINT]

TOO MUCH FOR ONE MAN OPERATION<br>GET 3/4 HD W/ INSERT DUMP,BUILD SIDE BOARDS <br>WILL HAUL 5 YARDS OF ANYTHING(NOT STONE OR DIRT)I DUMP MINE EVERY OTHER DAY MOSTLY GRASS BUT A FEW TIMES A YEAR W/ BUSH CLIPPINGS <br>DOUG<br>

[cantoo]

I use a 88 Chev extended cab with an 8' box and pull a 12' trailer, I am thinking of buying a chipper to reduce the volume of brush and branches so that I don't have as many trips to the dump a day. I have an 18' flat bed that I am presently building into a trailer but will still be getting the chipper because it will help alot I think. Something to consider to reduce the volume.

[southside]

International ACCO 6 tonner 22'6&quot; beavertail<br>tray + Mitsubishi Canter 3 tonner 15' tray.<br>Hard to tell which is the principle truck as<br>they both get used equally.<p>Karl<br>

[Barkleymut]

Mowin4Cash, why don't you just get a 6x18 trailer. This will give you a lot of extra dumping space in the front of the trailer and with tandem axles you will get the added benefit of trailer brakes. Total cost 2 grand and you could probably get 800 to 1000 for your current trailer. By far the cheapest solution.

[columbiaplower]

i have a ford 94 f-250 with a 16' trailer

[Getmow]

87 Ford 350 diesel with 16' beaver tail landscape body.

[Greenkeepers]

WE HAVE A 99 DODGE RAM 2500 4X4 WITH A E-Z DUMPER INSERT AND A 16FT. TRAILER.

[lawnboyil]

we use a 92' f-250 ford with a single axle 14' trailer. big would be better

[The Mowman]

We use a 96' Dodge 3500 extended cab with insert e-z dumper with built up sides. Works great.<p>----------<br>Stephen<br>

[KirbysLawn]

I have a 99 Ford Super Duty F250 with the 7.3ltr Powerstroke Diesel and a 16' Haulmark tandem axel trailer. My old truck was a 96 Dodge Ram 1500 gas (HOG), when I purchased the diesel I got double the truck, my payments went up $120.00 a month BUT I save $100.00 a month in fuel!!! <p>I suggest anyone with a gas truck pulling a trailer give serious consideration in a diesel. Much more power, 12.5 MPG pulling 8500 pound trailer, and I get 16.5 city, and 20.97 highway.<p>----------<br>Ray Kirby - Kirby's Cuttin' Edge Lawn Maintenance<br>Home Page (http://www.kirbycuttin.com), My Truck (http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=681893&a=4967153), Lawn Photos (http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=681893&a=4967155)<br><p><font size="1">Edited by: KirbysLawn

[A CUT ABOVE]

I currently have 2000 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4x4 that pulls a 7x16 tandem axxle trailer. Love the truck, pulls good, but is a gas hog. Would like to get a diesel soon.<p>----------<br>Richard Holton<br>Jesup, GA

[HOMER]

I agree with Kirby on the deeeeeezzzzzellll thing. My payment went up $160.00 but I saved the same $100.00 on my gas bill my first month with my new 2000 Dodge Ram 2500.<p>Pulling the 20' trailer and the Choppers isn't a problem anymore and furthermore the stopping capability with a 3/4 ton is greater than with the 1/2 ton. It really came in handy the other day!!!!!<p>Homer

[The Mowman]

Was getting 4-5 miles a gallon with F-250 towing 16ft trailer. Now getting 12 with Dodge 3500 5.9 L Cummins<p>----------<br>Stephen<br>

[thelawnguy]

You guys with big trailers, hope you have brakes on them rigs, as a general rule if the trailer weighs more than 50% of the truck you really need trailer brakes, ex. 6000 lb dodge if the trailer is over 3000 lb get brakes for it, not so much the wear and tear on your truck but that heavy trailer will push the back of your empty bed pickup truck around so its passing you some rainy day (read: jackknife) it aint fun it aint pretty and it aint comfy.<p>Bill

[gene gls]

Mowin4cash: I'm with you,been checking for Isuzu,UD,or Mitsubishi,12000 GVW, short wheel base,10'dump,4 cyl diesel,Auto.The old 3/4 ton just isn't big enought.

[Tony S]

I have a 82 F250 & 89 F250 w/plows. Oldies yes, but hey, I keep them up well. They work out great. (pulling 16' trailers) I have not had the need for anyting bigger.<p>----------<br>&lt;A HREF=&quot;mailto:procutlawn@hotmail.com&quot;&gt;Tony S.&lt;/A&gt;<p><p><font size="1">Edited by: Tony S

[nlminc]

I use a 96 f-350 crewcab PS diesel, 97 f-350 dump PS diesel and a 00 f-350 PS diesel pick up all three are 4x4's. I will never buy a gas truck. I pull two enclosed trailers, one with a Walker and a couple of walk behinds 7x14 tandem and another is an 8x20 that I use to pull two 72&quot; diesel Dixie Choppers in.<p>Chris

[yardsmith]

Iguess I'm cheating the odds. I pull my loades 20 ft. tandem axle trailer (with brakes of course) & rear & side gates with my 87 Silverado 4x4 with rebuilt 305! A 350 4-bolt is in the works to perk it up even more. If gas stays this way my next truck will be a diesel for sure!<p>----------<br>Smitty ô¿ô<p><p><font size="1">Edited by: yardsmith

[KirbysLawn]

Thelawnguy, good point. Not only do they need brakes on the trailer, I HIGHLY reccomend having a 12v emergency &quot;breakaway&quot; system. If something would happen and your trailer breaks away from your truck, the cable pulls a pin which locks up your trailers brakes bringing it to a stop.<p>Fixing what broke is much cheaper than replacing your trailer and all of your equipment!

[jrblawncare]

Now I have a 94 Dodge 2500 with 90,000 miles I have loved the truck...but the gas is killing me!!I'am going to start looking at the Diesels...some days I'am putting 100 miles plus on the truck.Also have a 16 ft.trailer with brakes...Get the brakes on the trailer they have saved me more than once with a full load!!!Good Luck <p>----------<br>John <br>