The Green Industry's Resource Center

The landscaper · #1 07-24-2005, 09:41 PM

Just looking for advantages and disadvantages of using box trucks. I found a pretty good deal on one and thought i mihgt take a look at it.

What size do you guys use as well?

The landscaper · #2 07-26-2005, 05:10 PM

anybody? ? ?

Eclipse · #3 07-26-2005, 11:38 PM

Sorry I can't help but I have been considering going to a box truck as well but I don't see myself making the step in that direction.

Albemarle Lawn · #4 07-31-2005, 12:30 AM

22,000 GVW

Big ramp on back.

Seats 6 men, totes 2 ZTRs, WB, 2 push mowers, 4 trimmers, 4 spare tires, etc.

22' Van body, 18' flat and 4' dove tail.

Tows 12,000 lbs easy.

Yup, ITS BIG!!!!

UNISCAPER · #5 07-31-2005, 11:58 AM

You basically have a one use truck wh=ith a box truck. You can't haul dirt, nor can you plow. Now if those things don't matter, or the labor/motion saving is so great that a box truck makjes sense to park all winter, go for it...They are rolling billboards for work and all self contained. Just don't have one installed on the wrong brand truck, because if it goes on a Ford F series, it will be downed more when the transmission goes out and you can't get your equipment to the jobs....

Albemarle Lawn · #6 08-07-2005, 10:55 PM

Plowing is bad news for a truck so I only use old trucks (Carter/Reagan/Bush Sr.) era to plow with.

Have cabover Fuso with open body for dirt, etc.

Keep a flat trailer for other tows.

KB

Steppenwolf · #7 08-12-2005, 08:21 PM

http://www.superlawntrucks.com/
We have been using two box trucks( 14 footers) since '90 for our mowing crews. We can fit 3 "52 scag w/b's,a 36 and a 21" with some room left over,all run straight in,no jockeying for position or we run a 52' rider,two 52' w/b's and a 21" with the blowers,trimmers etc. on shelves or racks.No wheelwells or fuel lines in the box a must.We have hauled mulch,flowers etc. in theses trucks and they work for us plus pull down the door and lock it and it will slow down the thief.
We do not have the SLT trucks,we made our own. Only found the site a couple of years ago. The box trucks are dedicated vehicles but you will find that every distant relative will want to use it to move some furniture some where down the road.
One other thing, they do not fit thru drive thru's

One last thing is that they are very easy to drive and manuever in and out of driveways.

Lawnworks · #8 08-13-2005, 09:41 AM

We don't pull trailers any more. If you are serious in this business you will probably have some sort of truck w/ a landscape bed/box.

Eclipse · #9 08-13-2005, 10:16 AM

Lawnworks,
Do you have any pictures of your Dodge 3500 with the landscape bed?
Thanks.

CharlieBingo · #10 08-13-2005, 10:33 AM

Going from a truck hauling a trailer to an enclosed box setup is like switching from a belt mower to a hydro. Yes I've had both! The advantages go on and on.