The Green Industry's Resource Center

NEWGUYRI · #1 01-01-2010, 11:37 PM

OK big problem.
I am purchasing a first truck.
Price Range: 6-12,000 $
Brand: Open
Year: Open
Model: Open
Miles: under 150k

I am just wondering what year would be best, and what specifically would be good for me, I was thinking Ford F-250.

Jpeg lawn maintenance · #2 01-01-2010, 11:42 PM

Depends on what you are going to do with it. Do you plan to install dump bed and haul mulch. I would say f350 if so. You can find a decent 2500 for around 10000 with say 80k miles. good luck search craigslist.

NEWGUYRI · #3 01-01-2010, 11:45 PM

Well, I do plan to do some mulch hauling, but I thought the F-250 would have plenty of power for that. Main use is pulling the trailer with stuff in signature.

Jpeg lawn maintenance · #4 01-01-2010, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NEWGUYRI

Well, I do plan to do some mulch hauling, but I thought the F-250 would have plenty of power for that. Main use is pulling the trailer with stuff in signature.

are you considering a dump insert or no ?

hondarancher4435 · #5 01-02-2010, 08:16 PM

Buy a dodge ram 94-02 with a cummmins and don't look back. The truck will keep on running no matter what you throw at it. However if diesel is not an option then i would get a ford gasser. With the amount of money you have you can get basically anything you want. I just bought a 1996 dodge ram 2500 cummins 4x4 auto with 170,000mi for $5500 and the truck is great in mint condition and there are plenty of other deals just like it around.

DRBLawnBuster · #6 01-03-2010, 02:56 PM

a f-150 is plenty, but it is nice to have the f-250 sometimes

NEWGUYRI · #7 01-03-2010, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jpeg lawn maintenance

are you considering a dump insert or no ?

Eventually.

Jpeg lawn maintenance · #8 01-03-2010, 04:36 PM

[QUOTE=NEWGUYRI;3344043]Eventually.[/QUOT

Then I would definitly go with f250 or f350 250 will be fine tho.

hondarancher4435 · #9 01-03-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DRBLawnBuster

a f-150 is plenty, but it is nice to have the f-250 sometimes

Maybe an f150 is ok for you but anyone who does things other than just having a mower in the bed or pulling one or two around is much better suited to a 3/4 or 1 ton truck for heavy hauling and towing jobs.

motorscot · #10 01-03-2010, 09:56 PM

Try and go with a diesel if you can find one. Rule of thumb when buying used equipment: Buy the best, most well cared for, lowest mileage that you can afford.

In addition, I would rather buy a diesel with 175,000 miles on it if the owner had all of the service records since new and can show that it was maintained properly. A diesel will go 300,000 miles easy if cared for.

Also, you get better mileage, better towing, better hauling.

2500 series (3/4 ton) at minimum. Don't get into the ford vs chevy vs dodge debate. Find the best that you can and don't look back.

FWIW, Dodge and Ford probably have a better (and longer) record for diesel than Chevy. Dodge has been using the proven Cummins package for 20+ years IIRC.

Finally, a diesel can grow with your business and haul almost anything. Gas (in 2500/3500 3/4 or 1 ton) do okay, at the expense of more wear and tear and worse mileage. A diesel can pull 10,000 lbs at 65 mph on the interstate at 2200 rpm and never downshift to go up a hill. A gas will do it at 3500+ rpm and then downshift to 4500+ to make the hill. It's all about the low end torque.

Good luck.