New purchase

[dboyd351]

If you can justify the initial investment, a diesel should help the fuel economy of a large truck hauling a load.

[fireman gus]

All our trucks are 3/4 ton. Just seems to be the right size for us.

[JDiepstra]

Some guy on plowsite just picked up a near mint 2nd gen dodge 2500 diesel for under $10K. Thing will get near 20 mpg. Look for one like that.

[lawn king]

Originally Posted by Ric

Beginner

My ideal Truck might not be your Ideal Truck. As a Flat Lander To me a Light Duty 3/4 ton with the 6 cylinder gas saver engine would be my perfect Grocery Getter and second spray truck. I actually have 3 trucks as a one man band. The Cab over is for Lawn and shrubs. A 3/4 ton pick up with a 300 gallon skid sprayer and my Ranger. MPG is 12, 14 and 27. Insurance and maintenance is a PITA but as a One man band I justify having the 3/4 ton truck for spray Fire Ants and Canadian Tourist which are both huge pests here in Florida.

BTW I believe the GMC 4.3 is one of the best engines ever made.

The v6 4.3?

[tlg]

The worst thing you can do is go with to small of a truck. There is a safety issue here as well if the truck you choose can't handle the weight you will be hauling. Saving a few bucks on fuel sure dosen't outweigh being safe. If your just starting out just make sure you cover your cost in your pricing. Fuel cost is just one thing to consider.