[All American CL]

I just acquired a dozen of a quickie mart chains; 7 of the small properties are within 20 miles of my house, 5 of them are located 175 miles away from me off a major interstate. I will not have a issue going the distance, I'm just stuck on how efficient I can be.

I am in need of a good mpg and reliable vehicle since I need to do these properties weekly. What should I do
(The largest equipment required is a 21" mower, and a blower)

A) Buy a small ranger 2001-2004 for around $4000, travel the
distances w/out a trailer around 50K miles these get 30mpg

B) Buy a Sprinter Van for around $12,000 around 130K miles gets almost 30mpg

C) Purchase a dodge 2500 diesel 4x4, $12,000 25mpg

D) buy Ford E-350, $8-9K, 15-19mpg??

I am leaning towards going with the ranger just because its the cheapest, but I do not want to limit what I can do by having a full sized truck/van. I will be getting other work that is along the way of the long trip. I may need to tow a trailer in the future.

My current dodge is awesome but its not a highway truck (very low gears),
and the other truck is already maxed out for the crew.

Just curious what you might do, I start these March 1st

 

[MOturkey]

Just a suggestion, but have you considered subbing out the ones 175 miles away? You are talking 6 hours round trip, not to mention the expense.

 

[ALC-GregH]

Just a suggestion, but have you considered subbing out the ones 175 miles away? You are talking 6 hours round trip, not to mention the expense.

Don't you smell that nasty odor in here? Smells like a troll.

Don't you mean you were "suppose" to start them on the 1st?

 

[All American CL]

I have given that some thought, I am 90% sure I am closing some more deals on some other properties, also I dont want to give away such easy money.

 

[topsites]

I don't mean to come off harsh but I think you're in trouble, this is the kind of thing you need to
have resolved before even bidding, now it looks like someone showing up for the final exam and
5 minutes to the start of the test you're talking about how do I study?

Do you even got the money?

How exactly are you planning on taking out that kind of a loan, without long-term established credit
they're going to want to see proof of income and if they can't get that they will want physical collateral,
really it would be best to submit all three so do you own enough property such as real-estate you can sign over?

Don't you smell that nasty odor in here? Smells like a troll.

Don't you mean you were "suppose" to start them on the 1st?

Now you tell me
I figured someone in their first year just went out placing bids, which is how they won one.
And now they got this bid they can't, and don't know how to deal with.
But maybe it is a troll.

 

[KPW LawnCare]

So you have a 6 hour drive and then cutting time and then you want to add more lawns on the way, there is only so much light in the day to work with buddy.

 

[JB1]

I have given that some thought, I am 90% sure I am closing some more deals on some other properties, also I dont want to give away such easy money.

how is that giving away easy money when your driving 350 miles. you better do some more thinking.

 

[ALC-GregH]

So you have a 6 hour drive and then cutting time and then you want to add more lawns on the way, there is only so much light in the day to work with buddy.

he's hungry and the fish are biting.

 

[All American CL]

I have the cash, plus the whole credit income, give you life over to a lender if I need that option.

Well these are serioulsy right off the highway, would take 20mins tops for each.
The other 2 properties are well worth the drive at $1500/month, just mow, blow, trash.
I kinda have to take the quickie marts to get the larger properties. In the long run this could be worth a good cunk of change. For the other properties I am waiting for the renewal perior which is in July.

When the 2 additional properties come on board I am looking at a complete FULL day for a 2 man crew once a week. I think this is very much worth it even if I have to drive, or possibly when these come on board I may sub out. (I do have a contractos Lic. to sub out)

the 5 distance properties total $1750/month

 

[KPW LawnCare]

Do you have a contract signed for the whole year already for all the lawns that equal 1700?

 

[ALC-GregH]

So you're going to pay 2 guys 6hrs each just to drive? Your thinking is backwards. You don't want to spend hours driving and do a few lawns, you want to spend a few minutes driving and do lots of lawns.

 

[KPW LawnCare]

So you're going to pay 2 guys 6hrs each just to drive? Your thinking is backwards. You don't want to spend hours driving and do a few lawns, you want to spend a few minutes driving and do lots of lawns.

What he said.

Where in PA are u at.

 

[All American CL]

Yes, 2 year contract for the quickie marts. I cant divide the contract between the closer location to the long distance location. its all or nothing. The total for all 12 locations are $3300. Signed contract today

I should be more specific about the 2 larger properties. They will need a walk behind mower and no grass collection.


I already have the everything planned out, I just was going for input from those who have experience with taking the plunge with a smaller truck vs a larger truck, accordingly looking into maintenance for the truck, mpg, and versatility, vs. cost.

I appreciate every one's opinion

GO BIG or go home, right

I'm also working on another very large contract that will put my crews 250 miles the opposite direction of this project. but were talking big bucks and satellite locations, this is looking to be next year.

 

[KPW LawnCare]

250 miles one way better be like 10k A CUT. Your going to put so much wear and tear on a truck so fast.

 

[MikeKle]

It is March 16th today, so you are already 16 days late Im assuming ,and you still dont have a truck to do these accounts with yet, or the mowers either? I think you shouldve posted this thread around Jan or Feb.! But you are waiting til now to even buy the equipment, and you were scheduled to start 16 days ago! Ive got news for you, you have probably lost that account. How did you even get this account in the first place if you had no equipment or a decent truck? Im assuming you dont have insurance or occupational license either? They may want to see those, but if you have already won the bid, probably not. What did you even on the bid form when it asked for your equipment list? You shouldve posted this on the starting a new business board.

 

[ALC-GregH]

What he said.

Where in PA are u at.

Waynesboro. 2.5hrs away.

 

[All American CL]

Wow,
Man you need to open your eyes and read the rest of the thread. Look at my signiture. I have all the equipment, 3 trucks and crews going year round. I only do commercial accounts and currently I have 5 large properties that are on contract, and about 50K approved for other projects signed contracts for this summer.

Dont worry about me,

 

[Paul's LC]

Okay guys, I did the math!

#1 the ranger will most likely get just over 20 on the interstate, not 30mpg.
#2 not only is a ranger another $4000 expense, insurance will be around a grand per year
#3 350miles per trip x 4 trips per month = 1400miles x about $.55 per mile = $770 in
travel expences FOR THOSE 5 LAWNS per month
#4 $1700- 30% taxes = $1190 - $770travel expences = $420 -$150 misc expences =
$270
#5 $270/about 40 hours labor for month (includes drive time) = $6.75 NET PER HOUR!

$6.75 and hour? sounds like easy money to me! hahaha
Not trying to rag on you man, just trying to get my point across. I would stick with the 7 local ones you have and sub out the other five. good luck!

 

[JB1]

Don't you smell that nasty odor in here? Smells like a troll.

Don't you mean you were "suppose" to start them on the 1st?

a big bull.

 

[KPW LawnCare]

Okay guys, I did the math!

#1 the ranger will most likely get just over 20 on the interstate, not 30mpg.
#2 not only is a ranger another $4000 expense, insurance will be around a grand per year
#3 350miles per trip x 4 trips per month = 1400miles x about $.55 per mile = $770 in
travel expences FOR THOSE 5 LAWNS per month
#4 $1700- 30% taxes = $1190 - $770travel expences = $420 -$150 misc expences =
$270
#5 $270/about 40 hours labor for month (includes drive time) = $6.75 NET PER HOUR!

$6.75 and hour? sounds like easy money to me! hahaha
Not trying to rag on you man, just trying to get my point across. I would stick with the 7 local ones you have and sub out the other five. good luck!

:clapping: