Which is more critical? Truck or mowers?
Guys what’s your opinion on this topic? It’s a full blown war going on in my mind. Which is more critical to business. My 2012 Silverado 5.3 crew cab is starting to get a little long in the tooth. She’s knocking on the door of 200k. Not to mention I upgraded all equipment and trailer last season. So now I’m pulling about 5,000lbs more and the 5.3 is really down on power. I’m trying to justify another major purchase. And it’s driving me crazy. I know they are both critical. Any thoughts?
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Nope! Battery and brakes and a shift linkage grommet that was $12.00. And the driver side door pull cable that was $45.00 and that’s pretty much it. I did change the driver side valve cover because of GM’s stupid design flaw during production. That was I think $95.00. I changed that like 7-8 years ago!Aside from the mental hurdle of 200000 has anything else happened to give you reason to believe it won't continue running well? How many miles do you put on a year?
Great looking truck by the way
But like I mentioned. This trailer setup with equipment is about 5,000lbs more than the old setup. Which on the freeway the transmission goes bananas down shifting and up shifting. And when running the A/C she just doesn’t have enough steam on the freeway. I’ll be adding even more weight this off season with shelves and racks in the trailer.I would say you are doing EXCELLENT on that vehicle. Like everything, eventually it will need to be replaced, but it sounds like it's no where near replacement currently.
I have thought about slapping a set of heads and a cam in her,for more towing power. That’s also cheaper than a new truck.A simple ring and pinion swap front and rear is a LOT less money than a new truck. What rear end do you have? If it;s the 3:08 or 3:23, change it to the 3:42 or if that is what you have, change it to a 3:73 or 4:10.
As stated she’s right at 200k and the heads & cam package would essentially give me a new top end.Ending my worries about higher mileage failures. Also giving me a very noticeable power increase. The gearing swap could still be done in conjunction with the heads & cam…Yes, but that can end up costing a lot more money than a ring and pinion swap. Now, if your engine is tired bad, or using or leaking oil, then engine work might be the ticket, but if it is running fine as it sits, R&P. Bet the gear oil could use a change anyway.
I’m leaning towards 2500 diesel. That way it’s a buy once,cry once! That 6.6 Duramax pulls like the space shuttle.😂 Getting back into my lil 5.3 feels like get back into a power wheels,with a weak battery.🫠 Like I mentioned the towing is mostly what I’m looking for in a newer truck. My old set up was single axel 6x12 with consumer grade mower. The new setup is tandem axel 7x16 with full commercial mowers inside.One being a 61 cheetah and Scag 48V. And 36 commercial with velky. Not to mention the 21Honda.Also 26” aerator. I’ll be installing and adding more weight this winter. We’ll see how it does come March. I’m thinking even more sluggish on the freeway. If I’m gonna trade my truck I want trade it sooner rather than later.
That’s just something I wouldn’t be interested in at all. Replacing a engine in a 10 yr old truck is just not something I’d do. I’d sell it privately or trade it for something else before taking on that task.Truck looks pretty clean if you take care of it and everything else is functional/ in great shape. Minimal rust throughs I’d skip the package and start saving for an engine swap at some point depending on how expensive the engine upgrade vs engine swap is. Or saving for a nice down payment if you want a newer one. My truck is a 08 150k but I’ve replaced so much since I’ve gotten it, the engine is the only thing that rolled off the lot with it. I’d replace the engine rather than spend a ton.if she feels weak you could also change out your plugs and coils , maybe help
I’m interested in your feed back. Let’s hear it. Obviously the price of diesel is a huge part. Anything else?Almost every landscaper that I know, who is serious about growth and profit margins , has switched from diesel to gas.
Can you go into details on why you don’t like the 2500 gasser and towing?It depends on what one is doing. Maybe for just towing mowers, yes.
I still have more diesel than gas trucks because the gas just won't do what I need when it comes to towing or plowing/salting. I have one 2500 with a gas that tows regularly and I am still kicking myself for buying it instead of a diesel. Absolutely cannot stand towing a trailer with it or plowing.
For the most part...when you sell a diesel you get that higher resale out of it which negates the initial purchase price.
Not quite. My trucks far from crappy and my equipment is top shelf. I’m just bouncing ideas off of everyone. I’m trying to keep away from a impulse buy. I’ve got my eyes in 19 GMC 2500 Denaliwell, used is smart especially in your case… but that’s like threading the needle. In almost every comparison in life we could vote on one side or the other under specific conditions. Related to diesels, you would have avoided some of the deprecation, but you would be that much closer to major maintenance costs.
550 with a 10footer and salter … sure diesel feels better while using it. Your operating in the premium rang that diesels excel at. But I didn’t say a gas truck “feels better” or a “diesel feels better”, I answered in an economics view point. The question is “can” the gasser do the job ? And how often are we operating in this peak range to justify a diesel purchase. Are you plowing every single day ? Buy the diesel. Are you dropping s plow 10 times per year and 355 days the truck does basic towing, I would have to lean towards a more economical answer.
the point of this entire thread too me, as I read it ….. I have X amount of money and I have a crappy truck and crappy mower, what do I do. Hence why I gave an economic answer/info.
I’m ignoring his comments. He’s been sipping on a tall glass of Haterade. If I want to buy the Denali 2500 Duramax,who the hell is he to say I makes no sense?Oh that’s right NOBODY. He’s that guy and the equipment dealer arguing with the service department guy on why a deck belt cost $70I plowed and towed my racecar for years with 10" lift and 36" Buckshot Radial Mudders. Don't know why you seem to have an issue......
If you don't want something fancy and/or lifted, don't buy one.
You post is completely logical and has merit. But his last comment negates your post. The “It’s a small man’s truck” can’t be defended in any way. It shows exactly what type of person we’re dealing with.Its not haterade. Its practicality. In the true sense of the word a work truck is a tool. Its only purpose is to accomplish work. Luxury trims, lift kits, big wheels are all needless expenses on a work truck. Frankly they are needless expenses on any truck... but I digress.
I completely understand the desire to enjoy the fancier things in life and to look cool, however none of that is actually necessary for the tool to function.
I’ve done this twice before. Both times when idiots that shouldn’t have a driver’s licenses hit my truck. Their insurance company paid for the rentals and mileage. We have a local rental company that rents pretty much anything you’d need. They have Deere 920’s I believe they are. They have about 15 or so for rent. I asked one day just curious they are $165.00 for 8hr rental…Didn't read through all these posts but I'll say this and I've seen this... Around here you can rent a 1/2 ton pickup from U-Haul for $19.95/day. Can you rent a mower for that if you needed to? I've seen LCOs pulling their stuff around with rental trucks.
What’s this thread about again? 😂
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