What Size Of Truck

Tinstaafl

Today at the lumber yard, I saw a guy with a yellow VW bug and a 4x8 open trailer he was loading up with 4x4s. Looked cool!

For general all-around work, it's hard to beat a standard (or 4x4) F150 or the equivalent in a different breed. Obviously, if you often need to carry or tow big loads, you need something beefier. But I wouldn't consider anything smaller. That just makes you think you have a truck, and is going to lead to frustration.

As for gas mileage, that's a non-issue. It's just part of the overhead and should be covered by your overall pricing.

Now, something shiny to drive around empty and impress clients with is an altogether different matter.

J-Peffer

I hope I don't offend anyone here, and I'm sure I probably will.

A lot of guys are hurting for work and I've always said guys that hurt for work, think with the "contractor" mentality.

When we have work booked up, we make good money, we can buy a F350 super charged diesil and live in a $500k home.

What do your customers see though? They see you pull up in a $60k truck, towing a 10k trailer, dropping off a 12k dump trailer, and chances are, if you are operating like this, you are no where to be found when the work is being done. To top it off, in my community, they know you live in a 500k house.

Maybe you are worth it, but maybe there is a reason people are under bidding your work though too.

I get my shingles delivered for free, on the roof. I order dumpsters to be dropped off, I can dump them at the dump for 15 a yard, or get a dumpster for 17 a yard. Anything I can't fit in the back of my 1/2 ton truck, or on a 6x12 trailer, it gets delivered for free, or for a very reasonable price.

All lumber yards offer these services, they have trucks bigger than any of us have. Let them provide the service.

Get a nice, dependable, respectable, used 1/2 ton truck, or even a used 3/4 ton.

Seriously, does no one else know how bad of a financial purchase a NEW vehicular is?

Now is not the time to start obligating to over head cost.

The guys driving in the biggest most expensive trucks, are not the guys making the most money, I promise you that. They are the guys with the biggest lines of credit.

The thing I've noticed about contractors, they do a LOT of things to impress other contractors, instead of making smart moves and trying to impress there customers.

Warren

Peffer: I agree with most of your post. I have a 99 1 ton van and bought it used for 6k in 2005. I didnt need a 1 ton for hauling, but it does have a longer and taller bed which fits more tools and material. Just so you don't let your vehicle get so pathetic looking that you actually lose customers. Overheard a contractor after he had gotten a price from someone driving a 50k truck say "I wonder how much I'm payin a foot for that.

BobsLandscaping

I agree. It would be nice to have a Harley Davidson F-450 pick up, but I don't need that much truck. A 1 ton DRW that can tow and haul will suit my business for years to come. Landscaping materials (mulch, stone, soil, etc.) are heavy. The equipment is heavy. I need a truck that can handle that, what I don't need is lots of chrome, flashy paint, and electronics. If I make good money I'd rather have a Wrangler Rubicon 4 door to play with, or a Mustang Bullitt, or a Hummer H1 Alpha. Trucks are for work.

mnjconstruction

I agree, great post. I bought a brand new truck last fall and I regret it. Wish I would of kept my old one. Most days though you'll see me in my old 1989 dodge ram cargo van. Its in good shape and i love the old girl. All my other vans in fleet are 1990 to 1996. we just keep them going. new paint every 4 or 5 years to keep them looking decent.

This brings up a question that i have asked in the past. If i pull into a job with my 89' van does it matter. Or do I have a better chance of getting the job in my new shinny red ford pickup. i have always wondered that. old van......doesnt work much? new truck...... to expensive?

XanadooLTD

I have a 2008 GMC Sierra Diesel and allison 3/4 body with 1 ton suspension. (2) 2007 Toyota Tundra 1/2 tons. 1/2 tons are worthless.

TBFGhost

....My Ranger Supercab with a cross box, two side boxes and the ladder rack does what I need. Use a trailer if I have to, sheet goods go on the rack. Lumberyard delivers large orders free to cheap.

hughjazz

the triton motors will easily go over 300'000 miles.
with the new epa rules the 6.4 does not get very good mileage either.

the v10 is actually a good bet nowdays.

similar mileage.
proven longevity vs the diesel unproven longevity.
cheaper fuel
thousands cheaper to buy.



granted not as cool as diesel

WarnerConstInc.

I am going to agree with hughjazz, and bob. I have a few friends with the triton V-10's, both over 200k, not a mjor problem yet.

Now days you will get 250k+ out of a gasser, just change the oil and keep the fluids full.

Oils changers on a gasser are a hell of a lot cheaper than an oil burner.

Mike Finley

And I might win the lottery too.

Easily go over 300K ? Come on now boys, easily go over 300K?

You get a V10 into 300K miles and you've accomplished something and you're in very small company of peers who have done this.

You put 300K on a diesel 'easily' and you're not doing anything too out of the ordinary. Go tell people about it and the reaction is going to be, yeah, so what, mines got 400k

Where are you guys coming up with this stuff?

mikec

2004 F150 extra cab. It's been a great truck, it's got about 77k on it(small v8). My only complaint is in a few spots some rust is showing up.

WarnerConstInc.

Yes Mike, I have seen many 250k plus V-10's. His number was metric anyways, he's from Canada!!

And many 300k Chevy big blocks.

hughjazz

no I'll convert. 400'000 km.



Hell I put almost 300'000 miles on a 351.

how many 6.4 diesels have put on 300k miles?
not many. yet. we don't know if they are good yet.

I wouldn't touch a 6.0 for sure.

the triton motors are proven reliable. Very reliable. better than the 6.0

don't get me wrong I love diesels. I've had 3. dollars and cents though, I think the gassers are a better choice, at least the left side of the brain at least.

BobsLandscaping

Plus think of how cool a Triton V-10 with dual Flowmasters and a 4.30 rear end will sound pulling a load up the Lewiston grade.

CTDiesel

I've heard the V10 with exhaust like that, it still sounds like ass.

I've got a 93 E250, I6 in it. Good mileage, but it's a turd. Sounds like ass too.

It'll be replaced at some point this year late or early next. I don't know what it'll be, I'm pondering a 06+ Dodge Megacab (5.9's only, not 6.7) a 03+ 6.0 Ford (Not as bad as some like to think) or possibly a Duramax. Dmax is slim, as I hate the smallish feeling GM interior, and I'm a solid axle guy. More than likely it'll be a Ford since I can get a true crew cab long bed, but when the funds permit I'll yank the 6.0 and drop a Cummins common rail in it. If I get a Megacab I'll have to drop 4k and have it stretched to a long bed.

Then don't buy new. Find a great used truck with a 7.3 in it. It'll have less power than a 6.4, but you can get a custom tuned chip with a towing file you can use every day that will hang right with a stock 6.4. You mod a 6.4 and you might get your warranty kicked in the sack. Mod the 7.3 all you want.

BobsLandscaping

Ford 300 I6, possibly the greatest engine ever made.

Winchester

Pffft...

If I had the money for any work vehicle, I'd go buy a Sprinter

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Ryan

BobsLandscaping

It'd be a real bitch hauling mulch, gravel, or top soil in a Sprinter.

Winchester

I think as long as it's in good condition and not a rustbucket, you're fine.

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Ryan

Winchester

That's true, but their freakin' sweet.

And a landscaper didn't ask the original question

I agree with the guy who said to get sh*t delivered. It's free or cheap and you don't need to waste your time picking stuff up, and you can buy a smaller truck to save on gas and parking headaches.

The money you'll save on gas driving a smaller truck (not to mention the purchase price of the truck) would pay for a few delivery fees here and there, I'm sure.

Unless you just want to look cool and drive a big truck (or you have to haul heavy machines.)

Buy a sprinter with a super or mega roof. You can stand up inside and keep your stuff locked and dry!

Not to mention it's a billboard on wheels. Looks great with nice graphics.

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Ryan