[muddy]

finally retiring my 91 F-150. Have a budget of 17k. will be my primary workhorse. My work load in an average week is hauling 3-4yds dirt,mulch,10-15 tons rock,plants to install. Have 18ft utility trailer. skid steers are delivered to job site. have employee or two with me. Looking at F-250's, extcab, longbed type trucks. Wondering about the '00,01 tundra's vs. the fords??

[Paul]

Other than your budget, I would look for a 1 ton dump. I don't know if it's you primary vehicle, but you would be better served with a truck like that than a F250.

[Will Pacala]

I'm with him. A dump truck may be better and more useful than a pick-up. Check them out first! If th's not in than get a pick-up and dump trailer or insert.

[Stonehenge]

Welcome aboard Muddy.

I'm able to get the family discount on Chevs that are 3500HD and under, so I kinda locked in on those. That being said, it's always nicer to have more capacity than you need, so you can grow into it if you need it - I'd also opt for a 350 with maybe a stake body and hoist, or possibly just a dump body and hoist. With $17K you won't get anywhere near new - be sure to go over the major components well when looking. A word of caution - the Chevs with dual tanks without a tank switch have lots of fuel systyem problems associated with this added technology. I noticed you didn't mention GM/Chev in your list, but just in case, there you go.

[muddy]

This being the primary truck..am a little concerned about storage space for all small tools that I keep in lockbox now and also the ease of use of the pick-up for reaching in and out of bed for plants etc....vs, the dump box?????
If the budget is low for a dump then is it wiser to go the 250 way??

[PSUscaper]

I'd be looking at used ,under cdl, single axle. They may have 200k on them (or be a late model) but I gurantee they'll out work and out last any mason dump in that price range.......

Can haul more material, can pull those skidsteers (i know you get them delivered, but the ability to pick them up will be needed), and will carry 3 employess.

Only problem is whether or not this will be you only vehicle....if thats the case, then I guess not. But if at all possible, a good used ranger/s10 and a single axle is real nice.

Also, if you'relocked into financing, don't be stuck on buying off of a car dealer lot. There are a lot of financing options out on the net. You could use a source like Ryder trucks to finance and buy a nice truck for around 10k, and then pay cash for the body, and have a real nice truck with a low payment. You can also find a good used truck in one of the local used truck publications(there's always a good deal popping up in those), and get a pre-approved loan elsewhere, such as the net.

My friend got a 97 f600 last year with 67k, diesel, automatic, new paint, and a 14 ft dumping grain body for around 17k.......a very, very solid truck that will last him forever, considering most of his work is within a 10 mile radius of home.

just my opinion.

steve

[jwholden]

I'm with Penn.

Get a copy of the truck trader and see if you can find a used Ryder truck with a dump body and a GVW in the 18-26K range. A 2' backpack would store all the tools you want, and more, but probably break the bank. Get a Lo Pro chasis and two way tailgate and you are set.

[PSUscaper]

oh ya,

maybe another option to kick around is a pickup/dump trailer combination.

I ran my business for three years that way and found it very sufficient. I know that others may not like the dump trailers, but they work very well and keep you from driving around a mason dump as your only vehicle.

You could get a half way decent 1 ton single wheel pickup to pull it, or if you could find one, a 1 ton dually.

just another option.

steve

[muddy]

an earlier post referred to the Home depot type trucks....that type truck seems to be the truck we're describing?? Also this ryder option....concerned about previous abuse??......steve

[Bill Schwab]

Since this sounds like it could be your sunday go to meeting truck as well as a work truck that limits you to a pick up. Go with a truck over 8600lb GVW, and I would go GMC or Ford, preferably diesel.

You can get some nice off lease stuff out there, 100,000 mile warrantee less than 24,000 miles, for under $23,000.00. It is not your exact budget, but, you will get so much more truck that will last better.
We just got a 2003 Ford, F-350, diesel, auto, club cab, 2x4, tow package, air, electric windows 14,000 miles, $20,500.00.

Steer clear of rice burners. They look enticing, but, when they break, you will wish you stuck to American. A Toyota Tundra brake job for example, recently cost a peer of ours $1100.00.

I can do two GM brake jobs for that at a dealer.

[muddy]

good conversationss...is helping narrow down the priorities....................Steve

[scott C]

I agree with Mr.Schwab if you can put togethther a little more dough 23-24 K your truck options will increase dramatically. Will this be just a work truck? If so a one ton dump or larger would be the way to go.
Will you be putting on many miles per year? If so consider a diesel. they cost more to fix but run a lot longer.

[HRLand]

If you don't put too many miles on your truck maybe you should consider leasing. You could get a brand new F350 for around $500.00 per month and use that 17K for other things that will bring in more money.

[Bill Schwab]

Muiddy:

Remember one thing...What ever you buy, if it is from a dealer, they are all whores. They want a sale period!
So, what I say is, if they ask 25, keep playing them until the number you want (realisitic number) gets offered. And what ever you do, don't tell them you are going to pay cash for it. Take the dealer financing, do the deal, then either refinance through a simple interest loan, or pay off the loan after you close the sale. Even if you get a truck for 25K, get it financed through the dealer, then pay off your 18K in one fell swoop, you will still save about $5500 or so in interest.

Dealers get between 8 and 12% back from the juice that is sold through financing. If they think you will be using thier packages to buy your truck, you will get a better deal n the price of that truck. And, since all new vehicles are ridiculously over priced, the depreciation the way it is, the market is flooded with off lease cars and trucks that need owners. Make sure you add the extended warrantee plan, as with all this computerized garabge that vehicles don't really need, you will have to use someone who has the diagnostiocs machines to repair things that go wrong. If you get a warrantee, you are covered for 100,000 miles, then trade the truck off or use it as a spare.

[AZTLANLC]

A truck is one of the best investments for a company, so invest wisely, most of the times we look at the price to beging with, but instead look a the big picture.

Look how long it took you to have the need for another truck, how long you've being in business and also how long more you plan to stay.

Maybe you have 17K this year but think ahead, don't you plan on growing your business?

Seem like right at this moment a F-250 would be a little underpower for the jobs that you do, now imagine in two or three years from now.

You'll be glad you invested in a better truck.

If I were you I would save those 17k and finance a f-350 with stake dump body, used with low miles or new if price is right.

Well that's what I would do, you're the one who know your financials and the one making the final decision.