[shane472]

Just something I've been thinking of as a hardscaping truck. Everything is enclosed so you don't have to worry about thieves, it's protected from the rain and there's plenty of space for shelving and such for all your tools. Plus, you can still haul a dump trailer. Around my area (Ottawa) they can usually be found fairly cheap. Seems like a good idea to me, what are your thoughts?

[Pelican]

The only down side is floor height. Most are set up for 4' loading docks which is unsuitable for ground work. You'll expend a lot of time and energy loading and unloading equipment.

One other concern is expense. You'd have a dedicated vehicle that would not be useful for much else. Is that something you can afford?

I've given this idea some thought in the past as well, more for my mowing operation but the two reasons I listed have prevented me from making the move thus far.

[shane472]

I don't know if loading height is really an issue. Should've explained better the kind of truck I was looking at. I meant something smaller like this:



Much lower loading height and they pretty much all come with a ramp which could be handy getting things, as well as yourself, in and out of it.

[AZTLANLC]

Sound like a good idea, but for me it wouldn't work since I prefer an enclosed trailer mix with a dump truck, that way I can still use my truck to pick up materials, take debris away, etc.
If that is the only truck you will have to pull the dump trailer I can see many times when you'll need to pick materials once you are at the job site and would have to take all your tools with you or unload what your guys might nee.
Also weight would be an issue after you start loading all hardscape tools that you need the weight on that truck would be enough not to try to put any more weight on the trailer.

[Pelican]

In addition to what AZTLANLC offers, maneuvering a trailer around a job site can be difficult at best. When we are working, I try to place materials as close to the work as possible, trying to do this with a dump trailer in place of a dump truck would be downright impossible in many cases. I'm not trying to discourage you, but want you to consider all the difficulties you might encounter.

A dump truck with an enclosed tool trailer might be a better combination, in fact one of my competitors has just such a set up. In my area it is generally safe to leave the trailer parked on site with padlocks. You'd have a dump truck available for material runs, be able to place the material better and also be able to leave your tools with your men.

[shane472]

All good points guys. The dump truck and enclosed trailer combination seems like the most popular one and for very good reasons. Only thing is moving a skid steer. I've seen one member on this site who can fit his in his enclosed trailer but if I ever want to upgrade to a larger machine down the road I don't think that's feasible what with the space and the weight issue. Until then it's a good combo though.

[Pelican]

On that I think you're going to have to bite the bullet and get a dedicated equipment trailer. I have one, you are right in thinking toward the future. I bought the biggest I could get without dual wheels and air brakes, an 8 ton 21' over axle flat deck. I move not only the skid steer, but also pick up pallets of bricks with it at the brick yard. I can carry the skid steer with several attachments in one shot.

[mrusk]

I thought about going with a box truck. I figure i could pick up a international 4700 with 150k miles for around 20k. I could then still tow a dump trailer and a skid steer/mini x.

Right now i have a pickup truck, a 18 ft enclosed trailer, and a 6 ton equipment trailer. I am running 2 crews with having just 1 truck. Luckily i have several jobs in the same devlopment.

But i know i am going to need to buy something else within a couple of months. I'd hate to go buy a f450 and another enclosed trailer for 7k. I may just go buy a international or freighliner box truck.

I would not go for a box truck like you posted the pic off. You would over load that in no time!

Matt

[cutntrim]

Sounds like a hook-and-lift truck would be a good fit for you (Mrusk) or for Shane. One truck with interchangeable beds/boxes.

[Squizzy Taylor]

I went around this subject about a hundred times before I got my current setup. I ended up with a dedicated tools trailer so that when the truck leaves the site all the equipment doesn't go with it. Our Mini-X or skid steer get loaded in the truck dump body with aluminium ramps.

This allows me to set the boys up on site and then go and pick up the other machine, have a look at another job or get supplies etc. If I could afford another truck I'd probably have a different setup but this works well for us.

[Paul]

I always thought a 22' box truck would make a great hardscape truck, I would get one with a side lift to load and unload tampers, saws, ect. Think a minute two bundles of edging, a pallet of spikes, tools, saws, two plate tampers, jumping jack tamper, fuel (both types), generator, air compressor, splitter, plus all the stuff you leave at the shop in one place!

We have a couple of hardscape companies here that use just that set up.

[mrusk]

Originally posted by Paul
I always thought a 22' box truck would make a great hardscape truck, I would get one with a side lift to load and unload tampers, saws, ect. Think a minute two bundles of edging, a pallet of spikes, tools, saws, two plate tampers, jumping jack tamper, fuel (both types), generator, air compressor, splitter, plus all the stuff you leave at the shop in one place!

We have a couple of hardscape companies here that use just that set up.

I have all that in my 18x8 enclosed trailer. But with the box truck if its a fl70 or 4700 or something else large you can still move a skid steer behind ya which is a huge advantage.