[Inspired]

Well my boys want to learn about the contracting business. So I guess I'm going to jump in once again. Besides all the other issues of a family business, I'm wondering about install trucks. We will be landscape installers only. No maintenance.

What is your favorite install truck?

Previously I used 3/4 ton pick-ups, 4-door with racks, all of them were gas.

I started looking at 1 ton, 4 door diesels with a flat bed and a rack combo and I noticed those little cab over diesels. Some of them have 4 cylinder turbo diesel engines. Aside from the cabs being small, they look interesting.

Does anyone here have experience with the little cab over diesels?

[Matt Kulp]

Yes, we run a Chevy W-4 with a 4 cyl diesel. The truck is very dependable and it gets worked hard and keeps on going. The fuel mileage is good, and maintenance cost are fairly low. We have a dump on ours and it handles 3-4 ton easily. We have ours tow a dump trailer and it does well, but it is not designed to do alot of towing and when you are on a hill or starting off you will notice the small engines limits. I personally would not buy one for installs, because of the payload and power. Ours is used on maintenance crews for mulch, top soil, etc.. If you are looking to do alot of towing of equipment, you will want a bigger engine. That being said, our maintenance crews, and lawn applicator crews will be getting these small trucks for years to come.

Another note, these trucks do not give you much protection from the road if involved in a front end collision. You basically have the windshield and then the road. I am thankful that we have never had any issues, but it is something that needs to be said.

[FungusMudGrub]

I have a Mistubishi FE-HD with a dump body. I really like it, but I have to agree it could use a little more power when towing or fully loaded. I do a mixture of maintenance and install, and it's my only big truck. I love the cab-over design for manueverability, though. Three adults fit easily in the cab.

[jazak]

Yes, my dads friend had a 2002 Mitsubishi FG 4x4 with the 4cyl diesel. If you where pulling something with it & you had a full load in the 10' dump body you could feel it being underpowered. If you're not going to be hauling alot of weight then they're good trucks and will outlast any American made truck. However if you're pulling heavy loads you're going to need the 8cyl diesel. JMO

He has recently purchased a 2004 F550 4x4 diesel and it has twice the pulling power.

[Inspired]

Thanks for the info guys.

I ran across a dealer selling trucks that run on CNG. Anyone here have experience with CNG?

[LandArts]

It's a very clean-burning fuel.