HD truck questions

KB9UDE · Jan 25, 2011

I am looking for a truck to pull a cargo trailer with mowing equipment up to 60 miles from home. Thinking 8.5x20 would be the biggest size trailer used. My question is: would I be money ahead to spend say 10K on a 10 year old truck with around 150K miles or spend up to 20K on a 5-6 year old truck with under 90K miles?

Diamondpilot · Jan 25, 2011

I do not like working on my stuff. I work on others stuff enough so I always go for new or newer and never keep past 150,000 miles. Thats just me.

Sounds like you want to keep it as cheap as possible. My neighbor is a commercial mower, 1 rig with 3 mowers. He runs a 2007 truck. The thing is if you are mowing you can not afford break downs if you are a 1 man crew. With rain in the summer and spring 1 or 2 days in the shop can put you a week behind. He has ran into this even with his 4 year old truck twice now. Luckily we are good friends and I have 3 vehicles so I have loaned him one to keep going on them occasions.

I have another friend that runs a large landscaping/mowing business. He buys 8 new F-250's with plows every 5 years. They simply just wear them out. He has some older stuff like Broncos for plowing and Class 5 though 8 trucks for other uses but the ones he uses every day, rain snow or shine he needs to be reliable.

Chris

KB9UDE · Jan 25, 2011

I agree with you Chris. I am thinking of going with the newer truck. It is alot of money but in the end I think would be the better way to go.

jonyyuma · Jan 25, 2011

Personally, my luck is real good with a vechicle until 150k, then repairs start to make it not so great. I have done it with at least 10 different brands and types. Jy.

crashz · Jan 25, 2011

Sounds like business uses, and 60 miles from home is a steep towing bill. Gotta agree with others here. Newer would be better.

Lil_FarmerJim · Jan 25, 2011

I would agree with the others, the newer the better. I know guys that put 30K per year min on their trucks and once they hit 100K they are done. And generally speaking they have used/abused them so much by that point they are not worth trying to repair or maintain.

Plus they just can't afford to be leaving that much equipment on the side of the road while the shop fixes the truck. In most areas around here it won't be there when you get back! :mur:

So if you can swing it go with the lower mileage newer truck and get a few more miles out of it.

Good luck!