What's the Best Farm Truck to Haul my Tractor and Cattle with?

roadhunter · Jan 27, 2017

BrokeFarmerJohn said:
Hey man don't knock the fence lol I was happy with that fence, had to hand pound the T post and bought all the chainlink used on Craigslist. I didn't have a tractor or anything to assist, just man power. I have 3 acres but want to get my hands on another 10-15 acres this spring to rent so I can go up to 10 head of cattle this year.

2016 was my first time with cattle and I started with 3. I use my truck almost daily for odds and ends work.

hauling a heavy load? not as frequent yet but I plan to keep expending yearly.

I didn't know much about cattle when I bought my first one, I just bought one, I already had a small 1/2 acre fenced, I fenced another acre later and got two more head. That was about 11 months ago.

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I only pounded the Tpost down 2-3ft if I went back I would have gone down 3-4ft but it's a strong fence and I have never had any cattle get loose yet and I never added a hot wire which originally I was going to. It's 470ft one piece of chainlink. I also would have bought 6ft Tpost instead of 8ft but it all worked out, I was in the fence about $1 a foot.

Since this is for fun and not so much for a living I'd have some fun with the truck. Find something with a dump bed maybe. There are some neat trucks out there.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Jan 28, 2017

I already have this truck.

That's a 1985 F350 4x4 5speed with a 460 v8 in it. Cab was replaced to a 93 F150 XLT. I gave $250 for it lol and I have insured it for a year and half even known it's done 3 miles on the road in my possession. I prob paid more in insurance and plates than I gave for the truck.

I put new front calipers, shoes, rubber break lines and have a rubber line for the rear. Found another hole in the steel line across the rear axle, after I fix that it's a matter of bleeding breaks and she should be road worthy. Gas tank has a leak also.

I was gonna use it to haul gravel on my driveway then I was gonna sell it.

The bad is it has prob over 300k miles on it and has a ton of rust, you can see the piles of rust on the gravel under the truck. It's not a truck I planned to keep after I hauled the gravel.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Jan 31, 2017

Guys what do we think of 2001 F350s? I'm looking at one tomorrow going up for auction on Thursday.

It looks like a 2wd from pics on the internet, it has a lift gate and a flatbed.

It has 57,700 miles on it, I kinda wanted a V10 but from what I read they are 05 and later, as of right now idk what motor it has in it.

That pic is all the info I have currently, any input on this year and what it might be worth, thanks

What do you think? Cone truck or maybe a hauler of tanks like LP or propane?

I'm thinking it set idol a lot

Farmer495 · Feb 1, 2017

BrokeFarmerJohn said:
Guys what do we think of 2001 F350s? I'm looking at one tomorrow going up for auction on Thursday.

It looks like a 2wd from pics on the internet, it has a lift gate and a flatbed.

It has 57,700 miles on it, I kinda wanted a V10 but from what I read they are 05 and later, as of right now idk what motor it has in it.

View attachment 497189

That pic is all the info I have currently, any input on this year and what it might be worth, thanks

What do you think? Cone truck or maybe a hauler of tanks like LP or propane?

I'm thinking it set idol a lot

Gas job for sure from the emblem on the fender (diesel was on door in 01) Might be a 5.4, but 6.8 V-10 was available. too bad the VIN wasn't listed, then you could find out everything easy. Might be a 5-speed (ZF-5 OD/granny low) or the 4R100 auto, can't tell, Either trans came with V8 or V10 that year.

Diamondpilot · Feb 1, 2017

The V10 was offered in 1997 or 1999 for the first time? Can't remember but it appears to be a V8 from the emblems.

I would pass. Don't let the low miles fool you. A 2 wheel drive dually is about as bad as they get for traction. I've been stuck on wet grass!

BrokeFarmerJohn · Feb 1, 2017

2wd with Triton V8, starts right up, goes into drive and reverse with no issues, sounds like a heathy truck

Farmer495 · Feb 1, 2017

BrokeFarmerJohn 2wd with Triton V8 said:
Looks like ATX shifter is broken and missing the OD off switch gear.

2wd dually is pavement pounder. that truck can tow 7400 lb if 3.73 gears, 8900 is 4.10.

I'd want it cheap.

motownbrowne · Feb 1, 2017

For what you want to do with it, I'd really prefer a SRW truck with 4wd. I think you said you drive your truck around (not towing) several times a week. A dually would be a PITA for daily driving. Also, buying new tires is 50% more expensive. And I'm not sure about where you live, but in many states a truck like that (dually and or flatbed) will be much more money to register and insure.

Yes, a flatbed would be nice, but 4wd and an extra cab would be nicer in my book.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Feb 1, 2017

motownbrowne said:
For what you want to do with it, I'd really prefer a SRW truck with 4wd. I think you said you drive your truck around (not towing) several times a week. A dually would be a PITA for daily driving. Also, buying new tires is 50% more expensive. And I'm not sure about where you live, but in many states a truck like that (dually and or flatbed) will be much more money to register and insure.

Yes, a flatbed would be nice, but 4wd and an extra cab would be nicer in my book.

What would you value this truck at? There's it and a few others like a Honda van ext. that I'm interested in buying to resell, I think this truck would be more useful than my current 2wd F150 so I could sell current truck and use this one till I come across a 4x4 at a good price.

I wouldn't buy it for any more than I could sell it for.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Feb 2, 2017

Auction is in 8.5 hours

HHR · Feb 2, 2017

Truck is probably worth at least $3,000 in good running shape.

buickanddeere · Feb 2, 2017

Any chassis from the south where road salt is not used . Gassers are cheap to repair compared to an emissions diesel.
Payments over 7 years at low interest on new is a consideration. Several years of driving before paying for repairs.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Feb 2, 2017

It sold for $2600, I wanted in but the auctioneer sold it before I could get in. I was waiting on two bidders to slow down before I got in on it, one guy backed off and he sold the truck without asking for more bids.

schmism · Feb 2, 2017

Here was my farm truck

85 C30. and yes i had the plow for it also. 3 speed with granny low.

did it make a great farm truck yes. would i recommend it for regular hauling.... it towed fine but was 100% everything a 21centrury vehicle isnt. It was loud, slow, and hot.

Do i like towing with my 2001 E350 with booming tunes, AC and a comfortable seat, heck yes. Do i miss my dumptruck with plow... yes.

motownbrowne · Feb 2, 2017

BrokeFarmerJohn said:
It sold for $2600, I wanted in but the auctioneer sold it before I could get in. I was waiting on two bidders to slow down before I got in on it, one guy backed off and he sold the truck without asking for more bids.

Too bad. That's a pretty good price for a truck like that.

If you've got luck like mine, the other bidder would have bid you up to $5000.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Feb 2, 2017

motownbrowne said:
Too bad. That's a pretty good price for a truck like that.

If you've got luck like mine, the other bidder would have bid you up to $5000.

3k would have been my absolute max so I wouldn't have gone too much higher.

BrokeFarmerJohn · Jun 15, 2017

I still have yet to buy a truck lol, I ended up upgrading the old F150 lol

CalG · Jun 15, 2017

get a 1964 Ford.

sd455dan · Jun 15, 2017

BrokeFarmerJohn said:
Guys what do we think of 2001 F350s? I'm looking at one tomorrow going up for auction on Thursday.

It looks like a 2wd from pics on the internet, it has a lift gate and a flatbed.

It has 57,700 miles on it, I kinda wanted a V10 but from what I read they are 05 and later, as of right now idk what motor it has in it.

View attachment 497189

That pic is all the info I have currently, any input on this year and what it might be worth, thanks

What do you think? Cone truck or maybe a hauler of tanks like LP or propane?

I'm thinking it set idol a lot

Just went to a sheriffs unused vehicle sale and watched a 1996? 7.3 diesel dually 4x4 with 136,000 miles on it. Ran real good
No rust and even had a lift gate and staked flat bed to . Bid to and sold for $2500

I am still kicking myself for Not buying a 2004 4x4 tahoe that was super clean but the LS engine had a tick in it - sold for $850...
stuck my bid card hand up right as the auctioneer said sold

similar to what happened to you- auctioneer didn't even wait 5 seconds after calling $900 before yelling SOLD for $850

BrokeFarmerJohn · Jun 15, 2017

sd455dan said:
Just went to a sheriffs unused vehicle sale and watched a 1996? 7.3 diesel dually 4x4 with 136,000 miles on it. Ran real good
No rust and even had a lift gate and staked flat bed to . Bid to and sold for $2500

I am still kicking myself for Not buying a 2004 4x4 tahoe that was super clean but the LS engine had a tick in it - sold for $850...
stuck my bid card hand up right as the auctioneer said sold

similar to what happened to you- auctioneer didn't even wait 5 seconds after calling $900 before yelling SOLD for $850

I hate when that happens!