Looking for a used truck

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So the Sparkle Works family is looking for a used crew cab truck (since the family likes coming along sometimes) to expand our capabilities. Since I know very little about trucks I was hoping you guys could help me out. Reliability is the biggest concern along with the fact of everyone loves saving a gallon of gas or two. Any recommendations for ideas of what trucks to target with the following criteria would be greatly appreciated. Trying to get a rig setup in the truck bed to not have to tow a trailer, but also be able to tow our trailer rig when we want more capability on the job

Budget ~10k (has a little wiggle room)
Crew Cab preferably
Flat bad preferably (I can always convert the truck to a flat bad i imagine.)
Can hold ~4000 lbs in the truckbed
AND Can also tow another ~3-4k when the situation calls for it while still having the 4k in the truckbed

Thanks for your time guys.
 
Check CL. There should be a ton of those in your area.

I wouldn't convert a single axle pickup into a flat bed.

You can add a towing hitch to any truck that doesn't already have one.
 
Check CL. There should be a ton of those in your area.

I wouldn't convert a single axle pickup into a flat bed.

You can add a towing hitch to any truck that doesn't already have one.

Any specific recommendations on brands/engines/models?
 
I prefer a dodge cummins diesel.
Fords are good and are more common to find but stay away from the 6.0 L engines. I believe the ones from 2012 to present models are ok but someone else can confirm that. I've heard great things about all the 7.3's.
 
I got a 2001 chevy 2500 5.7L crew cab from craigslist for $2550 with only 120k miles.
Came with a toolbox, ladder rack, and rhino liner already in the bed.
Only downside is 13 mpg.
He was asking $3500 but I talked him down ;)
Also, whoever you purchase from, ask them if you can take it to your mechanic.
If they say no or make up an excuse, there's usually a reason for it.
My mechanic will look at any vehicle for $20.
 
I would not go with any truck smaller than a 1 ton (Dodge, Chevy or GMC 3500 or Ford 350), With that much weight you want to put in there, I would probably go with the larger truck like a 450/4500.

Gas engines are good but most Diesel engines will get you more mpg, especially on the highway.

I have had great luck with the Dodge Cummins 5.9 Diesel in my 2500 truck. I can put a pallet of drums weighing about 2100 pounds in the bed and it does not squat more than a couple of inches but I don't keep that much weight in the bed all the time.

You can find the truck in a single real wheel instead of a dually, just have to look a lot more as they are not as common as the dually trucks are, you can put some more weight in the bed of the dually trucks, I think about 500 to 700 pounds more if I remember correctly what they told me at the dealer.

I am looking for another truck to do something similar but only need about 2000 to 2500 pounds all the time for truck washing, holding drums of chemicals, small skid, small water tank, hoses, reels, etc..... not many people have experience pulling or backing up trailers and there are some places that it is hard to get into with a trailer.

You can probably do the same thing with a decent box truck, great room for advertising on all sides, keeps things out of the weather, theft deterrent, but there are blind spots on the sides (get the round mirrors to help) and get the backup camera to help when backing up or to look behind you). You can get the box trucks all over the place like U-Haul, Ryder, Penske, Budget, etc.....

Most of the trucks are rated for only so much weight in the bed of the truck but most of us put more at one time or more or sometimes all the time. If you do plan on that much weight all the time, make sure you have a shop go and install helper springs or air bags to help with the added weight along with going through the brake system and making sure everything is in new condition as the truck will be harder to stop with all that added weight, if you buy a truck from up north and there is some rust, have the brake lines replaced as they will give out on you when you are driving, been there and done that, they don't cost that much but will save a life or more.

Securing everything in the bed of a truck can be done but it is easier with a skid unit like the water dragon type where everything is secured on a skid that can be installed or removed with a forklift. One of the best things about this type of skid is that if your truck is down, you can rent a truck and slide this into the rental and keep working until that truck is out of the shop if this is your only work truck. Bolting everything down into a truck will take a while to get everything out and you cannot secure it properly into a rental.

Just some of my opinions, hope this helps some.
 
I would not go with any truck smaller than a 1 ton (Dodge, Chevy or GMC 3500 or Ford 350), With that much weight you want to put in there, I would probably go with the larger truck like a 450/4500.

Gas engines are good but most Diesel engines will get you more mpg, especially on the highway.

I have had great luck with the Dodge Cummins 5.9 Diesel in my 2500 truck. I can put a pallet of drums weighing about 2100 pounds in the bed and it does not squat more than a couple of inches but I don't keep that much weight in the bed all the time.

You can find the truck in a single real wheel instead of a dually, just have to look a lot more as they are not as common as the dually trucks are, you can put some more weight in the bed of the dually trucks, I think about 500 to 700 pounds more if I remember correctly what they told me at the dealer.

I am looking for another truck to do something similar but only need about 2000 to 2500 pounds all the time for truck washing, holding drums of chemicals, small skid, small water tank, hoses, reels, etc..... not many people have experience pulling or backing up trailers and there are some places that it is hard to get into with a trailer.

You can probably do the same thing with a decent box truck, great room for advertising on all sides, keeps things out of the weather, theft deterrent, but there are blind spots on the sides (get the round mirrors to help) and get the backup camera to help when backing up or to look behind you). You can get the box trucks all over the place like U-Haul, Ryder, Penske, Budget, etc.....

Most of the trucks are rated for only so much weight in the bed of the truck but most of us put more at one time or more or sometimes all the time. If you do plan on that much weight all the time, make sure you have a shop go and install helper springs or air bags to help with the added weight along with going through the brake system and making sure everything is in new condition as the truck will be harder to stop with all that added weight, if you buy a truck from up north and there is some rust, have the brake lines replaced as they will give out on you when you are driving, been there and done that, they don't cost that much but will save a life or more.

Securing everything in the bed of a truck can be done but it is easier with a skid unit like the water dragon type where everything is secured on a skid that can be installed or removed with a forklift. One of the best things about this type of skid is that if your truck is down, you can rent a truck and slide this into the rental and keep working until that truck is out of the shop if this is your only work truck. Bolting everything down into a truck will take a while to get everything out and you cannot secure it properly into a rental.

Just some of my opinions, hope this helps some.
Would only be ~2500 all the time and would just spike when fully loaded on water/chems. Thanks chris your the man.
 
Only downside is 13 mpg.

That's why I told him to get a diesel lol. The extra mpg matched with the added expense in fuel will make up the cost compared to a gas engine. Plus diesels seem to last longer.

BTW, my gas truck gets 8.5-9.5 mpg with my trailer.
 
Isuzu box truck one and done. Build the business an buy what ever you want one year from the date.i know you said truck but this is an idea.
 
Ford made the 6.0 Diesels from late 03 -07 and then switched to the 6.4. Honestly I have had a couple 6.0s and I don't think there that bad. You can have issues with any truck if its not maintained and serviced like its supposed to be.


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A gas f350 will do what you want. The money you save on maintenance and parts will more then make up for the mileage. And insurance is cheaper than a 450. I have only one diesel left and wish it was gas. One of my gas trucks has 240k miles on it now ant it runs like a top.

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whichever route you go, only thing I can stress, is take it to a mechanic before buying it!
Hate to see you get burnt by a shady or uninformed "dealer".
I know most mechanics won't look at it for as cheap as mine and might charge you about $100, but it's much better than buying a "lemon"
 
I love my diesel f350, tows a 425 gallon tank in back and then pulls my trailer with no problems. After owning this it's no way I could downgrade.
 
I love my diesel f350, tows a 425 gallon tank in back and then pulls my trailer with no problems. After owning this it's no way I could downgrade.

If the ford you are talking about is the picture in your sig and the 425g tank is UK not US gallons be careful as you could be above your payload. I don't know your options on your truck beyond the crew cab, but the payload counting you sitting in it + trailer tongue weight is listed under 4200 lbs. That is crew cab + long box + 4wd as the options I saw.

In my 2005 Dodge dually I put a 270 UK Gallon tank, small pressure washer setup with a separate burner that I lifted all in myself. Hose reel with 200ft hose, and full fuel tanks plus me and the weight on the scales came out to 11,200 lbs

Fords, 7.3's were a good engine, just thirsty. 6.0 I would avoid and you can google and find all the issues pretty quick. The 6.4's have their issues to popping up now. Engine re builder I was talking to recently said he is seeing lots of these.

Chevy, Not heard too much bad about the dmax + allison. I do know that chevy went a little cheap on the hoses and lines for all the coolers ect and people have had to replace them a little more often. Although a guy I sub out to just had to replace his transmission on his 2006 with 90k miles on the clock.

Dodge, in the price range you are looking front end issues and you can have motor issues. Injectors were an issue if the fuel was dirty ever and auto transmissions have had there issues.

Unless you buy new you will always gamble on the purchase of a truck.
 
It's a 425 gallon US tank(3400 lbs)leave the house with 150 gallons(1200 lbs)in it most of the time. Different strokes for different folks but like I said love mine. My first 6.4 had 350k miles on it when I got rid of it. Never seen shop except normal maintenance, this one I got in the picture has 60k now.
 
We started last year phasing in brand new trucks. I worked out a deal with the local chevy dealer. we do all of their exterior services, they take care of all of our maintenance work, they cut us very good pricing and over the next 3 yeas we will trade out all 5 trucks for new ones. either 1500s or 2500s - gas ... depreciation schedule is to keep and pay off in 5 years then trade back in or a new one.

I build the cost into our pricing and it's actually pretty affordable. Considering down time absolutely kills us we just can't use older trucks anymore...
 
Dj, Dj, Dj.....You are describing the college professor and government playbook method of running a business. Neither of which have ever run a successful business.

The tax system is designed to MAKE you buy things from the people who put donation money in their pockets. That's why mortgage interest is deductible. The bankers WANT you to borrow money, they PAY the politicians who pass laws that make it BENEFICIAL for you to borrow money.

In the end the person who loses is YOU. All you get out of it is a new car smell.

Here's some math DJ.

Scenario 1
New Trucks every 5 years.

Truck payments - $2500 ($500 each minimum) x 60 months = $150,000

Of that up to $40-50k is interest alone. (est)

Having worked at car dealerships I know when it comes time to trade those trucks in you'll be lucky to get $3-5k for them. Oh yes, they will tell you you are getting $15k but only means you overpaid for the replacement trucks by $10k.

So you buy 5 trucks at $20k (minimum, if you only buy work trucks)

In five years you've paid $150k and have $15-$20k in equity to show for it. At 18% tax rate (effective rate) you may squeeze out another $30k or so for a total of $50k Leaving an unrecoverable loss of $100 or $20k per year. ($1666 per month - unrecoverable loss)

On the other hand, if you buy 6 three year old trucks @ $10k each cash (a fully operational spare) you are in them $60k. You still get the writeoff of about $11k. At the end of 5 years they are still worth at least $3k each on a private sale leaving you with a total investment of $31k max. (If you only drive each truck 4000 miles per year and use the mileage method you could effectively write off more than you paid for them at the current rate of .0565 per mile. )

Using that scenario your total cost is closer to $500/month leaving you an extra thousand EVERY month to spend on repairs, (if needed on a truck that new) OR to spend on another part time employee, replacement equipment, marketing, manicures, pedicures or pec implants.

The numbers get even better if you can buy 6 good running trucks that are 10 years old @ $4-5k each.

There are times when buying new trucks makes sense. Like when Scott needed 25 or so trucks and had to get them within 30 days. But under normal operating circumstances it just doesn't make sense in most cases.

Of course, if you insist on buying Chevys I see your point. At 5 years they are pretty much done. lol.

My scenario is based on buying Fords. hahaha!

Two of our cheapest trucks are 96 Fords. 5.8l. We bought them at the auction for a whopping $2400 for the pair. (That's rare, the same trucks go for $2400 each now at the auction)

We are moving into our fifth year using them now. Thus far we have had to spend a grand total of $4600 additional on them (that includes converting one to a flatbed AND tires) leaving our total investment at $3500 each or $58/month each.) When they are finally done I will get at least $500 each back just for parts.

And then there's the insurance. You don't need comprehensive on an inexpensive truck, just keep a spare. That will save you another $750 per month on five trucks.

And here in Nevada plates on a new truck are $400-500 per year while plates on the old ones are less than $100. That's another potential savings of $100 per month over 5 new trucks.

When you buy a new truck you are paying a LOT of people:

1) Manufacturer
2) Dealership
3) Finance guy
4) Salesman
5) Insurance guy (full coverage)
6) Increased Sales Tax
And the list goes on.

Wouldn't you rather pay your own business?

Having owned businesses that are hard on vehicles and one business that racked up as much as 50k miles on each vehicle I have tried both ways. There is nothing that feels better and is more financially rewarding than owning all your own equipment outright.

Let me introduce you to a coach of mine. His name is Dave Ramsey.
 
And by the way, if there are guys out there reading this who can't afford to pay cash for a $10k truck, start out with a $2000 truck and work your way up. Within a few years you won't blink an eye buying a fleet of $10k trucks. Because your money has stayed in your pocket.
 
Ahh, the great debate. My opinion is my opinion. I also do things differently than a lot of people.

In the past two weeks I have bought 4 trucks. One is an f-150, and three are f-350's. I bought them all new. There are a lot of reasons, but one of them is, even though most of our trucks are around 40k miles right now, we have a need for back up trucks. Between accidents, break downs, and machine break downs, it makes sense for us to have backups, because every day a truck is down costs about $1000. Trailers, and what we do, just don't work. We really need to have truck mounted equipment. Because of how our equipment is mounted, we have doubled productivity over any previous contractor. I also just don't have the time to be able to hunt down reliable used trucks. I would rather pay cash and go new. It is what works for us.
Now, starting up, I was in a used Toyota pickup. It was a big day when I got a trailer, and an even bigger day when we got a hot box.
If I was starting out, I would look for the best used pickup I could find. I am a Ford guy, because I like my trucks to run. I would look at the best deal out there, and I always plan on spending about 2k-3k getting any used truck to where it is running properly.
However, if you have large fleet sales in your area, from local governments, utilities, etc. I would have a pocketful of cash, and go to the auction. I would find the three or four trucks that you want, and bid on them. I would absolutely make sure that they ran well, that they were a value and that there were no underlying issues. I wouldn't go to a contractors auction, because those trucks get beat to death and beyond.
Sometimes you just need to be patient to get what you really need, instead of just what you want.
 
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