Chris C,
Here are some pics that you asked before of the F-450 99 flatbed, 7.3 powerstoke:
When I bought it with nothing on it:
CLICK
some close ups with some stuff on it:
1
2
This is a recent picture with a trailer in the back:
This is another pickup truck: Chevy 97 C1500, gas; we use it to tow a mobile sweeper
Victory T-500 ,sometimes the PW trailer and for casual abuse
)..
And this is the best engine and truck ever made in my opinion:
From my own experience:
The advantages of the Flatbed F-450:
It sure can carry and pull a lot of weight with no hesitation; I have pulled: 325 tank, another 35 chem tank, another 50 drum with chem, 200 tank, 100 tank on the trailer (all tanks full) and the trailer + all the equipment and 3 guys
... The truck does not complain a bit.
7.3 is a very tough engine
If its a flatbed, especially this size, there is plenty of room to put whatever your mind comes to
.
No need to tow trailer, less liability as far as employees and yourself.
The disadvantages:
Even that this engine and any other diesel engines are rated superior than the gas ones, they do brake too. Unfortunatelly the diesel engine, especially the powerstroke is a very complicated state of the art. The maintenance and whatever diagnostic on it is frickin expensive. Dont ask me how I know..
. For example to inspect only one injector, it cost $55 and up (8 injectors total). So when you look for such truck, make sure you buy one without problems.
Another disadvantage is the Clearance (hard to get into low clearance garages below 7'
Gas monster: empty 10gal/m, full: I am afraid to measure
)..
The Chevy is one awesome truck. I purchased it not long ago and I am absolutely happy with it. It takes a lot of abuse without problems. Cheap maintenance and parts. 15-18mls/gal. If you ask Mr. Rex with PressureWasherProducts, he is a total Chevy guy and he is a very very knowledgeable and experienced man with many many years of experience in the trucking and machinery business. So if you wanna hear more from him as an expert, I am sure he will like to share. Just give him a call.
Last but not least, if you like flatbed trucks, I am a total fan of Isuzu/GMC NPR trucks. Some guys here have NPRs and they will confirm. This truck is most used by landscapers for reason. I have worked with NPR for more than 5 years and I can say it is just the best among all.