GoodFellers
ArboristSite Lurker
I just ventured out on my own 3 months ago and I need to upgrade from my 07 chevy express v6 van with my dads trailer. My goal is to have a dumper truck and modify the dumper walls into a chipper truck and haul a chipper (which I don't have yet but hoping for a 12"). I want to keep it all under the CDL limits fully loaded and towing the chipper. I set a budget of $15K for the truck. I could lease something newer and $$$ but I want to stay small and sustainable. Part of not wanting to lease something is I do not have a lot of confidence as a new business owner. (Workers comp also wants 10K up front to hire a second guy and I just bruised my ribs and pushing back jobs this last week so monthly payments sound scary without having build a level of robustness to my operation)
Anyway, both dumpers have 215K miles and both going for $10k. Gas v10 looks really clean but has crew cab (will be nice to store some ropes and small gear maybe a saw in there but maybe its better to have more bed and the ability to haul more chips?). The diesel is 2nd owner and has been fleet maintained with records for the last 10-15 years. Not as mint but seems to be in good shape and is a regular cab.
Both engines seem to have stood up to the test of time (o5 v10 is the 3V) but with significant miles I'm assuming repairs will be needed within a couple years at most. v10 will be much cheaper to maintain, but is known to really guzzle gas especially towing day to day. 7.3 will be a bit better but will still be over a $1 more per gallon and with a good portion of the year -F degrees I'll need to spend $ on fuel additives.
Anyway, I'm pretty torn but I think with dumper and chipper I can really strive to save up for a legit employee, get my CDL ($4K minimum w new changes??) build business credit and my job pipeline and hopefully upgrade to a bigger chipper, bucket truck, mini skid... whatever the next production upgrade would be.
Any advise to help pull the trigger on a truck would be greatly appreciated!
Anyway, both dumpers have 215K miles and both going for $10k. Gas v10 looks really clean but has crew cab (will be nice to store some ropes and small gear maybe a saw in there but maybe its better to have more bed and the ability to haul more chips?). The diesel is 2nd owner and has been fleet maintained with records for the last 10-15 years. Not as mint but seems to be in good shape and is a regular cab.
Both engines seem to have stood up to the test of time (o5 v10 is the 3V) but with significant miles I'm assuming repairs will be needed within a couple years at most. v10 will be much cheaper to maintain, but is known to really guzzle gas especially towing day to day. 7.3 will be a bit better but will still be over a $1 more per gallon and with a good portion of the year -F degrees I'll need to spend $ on fuel additives.
Anyway, I'm pretty torn but I think with dumper and chipper I can really strive to save up for a legit employee, get my CDL ($4K minimum w new changes??) build business credit and my job pipeline and hopefully upgrade to a bigger chipper, bucket truck, mini skid... whatever the next production upgrade would be.
Any advise to help pull the trigger on a truck would be greatly appreciated!