Best pickup for hauling pellets?

[johnchap]

WOW.....current F250, no problems. 1995 F350 single axle before it, no problems either......maybe I got lucky

I would still have that 350 if it were 4 wheel drive. When all your friends drive chevy and you call to get pulled out, let's just say a 4x4 truck becomes a must

Either way, if you make it home without blowing a tire or other damage, who cares what you hauled it with.

I think the local mechanics and some research online show the years 2003+- to 2007 f250 had brake issues ..... as it goes we just need chit to work and get stuff done ....

 

[TCZON]

We'll be hauling our pellets home in our dump trailer behind our Dodge Grand Caravan with the towing package.... not fancy, but will work great. Our supplier charges $20/ton to deliver, but they're only 20kms from our home, so making 4-5 trips will be way cheaper than paying for delivery, and we can spread it out over a few days so we're not doing it all at once. I plan on putting some planks down the basement stairs, with a smooth (possibly slip plated) board overtop, so that bags can be slid down the stairs, then stacked in the basement. Since this fall will be our first time "pellet pigging", we've got some logistics to work out first... like cleaning out the basement!

 

[KD0AXS]

I think the local mechanics and some research online show the years 2003+- to 2007 f250 had brake issues ..... as it goes we just need chit to work and get stuff done ....

I've got a 2005 and never had any brake issues. However, the brakes on these trucks got a big upgrade in 2005. That's why mine has 18" wheels where the earlier trucks had 16". The 16" wheels wouldn't fit over the new larger brakes.

 

[SXIPro]

We'll be hauling our pellets home in our dump trailer behind our Dodge Grand Caravan with the towing package.... not fancy, but will work great. Our supplier charges $20/ton to deliver, but they're only 20kms from our home, so making 4-5 trips will be way cheaper than paying for delivery, and we can spread it out over a few days so we're not doing it all at once. I plan on putting some planks down the basement stairs, with a smooth (possibly slip plated) board overtop, so that bags can be slid down the stairs, then stacked in the basement. Since this fall will be our first time "pellet pigging", we've got some logistics to work out first... like cleaning out the basement!

4-5 40 km round trips with the price of gas in CN is cheaper than $20 a ton delivery???? And throw in the amount of time you are killing......seems like a lose/lose to me.

 

[TCZON]

Still cheaper. I just did the math (because you did make me think a bit! LOL!), and right now I'm getting 550kms/tank on my van, and pay around $85/tank (give or take, depending on how empty I let it get!). We generally get 490-500kms/tank when towing, depending on what we're towing of course, most commonly our tent trailer. Cost of us picking up 5 tons, one ton at a time, less than $40 ($35ish actually!) .

Since we'll need to handbomb it all into the basement, I'd rather do it a bit at a time, vs a big haul all at once. Also, this way I can spread out the cost of buying the pellets, I don't have to pay for 5 ton all at once, I can buy a ton or two in August, then another one or two in September.... Plus, by doing it in smaller spurts, we can keep it fun/easier to bribe the child labour aspect

 

[Seasoned Oak]

I usually look for a good deal on a 4x4 3/4 ton truck about 10 years old. My current model a 95 K2500 Silverado is now 20 years old and going strong. Im now scouting for a replacement mainly to do away with the lift kit that makes mine too high.Not because its too old or any other mechanical issue. Lots of good ones out there between 10 and 15K. Hauls a ton with ease and pulls 12000Lbs.

 

[Big papa]

Here's a real truck 2050lbs of payload 11,300lbs of towing with the trailer in pic and pellets 10,400lbs the truck is an 2012 f150 with the max tow package if u need more than this truck can handle then ur only option is a 2500 or 250. Oh forgot to mention I got 11.5 miles to the gallon hauled these pellets over 30 miles up and down the hills in pa with the new ecoboost moot pulls better than any gas motor I've owned

 

[KD0AXS]

Here's 2 tons in my 05 F-350, albeit concrete rather than pellets. No problem at all. This was 70 bags @60 lbs, or 4200 lbs total. Plus I had a few other things and 3 people in the cab so I was pushing 5000 lbs total.

 

[BrotherBart]

The best ride I get in the 1995 454ci 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban is with a couple of thousand pounds of pellets or cement bags in the back. Ton of pellets in the truck and a ton on the trailer and it rides like a Caddy. And can pull hell up a mountain.

Can pass anything but a gas station.

 

[Tonyray]

Chevy pickup handled 2 tons quite easy then right thru the basement window there.
But I do agree with someone here who posted it was much cheaper to pay delivery charges as opposed to getting a truck just to haul pellets...unless said truck is used for many other things.

 

[TimfromMA]

Here's a real truck 2050lbs of payload 11,300lbs of towing with the trailer in pic and pellets 10,400lbs the truck is an 2012 f150 with the max tow package if u need more than this truck can handle then ur only option is a 2500 or 250. Oh forgot to mention I got 11.5 miles to the gallon hauled these pellets over 30 miles up and down the hills in pa with the new ecoboost moot pulls better than any gas motor I've owned

I'm looking into a GMC 3500HD diesel with dual rear wheels. That thing is rated for 16500lbs of conventional trailering or 23000lbs fifth wheel. Rated bed capacity of just over 5500lbs.

 

[Highbeam]

Watch it on the "rated bed capacity" crap. You will have a stickered GVWR and an actual weighed truck weight. Subtract the two to find the REAL bed capacity.

My 2000 F350 with the diesel weighs 7500# empty and with a GVWR of 9900 can legally carry 2400#. Yes, I overload it and knowingly take on some liability in doing so. Once you drive a truck that makes more than 600 ft-lbs of torque it's hard to go back to gas.

Modern half tons are rated to haul and tow much more than my old F350 diesel. So you really need to look at the stickered GVWR and the curb weight to determine suitability of a particular vehicle to haul cargo.

 

[UpStateNY]

This year I payed $65 to Home Depot and got 3 tons delivered to the front of my garage. Took me 3 hours to stack them in the basement .

+1

For $30 you can rent a 6x12 utility trailer for u-haul that can legally haul 2650 lbs load with a 3500 lb trailer hitch. I have broken a spring in my 1/2 ton pickup due to hauling sand that was too much wight. Overloading a pickup truck can be more expensive in the long run. Plus the trailer is easier to unload because its closer to the ground. If you buy a 3/4 ton pickup just so you can go fetch your yearly supply of pellets at a cost of 20% more gas per mile, then your loosing money in the long run.

 

[Seasoned Oak]

[quote="Highbeam, post: 1732339, member: 1382" Once you drive a truck that makes more than 600 ft-lbs of torque it's hard to go back to gas.

.[/quote]
Until you need repairs. I can put a brand new engine in my gasser for the price of a set of injectors in my sons diesel. I love those new diesel trucks with all the power but even tranny repairs on those can break the bank.

 

[Big papa]

U guys with the 350's need to use ur trailers u could tow enough for almost two winters with those trucks in one trip and not see much difference in mileage as opposed to hauling two tons.and u would b legal pulling that much

 

[ttdberg]

Big papa - How much does that trailer in the picture cost?

 

[Big papa]

Around $6000 brand new but u can get used ones at half the cost. I would like to get a flat bed trailer next year they r 2000lbs lighter than that trailer in pic wich means another ton of pellets can b towed at one time but the utility trailer in pic is nice because of the sides no need to tie down for short trips. Also it sits higher than a flat trailer atleast the one I'm looking at so if u have a sharp grade getting in ur driveway it might b the better choice

 

[gotboostido]

No one will believe this. but i use a 2001 toyota corolla. 25 bags at a time. spread out like people and some in the trunk. used to have a 2005 f350 v10. had this for my tt but decieded to anchor it in a campground year round. the gas was killing my wallet. will do it again this year. takes 4 trips for 2 tons. its june 23rd today and i havent been to get gas since june 1st

 

[Seasoned Oak]

No one will believe this. but i use a 2001 toyota corolla. 25 bags at a time. spread out like people and some in the trunk. used to have a 2005 f350 v10. had this for my tt but decieded to anchor it in a campground year round. the gas was killing my wallet. will do it again this year. takes 4 trips for 2 tons. its june 23rd today and i havent been to get gas since june 1st

Another idea is to find the towing capacity of your car and buy a small trailer to hook to it. Probably get your whole supply in 1 load.Save even more gas that way.You can tow WAY more than you can haul in almost any vehicle. I know what your saying about the gas,its a killer with these big HD trucks.

 

[bigruckus]

Bought a 97 GMC for $500 last fall....it is a heavy half...has a 1 factory ton reared in it...I can haul 1 1/2 tons in it...I have done this several times...a ton is more comfortable to me...great truck has a 350 in it and it sucks the gas right down...lol..gets me home all the time..only has 219,000 miles on it!!

 

[Seasoned Oak]

Bought a 97 GMC for $500 last fall....iit!!

Thats less than scrap price.

 

[Highbeam]

Bought a 97 GMC for $500 last fall....it is a heavy half...has a 1 factory ton reared in it...I can haul 1 1/2 tons in it...I have done this several times...a ton is more comfortable to me...great truck has a 350 in it and it sucks the gas right down...lol..gets me home all the time..only has 219,000 miles on it!!

They didnt make a heavy half in that year. You could option the "high gvwr" package which got you a semi floating 12 bolt rear end and something like 400 lbs extra stickered gvwr rating. Hardly a one ton rear and hardly legal carrying 3000#. The vortec 350 of that year is excellent on fuel. As good as the modern versions.

 

[bigruckus]

They didnt make a heavy half in that year. You could option the "high gvwr" package which got you a semi floating 12 bolt rear end and something like 400 lbs extra stickered gvwr rating. Hardly a one ton rear and hardly legal carrying 3000#. The vortec 350 of that year is excellent on fuel. As good as the modern versions.

Your right..I checked it with my Chevy dealer...does half the 12 bolt...the springs have extra leafs...anyway the 350 Vortec is a great engine,...but sucks on gas...I get around 13 with it if I'm lucky....

 

[Highbeam]

Your right..I checked it with my Chevy dealer...does half the 12 bolt...the springs have extra leafs...anyway the 350 Vortec is a great engine,...but sucks on gas...I get around 13 with it if I'm lucky....

I had a 98 k1500 just like that (without the high GVWR package) and I really liked the truck. Put just about 150,000 miles on it before I sold it to upgrade to a crew cab one ton to hold the family. The vortec 350 engine reported the same mpg figures that my diesel does now, that is 15 city and 20 highway. That vortec 350 only made 330 ft-lbs or torque though. It weighed 5800 lbs empty and GVWR was 6200 so I could only haul 2 fat chicks home from the tavern before I was legally overloaded. I put timbrens on the rear suspension and LT tires to allow me to overload the truck safely which worked great until the rear end was destroyed from it. The rear end guy was quite specific about what I did to kill that rear end. He pointed at my trailer hitch and said you need a bigger truck.

I might still have the truck if it weren't for the growing family.

 

[hoverwheel]

Well, I got my wood for the winter hauled home. Now I have to pick up 4 ton of pellets for the other stove. I should be able to make that in two trips?