Intermediate Truck?

[benjamin]

I'd drive the... Honda CRV instead.

Any chance of making a CRX work? Ya take all the junk behind the seat out and you can fit some amazing things in there. I also hear they like to pull Cats around! You do end up using whatever vehicle is at hand, and my old CRX was a seriously handy vehicle. I was once given a warning for hauling a Troy built tiller, a rabbit cage w/rabbits, several 5gal buckets of oil, and two refrigerators on mine.

My advice would be to settle for the intermediate truck, especially if you're going to be using it for a daily driver. Sure you could haul four times the wood with a dually diesel, or get the same MPG if you can find a Cummins, but with a cheap used truck it all comes down to what you find.

Of all of the vehicles I've loved, the small ones were a pleasure to drive and were junked because of rust, deferred maintenance etc. The big ones kept on working but I couldn't justify the costs for the few times I needed the extra capacity.

 

[Danno77]

I've kinda been eyeballing this truck near me. I stopped in and looked at it when they were closed. I also dbl checked on the engine by giving them a call. it is listed wrong and I couldn't check it by using the VIN, because they must have typed the VIN wrong, too. It does have a 5.7L V8 (not the 4.3L some have) and it doesn't have any special packages, so its rated at around 1634lbs payload. I think they might be asking a little much for it, but I honestly think they might be close. I think that if I walk in with 7500 cash I might be able to get it. The pictures on their website don't really do it justice, it's VERY clean. I like idea of having a topper on it, too.

(broken link removed to http://www.elbesellscars.com/details.cfm?vehicle=39494)

Maybe throw some timbrens on there to sit a little nicer with a load, and still plan on using a trailer for bigger hauling jobs.

 

[Flatbedford]

I'd wait for the right 3/4 or 1 ton to come up. 1/2 ton + short bed = not much wood hauled per trip.

 

[Danno77]

I'd wait for the right 3/4 or 1 ton to come up. 1/2 ton + short bed = not much wood hauled per trip.

I'm not moving yet, but the AC went out on the Jeep and that just makes the new truck itch worse.... In a week I'll be driving around in a suit and tie in 100+ weather in a stupid black jeep. I'm hesitating to take the jeep in, because I charged it and the charge was gone in a day. I looked everywhere for the leak and I'm not finding it. I'm worried that it could be the evaporator in the dash which is apparently a big job and could cost an arm and a leg.

 

[SolarAndWood]

If you are looking for an intermediate solution, why not something like this?

(broken link removed to http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-ford-F-550-FLAT-BED-DIESEL-2-WHEEL-DRIVE-/260647436141?pt=US_Cars_Trucks)

 

[Danno77]

If you are looking for an intermediate solution, why not something like this?

(broken link removed to http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1999-ford-F-550-FLAT-BED-DIESEL-2-WHEEL-DRIVE-/260647436141?pt=US_Cars_Trucks)

Don't think I haven't thought about it. I could drive any direction and find a handful of grain trucks for sale (and cheap). I even went as far as to ask my insurance agent about an F-450. The insurance was crazy. I can't remember what it was, but I do remember immediately thinking that I'll mark those trucks off of my list ASAP.

 

[SolarAndWood]

I had the same issue with my 25999 GVWR International. It was great because you can drive it with a regular license in NY, the end of it was the insurance. Sold it and went to the dump trailer behind a 3/4 ton. My agent told me that 14K is the magic number. A lot of the F450s fall under 14K.

 

[Danno77]

yeah, CDL is required here at 26K. I should have a CDL anyway, but I know Dad will rope me into hauling grain if I get one, so I've "been too busy" for years now, lol.