I'am in the trucking bus been in it for 10 years now I mainly haul rubbish,lumber or landscape materials plus I do General Contracting.

I started out with a 77 F-350 2wd it was good only had a 9' deck on it then moved up to a old 1980 worked good I put a 12' deck on it and used it for years. Ya I had problems with 2wd back then too but I lived with it.

Then I bought a 88 F-450 the truck was great packed good loads but she burn't too much fuel the 460 loved gas. I bought a 89 F-450 diesel which is what I currently have truck is great but with new construction getting in tougher places I would like to have a 4x4.

Now with the diesel the traction problems showed up like a unenvited house guest the front of the truck is so nose heavy the places I used togo with my gas pots the diesel has troubles If I get anywhere where its soft the front wheels sink into it like the titanic then I'am stuck. My 88 F-450 with the 460 would go places my diesel can not. I'am getting good fuel mileage with the diesel getting 12mpg is better than 5mpg with the gas.

One of the other problems with the 450s its over 12,000lb gvw it brings along with it DOT rules and regs its a medium duty truck even thou its no bigger than a 1 ton size wise

I have gotten around it abit by derating the gvw down to 13,000lbs lets put it this way I'am not fully legal but everybody else that has a F-450 does the same. A F-450 is a tough truck the SOB can pack anysize load I put on the truck up to 8900lbs but nothing is legal over 3000lbs

I would like to have a 4x4 I can not justify buying a 99 or newer 450 4x4 just not enough work for it. So my only choice is find a F-350 4x4 in the 89-97 year range so I can put a 12' deck on it. The problem is the lwb reg cab and chassis trucks are rarer then a hens tooth.

Having the 4wheeldrive would make my general work easier I don't have to be so worried about going into a jobsite and getting back out. Its also a peace of mind because the extra traction is there when you need it. Where I live its rural not many pavement or concrete driveways here once you leave the paved public road its offroad time.

Lately I have been thinking do I really need a 15,000lb gvw in the last while my loads I have hauled have been light. If I stick with hauling rubbish from peoples yards to hauling construction debris the loads on the truck rarely exceed 4000lbs. It is the lumber hauling that puts heavy loads on the truck but I can do those jobs in 2 trips instead of 1 like I do now it just cost the customer more trucking.

Heres where I want some opinions should I go with a F-350 so I can have 4wheeldrive or stick with a F-450 so I can have more payload ?

I'am trying to decide is it worth it having a 6000lb payload capacity truck when it only see's those type of loads once maybe twice a month. This is my daily driver too a 15,000lb gvw truck rides a bit rough

I need to replace my current truck shes getting tired I'am trying to figure out do I want to get another F-450 or go back to a F-350. If I do go back to a F-350 I won't be registered as a medium duty truck it will save me some money and some headaches with the DOT.

 

Personally, I'd try to get the most truck I would ever need, but sounds like you have some financial constraints to deal with so you might have to sacrifice. If it's any help, bear in mind that if you're self-employed (a sole proprietor) you can write off 100% of the business part of any 6000# or over vehicle you buy before Jan 1, 2005 under the Jobs & Growth Tax Reconciliation Act of 2003 (or whatever it's called, so long as it doesn't cause you to take a loss. For example, if you spend $30k on a truck you use 80% for work, you can take $24k off your Schedule C gross earnings. Subtract the tax savings from the cost of the truck and you may find you can afford more truck than you thought.

Better hurry. Offer expires soon.

 

I'am Canadian so I don't think it would apply to me but thanks for the info

I'am a one man band been so for the 10-11 years. I have been debating do I want to stay small scale or not. With the construction boom happening I'am also thinking of going with a tandem axle dump there is always work for one. The tandem axle dump would be a division of the familly business so I'am still looking for my own smaller truck for my own General contracting when I'am not driving the tandem.

The F-450s is a tough truck like I said but I would like to have 4wheeldrive I thought about putting a locker in the diff of a 450 improve the traction. I just feel the 450 seems to be over kill because all summer all I used the truck for was commuting to a job that didn't even involve the truck.

I do agree bigger is better but I just don't see the work happening I still need a truck with a 12x8 flatdeck. If a F-350 would work for hauling the odd heavy load but if it can haul all the average loads 1000-4000lbs I would be happy.

If I do go with a F-350 then I can keep the gvw under 12,000lbs then I'am exempt from the DOT rules and extra expenses the truck can be used just like a P/U truck.

 

Would a utility trailer help you carry the extra weight that you are writing about here? Then you can get a more common F-250 or 350 4x4 with a canopy for security, carrying your tools around and a trailer for materials and scrap removal. An added bonus you can get one with 3.70 gears for great mileage and just live with the occational wimpy towing capacity when you really need to use the trailer.

 

The places I go I can't get a trailer into its amazing where people want me to get a straight truck into. Anything I haul has to go on a flatdeck truck as the driveways are too narrow usually at the end of the driveway there is just enough room to turn a 23' long truck around.

Some of the worst places I have togo is into lake side cabins which use hydro utility roads to access their cabins those roads can be steep and slippery. One place I delivered to it took me 10 mins one way to get into on a narrow dirt road a good 1km to 1.5km (.6 to 1 mile) each way. Its fun for city residents that own the cabins but it makes it a pain in the azz for guys like me to haul building materials.

When ever the cabin owners phone I really try avoid doing those jobs I know how bad the roads can be they figure I don't know the road so they try trick me into going.

Some of the residential driveways I have to deal with can be goat trails dual wheels really widen out a narrow driveway h*ll I have to drive over small scrub trees,brush etc. Got grass on the shoulders of the driveway thats gone or I have to back through flower gardens over rocks etc.

Some driveways have some tight corners or switch backs where you have to make a couple passes to turn.

Its a challenge but can be done every place I go presents a new challenge of getting in and out.

 

Wow, I guess that answers that question.

 

No, it wouldn't...guess I shoulda checked your profile first.

OK, you talked me into it...the F350's the way to go.