I looked through old posts, but I thought I'd get some fresh advice. My pressure washing company has operated out of 2 vans with water tank trailers and a F450 box truck for years. I crammed a twin pump on to one of my trailers for the past few years. I now have a SWS skid, currently in a trailer. I am looking for a truck.
I know lots of guys go with 3/4 ton, but what is really the most economical in the long run, 1/2 or 3/4, diesel or gasser? HD is always more expensive come repair time, 1/2 ton with air bags would seem to work. Diesel is expensive, motor runs longer, but is more expensive to repair. 1/2 ton is cheaper all around for initial buy and repair.
Any advice would be helpful, especially from those who have had both. I probably drive 25+ miles for most jobs on highway or county roads. Service truck only, not for personal or sales. I don't NEED to tow, but a 1/2 ton would do any that I absolutely had to.
Eventually, when I convert to all or almost all trucks, I would want I 3/4 ton in the stable for my commercial PW trailer. I want to get rid of the 450 and use a trailer for the 2 hot water skids and water tank that it has on it, it's old and a money pit.
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Chad A. Eneix, President, Water Dragon Inc. chad@waterdragoncleaning.com
Agreed on the motors outliving the rest of the truck. Seems to be the case in about any vehicle anymore. If your engine runs great but the doors are falling off, it doesn't do you any good
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Chad A. Eneix, President, Water Dragon Inc. chad@waterdragoncleaning.com
I have a 2011 F150 V6, 8 foot bed. Holds alot of weight and gets 17mpg with the weight and 24 mpg before I put the skid in. Great work truck ! I would not mind a extened cab for the extra storage my bed is packed!
Yup and the 6-8k premium isn't cost effective anymore. Unless you plan to keep a truck for 250-300k miles. Diesel is over 4.15 in my area. $100 oil changes etc
i tow 10-12k daily and still run all gas. Next truck will be ford 6.2
like Eric I also have a 150 for soft washing. But I have a v8. No idea what mileage is
Good to know a v6 will work, too. I can also tow with my E250 van if weight is a concern. This is probably the only van I will keep. And I will defiantly look for a x cab.
I'm used to vans, and I have no idea where you put all the stuff.
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Chad A. Eneix, President, Water Dragon Inc. chad@waterdragoncleaning.com