Hey all, I currently run a business call Little Hoe Excavating, I tow a tandem axle 18 foot car hauler with a U15 kubota compact excavator about 90% of the time.

I am looking at purchasing a new truck as we recently had an addition to the family and my regular cab gen 1 cummins isn't going to cut it anymore for camping and such in the summers.

My trailer weighs in at about 2000 pounds and the excavator is about 3500 pounds, plus some attachments and tools you could say I have say 6000 pounds on the trailer at all times.

Basically I am looking for some opinions from you all. I am going to be leasing the truck so I will be under 24000kms (~15000miles) per year. I have looked at all different trucks from toyotas to the dodges. I want to know if you all think it would be beneficial to lease a new 2500 quad cab slt with 6.7 cummins which I can get here for about $49000 or should I consider a hemi or other gas job at about the $39000 mark.

I have never drove or towed with a new hemi but I know I like the way my current gen 1 cummins hauls.

My other consideration is fuel prices, currently at about $4.50/gallon diesel and $4.00/gallon gas. I know those prices will fluctuate with the change of seasons but it is something I need to consider. I have also read that neither the 6.7 or hemi is getting very good mileage.

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance for your opinions.

 

I figure the truck you currently have is PAID FOR.

You can take what three payments on a shiny truck will be and BUY another nice dependable 1st Gen. extended cab, or invest in one of those custom cab extensions with the roomy back seat that becomes a bed, or build one yourself for that matter, and not go in debt for a cent.


A gas-burner has so many drawbacks that I would not even consider one at all.


That nice smelling new paint begins to stink after a few payments.

 

Don't get rid of the 1st gen man!! And don't go gas! For a comparable engine size & vehicle size you cant beat diesel for economy even if the price is higher, You'll be getting 20-25 with a cummins and 15-18 (or less)with a gas of the same caliber. If I was you, I would look for a 12v 2nd gen ext. cab or an 03' - 06' 3rd gen, Maybe the Canadian version of 07-08 3rd gens don't have all the emissions crap on them but if they do stay away, don't let those magical #'s 6.7 fool you! If your broke get a 2nd gen 12v. OR a 1st gen ext. cab

Thats my .02

 

With the low amount of km you drive and higher price of diesel the better fuel economy won't make up for the $10,000 higher price of a diesel . Many fleets using light and medium duty trucks are switching to gasoline powered vehicles . Think twice about leasing . Leasing companies will charge you to remove every little scratch at the end of the lease . Some will put the truck in the body shop to repair a dent they spot during regular service .

 

Leasing is a better write off at tax time for a business owner and you will have a warranty that way.... I say lease a new gasser. Don't worry about the scratches. We just returned a 06 1500 Hemi off our lease with many scratches in the bed and a few small dents in the bed and a dent in both the rear bumper and bottom of the tailgate and they said nothing. Run em hard and change oil once a year in em, then give em back. This was through Chrysler too.

 

I leased a truck from dodge once, not a nice feeling to be driving a truck that is not yours. I know for a lot of people its the low payments that are interesting, you could find a good used quad in a 03-05, they are out there some have never worked hard. If you lease and keep leasing its not bad, its when you dont want to lease anymore they pick everything about the truck apart and make you pay to fix it. Damage in the box dont count as long as it not on the fender wells is what I was told, interior damage is not counted either as that is wear and tear. Bumpers and windshield and body is what they look at. Good luck on the decision, Oh I just noticed you are pretty much my neighbor. Cold whether might play on your chose too, gas is a little more handy in that department.

 

When the price of diesel is around $0.40 higher than gas your actual $ per mile in fuel is about the same. I see your diesel is $0.50 higher so it's a little more expensive. As far as towing with gas your weight is about the same as my boat (#6500). When I was pulling the boat with my 99 Suburban (350 cu/in) it was ok at best. I had to drive in D (no Overdrive) and could only use cruise on level ground & no headwind. But pulling with the Suburban I could never reach 10mpg, it would take 40 gallons to get 350-375 miles. Well you know how your diesel pulls, you would be a little disappointed with gas. I remember the first time my 10 year old son an I were driving with the Ram for the first time. I asked him what he thought of the new rig, her said "wow it doesn't sound like a forktruck anymore" , reference to the high RPM's to get moving. It's your choice, good luck on what you decide.

 

keep your first gen to haul with and buy a half ton or suv to tote the family around in

brett

 

Leasing is a bad idea,thats what I think.
Buy a used diesel and save all that extra cash.

 

There's a big difference between a Chevy 350 and a new Hemi

 

I had a hemi before my current truck. It does a good job with 6000lbs in tow. It will want to jump down to 4th on a big hill, but it will maintain speed in doing so. Also, if you're looking strictly at new, from what I've heard the 6.7s are only getting 16-17mpg at best. My hemi got 17-18 on the highway, around 12-14 in town, and around 10 towing a flatbed with total weight around 6000lbs. If it's enclosed it wouldn't probably maintain speed on a big hill due to the extra wind resistance. So if you got 10 with a hemi and 13 with the 6.7, you'd be better off financially with the hemi. It just won't tow as strong but will do the job. When you get 7000lbs and up I think is where you would start to wish you had a diesel.

 

Exactly my thoughts.

 

I understand wanting to get your family vehicle under the business for taxes and leasing, but I have heard bad stories on leasing from the people who leased (not 3rd and 4th hand). I know someone here commented that they have no problems with scratches and dings...but I have heard many other times where that wasnt the case. But...I havent leased first hand, so take that for what it is worth.

If you are leasing...my opinion woud be to get the gasser. The fuel costs will be about the same, but you wont have to worry about longevity because you're turning it in.

My personal choice would be to get an SUV or another ext or crew cab truck you could pay cash for (or pay off within a year) that would haul for camping. That way you're not worried about making that big payment if business slows or you get hurt and cant work.

 

I have the same problem with two kids. Here is my solution.
I own 5 vehicles. They all have a specific use. They all have well over 100,000 miles on them.

2001 Nissan frontier xcab - commuting/service truck, 25mpg, 165000
1993 w350 4x4 xcab - hauling, towing, bad weather, etc., 14mpg, 280000
1999 Ford expedition - kid hauler, long trips 14.4 mpg, 162000
1969 Ford mustang conv. - wifes toy ~8 mpg but not really counting, ????
1986 toy 4runner - beach patrol, quail hunter, 25mpg, 230000

There are a few draw backs to this method.
1. Space constraints. Obviously you need a place to store em all.
2. Registration cost ~ $300/year for all five
3. Liability insurance. This is the worst. In Texas, liabilty ins. is required. I am paying liability insurance for 5 vehicles when, in fact, there are only two drivers. So, basically I am paying liabilty insurance on vehicles that are parked, which is approximately $1750 per year.
4. You have to enjoy working on cars.

After running the numbers $1750 + $300 = $2050 / year fixed cost
Add, lets say $500/yr required maintenance.
That is $2550/12 = $213/mo.

What would it cost you to operate ONE brand new vehicle? What is the payment on a $50,000 truck?
A new or newer truck sure would be nice but I prefer to chase quail and drive the surf in a beater, stack kids in what amounts to a comfortable bus, do burnouts in a 'stang, make money in the rice grinder, and if I need to pull a trailer or pull a stump the big boy is ready to go. And, fund the kids college(some of it anyway).

Always run the numbers. I know people who buy an ADDITIONAL vehicle on the premise that they want to save gas. It is a bad excuse. The numbers don't add up.

It is my opinion that new vehicles are not cost efficient. If someone is in a financial position to spend 50k on a truck their income streams are doing well and should live in a $500,000 house.

Keep the 1st gen'er. Pick up a late model suv with about 90k on the odometer. Dealers don't like to mess with cars with over 85k(opinion). Put the money you save back in the business or college fund.

Aren't vehicles available there that you cannot get here? Like the Toyota Hilux.

 

Well thanks for all the responses... I have been reading and thinking and I really don't want to get rid of my first gen so I think I will do like what most of you have recommended and keep it for now. We have a minivan for hauling the family around and I have my little race car and winter beater to drive as well. My thought was when I go on those long camping trips it would be easier to put everyone in one vehicle and go but in reality for the once a year we may go on a long trip the wife can follow in the van with the baby and my son and I can take the diesel and haul the camper.

Payments on a $50000 truck lease right now are about $780 a month for 36 months. And thinking about it I can pay for a lot of extra fuel in the van and diesel in the truck with that. Not to mention I really love my truck and don't want to get rid of it...

Once again thanks to you all, your opinions are very valued.