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Towing for Landscaping Startup

Discussion in 'Towing' started by tacom08, Jul 15, 2019.

  1. Jul 15, 2019 at 5:19 AM
    #1
    tacom08

    tacom08 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Dad's thinking about starting up a landscaping business. It's going to be two zero turn mowers at 1500lbs each, some blowers and trimmers etc., and a double axle enclosed trailer. I just made some rough calculations and its going to be somewhere in the 4000-5000lb range. Can the Tacoma do this or would something like a Cummins or a 7.3 be more appropriate?
     
    ColoradoTJ likes this.
  2. Jul 15, 2019 at 10:47 AM
    #2
    Sprig

    Sprig Well-Known Member

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    If you have a tow package it’s within your tow capacity. You definitely don’t need a diesel just to tow that weight. You may want to make some mods to make towing easier and more comfortable like air bags, wdh, brakes on the trailer, maybe new rear leaf springs.
    For me if I was towing that weight every day , all day, all different places I personally would want a full size truck with a higher tow capacity.
     
    outlawtacoma and tacom08[OP] like this.
  3. Jul 15, 2019 at 10:54 AM
    #3
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    I'd go for a full sized pickup. Especially if you are pulling an enclosed trailer.

    And I'm not sure how your 4-5K number adds up.

    2x 1500lb mowers = 3000 lbs
    Dual Axle enclosed is approximately 2000+ depending on size.

    And that's without any other equipment or gasoline for the mowers and tools all day. Are you going to be hauling away leaves/grass/etc? The debris could quickly drive up the weight a literal ton.
     
    Dawdaw808, ColoradoTJ and tacom08[OP] like this.
  4. Jul 15, 2019 at 10:55 AM
    #4
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    TUNDRA
     
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  5. Jul 15, 2019 at 7:26 PM
    #5
    tacom08

    tacom08 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Good idea, didn’t even think of that.
     
  6. Jul 15, 2019 at 7:26 PM
    #6
    tacom08

    tacom08 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I was thinking more of something like late 90s or early 2000s Cummins
     
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  7. Jul 16, 2019 at 6:56 AM
    #7
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    TUNDRA has a easier to maintain gas engine and with far more reliability and since you live in the hot southern states you wont need a snow plow or snow removal equipment which would be a problem using a Tundra, I would choose a Tundra for reliability and v8 towing power.
     
    tacom08[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  8. Jul 16, 2019 at 7:41 AM
    #8
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    I was scanning through some SC craigslist ads yesterday in regard to this post. Didn't see anything I loved, but there were a few rigs that would fit the bill. I definitely agree with a late 90s forward rig. It's gonna get a little beat up, no matter what, so why have a nice rig? That and you could prolly find something that'll work well for $10k or less. I did see a couple gas crew cab superduties.

    Good luck with the new business!
     
    tacom08[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  9. Jul 16, 2019 at 9:33 AM
    #9
    tacom08

    tacom08 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I really like this one. Not too old and ok miles.
    https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/d/travelers-rest-2001-ram-2500-cummins-4x4/6934119646.html

    This one looks pretty decent too
    https://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/d/greenwood-super-duty/6934785692.html
     
  10. Jul 16, 2019 at 9:35 AM
    #10
    tacom08

    tacom08 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    BillsSR5[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Jul 16, 2019 at 9:40 AM
    #11
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    You'd be hating life squeezing a crew of four sweaty assed dudes in a Tacoma. Get a cheap full size with vinyl seats.
     
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  12. Jul 16, 2019 at 9:42 AM
    #12
    YF_Ryan

    YF_Ryan Well-Known Member

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    tacom08[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  13. Jul 16, 2019 at 11:13 AM
    #13
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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  14. Jul 16, 2019 at 4:09 PM
    #14
    tacom08

    tacom08 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That's pretty much why my main focus is on going diesel.
     
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  15. Jul 17, 2019 at 7:47 AM
    #15
    tacom08

    tacom08 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Saw a couple of landscapers in a newer Silverado with two zero turns while walking my dog today. Only exception was that the trailer was open instead of closed. Didn’t look awfully heavy. I guess a gasoline full size would work just fine.
     
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  16. Jul 17, 2019 at 10:10 PM
    #16
    Oomaxse

    Oomaxse Well-Known Member

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    Pulling a couple zero turns is easy. It's the braking you need to worry about.
     
  17. Jul 18, 2019 at 12:20 AM
    #17
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ I drink, and I know things… Moderator

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    Congrats on the business. In my own experiences, the last thing you want to do is work more on the tow rig than the lawn equipment, and I think you will regret buying an old diesel.

    First, lets start with what you need. Do you want an enclosed or need an enclosed? How will your equipment be secured when not in use? Lets just say you need/want the enclosed. A typical 7x18 enclosed trailer is 2275 lbs without spare tire. Throw in some mounts for equipment...etc, call it 2450 lbs. I'm going to offer up some advice that I should have listened to 20 years ago...never buy 3200lb axles on a trailer. Step up to the 5200's at least. The up-charge is usually pretty minimal. To upgrade my last flatbed from 5200 to 7200 lb axles was 160.00 when specking out. I would have been a fool not to upgrade, and I will never have axles under 7200's again. The stability, capability and braking power is awesome to say the least.

    Let's get into the diesels. So let me point out, I'm a diesel nut, and I own a 16 GMC Sierra 3500 Duramax. I wouldn't use my truck for what you plan on doing.

    This load behind my truck is a smidge over 8000 lbs.

    truck.jpg

    I will also explain why the two links you posted are really shit buys.
    dodge pos.jpg

    -I call bullshit on a salvage title for front bumper work. There has been significant damage at one point. The frames on the 2nd gen Dodges suck (I'll cover that in a sec)
    - 245K miles is a lot, on any vehicle. However, on a Dodge....When was the VP-44 changed out (1800 if you do it yourself and don't screw up)? Does it have a FASS Lift pump? If not, you will be replacing VP-44's like pizza at a college birthday party. (600.00). Front end? Does it have the frame steering stabilizer so the truck doesn't steer like a ship?
    - Check the front drive shaft u-joints. When these go bad, it often cracks the transfer case housing. Ask me how I know.
    - The 47RE transmission is a total pile of shit. Unless someone has sunk 3800.00 into the transmission, you couldn't give me one. Now don't run out and just buy the NV5600 six speed either. These are not made anymore and parts are hard to find (also ask me how I know). The NV4500 is pretty decent as long as you do the 5th gear retaining nut mod. DO NOT WELD IT.
    - Dash will most likely cave in. I purchased my 2002 HO dodge 2500 from the south and it just fell apart. 365.00 and a lot of cussing.
    - Injectors? When were they changed out. Great thing is these are relatively cheap. Buy from a reputable place or just new ones from Bosch. 300.00 Average lifespan on these mechanical injectors is 150-175K miles. By now they are getting pretty weak.
    - I have seen factory turbo's go 460K miles on hot shot rigs. When you do a turbo on one of these 2nd gens, 62/68/12cm housing and if you have 40 hp sticks (injectors), spools well. If you have 100 hp sticks, go with the 13cm turbine housing. Also upgrade the exhaust manifold to a two piece. The factory ones crack.
    - Now look at the front of the motor. On the 1st and 2nd gen cummins motors, check the timing gear case/cover. If it's leaking, run. To properly fix this leak that pukes oil everywhere (your customers will love that) will be around 1600.00. First you have to pull the radiator, front bumper, radiator support and bumper. Then you get the privilege to pull the camshaft out to get the timing gear case off, reseal, install camshaft, tappets, push tubes, reset valve lash, reinstall front end and radiator, and be on your way. This would also be a good time to swap out for a custom ground camshaft. Really wakes up the ol' 5.9L cummins. That's an additional charge.
    - With a 2001, you don't have to worry about a 53 block (GTS). Hey, there's a positive.
    -Front wheel bearings go on these trucks at 200K and up. The lowest mileage 2nd gen I had ever seen was 140K miles, but he stuck his truck in a ditch pretty hard. If you ever have the distinct pleasure of swapping one of these out on your own...just bring a bottle of whiskey, a torch, 1" thick plate with 8x6.5 lug pattern drilled out to fit the hub, 1.5" all thread and nut welded in the center to use as a puller. It's a blast. Better get used to this anyway, since swapping out ball joints every 60-80K miles is common. Use plenty of anti-seize and it makes the next job a lot easier.

    There's plenty of other little things that make these trucks total pieces of shit. We will just put it this way. When I sold my Tundra and planned on going back to a diesel, my wife said "If you bring a Dodge home again, I'm bringing divorce papers home." After owning a 2002 and 2005 Dodge trucks, she got tired of spending thousands and myself always working on them. I became a diesel tech due to owning dodges.

    My experiences: Ownership, moderated a large dodge diesel site, worked part time at a cummins only diesel repair facility in Denver (so I could pay off all my repairs to my trucks)

    I don't have the time or energy to explain why a 7.3L PSD is not as great as people think. We had a few laughs on this topic on Tundras.com. Here is the link...keep in mind there is a Ford diesel tech posting in there.

    https://www.tundras.com/threads/2000-ford-7-3-vs-2010-tundra.49572/#post-1293596

    If you ask me, a Chevy 2500, 6.0L, long bed work truck just can't be beat. These trucks are so simple and easy to work on and do maintenance.

    Perfect trucks:

    https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/charlotte-2006-chevy-silverado-2500/6916321068.html

    https://athensga.craigslist.org/cto/d/westminster-2004-gmc-2500-low-miles/6933706714.html

    https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/xl/6932253735.html

    https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/pineville-2011-f250/6924328140.html

    https://charlotte.craigslist.org/cto/d/sherrills-ford-2006-ford-f350-xl-4x4/6920670431.html
     
  18. Jul 18, 2019 at 3:17 AM
    #18
    tacom08

    tacom08 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Wow, this is an amazing write-up! Thanks for your help! Can you explain more as to why you recommend the 2500 6.0l?
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.
  19. Jul 18, 2019 at 4:21 AM
    #19
    ColoradoTJ

    ColoradoTJ I drink, and I know things… Moderator

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    I would even look at a F-350 or 3500.

    The 6.0L in the GM's have been in service for a very long time. Getting parts, tuning is easy and relatively cheap, etc.

    If you can find a 8.1L with 3.73 gears, those are work horses that can get respectable fuel mileage and have the Allison 1000 transmission. This combo is well known for going over 300K miles of hard work without any issues. My brother has one that is EFILive tuned in his GM 2500 and it's a beast. He also has one in his snow basher that spins 43" tires on pavement like butter (all four).

    So pretty much, simple trucks for simple jobs.
     
    tacom08[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  20. Jul 18, 2019 at 5:26 AM
    #20
    tacom08

    tacom08 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Flowmaster Super 10, K&N CAI, bumpers, LED taillights
    My dads friend who is in this work used to have a 2500 single cab with the long bed. Nice truck. Rode fine too.
     
    ColoradoTJ[QUOTED] likes this.

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