Hi Guys I know this is a personal opinion type question but I appreciate your thoughts. We've looking to built our 1st rig and have decided to use a truck vs a trailer type of set up. Following questions 1. Truck size - 3/4 ton or 1 ton, can a 3/4 ton truck handle a full load of product etc. 2. Flat Bed vs pickup bed - it seems like a pick up bed may be cumbersome 3. Gas vs Diesel - Our job trips will be less than 25 miles each way 4 Maintenance Costs of Truck - I've heard an oil change for a Diesel is a lot more than one for gas. I would just like to get other opinions and experiences from other cleaners. Thanks
Danny - Indiana Roof Cleaners
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Danny and Mike Spiczenski
Indiana Roof Cleaning Safe Roof Cleaning Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Indianapolis Black Streak Removal
I am currently using a trailer rig pulled by my Dodge RAM 2500 diesel truck. I'll offer my opinion regarding Gas vs Diesel.
I would opt for the diesel. A well maintained diesel will last longer than a gas engine. From a maintenance point of view oil changes for a diesel truck do cost more. That's due to the fact that they hold more oil. My truck holds 3 gallons of oil. But, you can run a diesel more miles between oil changes. I choose to change mine more frequently than the owners manual calls for. Diesel engines don't have spark plugs so you don't have the tune up issues related to plugs.
Now here's what really puts the icing on the cake for me. I run biodiesel which I make for about .90/gallon. I have a 34 gallon tank and when I put 30 gallons in my tank I am saving $51 over current prices at the pump. As fuel prices rise I will save even more. Remember when fuel prices hit there high during summer of 2008. Diesel got to $5/gal and regular gas was over $4.
I am going to go with a trailer type rig. I just figured this way you can on hook and be done. With a truck your kind of dedicating the truck for one use only. That's my opion, but you're further ahead than me I haven't started building a rig yet. I'm going to go with a 14 foot tandem axle trailer. Thanks,Doug
No doubt about that (buying a truck that you can afford). There are quite a few trucks out there that are in great shape, affordable, and will definately do the job. You just have to shop them out and be patient.
Mike
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Danny and Mike Spiczenski
Indiana Roof Cleaning Safe Roof Cleaning Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Indianapolis Black Streak Removal
I already have a truck so i will be going with the trailer rig. It's a matter of personal preferance and what you can afford. The biggest mistake is trying to get to big to fast ! You can upgrade off of profits, unless you are already loaded [with cash that is ]
I am going to go with a trailer type rig. I just figured this way you can on hook and be done. With a truck your kind of dedicating the truck for one use only. That's my opion, but you're further ahead than me I haven't started building a rig yet. I'm going to go with a 14 foot tandem axle trailer. Thanks,Doug
I agree w/ Doug. If you go w/ a truck setup you will only be able to use the truck for that purpose. However, I think either setup could be great. Just depends on what you are most comfortable operating from.
We have 3 trailers and 4 Dodge Cummins trucks I would say to build your trailer the way you want it and buy a cheap truck then when you can afford it you can upgrade the truck that way you have the equipment that you need and it won't be a pain to move it all over onto the new truck later. Also like was said before with a trailer you can unhook and do other stuff -"Something women love about a pickup man!"
I noticed that Mallard Systems uses all 3/4 ton pick up trucks. regular trucks. I currently use a f350 with 12 foot flatbed. Way overkill. I have so much extra room on this thing. Next year I'm going to switch over to regular pick up trucks.
We use trailer rigs here also, SH is so corrosive that i feel it will just rust the frame out in very short periods of time, not to mention brake lines drive shaft etc etc.. it is all about preferrence but for sure 3/4 ton nothing smaller.. i have a gas 3/4 and would love to run diesel..
KID
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Elite Roof Cleaners Roof Cleaning Missouri & Kansas City
3/4 ton is the nicer truck if you do alot of residential we have 3 duallys but to back in places its hard not to mention more wear and tear on driveways. Also if you get a trailer you can get by with a short bed pickup. That along with a bumper hitch trailer will get you into alot of tight spots
I agree with Chet. A big truck with a trailer is tuff getting into some locations. I'm still in the process of putting my flatbed together. It will be alot easier to manuever around town, but still bulky. If I only cleaned roofs, I would build a truck similiar to the mallard system trucks. A regular cab 3/4 ton with everything in the bed.
On the other hand all you guys are using your truck strictly for roof cleaning we are a 10 year pressure washing company adding on roof cleaning service so looking at you pix we have a lot more equipment that would never fit on a flatbed
Hey Chet, what size trailer is that in your photo? Do you have alot of issues with getting into driveways? I am debating whether or not I want to use my 18' enclosed trailer for my rig set up or I also have a 6'x10' low profile dump trailer I could use. I'm leaning toward the smaller one but it would be nice to have everything under cover. Any suggestions.
Its a 24 foot trailer no I hate this one for residential we have a 18' enclosed trailer bumperhitch that is really sweet for residential. Never go with a gooseneck if you want to do primairily residential just looking at your website looks like you are right out my backdoor mebe we should get together and compare notes