New Truck

Jonathan Ellis

Jonathan Ellis

moderator
We are at the point that we can not fit any more work into the truck we have now. In order to grow more we have to get another vehicle. I am looking into a diesel truck with extended bed and cab. I have found a ford that has my interest and was planning to bolt a tank and machine and the other necessities to the bed of the truck and in a few months get a trailer that can be pulled with another set up on it, so we could drop the trailer at one location and take the truck to another location and clean two locations at one time.

My real question is, when it starts raining, does the machine have to be covered or it will be messed up? I have been working out of a box truck so I have been able to work right through rain. Are there any precautions that I need to take in setting it up?
 
You do not need to cover the unit; however the unit will show wear more so when exposed to the elements. I suggest that you cover the unit when not in use, though this is not absolutely necessary. By covering the unit, this will stop the oxidization of the unit ( Paint, wiring, fittings, belts etc). Your unit will run though without the covering, it will just appear older more quickly and your wiring and wearable items will wear faster over time from the constant sun / heat exposure

Our units are outside, but are under a “Carport" like structure.

Also, sounds like you are putting allot of weight PLUS pulling a trailer. You should check with a specialist on how much you can tow and pull at once.

The Ford F 450 has higher rear end gears; however the top speed is limited greatly. Also the gas mileage is not as good, but has plenty of torque for pulling and load carrying. If you have allot of hills, I suggest a low RPM torque engine. Ford is a high RPM torque engine, not suitable for hills because you will need to use your torque converter for an automatic/ or riding your clutch so that you do not stall out. This means premature wearing of the clutch/ torque converter.

That’s my 2 cents
 
Hills? I can tell you have never been to Georgia. We are similar to Texas, just flat land, everywhere. Thanks for your response, I appreciate it greatly. I cut the brake line in my current truck yesterday, nearly 100 miles from home. That was not a fun experience. Kinda puts me behind on work. Right now there is bad weather here, but it is slacking off so I think I will get to go back out.

Again, thank you.
 
Stick with the truck and get a heavy duty contractors cap (Reading or Knaphede) and get a pull out for the bed. Allows the unit to be secure ( thievery) and be pulled out ( runs cooler easy to work on and you can maximize the space).
 
As one who lives in very steep curvy mountains of the Blue Ridge I can tell you that Ford is the truck of choice up here in the high country. I drive anywhere from 1200 feet up to 5K ft daily.

Just picked this little puppy up last week in Atlanta,,,,F250 XLT Super Duty and it pulls trailer with 275 gallons around like its not back there...350 and 450 are very stiff to drive and ride.
 
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Jim@Garagecleaning said:
You do not need to cover the unit; however the unit will show wear more so when exposed to the elements. I suggest that you cover the unit when not in use, though this is not absolutely necessary. By covering the unit, this will stop the oxidization of the unit ( Paint, wiring, fittings, belts etc). Your unit will run though without the covering, it will just appear older more quickly and your wiring and wearable items will wear faster over time from the constant sun / heat exposure

Our units are outside, but are under a “Carport" like structure.

Also, sounds like you are putting allot of weight PLUS pulling a trailer. You should check with a specialist on how much you can tow and pull at once.

The Ford F 450 has higher rear end gears; however the top speed is limited greatly. Also the gas mileage is not as good, but has plenty of torque for pulling and load carrying. If you have allot of hills, I suggest a low RPM torque engine. Ford is a high RPM torque engine, not suitable for hills because you will need to use your torque converter for an automatic/ or riding your clutch so that you do not stall out. This means premature wearing of the clutch/ torque converter.

That’s my 2 cents
Click to expand...

Yeah, the F450's top speed is REALLY limited..:D:D:D:D
0221090746.jpg
 
Tony, you need to put some links to the videos of you drag racing your F450 with the camper on it, Yeah, sure it is limited. hahahahaha

My dad's F450 is limited too, he drives that like a bat out of hell and it is a chipper truck and with about 2000lbs to 8000lbs it is still fast with that
V-10 engine. It is standard so that does help some.
 
Tony that pic isn't very in focus. Why didn't you take the time to do it right? LOL
 
I'm going to drive my current truck until I have enough profit saved to pay cash for a new one. Just like you, I need to be able to haul more weight right now, but I figure it is cheaper to replace ball joints/brakes than pay interest on a work truck. Doesn't the vehicle game suck???

My truck has only 70k on it and it is just beat to hell.

I keep my machines covered when out in the rain and then they are in a garage.
Afraid after a hard downpour some moisture may get pulled down into the top of the engine when starting back up.

I'm pretty anal about maintenance/care of my tools though.
 
Tony Shelton said:
Funny :D Taking time to focus would have cost me another $12.51.
Click to expand...


That is funny Tony. hahahahaha

Your F450 is a fast truck, even with all that weight on the bed.
 
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