Advice for compromise vehicle

[fall_risk]

So I was in the market for a smallish chip truck for a while, but after some life changes and challenges, I've decided I'd like to go back to having a personal vehicle in addition to my bicycle. I can't justify two vehicles, so I need something that I can use as a daily driver, but still do tree work out of. I should mention that I no longer sub full-time, I have a full-time position that I plan on keeping for the foreseeable future, but I'm getting the contract climbing itch and I have a lot of my own customers (no conflicts with employer).

Unfortunately, an I or L pack is not in the cards, as this vehicle will be parallel parked in a crowded city neighborhood at night most of the time. I have pretty much settled on a dually, diesel, standard cab, automatic, one ton with a dump bed. I'm not ruling out buying an additional, larger truck in the future, but for the time being, additional capacity and material handling is easy for me to subcontract. I can get by with 8 yards or less of capacity, probably really only need 4ish. Since the cost of this vehicle will be split between business and personal use and I'm tired of paying for other people's problems, I plan to purchase new. The requirements are:
-fit into a reasonable urban parking spot
-have enough (locking) storage for occasional contract climbing and tree work, and so I can buy coffee without crapping my pants that someone is ganking all my stuff.
-have some kind of easy to emplace and remove chip box

My questions are:
-how has this set up worked for you?

-what's you opinion on the best body style? How would you set up for chipping?

-How can I get the storage I need without an I pack? Underbody boxes? Will that work on a one ton?

-what make? (let's keep it civil) 350 or 450? What engine? (I'm far more concerned with reliability and cost of ownership than a marginal performance edge).

-what am I not considering, i.e. why is this a terrible idea? In that vein, no, you can't talk me out of the automatic, I'm lazy, drive in stop'n'go traffic, and I drink too much coffee.

Thanks a lot for any thoughts you can share!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Tom Dunlap]

You're going to face the gas/diesel price point

My conclusion is to stay away from new diesel and go with a Ford V10. Mileage may be less but overall budget for even routine maintenance in a low yearly miles driven aspect is much less. Be realistic on really needing all that noise and rumble to move your small loads

 

[Jehinten]

Have you looked into the switch and go truck beds? There's probably other brands as well, but that's the ones that I've seen. Removing the chip box wouldn't get much easier than pulling a pin and pressing a button. It would make one truck much more versatile by having multiple beds.

 

[monkeylove]

I went with this 2011 used truck. F350 6.2 gasser, real life is 10.5 mpg empty (@9500lbs) and @9.5 when loaded to 13300 or when towing the chipper. Had 25,000k when I bought it for $29,000 last year. Got about 56,000k on it now. I added under boxes on each side and a Job box in the bed. I just cover it with a tarp for chipping but can also use it for loading wood since it is not permanently enclosed. I use it as my daily driver as well as my part time work truck. Pic is when I got it so the boxes are not shown. I am local so you are more than welcome to take a look. Mert has seen it and how I have made it work for me if you know him.

 

[TCtreeswinger]

Flatbed dump. Build your narrow I pack or use saddle boxes. Then build removable sides? I've also seen flatbed with saddle boxes and dump insert on flatbed. Or dump insert and saddle boxes but one row probably wouldn't be enough for all that you need contracting.

 

[Merle Nelson]

F350 single wheel 4×4 with a heavy duty dump insert has served me well for a long time and a lot of work. Weighs 8300 empty the way I have it set up and have hauled up to 5300 in it but prefer to keep it down closer to 4000. With side boards it holds about 6 yards with a flat chip tarp and about 8 mounded with a 'conastoga' type tarp set.

I have a open headache rack for storage over the cab. If I was trying to accomplish what you are whether I did single wheel or dual I would incorporate a headache rack toolbox that just looked like a blank box structure from up in the bed. And wasn't really descernable from other bed features from the ground. Hidden locks or remote electronic release.

 

[TCtreeswinger]

A service body with a custom dump insert would be awesome

 

[luke capa]

pickup, loadhandler, wood box. ive been using that setup for the exact reasons you state and its great

 

[stheis004]

pickup, loadhandler, wood box. ive been using that setup for the exact reasons you state and its great

this works, loadhandler is awesome

 

[luke capa]

here is my nissan frontier wood box load handler, just bought a f 250 and i will be making a similar box for it, should hold 7 yards. works great as a chip box and a daily driver

 

[david1332]

here is my nissan frontier wood box load handler, just bought a f 250 and i will be making a similar box for it, should hold 7 yards. works great as a chip box and a daily driver

I think you're a little out of spec on your rear gawr with that bud. That box probably holds what 4-5 yards of chips so let's say that's between 2000-2750 lbs. then the box is probably right around 200-250 pounds give or take if you used 1/2" plywood. Then add in your saws and other tools another 150 lbs. that brings you in conservatively between 2300-3150 lbs . Plus a 2000 pound chipper, fuel in your truck and yourself+ passengers.

Your bed capacity is only around 1400 lbs or so if I'm correct.

Way too much for your frontier to handle safely.

That tuck is more suited for transportation, estimates and your climbing and rigging gear only. You would be fine towing the chipper but not even close to chipping into it.

 

[luke capa]

I think you're a little out of spec on your rear gawr with that bud. That box probably holds what 4-5 yards of chips so let's say that's between 2000-2750 lbs. then the box is probably right around 200-250 pounds give or take if you used 1/2" plywood. Then add in your saws and other tools another 150 lbs. that brings you in conservatively between 2300-3150 lbs . Plus a 2000 pound chipper, fuel in your truck and yourself+ passengers.

Your bed capacity is only around 1400 lbs or so if I'm correct.

Way too much for your frontier to handle safely.

That tuck is more suited for transportation, estimates and your climbing and rigging gear only. You would be fine towing the chipper but not even close to chipping into it.

I appreciate the advice, the truck only holds 2 yards and yes, when loaded it is way overweight. Those were the tools I had on hand and they made their money. The point is it is a great starter rig and it was overweight every time I used it but it worked just fine, bud.

 

[david1332]

I appreciate the advice, the truck only holds 2 yards and yes, when loaded it is way overweight. Those were the tools I had on hand and they made their money. The point is it is a great starter rig and it was overweight every time I used it but it worked just fine, bud.

Ever blow out your shocks or U-joints? I'd be worried about the axle too
But I do understand and appreciate having to use what's on hand. I do what I have to do with what I have as well. I don't own a chipper, just a 6x12 dump trailer with 5.5 ' sides

 

[fall_risk]

Thanks for all the advice, especially @luke capa and @stheis004 , I'd never heard of the loadhandler before, but I've got one on the way!

Life has changed my plans again, but this time in a good way; a coworker is moving, and he sold me one of his vehicles for a great price, a '96 F150 standard tranny gasser with a regular cab and full bed. It's about as different from my intentions as you can get while still being a pickup, but between the loadhandler and the right price, I'd be a fool to pass it up. Storage will be an issue, but my wallet remaining heavy takes all the sting out of that. I'll make some money with this for a while, and revisit all the good advice, and that on the 550 vs 5500 thread, in a year or three. I think I might put that headache toolbox on this truck, thanks @Merle Nelson !

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk