looking for my first truck and trailer.

C

cercidiphyllum

Location
Boston Suburbs
Hey guys,

Been lurking here and climbing a long time. I am consistently getting removals on the weekend as I just enjoy working for myself when I can. I am finally ready to buy a cheap starter truck and trailer. I know that I want to remain simple as could be for now however I mostly do decent size removals so I am thinking a dump truck + flatbed trailer. And renting the chippers/machines if I need to load logs.

Thoughts? Better ideas? I would love to buy/own a skid steer or something but realistically how cheap can you find one ? Am I wrong to assume you cant find a skid steer or log loading machine of some kind for under like 8k? >.>

thanks!
 
Welcome to TreeBuzz!

You probably won’t regret getting a used dump truck, and as long as you don’t trash it, they hold their value pretty well if you decide to sell it later.

Even if you gotta save for a while longer, it’d be worth skipping the flat trailer and spending on a dump trailer. They can haul some equipment as well. Multipurpose, ya know?
 
I've been a production climber for about 12 years total for various companies (mostly 70/30 pruning/removal companies but had some steady years of 80/20 removal companies (cranes,skidsteers,rolloff dump bodys,large tree moving/landscape projects).

I just enjoy building up my weekend business now almost for hobby but also because I cant stop it....as I find working for myself very liberating and just mentally healthy for me hah. I have learned that if people like you they will gladly hire you and spend money on you. I always have a decent size tree waiting for me on the weekend to cut down. Being just a climber with no equipment limits me and I want to be able to do more.

My main issue I turn down a lot of work because I cant remove the heavy logs/wood without paying someone else. So unless its a job where they need the firewood or I stack it out front for them, or the money (and location of the log) makes sense for a roadside pickup I can pay someone to scoop the log. However as I inch forward and I really would like to be able to haul away logs. I do a lot of dolly'ing of rounds on properties etc and happy to move away from that more. all I can think of for the cheapest dirtiest way to start is a strong low flatbad trailer but how to always load it? lower into the trailer? winch on the trailer? Wish I could afford a cheap old beat up skid steer. Maybe I can? Scratch the trailer thought all together and go a different route? This why I have come here :) looking for advice from those who have done it without the luxury of being at an established company.

The only other thought I have is a chip dump truck with one of those powerful lift gates. Its better than nothing. What else is better than nothing and cheap hah !??

I have all the climbing,rigging gear, saws tools. I just need a dump truck + combo of + trailer, + dump trailer, or something but I just am not familiar with the best options for cheapest dirtiest startup outfit. Can I get it done for under 15ish grand????

Thanks!
 
cercidiphyllum said:
Can I get it done for under 15ish grand????
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The danger there is what used equipment you get may cost that much again in 1-2 years. I’ve gotten used to $2-3k mechanic bills for normal shit, $5-8k for more serious. Bought a dump body f450 for 10k and ended up putting 8k in it the first year. Financing would have saved me time/stress/money while making more, hindsight’s a rabbit hole.
 
Have you dug through older threads? The search function is subpar so use another engine, tons of pages on this and then on the options you choose (trailers, trucks, chip bodies, mini-skidsteers etc).
 
Financing big equipment for use 2-3 days a week is a recipe for disaster. Tack a loan payment on top of fuel, insurance, and maintenance and you might find yourself stressing if you hit a dry spell of work.

I know a few weekend warriors who rent those roll off dumpsters. You can fit a shit ton in them (especially if you dice stuff up) and they are walk in so loading is easier than a trailer. You can dolly large rounds right into it.

It's usually a flat rate rental charge and then a dumping fee. If you're lucky enough to have a green yard near you that will take eco waste for free or minimal charge you will save a lot over using the landfill.
 
In my opinion, you are best off to buy them best equipment you can afford, perhaps even a little newer and bigger than what you need, because you will grow into it if you make this a full-time job. If you are planning to work part time though, perhaps put your money into the best truck you can afford, and figure on renting a trailer for a while. You might be able to rent a dump trailer locally.

You might also look into a stake body truck, where you can lift the sides off, and winch the logs up a pair of heavy ramps. You can load some surprisingly large logs that way. You can even do it with two people and a pair of peaveys, the loggers of old moved millions of board feet of wood that way, without any powered equipment at all.

 
From my experience, you can get lucky and buy a cheap old truck that needs minimal work. I bought an F350 probably 6 years ago that since then I put a new radiator, distributor and getting ready to do a clutch. That's not bad in my opinion for 6 years of use on a truck that I paid $1100 for. Super cheap, and while not necessarily pretty, I think I got pretty lucky with it.

Mini skids, you used to be able to find them for under 8K, now they are a little scarce at that price point. And even then they were older models with limited availability on parts.


I've gone that cheaper route, paying cash as I go, and while I don't regret it; there were certainly down times waiting on repairs that I could have been making money.



For a weekend outfit, I'd lean towards a dependable used truck, buy a grapple (I'd recommend the knockaround style BMG as there are additional attachments that are a real labor saver) and rent a mini as needed. Stack the debris at the street for a grapple truck service. I recently began subbing out debris cleanup for other companies at $400/load for a 50 yd box. For the difference in leaving debris behind or hauling it away, you should be able to include in the bid a rental and grapple truck as well as a profit for yourself. Of course do your research for what model of loaders are most commonly available and get a grapple that fits that machine and research the cost local to your area for a grapple truck service.


Do enough jobs like this, then buy your own mini saving the rental bill and travel time for pickup/drop off. A nice positive of someone else hauling the debris away for you, is you won't end up with loads and loads of brush, logs or chips at your proper to deal with.
 
A grapple truck service can be fantastic.

Focusing on pruning and tree care is a good place to start building a quality customer base and requires way less material handling.


The cheapest up front can mean a lot of money and downtime if you're using hard-used equipment.
 
Boomslang said:
Financing big equipment for use 2-3 days a week is a recipe for disaster. Tack a loan payment on top of fuel, insurance, and maintenance and you might find yourself stressing if you hit a dry spell of work.
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I agree with that depending on the income and equipment cost, but keeping money in the bank vs blowing it all on used and having more maintenance is stressful too. Sometimes the dealership/finance will give a delayed schedule, I got a 3 months before starting payments so I could boost bank account. OP, what are you averaging/mo on side work? My sk800 and 10k dump trailer for example:
Mini $7,044/yr no money down
Dump $1140/yr no money down

Finding either one of those used for that cost would be a red flag.
Benefits include: effectively no maintenance, warranty, better re-sale, sidewalk appeal, liquid funds.
Jhinten is a proficient tinkerer and has some skill/luck buying used from reading his posts over the years, one also needs time and space to work on older gear. Tons o variables but your point of stress is a huge consideration
 
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wow thanks everyone. this is very helpful and you really got me thinking more about this so thank you.

I don't exactly have an official business as this has just been a side hustle thus far, I would have to figure out if it is even possible to get approved for financing without a real official business on the books. Unless its just a personal loan or something.
 
Once it's legit, all your expenses are deductible, and you have insurance, bringing higher dollar customers, and peace of mind for everyone.


Starting business credit history early makes it easier later for bigger numbers, I hear.
 
cercidiphyllum said:
wow thanks everyone. this is very helpful and you really got me thinking more about this so thank you.

I don't exactly have an official business as this has just been a side hustle thus far, I would have to figure out if it is even possible to get approved for financing without a real official business on the books. Unless its just a personal loan or something.
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Very small business too. Started with 3/4 ton and a dump trailer. Used a stand on Kanga loader for a few years and bought a grapple truck. Recently got rid of grapple truck and bought an Avant loader. Allows me to do more work solo and use regular part time help as needed. I’ve saved a lot of money buying used when feasible. As long as you can turn a wrench…..
 
using Treetrader and Craigslist I am realizing I probably need to spend between 15k - $25k for a Chip truck. If anyone has tips or recommendations for a specific type/make truck I should pursue please do let me know as I am working on the financing part :) Would love to have something bigger than a one ton. What trucks would you stay away from?
 
cercidiphyllum said:
using Treetrader and Craigslist I am realizing I probably need to spend between 15k - $25k for a Chip truck. If anyone has tips or recommendations for a specific type/make truck I should pursue please do let me know as I am working on the financing part :) Would love to have something bigger than a one ton. What trucks would you stay away from?
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Buy a 550/5500 series at a minimum, anything smaller and you will be overweight most of the time.

Avoid the Ford 6.0 and 6.4 Powerstroke engines or you may end up spending more fixing the truck than you will spend buying it.

Older Asplundh trucks are usually cheap, and may make a decent first truck.
 
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