Job offer, requires me to provide my own pickup...decisions

[GHarman]

GOOD NEWS! Sticks!
Colorado LLC? Hmm, annual reporting, Annual fee to the Colorado Secretary of State.
Initial cost could be around $1000.
Hope you do well.
Heres a starting point if you haven't done this already!
I had my own Colorado LLC for a few years.
Good Luck!
GregH
http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/colorado-form-llc-31823.html

https://www.sos.state.co.us/biz/FileDoc.do

 

[mwilson]

Congratulations!!!! I hope that it works out for you.

From your posts on here it is easy to see that you are a very skilled technician, but if you are like me the delegation of duties doesn't come easy when you know how to do it yourself.

That for me was the worst part of the transition to management. I have caught hell for not giving some of my workload to my minions (shown below), but I am getting better at it.

I do have wonderful, talented employees that step up when I give them something new to do. They cannot, however read my mind.

 

[BarryG]

Sticks:
Good for you hope this works out well for you. I have to deal with the Sec Of State annual reports where I work for several entities. They literally take 5 minutes and $10 online here in Colorado. Cant help much on setting it up outside of the fact that these days you can probably find the process online for free or low cost. My daughter set one up for a business she had several years ago and IIRC she did it herself and she only had to pay a few assorted filing fees to the Sec of State.

 

[Sticks]

Well, it's official, I got the job. $2500 less than I was hoping, I'll deal.

Now back to the decision of what to get, or run what I brung?

I'd really like to have the Asin trans, but a 1 ton SRW is really too much truck, and not worth the $6k additional markup.

Daily driver to various job sites, hauling medium sized tool set (this is going to translate into a full in bed tool box and then some), will occasionally have to ferry parts (8' bed, no short bed), some of which may max out the load capacity, and the occasional towing of a 10k trailer with larger parts that won't fit in the bed. That's my hang up of going with a Hemi over Cummins - towing.

 

[jgillott]

I was just browsing one of our local dealers sites yesterday. They have several 3500 SRW tradesman long bed trucks in stock, 68rfe not Aisin or G56 for ~$41K. Same configuration in a 2500 for a little less than ~$40K. Still not seeing any Aisin SRW trucks on the lot here. Many available DRW.

 

[Sticks]

I've found a few locally 2012 and up for around $35k, 0 to 22k miles. If I go used, I need to find what qualifies as new model year for a loan, and used pricing. 4 months ago I could have found dozens of used 2013's and been in the sweet spot. Now I have to deal with the inrush of 2014s and the 2013s have not dropped that much. Probably another 6 months before those start to get marked down. Sellers market.

 

[moparguy]

Congratulations Sticks! Seeing as how your last post was a bit over a week ago you may have already pulled the trigger on a truck. But just in case you haven't I'll share my story. Three years ago I took on some pipeline routing work in NW North Dakota in the Bakken Play. I considered using my 3500, it's in well maintained shape and ready to go. However knowing the condition oilfield roads seem to always be in (think the worst you've ever seen X 2) as well as the near impossibility to have any kind of repair work done in the patch, I went with a then new 2011 Ram Longhorn 1500.

The Longhorn was pricey (list of just over 50K), however I haven't had the first hint of an issue, and with the rear coil spring suspension it rides great on the rough roads and with the Hemi fuel mileage is acceptable at 18mpg running 80 (when you can without headwinds, an admitted rarity), with 14 to 15ish on the back roads.

I'd buy new again, but next time I'd give a long hard look at the new V6 Diesel option, I think the rated hwy. mpg is 28 and I've always beat the advertised mileage. From my research the engine while new to us, has proven itself in the European market and the hp/torque numbers look good.

Good luck which ever way you go.

RR

 

[Sticks]

Starting job today.

Still have not had any luck finding a LWB Cummins in my price range. Having to take a look at either a 6.4 Hemi or go all the way down to a 1500.

 

[Sticks]

Well, I committed financial suicide Friday and picked up a 2014 3500 SRW 6.4 Hemi. I take delivery next week sometime. They have to install a trailer brake controller (who in their right mind orders a Tradesman trim work truck for stock w/o the integrated controller?) and a bedliner. Now I gotta join another forum.

 

[Wayne M.]

Hey sticks, it's not too bad. If something happened to my rig, that's what I'd be forced to do as well. So what was the damage? My buddy who also has a 04.5, his came without any hitch!

 

[jgillott]

I will be very interested in your feedback on the 6.4L. It look like a very interesting combo.

 

[Sticks]

Damage...$42k out the door, all taxes paid.

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Had quite the discussion with the sales rep. They initially quoted me $450 for the trailer brake controller...for a $230 factory option. $280 for the part, $170 for install. They still took me for an additional $250 at closing (over my quote). I was tired, and rushed.

I'll post pics when I take delivery.

I had the choice to keep driving my '02 for another 3 months and do a custom order, but I know where that would have led me - much more on the bottom line. I would have preferred bucket seats, a split rear seat, vinyl floor, 5th wheel/gooseneck prep, 110 AC inverter, Auxiliary switch panel, air suspension, heated seats, wheel to wheel running boards...A high end SLT. I would have saved a little by picking and choosing what features rather than going with the "Package". For example, the 18" wheels come in two different packages with a bunch of other add on's. I saw one with the bottom feeder package and 17's. Those just look WRONG! Sit about 3" lower and a massive wheel well, so the 18s became a priority.

Heck, I had buyers remorse before I even signed the paperwork.

For the intended use, it'll do. Right off the top I am going to have to do something about those darn head rests on the seat. Designed for a short torso person, which for me pushes my head forward, and I can not get them to rock back...yet. I might swap with one in the back seat.

I really would have preferred the Cummins, but I doubt that I will do any big towing, so the Hemi will do A 4:11 axle set would have made a huge difference there. From what reading I have done, the 6.4 does not have all that much over the 5.7, but sometimes even a .7L increase is a massive difference between go now, and I'll get there.

Going to seriously miss the exhaust brake. Tow/haul mode works, but not near as well. I wonder if I could put an exhaust brake on a gasser...Hmmm.

Jgillott - I'll probably start a blog here, or a thread with use and updates (MPG, towing, hauling, performance, issues...). Going to have to keep a detailed log on vehicle use anyhow.

 

[Wayne M.]

Sticks, Don't forget you have engine braking via throttle closing- something not had on a diesel. It won't be so obvious though. Good luck with it.

 

[Sticks]

Yeah, I played with the tow/haul mode on and off during the test drive(s) and it's still weaker than the one I have on my 02.

 

[jgillott]

Jgillott - I'll probably start a blog here, or a thread with use and updates (MPG, towing, hauling, performance, issues...). Going to have to keep a detailed log on vehicle use anyhow.

Thanks. I'm very interested in seeing how different combinations work out over the years/miles. I'm going to be due for another new one to replace my 2010 within the year and I like to have as much info going in to a decision as I can. I've been very happy with this 1/2 ton, but I like to keep all options open.