Medium Duty truck suggestions

[jlasich]

I've got a possible business opportunity coming up and will need 2 trucks with a minimum 12'long, 600 cubic foot van body and a payload of 5000 lbs. I've been doing some searching to see what all is available. Maximum price I want to spend is around $15,000 each, so needless to say, they will not be brand new trucks. Definitely must be diesel, prefer inline (either 4 or 6 cyl) but if it has a v8, then only Duramax, T444e or 7. 3l PSD (no 6. 0l!). I'm on the fence as far as transmissions go. I hate autos but since I won't be the only person driving this truck, an automatic may be the way to go. Total annual miles driven will be approx. 25,000. Ease of maintenance is also very important, and the most important thing, it has to be a non-CDL required truck.



Here is what I've come up with:



Ford F-450/F-550 (Don't think F-350 Cab and Chassis has a high enough GVWR and, likewise, previous generation Dodge Ram)

Isuzu N-Series/GM W-Series

GMC Topkick/Chevy C-Series

Hino

Nissan

Mitsubishi

Freightliner FL50

International



Of course, to keep to my target price, the predecessors of these models may be more appropriate. Does anyone particularly have any experience with LCF trucks? Isuzu/Nissan/Hino/Mitsu engines? Any other suggestions that I've forgotten. Thanks.

 

[C. Harlan]

If you want to make your money back at time of resale, try to see if you can spend a little more on the truck. Remember, there will be a time when you want/need to turn the truck in, and get your money's worth out of it. If you buy a cheap truck to start off with, chances are, you probably won't get back what you put into it. If it were up to me, I would go with a F-450/550, FLD, or IH... Just thought I would try to give you an honest opinion. . Good luck with whatever choice you make. Keep us posted.



-Chris-

 

[Todd G]

Any of the Japanese trucks would work fine. A Isuzu NPR with around 100K may be in that price range. You'll get 13MPG+ and it will live to 300K.

 

[Rescue Ram]

I really like the new Chevy/GMC 4500/5500 trucks. They seem to be well built. We are going to try GM for a bit, in light of all the problems the 6. 0's have given us.

 

[JUeckert]

as a earlier poster mentioned,spend a little more now,get a better and quicker resale latter. ford 350,to 550 with 7. 3 engines hold up well,and resale well. larger trucks,internationals,especially those with the 466 engines make excellent trucks,are cheaper to maintain,and resale very well. IH trucks with the 7. 3 engines are very popular as well. i go to a lot of truck and equipment auctions,sometimes buying and useing trucks in my buisness,somtimes buy just to resale,the fore mentioned trucks do very well...