What is the best truck and trailer combination for a lawn care provider?

[Mwayne11]

I am just expanding my business and I am now in need of a new truck and trailer. What is the best combination for these items as far as size, make, and model? What have you guys found is the best equipment to send your crews out in? Any help would be appreciated! Thank you! Mike

[bruces]

Lawn care business tips

we need to first know the details on the new crew ,# of people ,and what equipment they will be using .Also ,will you be getting brand new equipment or used ?

[Mwayne11]

The crew will consist of 1 to 2 guys and they will be running exmark (with bagging system in the fall, adds more width) and a couple push mowers for the small backyard in which the eXmarks wont fit. Due to cost reasons and just starting out, I think I will need to go used on at least the truck and maybe the trailer. What do you guys use to run your grews? Also, does disel make any sense?

Thank you!

[turf&tree]

This may sound silly, but take all of the equipment you want to put on the trailer and group it together how you would load it. Take a tape measure and measure the area it will need. Base your trailer needs on that size plus any room for expansion. You will determine if a 8' trailer will work or if you need an 18' trailer. If going smaller I still prefer tandem axel trailers vs. Single.
Better ride less bouncing for your equip.
Also consider open or closed, side door or gate options.
The truck should be purchased based on what your planning on doing with it. Larger trailer, larger truck. I prefer a V8 engine but there are some great V6 engines now. Regular cab vs crew cab. If plowing 4x4. Gas vs diesel.
Right now diesel is .90 cents per gallon higher where I live. The advantage to diesel is the engines last a lot longer than gas. Disadvantages if you live in cold climates harder to start, if you warm them up the fumes stink or at least used to. We used to run all diesel trucks and when warming them up I though I was going to get cancer from all the fumes.
Just my 2 cents

[JLH Pro Lawn Care]

I personally like my Ford Econoline E250, I can tow damn near anything and I can store the majority or my equipment inside so the trimmers and such don't hang on a rack on the trailer they hang on a rack inside the van out of the weather also being a cargo van I keep everything out of sight since it has no windows beyond the drivers and passenger. oh it has a 300cube inline 6, not a speed demon but a torque monster and decent on gas