Making the jump

kicker226 · Jun 20, 2014

Purchased a 2013 5.7 hemi 1500 reg cab 4x2. I love the truck but it is too small and not powerful enough. I started my own contracting business about a year ago working out of a 2003 Focus SVT, so the truck was a good buy at the time.

Since then i have seen the error in my ways. I'm going towards the dirt moving side of contracting, looking to pick up a smaller Skid Steer and Excavator. I've been looking at moving towards a CC 2500. I don't plan on tuning, lifting, deleting, ect anything. I've talking the other half into a cummins under certain circumstances, mainly having the $8,000 to get into a cummins.

My question to you guys are, if there are any contractors out there, should I make the jump? I've been playing with numbers a lot and have been seeing that getting a manual I will actually be saving money in the long run by switching. I'll be able to haul more things (I tried to haul a pallet of pavers in my 1500...... not a bright idea, i barely made it to the ladys house), and tow more things, and be able to flip my tow mirrors up and look cool like all of you guys!!!

Power247 · Jun 20, 2014

I'm not a contractor but know several who are. I would say that with the equipment you plan to haul a 2500 should be a minimum. Skid steers and excavators are quite heavy as are the trailers used to haul them. 1500s, while capable trucks, were just not designed to see that type of work on a regular basis. By moving up to the HD series you will have the right truck for the job.

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B-g-K · Jun 21, 2014

I too had an 03 svtf.... Loved that car..

B-g-K · Jun 21, 2014

Go 3500 rather than 2500 if you're going to haul a trailer with a skid steer on it. Not much difference in price

kicker226 · Jun 21, 2014

I see only a $2000 increase in price, but tires will be $300 a piece instead of the $180 I was looking at. I'll have to look into gas mileage as well. I was thinking 3500 but I didn't think I would need that big of a truck because I was towing a skid steer around with a 05' Duramax

Power247 · Jun 22, 2014

A 3500 single rear wheel will get pretty much the same MPGs as a 2500 but adds towing and hauling capacity. I agree that a dually is probably more than you need.

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kicker226 · Jun 22, 2014

I was looking at fuelly.com and nothing really looked promising. It was saying like 11mpg average, and that's what I average in my truck right now. I can't see spending 40 cents more per gallon for the same MPGs. I really want a manual transmission, which is one of the reasons why I was getting a cummins.

Power247 · Jun 30, 2014

Keep in mind that most folks with a 3500 do a lot of towing and generally tow heavy... like 25-30,000 lbs.

You should get better than the 11 MPG average since your equipment should not come close to that weight.

Stangshcky12 · Jun 30, 2014

I used to work construction for my girlfriends dad, he has a manual cummins, she has one and I do as well. I would usually pull his skid steer or excavator with an F350 DRW dump or an international 4900. His machines were 10K lb plus though. If you're moving dirt a dump truck would probably be a good investment. Keep in mind going to a larger truck you will probably need DOT numbers and all the stuff that goes with it as you go up in weight (17k lbs or more GVWR/GCWR needs a medical card, fire extinguisher, triangles etc.)

Your gonna have to pay to play. If you cant afford the fuel your bidding your jobs to low.

Not sure where you got your tire price but I'd go somewhere else cause thats way high.

kicker226 · Jul 3, 2014

I didn't realize I was so upside down on my truck, $8,000. I thought I was only $4,000. So I'm not ready yet. I went to the dealership on Monday to look at a 2500 and found out hoe much they were going to give me

Power247 · Jul 4, 2014

kicker226 said:
I didn't realize I was so upside down on my truck, $8,000. I thought I was only $4,000. So I'm not ready yet. I went to the dealership on Monday to look at a 2500 and found out hoe much they were going to give me

Ouch! yeah, that is a lot to give up. Wait a few months for the new model year truck to show up and I bet the prices will get more manageable. That is what I did last year when I bought mine. With the rebates and incentives my '12 2500 was actually cheaper than the '13 1500 Outdoorsman I was looking at.

kicker226 · Jul 4, 2014

Power247 said:
Ouch! yeah, that is a lot to give up. Wait a few months for the new model year truck to show up and I bet the prices will get more manageable. That is what I did last year when I bought mine. With the rebates and incentives my '12 2500 was actually cheaper than the '13 1500 Outdoorsman I was looking at.

I rolled over 2,700 from my old car, taxes title and tags, for a grand total of 26,700. I owe still 25,200.

They were going to give me 17,500. I thought my truck was atleast worth 20,000.

I want to get in one before September but it will be a long shot

Making the jump

kicker226

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Power247

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B-g-K

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B-g-K

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kicker226

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Power247

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kicker226

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Power247

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Stangshcky12

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