Finding the best lawn care trucks for your business is a tricky process with a lot of factors involved. Use this simple guide to take out the guesswork!
Picture this...
Your lawn tech just called. He’s on the side of the road about to miss his next job, because the lawn truck broke down… for the second time this week.
Your lawn care business is growing, which is GREAT... but now it’s time to start looking at some new trucks for you and your crew.
I promise: This article will make finding your new lawn truck as breezy as possible. You’ll get a list of the best lawn trucks - as well as some money-saving tips along the way.
Buying any truck is a big decision but buying a truck for your lawn and landscape business? Now, THAT is an even bigger deal.
On one hand, you don’t want to over-invest into a gorgeous, top-of-the-line truck that your crew will rough up in the first week. However, you also don’t want to under-invest by throwing pennies at a deadbeat clunker that’s going to break down before you drive it off the lot.
As you’ve probably already discovered, buying a new truck for your business is way different than buying one for personal use.
Unlike buying a personal truck, a lawn care truck has a lot more factors to consider:
Now, you know the main factors to consider, and so you’ll need to decide if you want to buy a new or used lawn care truck.
Pros: This lawn care truck already is in perfect condition with a very long life, if you take care of it. Plus, you (or your team leads) will love to drive it.
Cons: The shiny, new truck is going to cost you more money, and your guys are going to rough it up within the first week of work.
Pros: This not-so-perfect truck doesn’t cost as much money, and the maintenance isn’t as expensive as a new one.
Cons: You don’t exactly know what it’s been through. Did the previous owner take care of it? You don’t really know.
If you’re strapped for cash, then a used pickup truck is probably your best bet. However, if you’re ready to grow fast, and you really want to keep your employees, then you might want to consider a new one.
These trucks have great horsepower and dimensions for hauling, and they’re easily customizable.
Plus, any of these trucks can easily haul a trailer, or you can even have the perfect amount of room to add an aluminum bed with a dovetail.
As a bonus, these trucks have excellent clearance off the ground for heavy-duty equipment and tricky jobs.
In general, these trucks are great for lawn care businesses just getting started as well as established lawn care businesses.
With this truck, the sky’s the limit. Also, if you decide to buy it new, it’s customizable to meet your needs.
Since this truck is available with a diesel engine, so it’s also great for your snow removal business. Plus, it’ll save you a little more on gas during the summer lawn care season too.
Additionally, the front hooks on it make it easy to attach a snow plow. THIS combined with the horsepower, torque, towing and payload capacities make this truck your all-in-one solution to suit every need for your dual lawn care and snow removal business.
And if you need to haul more, then you can choose more powerful versions: F-250, F-350 and F-450.
Whether you buy the Ford Super Duty brand-spanking new or a used one, it won’t disappoint.
If you’re not in snow or ice removal during the winter months, the Ford Super Duty Truck may be a little more than you need. For this reason, it’s younger brother (the F-150) might make a better choice for your lawn business.
With its top-of-the-line towing and payload capacity, this truck throws its other competitors right out of the ballpark.
But an even more wonderful benefit to this truck?
It’s a whole heck of a lot cheaper than its equivalent competitors too. And at the of a hardworking day, your wallet won’t be as light.
Bonus Option: If you don't need a large truck that can haul a trailer, or you don't have the budget for either of these Ford trucks, then consider the Ford Ranger. It starts at just $25,070.
Due to the price, MPG's, horsepower, torque and payload options, by far, Ford knocks everything out of the ballpark. For these reasons, Ford has made it to the top of the list of best lawn care trucks.
While it may not be as heavy-duty as its Ford competitors, don’t let it fool you. It’s still a great truck.
This Chevy Silverado will get you wherever you need to go… and it’ll get the job done.
If you take a look at the new-and-improved Chevy Silverado, you’ll notice they even offer a “Work Truck” option.
This option will allow you to buy the truck you NEED without all those extra bells and whistles you don’t need.
One thing that sets this truck apart from its compadres is its bed. The taller bed height on this truck will make it a little easier to add customized racks where you need them.
Plus, it’s extreme payload and towing capacity will take your lawn and landscape business wherever you need to go.
Bonus Option: If don't need to haul a trailer, you have minimal lawn care equipment, and you're looking for something a little smaller and more affordable, then check out the Chevy Colorado, which starts at $26,395.
The new Dodge Ram has a truck bed unlike many you've seen.
This truck has the option to get built-in storage inside the inner walls of the truck bed. You also have the option of choosing a double-door bed gate, which makes it a million times easier to pull out the supplies you need from your lawn truck.
As a bonus, the towing capacity of the new Dodge Ram is almost that of the Ford Super Duty Truck. If you’re looking for something a little lighter on the wallet that’s comparable to the Ford Super Duty, this might be a good option for your lawn care business.
While it might be a little more pricey, the capacity of this truck is incredible.
The one thing that stands out about the GMC Sierra is its optimal horsepower and torque options. The maximum torque on the Sierra is extremely rare.
In fact, the only other one like it is the Ford Super Duty. So, if you have a higher budget and want more bells and whistles, the Sierra is a good option for you.
Another great part about the Sierra is the option for a little bit bigger truck bed. In fact, it has the option for a slightly longer truck bed than any of the previous lawn truck options I mentioned.
If you’re willing to spend a little more, this truck just might be your new best friend.
Before the wheels in your head start turning, you need to consider a few other things.
Will you use your truck for snow removal? If so, you’ll want a truck with four-wheel drive, high horsepower and a detachable snow plow.
Will you use your truck for multiple services, or even commercial services? If so, then consider a buying a box truck.
Truth is, every lawn care business is different, and so you should really think about whether there are any other factors you should consider before deciding.
Finding the best lawn care truck for your business can be stressful. However, if you have the right tools under your belt, it’ll make this process a whole lot easier.
There are a lot of options when it comes to trucks, and there might even be a few options you’re not considering. That said, these trucks are some of the best options for your business to meet your everyday needs.
Plus, these tips just might save you a little money on the way.
While I can’t totally make this experience stress-free for you (I wish I could!), I can give you the right nuggets of wisdom to help you out.
I promise, if you follow the tips in this article, you’ll find the best lawn care truck for business in no time!
Related: Why You Should Wrap Your Lawn Care Trucks
Originally published May 14, 2019, updated June 22, 2021 8:43 AM
Tags: Business Operation
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