Is anyone using an American pickup for residential tree work?

[Dbikeguy]

Doing some planning ahead for a business plan and looking at vehicles.

 

it needs to do dual duty so some personal use.

 

Thinking a Yank pickup, they tow well, have big beds for less trailer needs, look quite interesting so good advertising etc

 

fuel economy isn’t amazing but it should only be shortish journeys so not overly concerning.

 

Is anyone using one?

 

[Steve Bullman]

@RC0 was always a big fan when living in the UK, although I don't belive he used it for anything other than carrying tools.

I agree, kitted out with a chip box it would be quite an eye catcher

[westphalian]

Saw a lot in the US. Look good but ? Good value?

[Dbikeguy]

Spec for money on the second hand ones looks pretty good, plus they seem bomb proof, big unstressed engines and designed to tow silly weights in America compared to our limits in the uk. Almost the American landy with added comfort?

[Mick Dempsey]

Till they go wrong, I flirted with the idea for a bit after getting jealous of a mates 6 litre Dodge over here.

 

His 4wd disappeared and no one could fix it (or wanted to try)

 

 

[HuntingHicap]

Parts expensive to buy and very bulky. If you want a towing beast, buy a Discovery 3 or 4 that has had a new engine/gearbox, or save a few grand back in preparation for doing it. They tow lovely, masses of space inside, but mechanical issues do and will happen. That said with regular maintenance (which few of them get) they aren't so bad.

[Rich Rule]

The disco isn’t that great to chip into, last I heard.

[Dbikeguy]

I have a older 4.0 v6 ford explorer 4x4 that came along silly cheap already, tows like a dream but can’t chip into it obviously, did consider removing the rear seats and boxing out the back but unsure...
needs to be a pickup so i can do smaller jobs with just that and chipper rather than 2 vehicles

[westphalian]

My disco was great but forever breaking down

Just to be clear, we are talking these?

[RC0]

I had 3 Dodges through 5 - 6 year period in the UK. Lots of parts availability through companies who specifically deal in, service, MOT, Americans. I never had a problem. No regrets whatsoever. They are also very selective when sourcing and importing vehicles, usually low mileage and west coast vehicles. By the time theyve been inspected, serviced and are for sale....youre getting a great truck for the cost. Dodge 2500-3500, 5.9 Gasoline or Cummings deisel are pretty bomb proof....in particularly 96 -2002 models. Ford F250-F350 5.8 Gas, or 7.3 diesel are on par. Later models became more computerized, therefore more complicated if they go wrong. Otherwise they pretty basic mechanics. Stay away from the Ford 6.0 diesel, or later Ford diesels at all costs. Same as the Ford 5.4 Gas. Chevrolet and GMC, nice driving trucks but weaker components. I used to insure through Adrian Flux, probably the best deal by far....but thats not as a work vehicle it should be said. My advice would be go to a reputable dealer for a test drive and see how you feel about it thereafter. Its always easy to find reasons not to do something. You only live once. Ignore the naysayers.