5 Reasons It May Be Time to Ditch Your Pickup Truck
It’s no secret that folks in the construction industry take their vehicles seriously. Most any type of construction manager or other serious member of the construction community is likely to have a pickup truck. However, some people believe that the more affordable option in the long-term is a medium-duty flatbed stake-side truck. While it may cost more in the short term, they claim it can save time and money in the long run. Read on to learn five reasons that this may be true.
- The most popular type of pickup truck is essentially a truck body with car parts
- You’re paying for putting dumpsters in the driveway of your clients
- Flatbed stake-side trucks may be more affordable than you think
- You can’t pick up all of your own materials
- You’re wasting money on advertising
If you own a half-ton pickup truck then there are several ways in which it’s not superior to your basic car. It will have a car chassis, car transmission, car tires, car suspension, car shocks, car torque converter, and car brakes – all with a truck body mounted on. It’s not strong enough to handle most construction jobs and it’s easy to overload with construction tools and supplies. The fact that it’s primarily made of car parts also means that it’s not much safer than a car.
Have you ever had to put a dumpster in your client’s driveway? It’s likely that you have. They often do damage, and they cost around $500 or $600 to rent. On the other hand, if you choose a stake-side flatbed, you can simply drive up on their driveway and do it yourself. The client can use their driveway at night. All you have to do is take the trash to the dump site and pay to drop it. In most cases, this will be between $35 and $50 per ton – a whole lot cheaper than renting a dumpster.
Despite their superior power and size, a flatbed stake-side trucks are a lot cheaper than a used pickup from the same year. Why? There’s such a high demand for pickups that they have a high demand. The resale value on a medium-duty truck is lower due to lower demand. This wouldn’t be an asset if you planned to resell it, but these trucks easily outlast your typical pickup truck.
Do you pick up all your job site supplies in your pickup truck? It’s not likely. When you have a flatbed, you can load all your materials with a forklift. Say goodbye to charges for delivery, or hiring someone to pick up materials for you. You also don’t have to keep materials on the job site – you can keep them safe and out of the way in your truck until you need them.
How much would you pay for a four-foot high sign that’s 24-feet long? If you get a flatbed truck, you can attach them to it and pay nothing more than the cost of getting the signs made. Essentially, you’ll get free advertising every time you use your truck.
No matter what vehicle you have, one thing you can always count on is Grove Hardware going the extra mile to ensure you get the supplies you need. Call us today at 909-544-4331 or stop by for more information.
