Whether you’re just getting started or looking to upgrade a vehicle for your business, choosing your next landscaping truck can be challenging. Here’s a simple guide to help you gain some clarity.
The Top 5 Lawn Care utes
The utes listed below have great horsepower and dimensions for hauling. All of them can easily handle a trailer and offer enough room for an aluminium bed with a dovetail. Additionally, they have excellent ground clearance for heavy-duty equipment and complex jobs. Not to mention, their suspensions are easy to upgrade to improve safety and handling for a very affordable price.
Ford Super Duty
Base Model: $35,000
Bed Length Options: 6.75 ft. - 8 ft.
Bed Height: 21.1 in (535.9 mm).
Maximum Towing Capacity: 15,000 lb (6,804 kg).
Maximum Payload: 4,430 lb (2,009 kg).
This truck is also available with a diesel engine, which makes it great for snow removal. Plus, it’ll save you some gas during the summer lawn care season. Additionally, the front hooks make it easy to attach a snowplow. New or used, this reliable truck is great for landscaping.
Ford F150 XL
Base Model: $30,000
Bed Length Options: 5.5 ft. - 8 ft.
Bed Height: 21.4 in (543.6 mm).
Maximum Towing Capacity: 5,000 - 8,000 lb (3,629 kg).
Maximum Payload: 3,270 lb (1,483 kg).
If you’re not plowing snow during the winter months, the Ford Super Duty may be a little more than you need. For this reason, the F-150 makes a great choice for your lawn care business. With its top-of-the-line towing and payload capacity, this truck has an edge over its competitors. Not only that, it’s priced far less than the competition.
When you add them up – price, MPG's, horsepower, torque, and payload options – Ford has made it to the top of the list of best lawn care utes.
Chevy Silverado
Base Model MSRP: $31,000
Bed Length Options: 6.6 ft. - 8.2 ft.
Bed Height: 22.4 in (569 mm).
Maximum Towing Capacity: 6,700 - 9,900 lb (4,491 kg).
Maximum Payload: 2,500 lb (1,134 kg).
The new-and-improved Chevy Silverado offers a “Work Truck” option providing you with a basic truck without all the extra bells and whistles you don’t really need.
One nice feature that sets this truck apart from the others is its taller bed making it a little easier to add customised racks. Plus, it’s large payload and towing capacity will enable you to handle the basic requirements of running a landscape business.
Dodge Ram
Base Model MSRP: $33,000
Bed Length Options: 6.36 ft.
Bed Height: 21.5 in (546.1 mm).
Maximum Towing Capacity: 12,750 lb (5,783 kg).
Maximum Payload: 2,320 lb (1,052 kg).
The new Dodge Ram has a ute tray unlike many you've seen allowing built-in storage within the walls of the ute tray. You also have the option of choosing a double-door bed gate, which makes it a lot easier to access the supplies in the bed of your ute.
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 a landscaping truck that’s comparable to the Ford Super Duty without the bigger price tag, this is a good option.
GMC Sierra
Base Model MSRP: $32,000
Bed Length Options: 5.8 ft. - 8.2 ft.
Bed Height: 21.1 in (535.9 mm).
Maximum Towing Capacity: 6,500 - 9,700 lb (4,400 kg).
Maximum Payload: 1,500 - 2,543 lb (1,153 kg).
While it might be a wee bit pricey, the capacity of this truck is worth the extra. The one thing that stands out about the GMC Sierra is its optimal horsepower and torque options. 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 on your landscaping truck, the Sierra is a good option for you.
Another great part about the Sierra is its ute tray option. Compared to the competition, you get to choose a longer ute tray.
Other Factors to Consider for Lawn Care utes
- Will you use your ute 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 ute for multiple services, or even commercial services? If so, then consider buying a box truck.
- The Pros and Cons of New & Used utes
New Truck: Pros
- More reliable
- Less maintenance/repair costs
- Warranty is extensive and lasts a long time
- Usually more fuel-efficient
- Can have lower emission levels
New Truck: Cons
- More expensive price tag
Used Truck: Pros
- Less expensive price tag
- Virtually no financial risk
- Many older utes are built to last
Used Truck: Cons
- More in maintenance/repair costs
- Unknown history and issues
- Limited-to-no warranty
- Usually less fuel-efficient
- Suspension concerns
Worried about suspension sag and squat? Wondering if your fully loaded truck will roll and sway on corners? Here’s an easy upgrade that will eliminate sag and sway without costing you an arm and a leg:
Timbren SES (Suspension Enhancement System) upgrades are easy to install because they simply replace the factory bump stops on your ute. In most cases, it takes less than thirty minutes to complete the entire job.
Whether it’s a front SES kit for a snow-plow application or a rear SES kit for hauling extra heavy loads, there are over 450 suspension upgrade kits to choose from. For more info on Timbren SES products, visit www.timbren.com
