Oklahoma Cattle Ranches Take Care of Their Farm Trucks
Pickup trucks have a long history of agricultural use, hauling hay, feed grains, water, and more across family farms and large production farms since Henry Ford first manufactured the Model TT in 1917.
Of course, farm trucks have seen a few upgrades since then. Even though modern pickup trucks can haul and tow big loads, you still need to make sure your truck’s suspension is up to the task.Here are a few questions that will help us navigate the topic of farm trucks on Oklahoma cattle ranches:
What is a farm truck and how is it used?
What are the best trucks for ranching in Oklahoma?
What are the benefits of a diesel engine?
What are the benefits of a gasoline engine?
What suspension upgrades should be used for a farm truck carrying or hauling a heavy load?
What is a farm truck and how is it used?
A farm truck is used specifically for work on the farm, i.e., hauling materials and livestock to and from the farm. Farm trucks are supposed to remain on the farm property full time. A personal truck can be used for farm work on the farm but is also used for personal trips.
According to the U.S. DOT Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) definition, a farm vehicle is one that is: registered in a state with a license plate that identifies it as a farm vehicle... transporting agricultural products, livestock, farm machinery or supplies to or from a farm, and is not used in for-hire motor carrier operations.
What are the best trucks for ranching in Oklahoma?
Most farmers want a full-size pickup. The best choices in that category are the Dodge Ram 1500, the Ford F150, and the Chevy Silverado. Smaller operators may be able to get by with a compact, and our top picks in that class are the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma.
Dodge Ram 1500: This truck features a Hemi V8 engine, a heavy-duty power train, and 5-ton towing capacity. Coil springs in the rear give you a much smoother ride than the usual leaf springs.
Ford F150: Available in V-6 or V-8 with three different bed styles, you can easily find an F-150 that perfectly suits your specific purposes. The interior is comfortable enough for a road trip, but tough enough to get the job done, whatever the job happens to be.
Chevrolet Silverado: This truck has proven to be a solid, reliable work vehicle, delivering a nice, quiet ride. It’s a little lighter in towing capacity than the Ram or the F-150, but not enough to really make a difference.
Nissan Frontier: If you are looking for a slightly smaller, affordable truck for your farm, the Nissan Frontier is a great choice. It can handle light towing and hauling and is available in standard rear-wheel drive or 4x4.
Toyota Tacoma: The Tacoma is like the Frontier in terms of towing capacity and payload, but if you want a light truck that can double as a passenger vehicle, the Tacoma offers a bit more in terms of cabin comforts.
What are the benefits of a diesel engine?
Highly efficient: Because of their compression-ignition system, diesel engines produce more energy and require less fuel at the same time. This greatly increases gas mileage and the length you can travel before having to fill up again.
Durable: Because they are engineered to withstand higher temperatures, diesel engines tend to last longer than gas engines, assuming you keep up with all necessary maintenance.
Greater torque: As diesel engines emit more energy in comparison to gasoline, they produce greater amounts of torque. If you plan on towing a trailer or hauling heavy loads on a regular basis, then a diesel engine may be a good option for you since it’s going to give you that extra power.
Good resale value: Since diesel engines are extremely durable, they have a pretty good resale value as they can last a long time.
What are the benefits of a gasoline engine?
Lower Acquisition Cost: Gasoline-powered trucks tend to cost less to purchase than diesel-powered trucks overall.
Higher payload and profitability: At equal displacement, a diesel engine is significantly heavier than a gas engine. Being lighter, a gas engine allows you to carry more payload and maximize your profits.
Easier, more productive operation: From a driver's perspective, the daily maintenance and the checkpoints are much simpler than diesel. Basically, the only points to check are fuel levels and oil levels.
Lower Maintenance Costs: According to research conducted by government-fleet.com, the maintenance cost for diesel engines is typically more expensive compared to gasoline-powered trucks.
Better serviceability: The gasoline engine has a system that mechanics everywhere are familiar with.
More Fueling Stations: Not only is gasoline usually cheaper than diesel fuel, but gas is also more readily available.
What suspension upgrades should be used for a farm truck carrying or hauling a heavy load?
There are several after-market upgrades available for farm truck suspensions. The most popular are:
- Metal add-a leaf
- Air Bags
- Hollow Rubber Springs
To get the maximum bang for your buck, install a set of Timbren SES helper springs on your farm truck. At the heart of every SES product is the Aeon® hollow rubber spring. To get the total package including extra capacity, stability, and comfort choose Timbren SES.
