To buy a truck or not buy a truck, that is the question.

I live in Ohio...been scraping pat time for about 6 months now. I have a 2008 dodge caliber (small car), that will be paid off next year. However, I'm already noticing that I could be getting some extra scrap here & there IF I had a truck. I don't like the prospect of the extra debt of trading in my car for a truck. But at the same time I think if I could put a little more time into scrapping, then maybe it would be worth it. I already have an 8 to 5 job, so I don't know how much more I could do. But, I do know that I could start running trash routes & such. Payment is $250 a month now and I wouldn't want to go above that. But, even at $250 a month I don't know if I could make it worth it. Any thoughts anybody?

buy a beater truck, drive beater truck on trash days. If beater truck takes a dive, scrap or part out or resell. Buy another beater truck. Repeat.

Buying a brand new truck is a terrible idea if you plan to scrap out of it. You aren't making any money off of it unless you are scrapping more than your truck payment and gas.

Unless you want to scrap to pay for your truck, gas, and time involved.

Given everything you've said, my advice would be to keep what you've got and just accept the limits. Once you get a truck, not only have you got payments but the additional expense of full coverage insurance and upkeep. Unless you are mechanically inclined, no way would I recommend used or less than 3/4 ton. My payments on the 2006 Silverado 3/4 ton were $654/mo plus insurance. Then, to justify the payments, I bought a car carrier trailer (over $2000). BUT (and a big "but"), I was going at it full time. I also wore out tires faster with the heavier loads. To compensate for that, I bought oversize tires for around $800 at 40,000 miles.

Think carefully and run realistic numbers before jumping unless you just want a new truck. Then - go for it.

I have a Pick up and a Van but use the $600 van most of the time...Like the one eyed dude above said Feat the Buck out of it then part or scrap it out.

Or maybe a smaller sized trailer and a hitch for your car.

Mick, I have wanted a truck for a while now and could easily justify getting the truck because of the scrapping & the fact that I want it. But I don't think I could scrap $250 a month worth, even with a truck. So I want a truck, I just want to make a calculated decision. If I can sweat it out, when the car is paid for I could it for a truck, hopefully straight up, because I don't want a new truck or a pretty truck as I call it. I'll need a work truck.

Ok you want a truck and you could make some more money doing more scrap than get the truck. I buy all my trucks through local city and county auctions, you can find some very good deals there, remember all city's have very strict Maintaince programs they service them every 3000 miles and a driver must write up what ever issues they have will the truck. Case in point I purchased a F250 dully stake body 1999 with 39000 miles on it. The price was $750.00 plus 10% buyer fee. That truck pulls a 18 foot trailer every day I runs great, can not wait for there next auction.

If you really want the truck then go after it, the scrap that is. If you are determined, the scrap will come, and will help offset the price of the truck.

i bet 1956 want buy another truck for that money anymore ..... them deals just happens once in a blue moon

Yeah i would just buy a cheap f150 or something and use that.I wouldnt get myself another payment

Use what you have. Take all of your profits and parlay them into bigger and better equipment until your heart desires. Its easier said than done; It's what worked for me.

Start with a small trailer
You can always sell it if ypu want to move up later

You can find them mostly in smaller auctions that are not on the web, and they only place a small add in the local paper they are there you gotta get lucky though some times I go home with nothing.

Want or need? Sounds like you just want it to want it. An you don't need it to scrap. so again sounds like a want. Chalk it up for something to get with your scrap money when you get it saved up. Not the popular answer, but it's an honest one.

An second..why does it have to be a truck? You are aware you can increase capacity with a mini-van, full van, etc right? They can also be found a lot cheaper. Yea, trucks are great. Carry a lot, look spiffy, etc. Looking good won't fill it with scrap, an you can carry more with a van/trailer, or even your car/trailer. (Not carry as much as a truck..I worded that funny)

Or like the other said, get a beater. Unless your hauling cars with that truck on a trailer I fail to see why you need something brand new, to load scrap into. Just make you all pissy when you scratch it up. An before all of you jump on me about looking professional an singing the joys of a 18K truck...remember, he's not doing this full time.

Then again what do I know, I'm just a one man crew with a mini-van who hauls everything from water heaters, an other assorted crap day in an day out. ;) YMMV

Oh an it doesn't need to look pretty, it just needs to get the job done. Think outside the box, it's the only way to succeed in this game.

Sirscrapalot - If you always put limit on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them. - Bruce Lee

About me giving advice on buying new -- Keep in mind that the truck I bought new, I bought specifically to plow snow with. Talk about something you'd buy a beater for; that's it. Hauling scrap was actually "taking it easy" on the truck.

Thanks everyone for the words of advice. For some reason, a van had not come into my thoughts. But, anyway I think for now I'm gonna stick with what I got & just work up from there with no debt. This is greatest hobby I ever had. I can do weekday I want & it still makes me money. Even with a car, it's still the best thing going. Thanks again to everyone.

Personally, I have an F150 work truck 7700 package (so almost a 3/4 tow capacity). I bought it 4 yrs ago for 1k. It's been hit in the passenger side bed by the wheel (totaled and was paid $3500). My tailgate opener is a rusted flathead screwdriver that stays in the bed. Yes, it's a beater with scratches all over....and I love it! I don't care what anyone thinks when they look at it, this vehicle (even without the claim) has paid for itself multiple times over. I couldn't imagine using a DD (daily driver....sorry, I've already had issues in the last day with acronyms :) ) to go around picking up scrap.....especially some of the stuff I take. My wife would not be amused in the slightest.

I read your last post dshrader, and if you're comfortable with the status quo rather than go in debt, I see your point. However, my suggestion would be to rat hole what money you make from scrapping and keep your eyes PEELED for a decent USED truck on the cheap. It can be done, but IMO...make your vehicle pay you rather than the other way around.

Kind of like my situation, I couldn't really afford to go out and buy a truck.(after my ex-partner took off with his truck) I had a decent looking mini van I had saved from a storage unit cleanout. I was going to do some maintenance on it and make it into my scrap getter. I ended up trading it for an older Ford Ranger 4 cyl. mini truck even up. My grandson works at a tire shop and snagged me 2 brand new tires (Kelly's) for the truck so it will be ready to use as soon as I plate it. I got about scrap price in it, the going price of the van when I drug it out of the shed. But it didn't happen overnite.

Here's my latest,
http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/...ps292efd06.jpg