We would definitely pull that with a car over here. But the attrition rate of caravans, tow cars and family’s going on holiday is bloody horrible.
People unexperienced with trailers, overloaded tow cars pulling heavy caravans is a disaster that happens super frequently.
That ram is lovely… what engine is in it? I’m not sure whether laramie is a trim package or an engine spec but I assume it’s a smaller diesel being a 1500? I’m not too clued up with the American stuff
It’s a 2500 Cummins. Laramie is a trim option. It has some neat features for comfort such as the cooled/heated seats (even my Tesla doesn’t have cooled seats)…touch screen display etc etc. Fluff stuff basically 
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Express that doubt to him. Make a deal with a takeback clause. He wants to sell, you want to buy and if he’s confident in his assertion he shouldn’t fear you measuring the running cost and deciding on that.
Sorry though you said 1500 further up.
Thats basically the same truck as I am looking at then, 6.7L cummins won’t have changed much as far as I can see.
I think that would be do able. As I deliver most of his vehicles coming in and out of his garage. He’s actually a pretty nice guy and has always been straight with me in every dealing we’ve had.
Yep can confirm, I had about 15+ caravans of that size appear in my station car park …and they were all pulled by cars
assuming they were “travelling” and probably had a fair few “dags” tied up 
Some bloody great cockerels as well … they may also have had a strong Irish accent 
From a purely academical POV, reciprocating engines usually deliver best power/fuel flow ratio at higher revs (emphasis on power per fuel flow, not miles per gallon), so theoretically it is more economic to run a small engine close to or at its design point than a larger engine below that. That is a rather coarse rule of thumb though.
Thats correct, however once turbo’s and emission controls (which sap power at the top and bottom of the power curves) get involved it gets tricky to calculate that stuff.
I hardly ever look at the fuel consumption of my van, let alone calculate it’s efficiency. I just fill it up once in a while (about a tank every two or three weeks) and try not to make too many runs that aren’t paying. Compared to other running costs, fuel is but one of many things.
And even though sometimes it feels like all I do is drive to and fro, as a landscaping crew, moving stuff (trash, materials, soil) just another part of the work. I always try to have the client pay for it
My van does have the sweetest horn in the bizz tho:
I suspect you’ve worked this out already but let me just confirm, as so far you’ve mostly been talking about the capability and true fuel cost…
Have you worked out the lifetime expense comparison of the two options from a business asset standpoint?
I.e purchase price, running cost including finance, depreciation, estimated time to replacement, residual market value etc.
I’m sure the fuel consumption is the main factor with your business mileage but depending on how often you intend to replace the vehicle, residual value difference may play a role too. I know Toyotas tend to hold their value well - unsure what the case is for the big US trucks.
It does seem to me like the big US truck is justified, in particular because it opens up heavier load towing should the business opportunity present itself. It will allow you to upgrade your trailer or lease a bigger trailer for a specific job and tow it if the business case is there etc.
I feel the same as @schurem about them but it’s different when it’s a genuine commercial user case and not someone unnecessarily wasting natural resources just to haul their own backside from A to B.
A really good point. I have done some basic calculations on it and the bigger one actually comes out ahead in all but one category.
Initial purchase price is slightly lower than a new hilux
Insurance and road tax are basically the same
Depreciation is roughly even up to around ten years old when the American starts to keep its money slightly better.
Like you said the extra capacity is very useful off set by the extra tare weight of the empty vehicle.
The only thing that I can find to hold me back other than fuel is the cost of replacement parts themselves. I can most major work myself on both vehicles but the cost of the parts is slightly (marginally) higher on the American truck. This is hopefully offset by the understressed nature of the bigger motor not working as hard and not breaking as often (although the hilux has been EXCEPTIONALLY reliable)
It’s a difficult one
I do appreciate you guys helping me with this as its a major decision for a small business and I don’t really have a group to talk things through with except you guys… and this is not a truck forum lol. So I genuinely appreciate the advice and help
Do you have a small business accountant? I’d have a think quick chat with them also - they should know all the pros and cons from a tax perspective and how to structure the ownership, book value depreciation, buying vs leasing and so forth.
Sadly, no. We are thinking of rigging up an electric horn to hit.
What does “Weer Naar Buiten” mean?
Back to the outdoors. We like to build places for children to get in touch, play with and learn about nature. Our company motto is out with the grey, in with the green.
I thought the new guy had to ride on the roof and blow it…
I wondered the same … Google translate came up with “outside again”
Cool name for a landscaping company
