Something I noticed when I started my first lawn care company was, well, LOTS of other lawn care companies. It seemed like overnight, I couldn’t go to the gas station without passing several uniquely-branded trucks.
Everything from the weekend hustler towing a trailer with a minivan, all the way up to the flat-beds hauling multiple zero-turns. One thing that I learned from talking to pros is that everyone has “their way” of doing things. The trucks you see in the field are oftentimes a reflection, or extension of a pro’s preferred order of operations when completing tasks.
How to choose a lawn care truck
So, what ARE the best trucks for lawn care pros?
If you pay attention, you will see crews with truck and trailer setups customized to their particular job type, equipment load, and crew size. Brand preferences are usually just that, preferences.
Regardless of the make or model, lawntrepreneurs can retro-fit and customize almost any truck to get the job done. That was another thing I learned: Most pros just want a truck that can help them do quality work, as efficiently as possible.
Whether you are buying your first truck or adding another to your fleet, it’s a big deal – and a big expense – so the decision warrants some consideration. The goal of this article is to help you avoid the eyestrain associated with needless vehicle spec research and to provide a few practical considerations that will ensure you can be confident in your purchase.
3 questions to ask before you select a truck type
As I mentioned above, the best truck for you will be the one best suited for the jobs on your schedule. Aspirational shopping will almost always leave you with a nice, big, beautiful truck … payment.
If you’re a solo operator just starting out with a few residential customers, you don’t need a top-of-the-line, heavy-duty crew cab. Ask yourself a few questions before you sign the dotted line.
- Who are my customers now? You don’t need a bio here, just an average yard size of jobs on your schedule.
- What equipment do I need to complete all of my jobs, in the shortest amount of time? This will largely dictate the size of truck you need and/or need for a trailer.
- What can I afford if my customer base is cut in half? This question will help determine what you can afford during the slow season.
Best trucks for your crew size
Now that you’ve factored in these three questions, let’s run through a few of the most common scenarios and some suitable truck recommendations. As we highlighted in our article on the Best Mowers for Lawn Care Pros, I recommend avoiding prioritizing brand over price to keep your business running lean.
Solo-operator/residential maintenance customers only
This is one of the most common types of pro I see in the field and this cohort also represents the Wild West of lawn care rigs. This is also the category I fall into, so I thought I would share a little about my ideal setup.
Now, If you are hustling to make your small-business dreams happen, you can install a trailer hitch on almost anything and start making money. Don’t think I’m here to knock the Ford Fiestas with the 5-foot trailers!
BUT, If you can manage the next step up, the more ideal choice is a mid-size pickup truck (Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado, Toyota Tacoma, or GMC Canyon) and ramp rack combo. This setup allows for easy access to equipment and is an extremely fuel-efficient way to knock out a lot of yards quickly.
Even models with smaller beds can fit a couple small push mowers and can be fitted for equipment racks or ramp racks for easy loading and unloading. Another benefit of avoiding attaching a trailer to your truck, is that you will also avoid attaching a trailer to your insurance policy.
2-man crew/residential maintenance and light landscaping
Probably THE most common type of lawn care pros you will see in the field are 2-man crews. Because of the higher number of customers and a more broad range of services, these guys usually hook up a trailer.
Any time you are towing, I recommend at least a half-ton pickup truck to make sure you stay well within towing capacity on mulch jobs and other hardscaping work.
Aside from the obvious advantage in the amount of equipment you can tow, the half-ton pickups generally have larger cabs for passengers which you won’t really appreciate unless you have mowed 15 yards in the Texas heat with another sweaty person. Enjoy the little comforts, gang!
The half-ton pickup is usually a flagship vehicle for the Big 3 automakers. As a result, you will get some very high quality and long-lasting options here. These trucks include the Ford F-150, Chevrolet Silverado, and GMC Sierra which are all consistently found on Motor Trend’s Longest-Lasting Trucks on the Road list.
What that means for the average lawn pro on a budget, in practical terms, is that you can spend significantly less on a used model with 100k miles and still have a good chance of getting another 100k with regularly scheduled maintenance and a little luck.
3-4 man crew/commercial maintenance and landscaping
The famous quote/phrase that comes to mind is “We’re gonna need a bigger boat…” or, in this case, truck!
I haven’t met the pro yet who likes mowing commercial lots or large residential properties with a push mower. The more likely (and appropriate) setup would have to include at least one large zero-turn, a couple of push mowers, 2 or 3 leaf blowers, and even more weed trimmers. That’s not all fitting on your Ford Fiesta.
For these larger jobs, you will have to spend a little more on a truck with higher tow capacity to stay safe while towing mulch, debris, AND your equipment. Ford, Dodge, Chevy, and GMC all offer “heavy duty” models and just because you are buying a bigger truck doesn’t mean you have to break the bank.
The same rule applies as we discussed in our previous scenario. These are quality trucks that can last a long time, so keep an open mind on used options.
Final considerations and thoughts
Ultimately, you should be proud of your business and the vehicle you use to serve your customer base. Regardless of make, model, or year, a clean and well-maintained truck will always make a good impression on customers.
If you can afford a wrap, paint job, and some light body work, your options open up significantly.
If you are mechanically inclined or know someone who can help you weed out the clunkers, most reputable dealerships will let you look under the hood.
Don’t get too caught up in getting the newest, biggest truck until you can justify the purchase. In my experience, the customer couldn’t care less about the make and model of my truck, as long as I treat them well and provide quality service. The same is probably true for your customers.
Read Next:
— Best Trimmers for Lawn Care Pros
Main Photo Credit: Aziz Shamuratov | Canva Pro | License, created using Canva Pro
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