Which would you buy...stake bed vs 4x4 PU?

[Champy]

I am considering buying a old farm truck for use on my Christmas tree farm. Probably never be on the highway, and intended for use in the fields/woods, etc... Would you buy a typical dually stakebed farm truck or a full size 4x4 pickup? For me I'd prefer the stakebed, but am concerned that it will get buried and stuck in mud / plowed fields - whereas the 4x4 would be able to pull through.

Your thoughts?

 

[gordon21]

Stake bed with appropriate tires. You will always be going slow and the ability to haul lots of items or big items would out weigh the 4 wheel drive. If an old $1500 farm truck got scratched would you worry? Just don't go in the rows when it is really muddy.

 

[Builder]

I am considering buying a old farm truck for use on my Christmas tree farm. Probably never be on the highway, and intended for use in the fields/woods, etc... Would you buy a typical dually stakebed farm truck or a full size 4x4 pickup? For me I'd prefer the stakebed, but am concerned that it will get buried and stuck in mud / plowed fields - whereas the 4x4 would be able to pull through.

Your thoughts?

I would think a 2WD stakebody would get stuck on wet grass, not to mention a Christmas tree farm.

Why can't you get a stake bed with 4x4?

Like this: eBay Motors: 1988 GMC 3500 4X4 Crewcab Stakebed with Liftgate (item 180203096543 end time Jan-10-08 20:19:45 PST)

 

[davitk]

There's nothing like four wheel drive when you need it. I drive a rear wheel drive work truck because it's cheaper to fix but many are the times I wish for 4WD (especially this winter with all the snow) pulling in and out of customers' driveways.

Dually's do have a tendency to get stuck w/o 4WD. Buy a pick up with a rusted out box, cut it off and build your own flat bed.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I agree with Builder, get a 4x4 stake bed and have the best of both worlds.

 

[joe48]

We had a 58 dodge 300 1 ton PU 2x4 with summer tires, was ok until it got real muddy or snowed, then 5 mins to put on tire chains and go thru almost everything, if it didn't go then put in a ton of feed or hay bales and as long as you didn't bury it she would go go !! Oh and it was a flathead 6 with 3 on the tree.
Same deal with our 56 Dodge 600 stake farm truck, amazing what you can move with granny low,2 speed rear axle, tire chains and 6 tons of corn on it.
Just another thing to think about!!

 

[Champy]

Since I've never driven one offroad, it appears a 2wd dually stakebed is just as likely to get stuck as my 1/2 ton GMC Sierra........best choice would be 4wd stakebed........second choice is a 4wd PU w/mudders. Since hauling BIG loads is not really a concern, possibly towing a hay trailer, maybe the PU should be first choice.......

BTW - I'm also looking to go really cheap and could care less what it looks like either. Thanks for the input

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Since I've never driven one offroad, it appears a 2wd dually stakebed is just as likely to get stuck as my 1/2 ton GMC Sierra........best choice would be 4wd stakebed........second choice is a 4wd PU w/mudders. Since hauling BIG loads is not really a concern, possibly towing a hay trailer, maybe the PU should be first choice.......

BTW - I'm also looking to go really cheap and could care less what it looks like either. Thanks for the input

I have never been a fan of pulling trailers in the mud. You are more likely to get stuck as the extra 4 wheels trying to plow thru the mud while the truck is looking for traction doesn't end well if the ground is real wet. Unhook the trailer and the truck will usually walk out. Best option is a 4wd stake bed but I know there are kind of hard to find used.

 

[Champy]

My situation is not necessarily focused on tackling mud. I am in the process of reclaiming plowed corn fields. During the summer months I can drive my pickup across the fields without much problem, but after a rain (or in the Spring)...I just get stuck right away because the ground has no turf just turned soil.

My wife does not want to drive the tractor around and the 4x4 was a thought to get her access and for hauling seedlings / supplies / water tanks / etc.. Also once we begin selling trees, possibly towing a haywagon for outings, rides and so on. Maybe I should look for something like a Gator type vehicle instead?

Thanks

 

[AlanB]

I would look at a flat bed, dump, 4X4 pickup.

As long as it fits where you need, I do not see a gators advantage over the commonality, and comparitively low price that you could get one of these for.

Dump / flat bed I think you will find so incredibly handy, you won't know how you did without it.

And I think the better half would be more comfortable driving it.

My place, I try and get everything 4wd, (and even at that, I think I have had every peice of equipment I own stuck at one time or another.)

I would do the hay wagon rides with a tractor, although I must admit, an RTV with a trailer at Saddleback has been some of the best hayrides I have ever had.

Look for a PM please.