V-box VS. Truckcraft TC-130 de-icer

[MDsnowPRO]

Im thing about a new set-up for next year and would like some in-put. The truck will be a new F350 Power Stroke. Have not desided if i want single rear wheels or dule. Most likly dules for added load capacity. The truck will have an Blizzard 810. Now for the spreader. I want the truck to have a pick-up bed so a dump body is out of the question. But i would like to be able to dump, so a truckcraft insert seems like a good option. What would you go with the insert with the spreader option or a fisher/western V-box? I saw the truckcraft on the other site and it looks like a great unit for spreading. Also its electric so theres no "extra" motor to do maintenance on. What do you guys think?
Thanks,
Nick
Heres a pic of the truckcraft from the other site..............NOT MY UNIT

[MDsnowPRO]

pics in this thread

http://www.truckcraft.com/

[cat320]

To be honest that is a nice set up It will run you close to $8K from what i have seen.If your gonna go duellies then I would just spend the money and get a dumping flatbed with v box or just put a regular dump.I know it will be an every day driver but my reasoning would be the wider back wheels and load capacity if your gonna get bigger than get the carring room with a regular body..

[River Hill]

You could always get dump body and then use a V Box. The TruckCraft setup is very nice. I have priced them as well and they are approx. $8500.00 in MD

[cmerland]

My only thought is that I hope you have seriously wide open accounts with limited obstacles. The biggest concern Id have is catching something (wires, lights, trees) with the dump bed in the raised position and creating all kinds of havoc. I realize that it would likely be you driving, however if you ever have employees or get absent minded for just a minute pulling thru a drive thru or then you could cause a whole lot of damage.

Just my thought.

[obryanmaint]

I have both mounted to 2 different 3/4 ton pick ups...we tend to like the v-box better because it is just load and go.....no dumping of the bed

now what you would not want to do is go with an easy dumper and then put a v-box in it you will use all your payload on equipment....go with one or the other

1- you can get an electric v-box

2 we also have a 1 ton chevy with an undertailgate and central hydro that beats both of the previous trucks

[4evergreenlawns]

I have been going over the same thing in my mind all season, and been on the phone, visiting shops and looking for any and all information I can find.

1st, although the DRW will give you more GVWR it will be hard to drive in the smaller lots. I have a 03 F-450 so I have had a chance to drive it in a several different lots to know I would NOT want to depend on a driver to miss things with the flared rear fender. I have bent the outer rim a few times now and that is with me being very careful.

2nd, I have been reading about the TC-130 as much as I can have had seen a few things about electric issue in the controller and hook ups. As we know it is only a great product if it is dependable. From what I have read I would rate it at 50/50 but I have not owned one.

3rd, I own a V box and the only real issue I have had so far was not being able to really clean out under it. I wash down both of my truck after every event. My dump cleans out nice and fast grease two fitting on the Hyd undertail spreader and park it. The V box take three time more work. Cleaning out, greasing, gassing up, spray down conveyor. I think a dump insert would be faster and easier to maintain.

4th, Look at the Downeaster tailgate spreader and they make a SS insert. Downeaster has a huge line of all electric spreader products with great reviews from everyone I have every talked to about thier products. Also there spreader is center discharge. I like the center discharge for more even applications and less time around the lot. Also for parking lots where cars are present you can spread in a traffic lane and not blast the cars. Even my dump has center discharge.

5th, When you order that new F-350 make SURE you get the dual Alts no matter what they tell you. It is well worth the 340.00 if you have any idea you aer going to run an all electric set up. Unless you are adding Central Hyds than you can not get the dual alts. as of yet. I have heard there is a mod to relocate the Hyd pump with dual alts but I have no idea where they would put it. Also order it with the Aux. rear spring gives you more to beef up later in stead of just the main pack.

Lastly, look into a VENCO bed body lift rated at 6,000lbs lift. Cost about 2500.00 and converts the P/U bed to a dump bed. I have also been considering that as well. There are some trade offs. No added weight of the insert, but you can not take it when you sell it. The P/U bed takes all the abuse from loading and dump instead of the dump insert. Can not put a tailgate spreader on the P/U bed but can still use a V box and not have to store the dump insert in the off season.

I am sure there is more but that is all that comes to mind right now. My 01 2500HD only has 30,000 miles on it and it is hard to trade it in no matter how bad I WANT the F-350 PSD. I will run this truck another year or so and maybe just keep it and add the F-350 next year. I am most likely going to add the dump insert no matter what and than consider the tailgate spreader if the money is right. After all my V box in only one year old, I would take a real beaten on it unless I can get by another season and than maybe sell it. Nice thing is both the insert and V box are bolt ins soe you can still use both.