With the growth projections in my apiary operation, the need to transport my hives efficiently are becoming greater. With this in mind, the need for a dually takes precedence. I have considered a gooseneck trailer and its still not off the table. 

 

The popular method for beekeepers of commercial sizes use flatbed dually trucks and then pull their loader on a trailer. 

 

The only consideration i would make for a dually is a 12v or 24v. But i need the towing capacities and hauling. Usually 96 hives fit in a flatbed over the axle and then trailer/loader. I'm looking for a 5 or 6 speed transmission and ex cab, 4x4.

 

Hard find at a decent price!

From what I'm seeing the prices on these trucks are being artificially inflated by demand. The demand being a lot of young kids spending Dads money on the latest fad.......diesel pickups. What they want though is short bed quad cabs and not dually flat beds. Thats how I got mine so reasonable. I didn't really need a dually but it was 6-8k less than what comparable 2500's were bringing at the time. And it's more truck. No brainer for me. Unfortunately though people think if a rusty QCSB with 300k mi. and a hood stack brings 12k then their single cab  dually should be worth the same. Personally I wouldn't give a nickel for a short bed anything because I need a truck for a truck. That's just me. I'd let him set on it for a while and see what happens. He might be willing to face reality in a couple months. But then again...................

All those new parts he put on shouldn't increase the price.  The trans, steering box and diff rebuild just means either he didn't take care of it or abused it. The clutch and tires are a wear part like brakes.  Radio is a $25 add on.  Don't let him have you pay for what he wore out by saying "but I put all these new parts into it".  

He listed it on a beekeepers page catering to that. He said allot of people were asking questions. Which then led him to think that its worth what he was asking.

 

Been seeing allot of trucks listed lately that I would consider buying. Some are even much newer and seems decently priced.

 

A more recent listing I have across is this one:

 

I'm getting more info on it tomorrow, but it seems very promising. Well, except for convincing the wife! ?

I could bring that one to Portland Oregon and get $16,500 if not been messed with. That's the one right there. Got to watch those cab lights they do leak. I put O rings on each screw and never leaked again.

Now that's more like it. Nice truck. 

13 hours ago, JAG1 said:

Got to watch those cab lights they do leak.

 

Every truck I've ever seen with cab light did leak at some point. This applies for Ford, Chevy and even Dodge.

You've never seen mine then 

2 hours ago, dave110 said:

You've never seen mine then 

What did you do to them ? 

Left them alone basically. And clean the snow off so it doesn't lay on them all winter.

5 hours ago, dave110 said:

You've never seen mine then 

 

My 05 either. 

 

Bone stock seals, just didn't let it sit out under heavy snow. 

 

I'll be adding them to my '18 and don't expect they will leak either.

Broadn your search to include 2nd gen cab and chassis 2wd trucks. I found one for 2500 had 120k miles. Only needed minor TLC. Was a x highway district truck and has a dump bed on it worth more than the truck. 

 

I dont really see the need for a dually. A gooseneck is 6k, what's your machine weigh? How bought the hive boxes. If your not over 15k I think I'd just keep to a single rear wheel. If your over 20k plus truck maybe consider a dually. But that would be a maybe