[dlskidmore]

That tip paid off. Signed today on a Chevy 2500. She’s in real good condition except some rust on the last 2 feet of the underbody. No tow hitch so they were not hauling a boat with it, so not sure what caused that pattern…

I’d called saying I wanted a full ton pickup, but he talked me back down to the 3/4, as long as those heavy hauls are short distance, low speed, occasional…

VIN Decoder data, if we can trust that:

MFR model code
CK25953
Body type:
Long Bed
Pass Doors:
2
Alternative name:
4WD Extended Cab Long Box
Alternative body:
Extended Cab Pickup – Long Bed
Drivetrain:
Four Wheel Drive

Original Pricing
MSRP
$30,875.00
Invoice
$27,015.63
Destination Charge
$850.00

Engine & Powertrain
Type
8 Cylinder Engine
Displacement L/CI
6.0/364
Fuel Type
Gasoline Fuel
Horsepower
300.0 @ 4400
Fuel Economy
0.0 City / 0.0 Highway
Fuel Capacity
20.0 / 34.0 gal
Net Torque
360.0 @ 4000

Tech Specs
Manufactured By United States Chevrolet
Active Curb Weight – Front3318 lbs (3318.0 min/3318.0max)
Curb Weight – Rear2335 lbs (2335.0 min/2335.0max)
Suspension Type – FrontTorsion Bar
Suspension Type – Rear2-Stage Multi-Leaf
Front Tire SizeLT245/75R16
Rear Tire SizeLT245/75R16
Brake ABS SystemFour-Wheel
Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness12.8 x 1.5 in
Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness13 x 1.1 in
Wheelbase157.5 in (157.5 min/157.5max)
Ground Clearance, Front10.6 in (10.6 min/10.6max)
Ground Clearance, Rear13.6 in (13.6 min/13.6max)

The vehicle we took out for possible trade-in sprung a leak in the brake line on the way out. He topped us up and sent the bottle along with at no charge. The leak was too quick though, we’d not even gassed up again before the light was back on. Hubby refused to top up again, didn’t think it would do much good. Very glad to be back home safely, won’t be driving the truck ever again unless hubby can fix that leak at minimal expense. Don’t see paying for it to be fixed at this point, either someone mechanically inclined will buy it, or we’ll call AAA to haul it to scrap yard. We could probably sell it for a little more if it’s test drivable.

[dlskidmore]

Thanks for the recommendation! They’re only 2 hours from me. Look like they have some nice deals available. Still in the borrow money range, but the borrow less money range. Hubby and I chatted, we committed to paying off the school loan so we have car payment budget. The credit union APR is a mite bit lower than the school loan, so that works out in our favor too.

Will probably put the stock trailer off until next year and stick with the crate in the back solution one more year.

[dlskidmore]

It’s come down to needing to actually act on this plan. The F-150 isn’t going to pass inspection in November. I’m not all that mechanically savvy, but I’m pretty sure parts of the suspension are not supposed to be sticking up through the bed of the truck. We’ve severely abused her this year, putting a ton in the back of the half ton pickup a couple of times, then there was the time a couple years ago when we got her stuck in the mud and a neighbor supplied an awful lot of force in the form of a very large tractor to get her out.

I’d started out looking on Craigslist. Saw a few good deals that got snatched up before I could get to them, then a bit of a dry spell. Looks like I could get another half ton pickup in a hurry if it came down to it, not a lot of 3/4 tons around, a few full tons here and there. The full tons are generally lower mileage and better shape than the 3/4 tons at the same price, I don’t drive a lot so the gas mileage doesn’t bother me much, only worry is how to park the thing when I do need to take it into town once a week or so. I’m thinking I’m probably going to need to get out a loan if I’m getting a 3/4 or full ton. I could take half my cash on hand and pay off my last school loan, then I’d have that payment money to put towards a truck loan. Only half tons are available in my cash range besides the occasional fleeting deal.

[dlskidmore]

I’ve considered making a larger crate from sheep panels. Does it even need a roof in good weather? But I don’t know as if that would hold up well when transporting pigs? (Pigs is the next project, hubby likes bacon too much to hold firmly to the no new projects line.)

[dlskidmore]

Rick,

The average person isn’t for rescue horses, or else there wouldn’t be any. Who would turn down desirable and free? I was specifically mentioning it for Carl who was looking for a cheap problem horse.

If the culture expands some, there could be some profit in someone like Carl adopting problem horses and training them to sell after they have some experience. Now as he’s pointed out a good pair at the time of sale doesn’t stay a good pair under bad leadership, but it does smooth the transition for someone learning or of minimal skill to start with horses that know what to expect of a good leader, avoiding the green + green issue.

[dlskidmore]

Your original post seemed to be asking for actual horses, not just ideas about horses. You might find more horses in that sort of condition through a horse rescue group? In my part of NY there were a lot of ads for horses at the beginning of winter as people started thinking about how much hay they needed to get.

[dlskidmore]

Hubby is down on the oxen this year plan, but he’s on board with upgrading the truck and getting either a stock box or a trailer. Will be glad to be able to haul more than 3 lambs at a time. (Been using a 54″ dog crate.) I’m leaning towards the trailer, it’s a lesser climb for the stock, and more flexible for future endeavors. The stock box does have the fuel economy advantage in small long hauls, but I can always go back to the dog crate method if I want to pick up a single ram.

[dlskidmore]

I’m definitely leaning towards 4 wheel drive and heavier truck, probably in the spring. Would love to have that and a stock box or trailer before I make butchering appointments for next winter. (Local place books up early, I’ll make appointments not long after I have a head count in the spring. Current stock mover won’t handle everybody that needs to go in one sitting.)

[dlskidmore]

…but you’re always stuck with that goose neck connection in the bed of the truck, and you loose the cargo space in the truck when you’ve got the goose neck trailer hitched up?

[dlskidmore]

Wow, I asked a question on the internet, and all the answers agree!

If the truck is beefy enough to handle the 16′ as a bumper tow, is there an advantage to going with a goose neck instead?

[dlskidmore]

You still looking? What state does this PC need to end up in? I might be able to hook up a ride for an old PC from NY to NH. You need a Windows license to come with that? (That I might not be able to arrange.)

[dlskidmore]

That’s a weekday, will be harder for me to get there than a Saturday, but I think I can make it with only the one day of work lost. You are close enough I can drive out after work the night before.

[dlskidmore]

I can’t commit right now, but I’m interested. How early in the day will you start? Can you recommend places to stay nearby?

• This reply was modified 10 years ago by dlskidmore.

[dlskidmore]

I like to move mine frequently in the spring. We raise grain/soy free lamb, and we really need that early spring grass to support pregnancy and lactation, so we can’t just keep them close and feed lower quality hay. Moving them frequently reduces trampling problems.

Likewise in fall I’m flushing, so I save a pasture of stockpiled forage for that if I can. If they beat it up too much that pasture will get a rest in the spring.

In the bitter parts of winter the animals are in the barn on deep bedding. Our snow drifts high enough the critters could walk right over the fences if so inclined.

[dlskidmore]

A) They are already trained, just in need of a new place.
B) Too long of a drive to visit regularly.

I hope I can get a workshop out of the old owner before just loading up and going home.

I don’t know at this point if it’s happening or not…

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