Buying a truck. I need your input!

[sodaman]

I have had 88, 90, 93, 96 and 2001 Chevy S-10's, traded them for another one when they had around 120,000 miles on them, I have hauled UHaul trailers with 4 jukeboxes and 2 Coke machines and another 2 in the bed of the truck, from Indiana to Harper's Ferry WV and never had a problem, also hauled 6 Coke machines standing up in the bed of the truck 300 miles to Chicago and sold them to Ben Franse, he couldn't believe my 1 inch clearance from the wheel well to the tire but I made it.  On my last 2 I have had a Tommy Lift that I move on the the next truck that has saved my back many times over.  You don't see many S-10's with a lift but every S-10 I have had has performed very well but they all have been auto transmissions.

[BrianB]

H,

I agree, that truck of yours has hauled some pretty big payloads and that Tommy Lift is a lifesaver. I recall a Seeburg Trashcan and a Hientz Pepsi Cooler making the trip from Chicago! 

[loman4ec]

Ok what is a tommy lift??? If it helps load I need one. With my bad hip and bad back I need as much help as I can get

[SIGNGUY]

Ok what is a tommy lift??? If it helps load I need one. With my bad hip and bad back I need as much help as I can get

It's basicall a lift gate for a back of a Pickup truck,,, a must of you can't lift stuff.. but not sure what the requirements are for size of truck, etc.. not sure how much they are.

[bubba]

Ok what is a tommy lift??? If it helps load I need one. With my bad hip and bad back I need as much help as I can get

I'm installing one on one of our work trucks today. It is an awesome tool. I've never seen one on a S-10, but I guess they can be made. I'd be worried about the weight. I'm installing a 1500lb gate on a F250, and the gate alone weights in at 500lbs. on a 2wd S-10, I think the back end may be dragging the ground with the gate, let alone a machine of some type.

[90grad]

Josh,

Try this link...  They say they make lift gates for S-10s.

http://www.eagleliftgates.com/pdf/p7.pdf

[loman4ec]

I was thinking about buying one of these. It hooks into your trailer hitch and is easily removed and there is no modification to the truck at all.
It lifts up to 500 lbs and the base is bigger than a coke machine so it should work. Its from Harbor freight and it only costs $229. I figure its worth a try however the S10 is so low to the ground it should be easy to slide a machine in and out.


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=47591

[bubba]

Something like that I don't think I would be comfortable with a Harbor Freight lift. I've bought some of their other things and the quality isn't something I would trust at or near the capacity.

[loman4ec]

I bought one of their folding trailers and it was great!. I loaded it up with 5 machines, an Air compressor and several other things and it went from Memphis to Cincinnati running about 70 mph on the highway with no problem. I used is a lot over about a two year period and it was great! I plan on buying another one when I get back but I will buy the one with 12" wheels instead of 8". I bet the bearings in those 8" wheels were red hot after running long distances at 70 mph

I have found their power tools are junk but most other things are not too bad.

[Kilroy]

Josh, My firend has a S10, and a full size Ranger,  the S10 is far and away so much eaiser to  get a machine in and out of.  We've hauled 3 jukeboxes  in the back and loading and unloading was a breeze.