I've been looking for a heavy duty landscaping truck. Something that can tow a heavy skidsteer, CTL, and a excavator in the 9 ton range. Currently I use a Isuzu NQR and have my heavy equipment delivered. This works, but it adds needless complexity to the logistics of moving my stuff from one job site to the next jobsite. Right now I can haul about 3 yards of material in the back of my NQR and dump it. When I need more for a large job I have it delivered. Currently I have nothing that can move large quantities of pavers, retaining wall blocks, or large orders of synthetic decking material. I have to have all that delivered, and frankly it's hard to get on time delivery. Last season I could have completed more jobs if I had been able to move my own material. I'm looking at dump trucks that can tow a 26,000lb GVW trailer with air brakes. A large tilt deck trailer that can move 19,000lbs of equipment or pallets of material will work nicely with a dumpbody. Currently the truck I really like is the Nissan UD 3300 (33,000lbs GVW) with a Pioneer 4x4 system. My Isuzu and Toyota Tundra have been super (216,000 trouble free miles on the NQR, 125,000 trouble free miles on the Tundra) so I know the Japanese can build a stout work truck. The other thing I like about the UD is that with a dump body and 4x4 it only weighs around 14,000lbs due to it's cab over design. It also has a very short wheelbase making it maneuverable, good visibility, and it's just a nice truck all around. The drawback is that the dealer is 800 miles away in California. That's the closest dealer to Idaho. So the warranty basically means jack. For an $80,000+ truck that's a substantial gamble. The other drawback is that my local truck shop as never even heard of UD, let alone seen or worked on one. I don't think NAPA will carry parts for it either. All trucks break eventually, someday my Toyota or Isuzu will wind up in the shop. However it's a lot cheaper to drag my Isuzu 200 miles to Missoula than an 800 mile tow to Cali if dealer level diagnstics are required. Despite the fact that I really like the UD I had to check out other options. The Mack Granite in a 6x6 dump configuration really stood out. We have some gnarly winters up here and for months at a time my two wheel drive Isuzu can't leave the driveway. That's why I'm looking at 4x4 or 6x6 trucks. I also do a little plowing in the winter. However a reasonably well equipped Granite 6x6 will cost almost $100,000 more than a UD. One of the benefits of owning a Mack would be that the dealer is only 75 miles away. A relatively cheap tow in the event dealer level service is required. However a Mack Granite will cost 40% more to insure than a UD and with a tandem axle configuration I have an extra 4 tires to replace and an extra axle to service. Obviously I'll be able to tow a heavier trailer so as my business grows I'll get more capacity without having to purchase a larger truck. I can grow more with a Granite. I'm having a really hard time justifying near $200,000 for a truck though. My dealers salesman is not the sharpest tool in the shed, he kept calling the UD "Jap junk", probably not the smartest thing to say to a guy driving a Tundra with a Japanese mom. Anyway I've been digging around here and it seems this is the place to ask questions and get straight answers. What will my projected annual operating costs be assuming 12,000 miles annually? What kind of fuel mileage can I get? The UD 4x4 gets around 16mpg, I'm assuming a Granite gets around 10? What tires should I spec for the best compromise between traction and longevity? Assuming I keep the truck for 10 years what can I expect to get for it when I go to sell it? Is the Granite well built enough to go past 10 years? With the low mileage I'll be using the truck for can I keep it for a long time? Is it a "disposable truck" like the Freightliners or Internationals I looked at? Those two makes didn't impress me at all with ft and finish. Peterbilt and Kenworth were better, but they don't offer trucks with a powered front axle. What are some common wear items that I can expect to replace and at what mileages/age do they typically wear out? The Granite is available with more horsepower, rear end, and transmission choices than the UD. What are the best specs as far as compromising between performance and economy in mountainous (Rocky Mountain foothills type terrain) areas? How maneuverable is a Granite in real world conditions? Things like U-turns, backing up driveways, visibilty, etc. Is there a way to spec a Granite so that a powered front axle is unnecessary in snow and ice? That would reduce the purchase cost by quite a bit. I do like the looks of the Granite, but I need more info so I can make an informed decision. The only other truck out there that I like is the Mitsubishe Fuso FG, but it's 14,000lbs GVW. Not nearly enough truck. For any Granite owners out there, how did you justify the cost to your bottom line? The Granite is considerable more expensive than other trucks.