Work Truck Recommendations

[Celtictiger]

Update- I am here in the Philippines now 3 months. My wife is busy opening a pharmacy and I am just trying to acclimatize and soak up whats going on around me before pulling the trigger on anything. I posted a while back and got some great advice on milling- this option is still very much on the table. I am also looking at the idea of palay buying and selling. in the area I live farmers are selling rice straight from harvest for as low a 13 peso per kilo, if I were to transport that rice to a city 85km away I can get 19-23 peso per kilo. we have a bodega already but no truck. I am considering a truck that good handle 300 cavan approx 1500kg. I would also need a Isuzu elf etc to get to the not so accessible farmers. I have a family member that would act as a buying agent in the locality. My Mother in law thinks we could for sure do at least 2 trucks a month (I'm also considering bringing something back from city rather than an empty truck)..

Any recommendations on trucks (Isuzu forward or Giga- flat back??) plan on going to cubic to have a look at the truck dealers. I'm thinking used surplus model from Japan) anyone have any experience and could make recommendations especially on the trucks- I plan on bringing the local truck mechanic with us.   
 Maybe I should have posted this a s a new topic??

[The.Shadow]

Created a new topic for work truck recommendations

[Gray Wolf]

Celtictiger,

I have no actual experience buying a used truck in the PH, but there are some considerations you should keep in mind. First off, it's a very good idea that you're taking a good mechanic with you to examine the trucks. One of the first things I'd have him check is the steering column replacement. Japanese vehicles are right-hand drive and must be converted to left-hand drive before going on the market in the PH. One of the issues I've known others to experience is problems with the conversion work. You should be able to get a good vehicle in Subic, just leave yourself enough time to properly examine all aspects of the mechanics of any vehicle you purchase.  Good luck! 

[FMSINC]

Celtictiger

Hi, I have a rice mill in Panay Island, your idea is a sound one for making money.

However your profit is made when you buy the paddy so you must have some one that really knows what they're doing when buying from the farmers.

As for the trucks, under the law you can not put 300 bags on a singe axle truck so be prepared for a ticket if you happen to run up on a portable scale.

I have an Isuzu Giga 10 wheeler / 32 foot dropside that we use to transport paddy to our mill, as you are suggesting we also use an Elf /(14 foot Bed ) to get the paddy from the fields it brings the paddy to the 10 wheeler that is parked on the main highway. you can haul from 125 -150 bags per trip

Instead of buying a 15 year old elf I bought a Foton / Tornado / 14 foot bed / I have had the truck 7 years now with no major issues / Brand new cost was 689,000 all in

The Giga I found on the internet the 10 wheeler price is not much more then the singe axle Isuzu Forward but you can scale 500 bags of paddy with it where the forward around 250 bags it will use basically the same amount of fuel.

Expect to pay 1.5 to 1.8 Million for a good one

Take your time and check the internet sites for trucks once in a while there is a bargain

Try to stay away from the newer computerized trucks at Subic as you can find no one that has the test equipment to trouble shoot engine problems with the computer, mechanical is still the best way to go.

As to the truck body I like the Wing Van over the drop side as you can secure the load easier less headaches with tarping and theft etc.

Here is a web site you can get some ideas on cost of these trucks   https://www.philmotors.com

Oh buy the way you can double your income by milling the paddy instead of just selling it raw there are usually buyers at the mill for finished rice we usually buy and resell the milled rice from our traders

Good luck on your venture I have been in the rice business 17 years now and have always made money at it.

If you have any questions just contact me for some free advice

Tom

Farmers Milling & Supply Co. Inc.
Cogon, Panitan Capiz Panay Island 
Republic of the Philippines 5815
Phone 63-917-300-7499
E-mail farmersmilling@gmail.com



 

[Celtictiger]

Cheers gentlemen! Great information. I'm going to Manila for a week tomorrow for various business and I plan on having a look around a couple of dealers just to see whats out there and price etc. I believe 6 wheelers also come in tandem axle so that may be an option if the budget doesn't cover a giga at this point. ill keep you guys updated and likely be seeking further advice!

I very much appreciate the help!