My M543A2

[mbal]

well, i got most of it done besides some little things that i have to do one the weekends. I ended up nameing it after my grandpa leonard Ballor or as he said it "st. Len" , he was in world war 2 and died last year. I know a lot of you guys like to see them in army camoflauge but these are the colors of our company and we like to have our trucks the same colors. I still have some questions for you guys that i will post later, so let me know what you guys think about the truck.

 

[maddawg308]

Nice looking trucks. But I think the following:

1. You will have a problem with bees making homes in the nooks and crannies of them.

and

2. You should paint the word "DeWalt" on the door of that top one. Not sure why.

 

[citizensoldier]

I think it looks great. A real life TONKA truck.. I mostly like my stuff camo but in this case I will make a exception.. I like it!!

 

[mbal]

Thanks guys, Maddawg these pics are of the same truck before and after.
And yes i would agree about the dewalt decal on the before pic

 

[timntrucks]

i love wreckers in any color, job well done thanks for the pics

 

[ajg6989]

nice clean wrecker but would better in OD

 

[WillWagner]

Or in desert colors ajg6989, nice truck!

 

[Armada]

Another Michigander! Nice job. Paint is paint. Still has the soul of an MV.

 

[Bill W]

She looks good in civie clothes

 

[pa.rich]

Real nice paint job.

 

[acetomatoco]

Da Mack puppy dog makes the unit!!!

 

[Knucklehead]

I like the paint and espically the chrome windshield frames, the truck looks very nice.

 

[dirtyfingernails]

Very nice truck. What's the tire manufacturer and size? Thanks.

 

[zak]

Matt are you on 13 or Linwood rd? I'll have to keep an eye out the next time I come through

 

[mbal]

We are on m13 just north of linwood rd, if don't see it out there and the shop is open just stop on in.
I will check on the tire size this morning, i do know they are firestone.

 

[redass73]

nice truck... i do like yellow... all of our trucks yellow.

 

[area52]

A) I like it.

B) How do you tow with it and what can/do you tow with it?

C) if you don't mind me asking, what sort of rate do you charge for a tow or recovery with it?

D) Did I mention that I like it!!

 

[mbal]

The truck does have a tow bar on it, but because of the wheel base and the fact that it only goes 50 mph it will mainly be for recoveries. We have a 20 ton freightliner that handles pretty much anything heavy but in the winter we get a lot of snow so this should be able to help out and get some winch outs.
The priceing i am still working on, i am thinking different prices for the different situations becouse of the maintnance that would have to be involved. The manual says that everytime you forge deep water you have to regrease everything underneath. There also might have to be a round trip mileage because the truck is only suppose to get 5 or 7 miles to the gallon..Then there are always those times that our wreckers are unable to get to the disabled vehicle because of thick snow, sometimes the snow get right up to 3 ft and the county are to backed up to help out. I am still not sure what that charge would be but i am open to opinions. We always like to keep the cost low but with the fuel prices here and the liability ins sometimes its hard.

 

[mbal]

here is a picture of the towbar

 

[DDoyle]

Matt,
Nice looking truck. I'd be suprised if you get mileage as high as you mention above - something to consider when you set your rates. Also, beware they get stuck easy - don't ask how I know!

Local guy used one recovering lots of agricultural equipment, made good money with it - until he did without a snatchblock, and used a bolt for a shear pin in the rear winch drive - and burst the housing. He sold the truck rather than repair it.

Regards,
David