F-550 replacement                                                                          01/25/19

Project Description and Cost Detail        

Scope Described

This warrant article proposes to replace the existing 2012 Ford F-550 with a Dodge Ram 5500 chassis and to be up-fitted with a dump body, plow and associated equipment to include a hydraulic sander. The existing Ford F-550 has reached the end of its useful life and has seen significant increase in maintenance costs.  Truck is a safety issue for the crew.  As well the existing plow is not considered commercial grade and has experienced extensive repairs, the replacement equipment is commercial and rated for municipal operations and verified through recent best practices with similar municipal operations. The existing sander is electric and the replacement will be hydraulic with all operations coordinated through the new Dodge Ram 5500 cab.

Keeping the existing plow and equipment with the old Ford F-550 insures the Village District of Eidelweiss will receive the highest value on outright sale or trade-in for the existing vehicle to lower the replacement cost of the F-550.

2019 F-550 MSRP is $52,000 to $58,170 depending on model.  As this cost difference between the base trucks is nominal, purchase of the heavier duty Dodge 5500 is recommended.  The 5500 will carry a larger sander and will support a wing plow, both of which are extremely beneficial for snow plow operations.

Failure to replace truck will be detrimental to winter plow operations as only one sander would be in service for all roads at both summits.  It is very high risk to place plow equipment in a run to failure mode as it increases risk to the safety of both the road traveling public and the DPW crew. 

Cost Detail

truck                                      $56,935

outfitting                             $43,680

Total                                      $100,615

Use $15,000 CRF            -$15,000

Total to be raised             $85,615*

Funding to be raised from a 5-year bank loan at 3.5% interest with a first year’s payment of $19,000.00

Proceeds from Trade or sale of F-550 truck, plow and sander will be placed into the Highway Equipment CRF. 

All figures are from dealer quotation and equipment price from the supplier