How Long Should a Truckmount last?

Biggest thing that shortens TM life is vibration, followed by heat in the vehicle. Since a PTO reduces both those things, the PTO usually lasts much longer and holds its value better. Main reason for short motor life is the 2 cyl motors most use. They cannot compete with a water cooled V-8 motor for either reliabity or lifespan. Some of the highend slideins like the Genesis use a 4 cylinder motor that gives you 15,000 hours and that is close to the CD type unit. The longest lived TM on the market is the Vortex unit. With it's Turbodiesel motor it is good for around 50,000 plus hours.Most of us would wear out long before it did.

For the GTA, you can do most of your jobs with a porty because of the number of highrises. In the West TMs rule. Can't run a good business without one.

Steamer: Where did I talk about cost of operation in my post? I didn't. It is a fact documented by studies on the subject that PTOs have lower operating costs for multi truck chains and franchise operators in total costs. The higher cost of gasoline may change that soon. Slideins are still the best choice for an owner operator that will take care of his units, cause the employees of the bigger chains sure don't. No clear winner on this subject. You just have to look at each situation separatly to see what is best. Like many things in life, there is a lot of gray and not much black and white.

Superglide Ken