Yikes 1dog, your post broke the cliche-o-meter!
Though I agree with several of your points. The question I have for the op is why an 18t? A 7.5t has go anywhere advantages and lower licence requirements, a 26t has obvious payload benefits and an artic has flexibility, payload and ready supply in its favour.
I firmly believe that by starting with a unit I started right, because I have a decent cab and I can hire the right back end for this week’s job, and if need be, hire a different back end for next week.
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