Lease vs Own

I have mentioned this topic in the past, but I want to revisit it for your thoughts as I am not a great numbers guy. I am thinking strongly about selling off my box truck / Judson rig before this fall and leasing a new van from Butler. That would give me a new unit that can operate better in the winter and still have a second Butler in reserve.

I think I should be able to get around $30,000 for the Judson rig and thankfully, it is paid for so that will come back to me. The basic lease is about $800 per month (figure on a little more for the right set-up). I normally hate the concept of leasing, but that is really tempting me as I look ahead to winter.

Any thoughts?

https://www.butlersystem.com/current-offers.html

The way I see which option would be best is what will give you more returns when tax time comes, $ 800 is for lease for 3 years ?
Are you sure you can get 30 k for your judson rig ?

I honestly am reconsidering buying a new set up, if I sell my 2nd van, I probably will buy a used rig if I can find one with low hours, if not, I will buy a new machine and used van, since IRS is still allowing section 179 deduction, I know if I buy a new machine and used van, I will get around 12 - 13 k back by the time I file my taxes, that alone is almost half of the cost of the machine.
I saw a box truck in the east coast with almost new sapphire scientific 870ss, the guy wants 45 k for the set up which includes electric reel and fresh water tank, etc, talked to the guy last month but now I don't see the listing anymore, doesn't matter really cause I haven't sold my van yet, can't really do anything until then.

If I lived outside of the winter zones, this box truck would be my dream set-up....but I don't. As for actual value? I don't know, I have invested $30k into building it with a like new TNT and truck with 90k on the 5.2 diesel. I might have to advertise to the warmer areas, but I would probably settle for $22k-$25k as both machine and truck should last a long time.

I leased my water fed pole set up ONLY because it allowed me to avoid taxation on the equipment in my locality. Your equipment is assed a personal tax here.

I write off 100% of the payments. I have a $1 buy out.

I could not see for myself, any advantage to own it outright, other than avoiding payments. My tax advantage is better this way.

It would be nice to have that 30k in the bank in the winter season.

Lease is 100 % deductibles as well as buying under section 179, so I guess it depends on how much taxes are you anticipating on paying this year, it also depends on when you buy, if you sell the box truck closer to the end of the year and lease the butler right away, that only gives you $ 800 or $ 1600 tax deductibles vs whatever amount you spend on buying.
I personally like buying since it gives me a huge tax deduction plus I can always re sell at least at half price after a few years of use, but in your case, due to the area you live in a lease might be better because it gives you a full warranty on everything, hmmm that makes me wonder if it covers freeze damage ?

I was thinking the same thing Mo, a little reserve might be needed if the Summer is going to be so dead.

I don't know if it would cover freeze damage either? I would guess not, but my Butler van has handled the sub-zero weather pretty well over the years. Very good point on the lease not having a large advantage so late in the year....something to consider.