Dump Truck or Trailer?

[allen in texas]

Here's my rig. Just happened to be loaded and behind my office.

 

[crashz]

Allen, that's a nice set up.

Well the truck I was interested in was sold. No big deal, because I think you guys have me convinced on the dump trailer.

BTW- I'd be pulling it with my 2500HD.

 

[tomcat7359]

This is what works for me.. Great toys to play with !!!

 

[bdog]

Bought a 16' PJ gooseneck dump today. I really like it so far.

Only thing I need to learn is to know when I have too much weight on it. The 16' is nice because it fits my machine and you could load it plum full of branches or debris or mulch but it has a 8.2 yard capacity with the 24" sides. That would be roughly 18,000lb of dirt. The trailer weighs 5,000 empty so full of dirt it would be 23k and it is only rated at 15,680lb. I filled it nearly full today just moving some dirt across my property and you could tell the tires were not liking it but it dumped it like a champ. I guess one should not load over five yards of dirt in it which is probably a good amount anyway because you don't want a heaping load going down the highway.

My M59 fit and loaded with ease. The trailer is low enough I bet I could load it without ramps using the bucket to lift the front.

 

[crazyal]

I found an older, low mileage International dump years ago. I think it's called a 2 1/2 ton (Loadstar 1700 4x4). I wanted a truck so I could put a plow on it but I really wanted a dump trailer because like most others have said, it's just cheaper. Well now I'm not so sure about the trailer. With a dump truck it's just easier to use. If you are trying to put stone down on a driveway you can gate spread it. Simply looking in your mirror and you can tell pretty close to where you want to start spreading. It's easier to maneuver, no jockeying around if you want to back into a tight spots. No matter what I've put in the bed it easily dumps it. The biggest advantage I've found so far is that loader operators at the local gravel pits love to load as much as they can. After watching my neighbor use his tractor and chains to help lift the bed on his dump trailer because the hydraulics alone weren't enough to budge it I've decided to hold off getting a dump trailer.

 

[crashz]

Good looking rigs Tom and bdog! I am jealous!


Al, that's been my experience too. Plus my father always had a 1 ton dump kicking around for the small stuff. I drove those all the time and found them handy for the stuff that damages pickups (ies thrown firewood, heavy awkward things, soils, etc). A small dump truck is very handy. The right size is key though. A typical one ton is too small, and I'd rather not go quite as large as your 1700. A Class 4 or 5 truck would be perfect.

Some things have changed at home, so I need to put my side business back on hold and put the truck issue to bed for a while.

 

[crashz]

So...

I've looked at frames for my 1 ton, and other trucks lately. A couple deals fell through, but mostly junk to look at. But, now I've come into two things that will solve my problems.

1) My father found a guy that parts out military trucks. He has a frame coming for my 87. I'd love to make that a good running truck again. But a frame-ectimy takes a long time...

...And my needs for small dump are still current and while not urgent, are holding up other plans.

2) I've found a F450 2wd dump, 7.3L PS with 5 speed, that runs a drives very nice. At the price (which is only slightly out of my price range), its actually flip-able. I think I'm going to buy it.

The Good:
- The brakes are really good
- E brake works well
- Clutch is strong, engages low, and didn't slip when I accidentally took off in 3rd gear. Clattered like mad though.
- Motor runs sweet
- AC works
- Truck body is nearly flawless
- Frame, mounts and dump all very good, could use a little paint
- Floor and ribs of dump body are good, no holes.
- Took it on the highway and ran it at 65-70 with no problem.

The (only) Bad:
- Needs tires. Fronts are cupped on both edges and cause a little vibration at hwy speed.
- Not really a bad, but the trans shifts like an old truck. No syncro issues or anything, but it is hard to find the right gear at times. A fair amount of vibration through the stick, but its a 12 year old, class 4 truck. Nothing excessively whiney or noisy.
- Exterior of dump body is covered in scale. Thick rust that will need a hammer and chisel to clean before sanding. Will need a day or two to clean all of the scale, sand and paint with a brush or roller.

If I buy the truck, I need at least 2 front tires, an alignment. I'll knock off the rust, paint the frame and paint the dump body. I'll change all of the fluids (Rotella 5w-40 for the engine, Redline for the trans, M1 gear oil for the rear axle), grease everything, change the fuel filter, and add SCA to the coolant. Might even get some simulators for it.

So what do the members think of this? Ford guys, is there anything in particular to watch for? Other than the 2wd, I believe this is the combo to get when looking for a dump. My biggest hurdle is SWMBO. Its going to cost a lot more than the petty cash I keep on hand.

 

[terryknight]

what year? 12 years old makes it an 03. that was a cross over year. PMR rods but that's not an issue unless you start adding power. 5 speed do you mean 5 speed with granny low, ie 6 speed? what rear gears? how many miles? it should have a straight axle and may need ball joints. i like the 7.3 have a 350 dump. i think it sounds good

 

[crashz]

Sorry, yes its a 2003 model with 165K miles.

No low gear. Just 5 forward gears. Maybe the 6 speed came with the 6.0L?

I thought the powdered metal connecting rods were on newer engines. I didn't know they were used in the 7.3L PS.

Not sure on the rear gears. Doesn't seem to deep though. Maybe 4.10s? I doubt its 4.88, but maybe.

I'll bring a jack with me and check the front end. Thanks!

Does this have the dual mass flywheel? I've heard some horror stories of those.

 

[kevinwak]

So... I've looked at frames for my 1 ton, and other trucks lately. A couple deals fell through, but mostly junk to look at. But, now I've come into two things that will solve my problems. 1) My father found a guy that parts out military trucks. He has a frame coming for my 87. I'd love to make that a good running truck again. But a frame-ectimy takes a long time... ...And my needs for small dump are still current and while not urgent, are holding up other plans. 2) I've found a F450 2wd dump, 7.3L PS with 5 speed, that runs a drives very nice. At the price (which is only slightly out of my price range), its actually flip-able. I think I'm going to buy it. The Good: - The brakes are really good - E brake works well - Clutch is strong, engages low, and didn't slip when I accidentally took off in 3rd gear. Clattered like mad though. - Motor runs sweet - AC works - Truck body is nearly flawless - Frame, mounts and dump all very good, could use a little paint - Floor and ribs of dump body are good, no holes. - Took it on the highway and ran it at 65-70 with no problem. The (only) Bad: - Needs tires. Fronts are cupped on both edges and cause a little vibration at hwy speed. - Not really a bad, but the trans shifts like an old truck. No syncro issues or anything, but it is hard to find the right gear at times. A fair amount of vibration through the stick, but its a 12 year old, class 4 truck. Nothing excessively whiney or noisy. - Exterior of dump body is covered in scale. Thick rust that will need a hammer and chisel to clean before sanding. Will need a day or two to clean all of the scale, sand and paint with a brush or roller. If I buy the truck, I need at least 2 front tires, an alignment. I'll knock off the rust, paint the frame and paint the dump body. I'll change all of the fluids (Rotella 5w-40 for the engine, Redline for the trans, M1 gear oil for the rear axle), grease everything, change the fuel filter, and add SCA to the coolant. Might even get some simulators for it. So what do the members think of this? Ford guys, is there anything in particular to watch for? Other than the 2wd, I believe this is the combo to get when looking for a dump. My biggest hurdle is SWMBO. Its going to cost a lot more than the petty cash I keep on hand.

why don't trucks like that ever show up in my area?

 

[terryknight]

Sorry, yes its a 2003 model with 165K miles.

No low gear. Just 5 forward gears. Maybe the 6 speed came with the 6.0L?

I thought the powdered metal connecting rods were on newer engines. I didn't know they were used in the 7.3L PS.

Not sure on the rear gears. Doesn't seem to deep though. Maybe 4.10s? I doubt its 4.88, but maybe.

I'll bring a jack with me and check the front end. Thanks!

Does this have the dual mass flywheel? I've heard some horror stories of those.

the 6 speed started in with the 99 some of the very early 99 i've heard of having a 5 speed, but i have never seen one. i don't know what is going on there, but i'm skeptical. the PMR (yes powdered metal rods) started in 00 though a few forged rod motors did make it into later trucks. i would guess 4.30s but it could be 4.10s. DMF (dual mass flywheels) were a horror, but they stopped with the OBS trucks in 97

 

[crashz]

Thanks Terry! You are a wealth of SD knowledge and I appreciate it!

Maybe it is a 6 speed. Now I'm not sure. Reverse is far left and up. It could be a 6. Opps.

 

[terryknight]

yes the ZF6 has reverse up and to the left ZF5 has it down and to the right.

 

[hutchman]

Here is my new 'trailer'



I spent 6 months on Craigslist (or more) pondering the truck or trailer options; seeing what things sold for etc., and I chose an old dump truck. A good heavy duty trailer doesn't turn up used around here often and if it does you can't get to it fast enough to beat someone else to it. If I did get one, it would of cost more than the dump truck I got and my F-150 wouldn't have been able to pull it so a HD pickup + dump trailer was way more expensive than the route I went.

This is a 1982 International S-1900 that started life as a VEPCO power truck. Was auctioned off at 69K miles and converted to a 16ft. staked dump body dump (twin dump cylinders!) with 54" sides that a guy bought and used in his landscaping business and then sold it to his nephew who I got it from (3 owners in 33yrs - not bad). It's got 201K miles on it. It has the legendary DT466 (inline 6 cyl. diesel - 210HP @500ft. lbs. torque) engine in it.

My tractor can't dump anything in it with the 54" sides on (which makes it 9ft tall) but I'm going to cut a 6-7ft. section on each side and hinge it to swing out like a barn door so my tractor can load it with the sides on.

For now I've been using it without the sides ... the excavator guy I hired has been loading me up with stumps and I've been carting them to the corner of the property. Next job is to spread gravel with it building my 1/4 mile road ... something that can't easily be done with a dump trailer.

For my use, an old dump truck was the best option ($5-6K range).

Edit: Oh yea, forgot to mention ... it's a class 7 truck but not registered (is titled) ... Farm Use tags on it ... so no CDL required in Virginia.

 

[2458n]

Rot Box - I own two and did not even know what I had. Do not ever buy a dump that was used for salting. Smart do not need to be told ,and dumb do not listen.

 

[hutchman]

Rot Box - I own two and did not even know what I had. Do not ever buy a dump that was used for salting. Smart do not need to be told ,and dumb do not listen.

True! One of the ones I looked at was a Ford L9000 with a Cummins L10. Was used as a salt/plow truck. Was double framed and had cracks from the cab back on both sides. Was asking $4K for it. A friend that is the sales mgr. of an International dealership told me to walk away from that one. The salt gets between the double frame rails and weakens the metal. Probably also didn't help the truck used wing plows too. Truck had less than 90K miles on it ... sad.

 

[zlock24]

Being in salt country, make sure you check out the oil pan on that 7.3. They are know to corrode badly if not taken care of properly. It can be a bit hard on the budget to replace so just a heads up. Other than that, a 7.3 truck is a great choice. Trust me I own two!

 

[crashz]

Nice truck Hutch! And clean too!

The problem in the NE is that any 4wd 1ton is a plow, salter or both. I've given up on any 4wds that I don't buy new. Can't save them without stripping them down and meticulously restoring every part. Which I will do eventually with the 87.

Good tip on the oil pan. Completely forgot about that.

You guys are great. Thanks, and keep them coming!

 

[RDrancher]

Here is my new 'trailer'
This is a 1982 International S-1900 that started life as a VEPCO power truck. Was auctioned off at 69K miles and converted to a 16ft. staked dump body dump (twin dump cylinders!) with 54" sides that a guy bought and used in his landscaping business and then sold it to his nephew who I got it from (3 owners in 33yrs - not bad). It's got 201K miles on it. It has the legendary DT466 (inline 6 cyl. diesel - 210HP @500ft. lbs. torque) engine in it.

My tractor can't dump anything in it with the 54" sides on (which makes it 9ft tall) but I'm going to cut a 6-7ft. section on each side and hinge it to swing out like a barn door so my tractor can load it with the sides on.

For now I've been using it without the sides ... the excavator guy I hired has been loading me up with stumps and I've been carting them to the corner of the property. Next job is to spread gravel with it building my 1/4 mile road ... something that can't easily be done with a dump trailer.

For my use, an old dump truck was the best option ($5-6K range).

Edit: Oh yea, forgot to mention ... it's a class 7 truck but not registered (is titled) ... Farm Use tags on it ... so no CDL required in Virginia.

Nice truck and looks pretty clean too! I like the removable sides.

 

[JJZ 109]

If you get the truck, here's a little tutorial I used for a coolant flush. It worked great. I didn't mess with SCA, I just bought Fleet Charge from Tractor Supply with the SCA already in it. You may also hear of test strips to check SCA if you go the route of adding your own. It's my understanding that the strips have a shelf life, so don't buy a ton for future use. The Diesel Stop is a great website for 7.3 Ford owners. I learned a lot there in my time with a 1997 7.3.
Coolant changing instructions... - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com