Dumptrucks - Buying v/s Converting a Flatbed

herdfan · Mar 24, 2004

I've been searching for a 1 ton, 4x4 dumptruck for my farm. I need to stay below the CDL limit and need something that is road-worthy to make it to the gravel pit and landfill (15 miles one-way).
Oh - and I also wanted to stay under $6-7,000.
No luck finding this setup so far. It seems that lots of folks want this same truck as well. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
I have found some 4x4 1 ton trucks with dual wheels that have a flatbed with staked sides. I've seen those hoist kits at Northern Tools and Pierce, but would it make sense to throw down an extra $2-3,000 on top of the cost of a flatbed truck to get a dumper?
I have also run across a 14 foot steel dump bed and hoist system that was off of an old dumptruck (C-60 or 70?) for $1,000. Could this be fitted onto a Chevy 3500 or F-350 for a reasonable amount?
Any words of wisdom are appreciated.
Eric

BRUSHTAMERS · Mar 24, 2004

I guess first things first, do you have a running truck frame to start with? If not, you'll have to probably cut down that available hoist/deck combo to fit whatever frame you get. Biggest issue is the CDL requirments. If you can find a 4-5 yd dump truck with mechanical, rather than air brakes, your're in 'em. License it at the minimum weight, and if there is a scale between you and your destination, avoid it like the plague if there is an official car around. Sunday morning is a good bet, day old doughnuts are 1/2 off or better. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Is 4x4 necessary, or just would be handy? My current work rig is a 1980 Chev 1 Ton with a hydraulic/electric hoist and 12' foot deck.I'm the third owner, and it has been locally owned since brand new as custom ordered by a concrete contractor, sold to a paving contractor, sold to me for $3500. Too much? Probably, but I'll by God get my moneys worth out of it. I'll run the truck till it's last gasp, scrap it, and keep the hoist and deck frame, which in good shape we know we can get at least $1000 for. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

herdfan · Mar 24, 2004

BRUSHTAMERS

Thanks for the quick response. It's nice to know that there are other "night owls" out there.
4WD may or may not be necessary. I have a 3/4 mile long driveway with 4 slips that I'm trying to haul away. I've been loading the mud/dirt onto a 5 ton trailer and pulling it uphill to the dumpsite (no other good place to dump), which is about a 7% grade. My tractor ('72 Ford 2000 - 2WD) gets a little reluctant to make the trip a time or two (or three) and I wind up having to help it along with my newer tractor (the only one with a loader). I don't really think that a 2WD dumptruck would have the same problem since these would be 2 totally different loading situations, not to mention the power differences, but I would hate to get into my work and start having traction problems. In your experience, is this much of a problem on those grades? The loaded gravel trucks don't have any trouble at all, but there is a lot more weight over those drive wheels.

As far as the flatbed frame, I think that I could just get the hoist kit installed (for $2K) as there is a structural frame under the bed that is bracketed onto the truck's chassis. The issue with this scenario, though is that the total cost would be $6,500 for a 1985 gas F-350 4X4 with the flatbed dump. The $1,000 steel dump bed and hoist would make more sense if it would work, since I may be able to sell the old flatbed and recoup the cost of installation of the other dump bed (maybe?).

I'm gonna go check out a '76 F-600 with dump bed in the AM. It's going a notch up from the 1 tons, but is still underweight for any special licensing down here, and may actually be a better fit for what I need.

Of course, I'm relatively new to all this, so my logic may not hold much water and I will certainly take no offense to being nudged in the right direction. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

herdfan · Mar 24, 2004

Oh - almost forgot.
A logical solution would be to rent a dumptruck, but I only found 2 places that rent them and they all require a CDL license. Also, they require a special insurance policy for a cool Mill in liability which is not covered on my homeowner's policy.
A usable dumptruck would always come in handy and would be nice to have around in case it's needed. Also, it may even help generate a little cash flow with some odd jobs around the neighborhood.

Moon · Mar 24, 2004

I just heard about a dump truck for sale. Its a 1979 one ton dually (no 4x4). My boy works at the place that has it for sale and I only glanced at it as we drove by. From afar it looked pretty good. My boy said the inside of it was in pretty bad shape, but it does run good. It is sitting just outside of Belpre Ohio, which is just across the river from Parkersburg WV. They have it priced at 3500. I'd be glad to snap a few pictures of it if you think you'd be interested.
Moon of Ohio

jmc · Mar 24, 2004

Herdfan,

I went thru that same thought process and ended up with a dump trailer because I didn't want another vehicle to maintain, insure, and license. picture attached. I also wanted to haul my tractor in it. Traction was not an issue as with yours. But I don't see why a 7% grade would be a problem though unless it was loaded too far back to have serious tongue weight.

John

RobS · Mar 24, 2004

I did a little checking into the dump truck thing recently. I decided I would be money ahead by hiring the hauling I need. You might find a better deal in a bigger truck. You can find single axle medium trucks (Chev C60, International etc.) for $3000 and up. Still under CDL but much more truck than a one ton. I considered an 84 International for $2500. It ran and drove but needed some work. I figured the purchase price, gas, insurance, plates and some repair money. It was very close to being a wash with hiring it out but one or two unplanned repairs plus my own time put it in the red for me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

DougM · Mar 24, 2004

I like the looks of ur trailer ...
Now I have to go and look at them

DougM

SteveH_CT · Mar 24, 2004

That is one "kick a$$" trailer... please tell me what make is it? That thing would solve a lot of my log moving, rock moving, earth moving problems.

Thanks,

RayH · Mar 24, 2004

herdfan,
Where in WV are you? Im up near Martinsburg (eastern pan handle). If you are using it for farm use only, you can get by without a CDL. If you are using it for personal use (how this is enforced is beyond me) you dont need a CDL until you go over 26000lbs. Last year I bought a 97 F350, 4X4, Powerstroke, 5spd, dual rears, 8X7 dumpbed and am very happy with it. Its got a PTO dump. The PTO dumps are stronger but they are harder to find and have other drawbacks. It was extremely hard to find this combination in decent shape. I ended up paying $18000 for it w/a V-plow and only 56000 miles. I had to go to Manassas VA to get this one. I dont know exactly where you are located but there are a couple of lots around here that specialize in trucks and usually have something on the lot that may appeal to you.