turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck??

   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #1  

BWS

Silver Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2002
Messages
208
Location
seattle area
Tractor
kubota l3830 hst/723 fel
anybody seen or installed a dump hydralic kit on there pickup??we need to get a lot of dirt into our back fields and i dont think a big dump truck could get back there so i was thinking of installing a northern [catalog] dump system on my 2001 dodge 3/4 4x4.any input on the fit or function of these kits would help.bws
 
   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #2  
BWS

Yes, it is quite common where I live. Trailer manufacturers, welding shops, snow plow dealers sell and install them up here. (Montana). I think you might be unhappy with the result, especially in such a new truck. 3/4 Ton trucks cannot carry much dirt without being grossly overloaded and a dump body will add a lot of weight before the first shovel full.

Another idea is a highway rated tandem dump trailer. The cost will be about the same and you do not lose your pick-up body.

There are numerous sellers out there and I think you will be able to carry more dirt.

Rick
 
   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #3  
I have a '77 F250 that I mounted a Hyd dump under a nearly new '87 Box. I have hauled a lot of dirt and it can dump more than the truck can legally haul.

I secured a plastic liner to the box for ease of dirt and wood sliding out. I did have to reinfoce the frame cross member where the ram pivot is welded on and had to weld the hinges on the back. The support that comes with the better kit allows the for good distribution and I wonder why people would add the weight of an inner box unless you have to drive it to church.

Only thing that I wish I would have got early on was the override relief springs which are awsome.
 
   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #4  
Do you have a temporary spot the dump truck could drop the load? If so you can get a 4 ton farm dump wagon for $900. The cylinder, pump and battery would be extra, another few hundred I think. You can save some money by using the tractor hydraulics assuming it has a remote.
 
   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #5  
Trucks! on TNN just did a show on the Load Hog. It uses an air bladder instead of hydraulics to lift the bed. No welding was required, the total kit weighs 120 pounds and can lift 4,500 pounds.
 
   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #6  
BWS,

Another option is Pickup Dump Inserts. They are made by more than one company. You can do a search for them on Google. Here is a link to one company I found for an example.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Pickup Dump Inserts /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #7  
FInd a old used up one ton dump truck at a city, county or state auction. It was tax money that bought it, so now its your turn to buy one and use it. Govdeals.com is a good place to start looking. Then you end up with a truck that will actually beable to do something. Dump trailers are a good deal as you save on insurance and plates. Leave it at homewhen not needed. No CDL stuff either.
 
   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #8  
better off buying a used dump trailer that can actual haul something. Its illegal and unsafe to actually haul any ideal load. One yard of of topsoil weighs in around 1 ton. One yard is only one backhoe bucket. You said you need to move a lot of dirt so that pickup dump kit is gonna be a waste of money when you can usually find a used dump trailer that will haul 3 times the amount leaglly for under 2-3 grand
 
   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #9  
I pull a 14,000 lb PJ dump trailer with my F550 and F250 I agree with the others that this is safer but would also mention that using the dump trailler also adds the additional braking. The better braking is very important imo.
 
   / turning a 3/4 ton truck into a dump truck?? #10  
FInd a old used up one ton dump truck at a city, county or state auction. It was tax money that bought it, so now its your turn to buy one and use it. Govdeals.com is a good place to start looking. Then you end up with a truck that will actually beable to do something. Dump trailers are a good deal as you save on insurance and plates. Leave it at homewhen not needed. No CDL stuff either.

Dump trailers are not immune from CDL requirements.
 
 
 
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