Looking4new
Super Member
- Joined
- Apr 8, 2012
- Messages
- 8,469
- Location
- Northern Ontario, Canada
- Tractor
- 2012 Kioti CK27HST w/cab
I now have two dump trucks... I built a 2002 2500 GMC 4x4 into a flatbed, then added sides and dump hydraulics. It is my "baby dump", and I use the crap out of it. If nothing else, it keeps local miles off my personal truck, and is rather "expendable". It has 150k on it and I expect it'll last a LONG time. I moved pretty much all of the dirt on our property with this little truck, and I still use it all the time to haul and move stuff. It is WAY more convenient than a dump trailer, IMO.
Also, having a bed with drop sides is simply wonderful, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Being able to spread from the 2-way tailgate is also a big plus. I added a leaf to the rear pack, which puts it in 1-ton truck territory, but about 4000lbs is as much as I'd be comfortable hauling any distance. Locally, I'm sure I've had 6000lbs on it without issue. (Local being association roads, not out on the blacktop...)
The downside to this truck is that the local pit has a $38 min charge, so going to the pit with this truck gets expensive FAST, since I can only get about $20 worth of roadbase on it...
View attachment 568796
To combat that problem, I also have this beast now... I bought as a straight truck, shortened to fit a 12' bed, and put a dump lift on.
View attachment 568797
I use it mainly for hauling roadbase to my property from the local pit. I also picked up a '9 Western plow for it and I'm hoping to plow our association roads this winter if they'll give me the contract. I also have a 10' belly blade that I'm going to mount to it for light grading. This truck is a beast, and was in great condition when I bought it, even though it's 37 years old. It is a 366 gasser, 5+2. It is not fun to drive in general, but it will haul and dump 12,000lbs without going over the 23,300lb gvw, and I can get 15,000 on it and still be under 26,000lbs. (It will only dump about 13,500lbs though, so I have to scoop some out with the loader if I go that heavy. Usually that's the last run of the day.) Because the curb weight is under 16k and I do not currently use it commercially, Colorado let me plate it as a personal vehicle for like $250/year. Insured with Progressive for something like $250/year liability. (Way cheaper than I thought it would be...) Even if I had to go commercial plates, it was only $500/year.
Note that it also has drop sides... They're heavy, but still come in handy once in a while. I need to get the tailgate converted to 2-way, since I can't spread with it like it is. And I need to paint it at some point. Probably Rustoleum smoke gray.
From my experience with my "baby dump", I'd suggest a 1-ton dump as being a great purchase. The 3500 that was posted above looks nice, but I prefer a more multi-use bed to the actual dump bed... I would not be afraid of that truck, and if it has been taken care of at all, which it appears to have been, the engine and trans should last a long long time...
Where did you score the Army box?