In May I bought a 1987 GMC (grill is from a Chevy) V3500 dump. It has a 6.2L diesel, TH400 auto transmission and four wheel drive. The official reason for owning it is for peronal use around our land and for work chores around my house as well as family and friends. The real reason is that I always wanted one and it kind of nostalgic for me.
It was owned by a farmer prior to me and a local city prior to the farmer. I know the history of the truck and it never had an easy life. It was nearly totaled about a year after it was purchased when a driver was plowing and hit a catch basin, crumpling the right side of the frame. It was fixed many years later and put into use salting school parking lots until it was auctioned off due to sheet metal rot. The farmer put all new fenders, inners, doors and a cab from the south on it. He also used it to carry a salt spreader for a few years. He dumped a ton of money into it, and yet cheaped out on most of the repairs. I'd list them, but it would take far to long. Needless to say it is a road worthy constant project. Besides the purchase price I have invested an additional $1000 so far and have made only one offical load to a friends house. And blew out the exhaust doing so. The laundry list of maintenance tasks fills an 8 x11 sheet of paper, back and front.
The practicallity of the truck is low. Dry weight is around 7000 lbs. GVWR is 10,000 lbs. So realisticaly is can only handle a cubic yard of material depending on the density. A yard looks like a teaspoon of dirt in the back. 3 yards looks right, but the GVW, springs and performance all say its way overloaded.
It has a 10,000 lb GVWR, which allows me to register and insure under normal passenger plates. Commercial registration is required at 10,001. For the money, insurance and resgistration is almost equal, but if I went commercial I would need signs, DOT inspections, a log book, med card, DOT number, fuel users tax records and apportioned plates to travel into NY. Waaaaaay to much hassel for a personal use truck.
Essentially - a 1 ton dump is not a good choice for a work truck unless you absolutley want one and realize the short comings. All one tons are usually pretty thrashed from inexpereinced drivers (non CDL), over loading, and extreme duty for the drive train. Muni trucks even more so. Add in tasks like plowing and sanding, it becomes a challenge just to own the truck and keep it road worthy. I'd say a good 3/4 ton with dump trailer would out perform and cost much less.
Unless you're like me and love to pour your spare cash into old trucks. Its my only vice.
