My next truck. Help me decide.

chew · May 7, 2010

So I ask you to cab-over or not to cab-over? Luckily my girlfriend and I can live with one vehicle currently. This gives me the opportunity to save and wait for the right truck. Thinking about an Isuzu NPR vs Ford F-350.

The Plan: We're living in BC in a year or two move back to Nova Scotia and build a house, buy an L3240 w/FEL and Backhoe.

The Usage: The truck would be used as a truck. Moving building material for our house. Used in landscaping our property, Hauling and moving everything from rock to loom. Gathering 4-8 cord of wood every year for heating. Transporting the tractor a few time a year. Possibly commute to work (20 min drive)

Requirements: Diesel and Manual Transmission.

Thoughts: A flatbed or even better a dump would be great. Now do I have a dump on the truck or get a dump trailer? Maintenance. The NPR is a cabover and when tilted everything is Right there so it saves big on time and is soo.. much nicer to work on. Also I like the looks of the little cab-overs most of the advantages of a pickup only better.

Transporting the tractor: Trailer it, Gooseneck Flatdeck or 14' 16' foot dump and only have one trailer no dump on the truck?

Some Isuzu NPR info. Dual Rear wheels. GVWR from 12,000-18,500 lbs
Wheelbase 109" 137" 150" Most trucks are in the 137" range I think. Bed lengths from 12'-18' I've also attached some photos of NPR's so you have an idea what I'm talking about. PLEASE tell me what you think!

16' bed I believe

109" WB and dump

Random NPR

View of engine with cab tilted forward

carpenter383 · May 7, 2010

I vote for the isuzu

Diamondpilot · May 7, 2010

When it comes to diesel pickups I am a Ford guy but for your needs the Isuzu fits your needs much better. The only down side would be if you could not get a 4x4. These dually trucks are very easy to get stuck. Do not ask me how I know. I have had these type stuck on wet grass.

Chris

farmboy12 · May 7, 2010

Just about everything Chris says. Although you can get 4x4 Mitsubishi FG140s ( I think that's the correct number). They are cabover.

Kyle

CurlyDave · May 8, 2010

Unless you are going to use it commercially, a good truck and a dump trailer is much less costly than a dump truck.

As much as I would have loved a dump truck, a got a dump trailer and am quite satisfied. The disadvantage is that sometimes I have to make multiple trips to do what a single load in a truck would accomplish. The advantage in fuel economy, insurance and purchase price outweighed the few times a year I need a big single load.

Dump trailers are usually lower than dump trucks, making for easier loading. And, I can park the trailer at a site until it is full. Think about that. Showing up at work in an empty dump truck is edgy enough, showing up in one half full of garbage is way out of the ordinary...

flusher · May 8, 2010

I like the red dump version--get one with a stout ball and pintel combo hitch and you'd have your requirement satisfied.

Nice thing about the NPR in the US is that the GVWR is under 26001 lb so you can operate it with a non-commercial driver license. However, on that type of license you'd be limited to a 10,001 lb GVWR trailer. You'd need a commercial license to tow a larger trailer.

Another consideration is cost of licensing and insurance since there is no way you'd convince someone that the NPR isn't a commercial truck even if you declare it non-commercial. So you'd be paying commercial fees and insurance premiums.

After seeing YouTube videos of F350 cabs being lifted off the frame for engine access to pull the heads, cabovers are very attractive.

schmism · May 8, 2010

i like the NPR

but insurance may be an issue, id check into that first.

mmmmmmm crew cab.... to bad you wont find it in the US i dont think...

MESSMAKER · May 8, 2010

A flatbed with racks and a dump cylinder has a lot going for it. Add 4x4 and a good hitch and I like it even better. A cabover is a litttle funky inside the box, and getting in and out but not a deal breaker. I drove a Hino like the one above. Not a luxury ride or a powerhouse, but it got the job done.

Cat_Driver · May 8, 2010

Since you buy these vehicles as cab and chassis and you decide on the bed you can get what ever you want so get creative. You can go with a flatbed dump with optional sides both low and high. Bolt on Rack and or tool boxes if you need them, or took boxes under the bed so the boxes rise even in the dump position.

With ramps you can drive the tractor right on the truck and transport it that way depending on the weight bed length etc.

But certainly you can get one truck to handle all your needs. Find a great body builder and you will be in great shape.

chew · May 8, 2010

Thanks everyone for your input so far. Good point about a dump trailer being easier to load CurlyDave. As for the Isuzu getting stuck well that's just another reason for the tractor isn't it

The worst part so far has been finding them in a manual transmission 99% out there are autos. I've thought about the Mitsubishi but I think there are more Isuzus / GMC w3500-4500 on the road so easier to find parts when the need arises.

I'm looking into what insurance may cost at the moment So well see how big a difference that is. Oh and driving to work. Well I'm an electrician in the trades so it shouldn't be too out of place at a job site or at the shop. I'm assuming I wont be using it for work because if I do that's all the more reason for more truck. So I figure best to plan for not using it there.