Which dump truck
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4570Man
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- Crossville, TN
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- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
Without a big upgrade to the brakes I wouldn’t want an automatic transmission anyway.
OP
liberty2701
Platinum Member
This question might stir the hornets nest of brand loyalty, but here it is anyway. Chevy,Ford or Dodge 1 ton dump, which is the better choice?
4570Man
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- Crossville, TN
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- Kubota M59, Kubota L3800, Grasshopper 428D, Topkick dump truck, 3500 dump truck, 10 ton trailer, more lighter trailers.
I’ve got a 1992 Chevy 1 ton dump 6.5 diesel. There’s 2 90s model 7.3 tons in the family. All 3 trucks are 2wd 5 speeds. My truck is the easiest to work on quietest cab, drives the best, shift the smoothest, at the cost of a weaker diesel. I’ve never had much experience with the older dodges, but the cabs are the worst IMO. If you step up to 2001 truck which is the newer body on ford and Chevy and around the start of the ford 6.0 the and the Allison transmission in the Chevy the Chevy is a clear win in my book.
Wakey
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- John Deere Z915B Zero Turn 54 Deck
I like this one 
crashz
Veteran Member
I think that extended cab Chevy is not the best option. If you are in the woods, the extra length is going to hurt.
As far as Ford/Chevy/Dodge, I'm not a brand loyalist. Find the the least rusty, best truck that you can get. Then find its weakness (they all have some issues) and learn how to fix those issues. I was only causally looking when I bough the 450. I just couldn't resist the last of the 7.3L diesel, six speed 2wd combo.
As far as Ford/Chevy/Dodge, I'm not a brand loyalist. Find the the least rusty, best truck that you can get. Then find its weakness (they all have some issues) and learn how to fix those issues. I was only causally looking when I bough the 450. I just couldn't resist the last of the 7.3L diesel, six speed 2wd combo.
1stDeuce
Gold Member
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...
![NCM_0186[1].JPG](https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/data/attachments/502/502223-b1638e668451a62f736fce37e860c4ca.jpg "NCM_0186[1].JPG")
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.
![NCM_0180[1].JPG](https://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/data/attachments/502/502228-d7aa1dd7a6f93476afc8d9254922ce9c.jpg "NCM_0180[1].JPG")
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...
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...
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.
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...
Last edited:
OP
liberty2701
Platinum Member
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...
Good input. Thanks
ultrarunner
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Growing up we had a 283 2.5 ton 57 Chevrolet with a 4 speed trans and a 2 spd rear axle... pto dump.
Never had any problems but it was real slow... some steep grades here... just select the property gear and drive up slow...
My Uncle gave it to a guy doing some work at his property... he was thrilled to get it... perfect ranch dump...
Never had any problems but it was real slow... some steep grades here... just select the property gear and drive up slow...
My Uncle gave it to a guy doing some work at his property... he was thrilled to get it... perfect ranch dump...