2001 F-350 DRW flatbed dump

browns40 · May 20, 2007

Well I've got the truck bug again...

My 1995 F150 (82k miles) has been great, but at 15-16 mpg unloaded with a maximum tow rating of 7100 pounds (getting 9 mpg if I'm lucky), it pulls, but struggles with a heavy 20 ft trailer, the 3520, loader, and attachment on the back... it's immaculate, my baby, has never failed me, but...

Compounding the problem is when there's a job to do that requires 2 or 3 different implements to do it right... towing gets downright squirrely on the famously maintained roads of Eastern Maine when you hit a pothole the size of a peck bucket when the 1/2 ton has 800 pounds in the bed and 7000 behind it going 45 mph... it's too close to maxxed than I ever want to be, but the job needs doing.

I have a 2001 F-350 Supercab XLT DRW 4wd with a 9 foot dumping steel flatbed, 45,000 miles, 7.3l powerstroke that is looking pretty good to me. It has double the capablities towing, and triple the cargo rating. I can never come close to this vehicle's capacities...

Trouble is, I am finding over $6000 difference between Kelly & Edmunds on what the value of this truck is.... Kelly quotes $24490 with the flatbed plugged in for "excellent condition--starting point for negotiation"... Edmunds quotes $18375 "good condition-dealer", but doesn't account for the flatbed on theirs...

What do YOU think that sort of truck is worth--I mean I checked out new, and shoot, I've got a mortgage already! For that matter, if you would let me know what you think the F-150 would be worth that'd save me a post here in a week or two!

Any and all opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Egon · May 20, 2007

Check the local vehicle trader type magazines to get into the local price ranges. ??

dgl24087 · May 20, 2007

A local Ford dealer has a 2001 F250 XLT SRW 4x4, regular cab, 7.3, 5 speed with 48,000 miles listed for $23,900. The 2001-2002 7.3's are getting the same $$ here as 2003-2004's with 6.0's due to the problems with the early 6.0's.

LoneCowboy · May 20, 2007

Kelly is worthless

Edmunds tends to be right on

Honestly, the flatbed probably makes it worth LESS. Much harder to find a buyer for a flatbed than a regular pickup bed.

18k at a dealer sounds a whole lot more right than 25k for a 6 year old truck.

RayH · May 20, 2007

I would think that something in between those two prices would be acceptable depending on the condition.
About four years ago I bought a 97 PS F350 w/dump bed and a Boss V plow with about the same mileage. I paid $18000 for it and I considered that a GREAT deal. Most everything comparable was around $20000 or more. That was four years ago so the relative age of my 97 was the same as your 2001.
Just an FYI, when you are looking at it, crawl under and look/ poke, at the oil pan. The 7.3s had issues with the oil pans rusting through. Its an expensive fix. The engine has to practically be removed to replace the oil pan to the tune of around $1500.
Mine rusted through and I did a temp fix using JB Weld to get me through the summer. It lasted for years and was still working when I sold the truck.

Builder · May 20, 2007

I just sold this '99 F-450 4x4 7.3L diesel/auto with a sweet 9' aluminum dump and only 35,000 miles on it for $31,500. It was heavily modified and making over 400HP/860TQ at the rear wheels.

The 450/550's are twice the truck that a 350 is. I'd say you shouldn't pay much more than $20K for it, IMO.

browns40 · May 20, 2007

Thanks for the replies so far--I knew this would be the place to hear some good real life experience on this...

I called the dealer, and he talked himself down to 23900, then I to 22500, but despite them talking about the beautiful condition, and all the extras on it, I get the sense that they have had it for a while, and may want this truck out... I live 6 hours from it, so haven't even taken a peek yet... I figured the oil pan, check/replacement of the fluids in the transmission & differential if that hasn't happened, new fuel filter, and a compression test would be in order in addition to crawling over under & around... reasonable checklist?

Any other hot areas on the 7.3 to look for--I hear about a cam sensor, fuel overflow tube, and ? EGR tube prone to rusting... will have to look for a schematic...

It is loaded, and has a couple underbody boxes like the one you posted on your F-450, L39... a 450 is way over my needs though, really, the 350 probably overkill for that matter...

Maybe best to wait a while longer... just got the fever!

gemini5362 · May 20, 2007

would some of the posters on here that have dump trucks or sold them post how much your insurance was or is on your truck. In another post we are chatting about the costs of insurance for dump trucks. My insurance company quoted me a pretty high insurance price just for liability on a dump truck when I started to buy one. I am curious how much it is in other areas. I would also recommend to the original poster that he calls his insurance company and get a rate quote on the truck before he makes a final decision.

RayH · May 20, 2007

Browns,
Another problem area, mostly for the PS but really any diesels, is cavitation.
Cavitation is when the coolant in the jacket around the cylinders boils, not because of heat but because of vibration. The coolant can form air bubbles that can destroy the jacket walls over time. This can be eliminated by having the proper Nitrate level in your coolant. There are fatty acids added to some of the newer long life antifreezes that are used in diesels for this purpose. Theres are coolant test kits that can be had at heavy truck repair shops. Its got several strips of paper that you insert in your coolant that tests freeze point as well as molibdate and nitrate. Instead of buying the kit, you may be able to talk them out of just a couple strips and some directions on use.
Do an internet search for diesel cavitation. You will find a wealth of info.

gemini,
My dumptruck was titled as a box truck from the factory. All my insurance company did was go by the VIN which was for a box truck. The insurance wasnt any more then insurance for a standard F350 but I insured it as a private vehicle and not a work truck even though I used it for a parttime business. I know, shame on me. The business got to the point were I needed to either take it more serious or get out of it. I chose to get out of it. In retrospect, that was a poor decision.

Builder · May 20, 2007

gemini5362 said:
would some of the posters on here that have dump trucks or sold them post how much your insurance was or is on your truck. In another post we are chatting about the costs of insurance for dump trucks. My insurance company quoted me a pretty high insurance price just for liability on a dump truck when I started to buy one. I am curious how much it is in other areas. I would also recommend to the original poster that he calls his insurance company and get a rate quote on the truck before he makes a final decision.

My dumptruck insurance on this truck is less than the insurance on my pickup. Same deductables. 33,000 GVWR. 58,000GCWR, airbrakes, diesel engine, 12' dumpbox.