Cab forward / City Truck

[AlanB]

Hi, thinking about going with one of these Cab Forward or City trucks. Thinking of buying a bare truck, or a flatbed (although harder to find) and possibly making a dump bed on it.

I want a larger dually truck with more carrying and towing capacity, and thought these would fit the bill, but wonder if I am overlooking something basic as others do not seem to be doing this. If I am reading correctly, they have more capacity then most one tons.

I also am considering doing the bio diesel or SVO or some other alternate fuel and was thinking there would be good access on this type of truck.

Here is an example of the type truck I am looking at.

Used Vehicle Sales - Find a Vehicle

Sorry, have to search for vehicle # 407664, not sure how to direct link.

Anyone have insight to add.

For reference, wife owns a lawncare and landscaping company that this would be used in.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a buddy who owns a lawn care business, about 20 employees. Anyway he runs F-150's 4x4 with plows to take care of the snow in the winter. He used to use trailers to tow the equipment. He went to these types of trucks a few years ago with boxes on the back and loves them. He still has a few of the trucks for the work the box trucks cant do. He said you can get these things at a right price, they run for ever, more secure than a trailer and no trailer maintenance, ect. I am not sure about a dump bed but I am afraid you may sit it on its tail with the rear axle being where it is if you have a dump bed on it and for some reason the load does not come out as expected. Dump trucks usually have the axle all the way to the rear of the frame. I am sure others know more and will give their insight. Good luck.

Chris

 

[machmeter62]

AlanB: Diamondpilot is right! You should purchase a "BOBTAIL" (rear axle) at the rear of the truck frame. If you plan on hauling volume and not a lot of weight you may be able to use a conventional frame/axle; but if weight is an issue you will either bend the frame, or stand the truck on its tail, or both!

I was unable to view the truck photo. Are you hauling volume, weight, or both?

 

[Bird]

Alan, I agree with the other guys, especially about needing the rear axle far back for a dump bed. Personally, I can't remember seeing a dump bed on one of the Isuzus. And as far as I know, GMC still has their own version of the same trucks. They were available with either gasoline V-8 (chevy) engines or 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder turbo diesels. I've driven several of them and really liked them. For some, they're a little awkward to climb into and out of, but otherwise few, if any, complaints. At one time, both of my brothers were using them as Matco Tool trucks. I've noticed some lawn services in this area using them with enclosed box type bodies with custom built ramps on the rear end that they can drive up with their ZTR mowers. I have a cousin who owned some street sweeping trucks (swept parking lots at night) and he tried out street sweepers built on those trucks. He thought they were undoubtedly the best rigs, except that he got in and out many times a night and had knee problems that made a standard pickup cab easier for him to get in and out of. And you're right; they're rated for considerably more weight than a one ton pickup.

But like you, I've seldom seen individuals with them; only commercial operations. And while I really don't know for sure, I think it's simply the high initial purchase price that keeps them from being popular with individuals.

 

[deereguy]

HUH? I have seen them with a 12' Flat/Dump or an "I" or "L" box and a 10' Dump and seems like it would be a near perfect dump truck, shorter wheelbase (maneuverability) and 1 ton capacity. I have seen a guy locally with a snowplow mounted to the front, excellent visiablity, I'm sure you don't need that in Tennessee. There is a larger lanscape install service that uses 20' flat beds- no dump. and seem like they are good trucks...I think they are 2 ton trucks.

Good Luck!!

 

[kurtga]

I have owned 3 Hino cab over trucks for my business and still have 2. They are hard working little trucks with a GVW of 15,000 lbs. They have about 175hp running through a 5 spd manual tranny. Unfortunately the no longer make these and only offer the conventional cab trucks now (which I will get when one of these dies, if ever). The Isuzu trucks are very popular, as well as the Nissan UD's. The advantage to these trucks is maneuverability. They all also offer a great deal of capacity for small trucks.

 

[deereguy]

Landscaping Truck, Landscape Truck, Landscape Truck System, Custom Landscape Trucks - Super Lawn Trucks

If I had the $$ when I had my business...I would have invested in one of these!!

 

[Bird]

I've just been looking at the GMC website here and the do still list them as 3500, 4500, 5500, and 5500HD with the diesel available in any of them and the gas engine 6000 Vortec available in the 3500 and 4500, so while they look much alike (as do the different pickup trucks) they are available with gross weights from 12,000 to 19,500 pounds. And while I've not personally seen any with the dump bed (but don't doubt such exist), I have seen them used by wrecker companies with both the old style wrecker body and with the slide back flat bed.

 

[Z-Michigan]

One consideration - and this is totally off the top of my head and could be wrong - I *think* that you can still get the big initial tax deduction (it's like 100% in year 1 or something) for buying this type of truck, which is no longer available for most pickups and SUVs - it used to be called the Hummer tax deduction because that's what most people were using it for.

 

[capt_met]

something else to think about is the way the bed will effect the axles when loaded. from what i have heard these cabovers have a tendency to carry too much weight on the front axle. to combat this most of these you see that have been converted to dumps do not have their rear axle as far back as a larger conventional dump truck would. same with 1 ton dumps, the rear axle is more centered under the dump bed. check truckpaper.com they have plenty set up already like what you are describing.
good luck,