Dump Truck Urge

[BarryinMN]

Barry, if you don't mind me asking, around when were you doing that, and for who? I'm asking because my '97 F150 has 133k miles and it is starting to break, often. I'm wondering if it is time to bail out.
Thanks!

Sorry for the delay answering, been on the road. The time frame for my comments are less than 10 years ago. We were a designer and supplier to the big guys, all 3. Class 1-6 trucks up to 26K GVW. The market is extremely competitive and each has a little different way of getting to the same place. You can bet that when a competing new model is introduced one is acquired and reverse engineered. If the software is encrypted, it takes a little longer

To answer the qustion of buy/sell or how much is too much is truly personal. Everybody is different. My mother held on to her minivan for 100K miles and 5 transmissions. Then she wanted another one She's now in a Saturn Vue 4wd (no troubles) but wants her minivan back I have an uncle who trades in when the tires wear down & need replacing.

My favorite truck was a Dodge Brothers '47 half ton that needed the brakes bled before driving anywhere. Always the center of attention, somebody would buy me the first beer in a bar, invited to drive in parades, and was not waved along back when the Shuttle was mounted on top of a 747 that stopped over in Colorado. The AFSP wanted to talk trucks.

The last ride I bought was a 6 month old car with 60K miles, business sales person car. I go cheap and know it is a one owner/driver and on the road making money not in the shop, nor is it pounded by urban operating cycles.

 

[Haoleguy]

AlanB - You read my mind I made the call to my insurance company today to ask them to run numbers for me. I should hear back tomorrow but I can tell you the chatter in the background was that it may mean a change to a commercial policy...yikes! I will know tomorrow.

 

[BarryinMN]

All - I have thought long and hard about the dump trailer but for the size that I would need for stones and gravel it does not make sense. I have pushed my F150 to the limit(actually beyond) by trailering a 6K lb wood chipper. Since I'm planning to move up to the 3-6yd territory with dense material such as rock and stone I would need to swap my F150 for an F350 or larger to pull that trailer. A high mileage dump truck is looking quite good right now. I have the bed size dialed in to 12' range and am still unsure of bed type. The dump bed manufacturers appear to be computer phobes and do not seem to have easily accessible websites or sufficient comparison information. If anyone knows of dump bed websites with good info please let me know. Anyone know the cost of the various dump beds in the 10' to 12' range? Also how important is AC...can it be added later? Thank you for the suggestions thus far.

Take a look at this site Crysteel Manufacturing, Inc. I have a J-craft box.

Adding AC is ugg. Need a lot of time patience and money. I only need the AC when on the highway for hours from/to the big city and traffic.

Eddie has a good points about getting sick...

In dumping mode I rev the motor to spin the alternator up to keep the volts up and hold the amp draw down on the electric pump/batteries.

 

[tractorsanmore]

have you considered buying a wood chipper , like the ones tree trimming crews use for all that brush . Air brakes are the way to go on a truck like you are considering .

 

[Haoleguy]

BarryinMN - Thank you for the Crysteel link. I'm thinking for the short distance use and very few weeks requiring AC I can probably make it w/o AC. I might need to spray the vinyl seats with teflon to prevent sticking. Then again enough dirt will probably do the trick.

Tractorsanmore - I have and will continue to do the wood chipping. Since I have a lot of viney stuff, brush, & trees they all get tangled together. I first separate the trees the best I can and find use for them. The real ticket I found is to generate enough material to rent a Bobcat skidsteere with Bull Hog attachment and shred the entangled stuff. What's left goes to the chipper or the wood pile. The invasive viny stuff gets raked and piled for removal from my property....I'm trying to reduce re-seeding opportunities. I probably should figure out how to share some of my digital photos so folks can see what my therapy regimen looks like.

Cheers, Haoleguy

 

[LarryRB]

right up the road from you is Twin Cedars used truck store, He always has a good selection of used...They're on Rte 2, Stonington at 535-2822

 

[Haoleguy]

LarryRB - That is exactly the dealer I have been working with. As you know they have been there forever which is usually a good sign. At the moment I'm checking on their reputation and thus far seem reputable. I suspect that will hold and there will be no surprises. I hope to stop by tomorrow and see if they brought in the F650. Take care.

 

[Haoleguy]

AlanB - Well the insurance estimate is in and it's twice the cost of a car. And yes it did have to go on a separate commercial policy. One year is $1900 smackers. Ouch!

Anyone have a reasonable insurance company for insuring their dump truck?

 

[LarryRB]

Don't be afraid to call Nutmeg IH dealer, just call the one in Hartford,,, They're the home office, and usually have some pretty good deals out there,, Another one in Hartford is Edart truck lease.. Both of these my inlaws dealt with for years and years,,, My inlaws had IH truck, tractor, chrysler dodge jeep for 51 years. Always had good luck with nutmeg and edart, and never a complaint,

 

[AlanB]

That is what happened with me, and why I went the trailer route.

I am never comfortable trying to "cheat" on that stuff, always too nervous that I will find myself without a chair when the music stops.

At some point, you could buy a large P/U and a large dump trailer, and if you are not making your living from it, or using it daily, it will work ok. I am not saying it will be as good certainly, but you can probably do the job you need without so much out of pocket, annual expense.

Good luck and hope it works out well in whatever you decide is right for you.