NuBota
Gold Member
I would dread the maintenance on those bigger trucks - like the F700 - just the tires could break you
Dump truck vs dump trailer
- Thread starter IMCA38
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IMCA38
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- MF 1225 w/loader, Case 1840 SS, Ransomes 723D mower
Wow, some great discussion already! I'll try to fill in the blanks.
Yes, the truck would be able to reach anyplace I'd want to take it.
When I pull the snowmobile trailer now, I almost always have it on my pickup as I have to take it off-site to unload. That being said, my current truck is a Silverado 1500 crew, I beleive the tow capacity is 8000# or so, and being a super short box, it can't be used for a gooseneck. I may get a new one sometime, but likely still be a 1500 as I use it for my daily driver and can't justify thousands of additional cost just to pull a super heavy trailer occasionally.
Here in NE, there is no vehicle inspection requirement per se. so that isn't a concern. This truck has a 350ci engine (I think), and would be largely pre-emission, etc, so maintenence should be pretty simple. I have a shop full of 350 engines and parts leftover from my racing days, so should be fine there.
I get the issue of larger payload on a trailer, but given the limitation of my current pickup, that wouldn't be a large disadvantage. Tree limbs and brush get dumped about a mile away, so pretty easy trip. The place where I get driveway rock is under 5 miles away, so making extra trips wouldn't be the end of the world. If I need a lot, I'm going to have them deliver in a 10yd truck anyway.
I think it would be a hoot to have a true med duty dumptruck, but as noted the expense, hassles, etc, don't allow for that.
I totally understand that the dump trailer is probably an overall better option, but is it twice as good when considering price?
Yes, the truck would be able to reach anyplace I'd want to take it.
When I pull the snowmobile trailer now, I almost always have it on my pickup as I have to take it off-site to unload. That being said, my current truck is a Silverado 1500 crew, I beleive the tow capacity is 8000# or so, and being a super short box, it can't be used for a gooseneck. I may get a new one sometime, but likely still be a 1500 as I use it for my daily driver and can't justify thousands of additional cost just to pull a super heavy trailer occasionally.
Here in NE, there is no vehicle inspection requirement per se. so that isn't a concern. This truck has a 350ci engine (I think), and would be largely pre-emission, etc, so maintenence should be pretty simple. I have a shop full of 350 engines and parts leftover from my racing days, so should be fine there.
I get the issue of larger payload on a trailer, but given the limitation of my current pickup, that wouldn't be a large disadvantage. Tree limbs and brush get dumped about a mile away, so pretty easy trip. The place where I get driveway rock is under 5 miles away, so making extra trips wouldn't be the end of the world. If I need a lot, I'm going to have them deliver in a 10yd truck anyway.
I think it would be a hoot to have a true med duty dumptruck, but as noted the expense, hassles, etc, don't allow for that.
I totally understand that the dump trailer is probably an overall better option, but is it twice as good when considering price?
NuBota
Gold Member
IMCA38 - given the extra detail it sounds like you are not overly concerned with the payload and maintenance and want to preserve your existing truck - in that case your thought process makes sense. Even if the trailer was cheaper you still have to use your truck. Having a beater or "farm truck" is a nice thing to have. That's why I kept my F350 after getting the Ram - would still have it too - but a family member needed a vehicle so I gave it to them - but it was sure nice having both
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IMCA38
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Used dump trailers are only slightly cheaper than new around here and you get dents, rust and bald tires at no additional cost!
paulharvey
Veteran Member
I would also vote farm use dump truck. If its a 350/3500 series its probably rated for around 2/2.5 tons payload, which is about what a dump trailer will do on a 1500 anyways. Even if you need 6 new/newer used tires, you have over $2000 in savings to upgrade with. Insurance might hurt some, but I don't know for sure, might be able to do something creative to keep it low, like the progressive plug in GPS, doubt you'll be speeding in the dump truck.
Gale Hawkins
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We picked up a 1989 Ford F700 with a 16' flat dump for $2800 in 2010 that has turned out to be a good truck.Did have to change the oil and coolant that I think was about 20 years old.
It had the bias tires with the Dayton two part rims and since it is getting harder to find tire shops that will work with them we changed over to radial tires that have the one part rims. For $600 we got six mounted tires pulled from a wrecked school bus. The steers are new Kumho tires (2008 date code) and and the rears are new like recaps so we should be good for years there the way we use it.
The farm tags are next to nothing but a good liability policy I think is about $250 per year.
The pros for trailers are well stated.
Due to great physical limitation and no rotation of the upper body trailers and I do not get along well plus ones that can haul much are hard to use without at tow vehicle.
The F700 is just much safer for me to use/operate vs a trailer that can haul 8-10 tons around the place. The F700 came with a pintle hitch and for a $1000 I got an old equipment trailer that can haul the backhoe, etc IF I had a real need to haul equipment.It is semi loaded with a huge tree that died last summer after a major trimming last winter after some major storm damage the year before. I just paid to get it cut down starting at the top since it was near the house/deck with no clean up. I loaded it using the backhoe with a manual thumb. We will move some dirt with it this summer but it is nice to have if we need it.
Every one is different but a dump truck works for me where a trailer would not.
Ours has to set outside so and old but solid truck works for us.
schmism
Super Member
I owned a 85 C30 for several years. Bought it for $1400, sold it for $1500 and put nothing but gas in it.
it liked to haul 2 ton and that fit well in the box. Hydrulic pto dump that never struggled even with the 3 ton load of dirt i had in it while doing property only work.
It was certainly less expensive than a dump trailer, but would not haul as much given a 10K or 12K trailer
it liked to haul 2 ton and that fit well in the box. Hydrulic pto dump that never struggled even with the 3 ton load of dirt i had in it while doing property only work.
It was certainly less expensive than a dump trailer, but would not haul as much given a 10K or 12K trailer
sd455dan
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Agree that a used dump truck can be a better value- I would say it works best in states where you can do the farm exemption plate.
Purchased this CMC 7000 at a city sale for $1350.
it has a Detroit turbo diesel, 5 speed Alison and locking tandem axles, she smokes a bit till warm but then runs well, one other thing to check that I completely missed when buying was the rear axle ratio.This truck came with 7.17 gears which limits the top speed to about 43 mph, luckily the gravel pit is on the same road and the speed limit is 45 mph...And it's only 4 miles away.
I do think a good used dump truck can be a good investment.
And looking for a dump trailer in our area turned up a few , but the price was not even in the trucks ball park ( more than twice the price ).
Also the truck is rated for 43,000 lbs. and the city licensed it for 61,000 lbs. so it can haul way more than most used trailers in this price range....my:2cents:
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Poor man's version of a dump trailer is a tilt bed, on a single axle trailer.
Basically the tongue is hinged a foot or two back from the trailer's front edge, there is a pin to hold it straight.
When you want to dump you just take the pin out and back up - may need to chock the trailer wheels to get it to tip.
Pull forward again to level the bed, replace the pin, go get another load, etc.
Probably easy enough to convert the O/P's snowmobile trailer, a lot of them were built that way years ago.
Basically the tongue is hinged a foot or two back from the trailer's front edge, there is a pin to hold it straight.
When you want to dump you just take the pin out and back up - may need to chock the trailer wheels to get it to tip.
Pull forward again to level the bed, replace the pin, go get another load, etc.
Probably easy enough to convert the O/P's snowmobile trailer, a lot of them were built that way years ago.