Which dump truck

[liberty2701]

I need to purchase a dump truck. HEre are my uses.
Occasional firewood sale 6 to 20 cords a year. I presently use my f250 with a loadhandler. I can deliver 2/3 cord at a time.
Road maintenance on my own property moving fill for road washout repair.
Looking at f350 to f550 class including 1980's era 28k gvw dump truck.
If i can move 2 to 3 yards of sandy fill at a time and 1 cord of firewood,do you think an f350 class dump will fit my uses?. The only on road use will be for the firewood. The f350 class will be the most cost effective in my opinion but will it hold up?

 

[finn1]

I have an F450 4x4 with a 9達odd plow and a gas v10 that I picked up ten years ago with 70k miles. I got it for $4800 or so at the suburban municipal auction in the cChicago suburb I lived in at the time.

Things to be aware of are: the F350 will have limited load capacity compared to the F450. My F450 has a gvwr of, I think , 14500 lb, but the empty weight is just under 10k, so it痴 easy to scale out of the pit above the manufacturer gvw rating. I致e scaled at 19k plus with a load of gravel in the 8 bed. Nothing broke, but I shoot for 16k max for local hauling.

The F350 has virtually no reserve for hauling cargo if a heavy dump bed is installed.

In Michigan, an F450 and above requires commercial gvw plates, and commercial insurance. A dump truck is more expensive to insure than a flat bed or box truck. I buy my plates in 3 or six month intervals to keep costs down, as I only plow my own shop in the winter, and hold off dirt work, which requires road travel, until mid summer.

Towing a trailer above 10k gets you into CDL territory, as will any truck with a 28k gvw.

I also have an F600 dump, which I haven稚 licensed in years. It痴 a pain to drive, with no power steering, and is high maintenance. Tires and brakes are expensive compared to the F450.

 

[liberty2701]

I have an F450 4x4 with a 9�odd plow and a gas v10 that I picked up ten years ago with 70k miles. I got it for $4800 or so at the suburban municipal auction in the cChicago suburb I lived in at the time.

Things to be aware of are: the F350 will have limited load capacity compared to the F450. My F450 has a gvwr of, I think , 14500 lb, but the empty weight is just under 10k, so it痴 easy to scale out of the pit above the manufacturer gvw rating. I致e scaled at 19k plus with a load of gravel in the 8 bed. Nothing broke, but I shoot for 16k max for local hauling.

The F350 has virtually no reserve for hauling cargo if a heavy dump bed is installed.

In Michigan, an F450 and above requires commercial gvw plates, and commercial insurance. A dump truck is more expensive to insure than a flat bed or box truck. I buy my plates in 3 or six month intervals to keep costs down, as I only plow my own shop in the winter, and hold off dirt work, which requires road travel, until mid summer.

Towing a trailer above 10k gets you into CDL territory, as will any truck with a 28k gvw.

I also have an F600 dump, which I haven稚 licensed in years. It痴 a pain to drive, with no power steering, and is high maintenance. Tires and brakes are expensive compared to the F450.

The good thing here in NH is with farm plates no cdl is required. In addition insurance is optional. I never plan on hauling the fill on the road. The only thing would be firewood. I was looking to use the f350 only on my property for moving sandy fill or stone. I have my own pits to pull from. I am more concerned with breaking the f350 with two or 3 yards at a time that i will move. It sounds like in your opinion it will not be up to the task. I will look at an f450 or higher I guess.

 

[crashz]

I found a deal on my F450. Like Finn said, the bigger chassis allows for actually hauling something in the bed. My truck tares out at a little over 8000 lbs and the GVWR is 15,000 lbs. So I'm legal with 3 tons on. But my truck is 2wd and does not plow. Its also a 7.3L diesel with 6 speed stick. I absolutely love this truck!

The 450 and 550 trucks are what a "1 ton" dump should be. The 350's are just to light. Even if you are off-road, with 3 tons (2 CY typical) you will be overweight and likely to start breaking springs, shackles and U joints.

I keep regular plates on my truck, no signs and was told by the registry that it is fine as a personal truck. Nothing else needed. I do insure it with Progressive on a commercial policy and its very affordable.

 

[atsah]

It will hold up, we do about everything we need to do around the farm, firewood, gravel dirt, plowing etc, with an F350 dump diesel and it doesn't have any problem doing it.

If you were moving gravel everyday like my buddy does I would say a 550 is what's needed, that's what he has to do that job but the regular guy doing what your doing the F350 dump will do it without an issue.. Diesel is the way to go IMO..

 

[4570Man]

I’ve got a regular 1 ton dump truck. Around here nobody cares about GVW. I can haul about 4 tons, but that’s a slow and careful trip. 3 tons is no problem. If you live in a GVW enforced state than buy more truck. Mines only good for about a ton staying under 10,000. I plan on running my truck a couple more years and buying a 4500. I’ve not done any serious shopping because I can’t afford it right now, but from my road shopping the ram 4500/5500 are the most capable pickups.

 

[George2615]

Just a thought. What about a dump trailer?? I had a Chevy 3500 dump truck but here in NY plates and commercial insurance for minimal personal use cost me way too much. Sold it and bought a 16' dump trailer. Trailer weighs just under 4K and is rated for 14K so can haul 10K or less in it. Sides are lower than the dump truck so its easy to load with tractor. You already have the F250 to tow with.

 

[4570Man]

Mine truck gets used a lot and is a lot more convenient than a trailer. I could buy a pretty nice 2 ton dump truck for what a dump trailer cost.

 

[GSVette]

I have an 85 Ford LN700 dump running 28k GVW. Use it under an Agricultural exemption so no CDL required (with many limitations)-very useful for road work etc.

 

[atsah]

I have an 85 Ford LN700 dump running 28k GVW. Use it under an Agricultural exemption so no CDL required (with many limitations)-very useful for road work etc.

View attachment 566929

Now that is a dump truck..