dump trucks
Hi guys,
I'm looking for pros and cons of converting a class 8 highway truck to a dump truck. There are a lot of reasonably priced trucks out there that still have a lot of life in them. I've been looking primarily at trucks without sleepers since the conversion would be that much easier without them. I'm also wondering about the air bag suspensions vs spring suspensions for dump truck type work. Many of them also already have wet kits making the conversion even easier.
Most of work is around residential sites and involves foundation excavation, septic systems, driveway improvements, etc.
If nothing else, this should provide for some lively discussion
Thanks
I guess its a matter of $$$$$'s, for me anyway. I have converted about 5 road tractors, to dump trucks. They are all still running at this time. The first was a 95 Mack CL, it had air ride and chassis for a 17ft bed. I was lucky it had a wet line installed. It took me and my 2 helpers about 3-4 days to install the bed and put it to work. It didnt have the Mack rears, it had Eaton 3:63?? and 9 speed. I ran the truck about 16 months and sold it to upgrade. I never had any problems, off road. It did have a single frame and I was afraid of this, but the guy I sold it too, is still running it. I paid $8000 for the truck, $2500 for the bed, Im guessing I had about $3000 in parts and labor. I sold it for $18,000
I agree with the statement about, you can buy factory dump trucks pretty cheap, compared to 5-6 years ago and before. I used to believe a dump truck has to be double frame and that is the best, BUT, there are lots of single frame (heavy duty) dump trucks out there. I had a Ford L9000 Triaxle, factory dump, single frame, but wide and thicker than normal. Another option, is use a dump body with a subframe attached. You just bolt this to your chassis. Its almost as good as double frame
The process of converting a truck, is not for anyone that doesnt have the tools, or a little experience at this stuff. The first time can be very time consuming, it the learning curve thingee.
The old RD Macks are tough trucks and hard to kill, but if you end up hauling by the ton, they are a bit heavy, thus you cant carry as much tonnage. Im talking about the bridge law.
Make sure if you decide to go the conversion route, to buy a truck that has the proper length chassis. You dont want to get into the lengthing the chassis, but its possible. You will probrably need to find a truck that has a removable sleeper. It takes a little work, to fill in the back hole, they do make a kit for this, but you can do it with a piece of aluminum and a glass man.
Good Luck, but try to find a regular dump truck
