I am the owner of a dump trucking business and if you are just starting out, get something you can pay for. I dont like Volvo engines (just my opinion) everyone that I know that has one, complains about the cost of engine repairs
I really like Detroit 12.7 engines, 11.1L have a bad rap and dont seem to last as long as the 12.L
The Cat C12 is my favorite engine, three of my quad axle trucks has this engine
I dont like the newer Cummins ISM, etc, but the best engine Cummins ever made, was the Big Cam 350/400
In the last 13 years I bet I have owned 15 Ford L9000 trucks and everyone of them were great trucks, of course the Sterling replace them and I feel the same way (except the crappy dash)
My best truck ever was a 88KW T800 quad, Cummins L10, 10 speed. I keep this truck 5 years, longest ever, I would have liked more power, but it done the job
KW T800, Ford L9000, Sterlings are my favorite
I have owned several converted road tractors, they were OK. I will never buy another air ride dump truck, HUMMMMM bad memories
Buy a truck with, dump truck suspension
If you dont know how to inspect a truck, bring someone with you that knows what they are looking at. I gave this info to another member about a year ago and he didnt listen. He believed the seller, not always a good idea and he spent a bunch of money on the truck
Im almost finished
checkout three major things, ENGINE, TRANNY/CLUTCH, SUSPENSION
It really doesnt matter what year the truck is, ITS the condition of the truck that matters. Just because its a 2001 Vs a 1995 doesnt matter to me
Dont buy, just because its pretty
85 model is getting a bit old, just buy a truck you can afford, they all are going to break down and you need to have a reserve, to pay for this break down (new or old)
Im finished, but I could write more