Tri-axle dump truck weight?

I was wondering which manufacturer made the lightest tri-axle dump truck between 1985 and 2003?

Does anyone have one that they know the lightweight?

The Mack is really a great heavy duty truck, but they're heavier. When you're hauling by the ton, the lightness of the truck really makes a difference.

 

I believe FL is the lightest truck. Used to be the Louisville Ford, but good luck with that. Mack was the heaviest, and don't forget the trailer. Frameless aluminum saves weight, and big fuel tanks too. You're right, it adds up.

 

I have a Freightliner tractor and I would prefer to buy a Freightliner tri-axle dump truck, if I buy one.

The old Ford dump trucks actually were not bad trucks but believe it or not there are parts in those trucks that are crazy expensive.

But some of those Ford tri-axles had real heavy single frames.

I would think twice if I found one of them.

I would be happy to avoid a double frame if it was possible, because every one of them eventually turns to junk.

 

My 2000 W900B with a 6NZ set at 475, 14600 front running 315s, 46k rears running 11R 24.5s, Chalmers suspension, 18 spd, and Reliance transfer box weighs 25600. It was purpose built as a dump truck and pulled a 4 axle transfer box before I purchased it.

 

I'm with you on the double frame. IMO they aren't needed as often as people think they are. My thoughts are if you need a heavier frame, spec it with a heavy single rail.

 

Rust jacking wasn't that big of an issue 20 years ago in the west, but it dang sure is now.

 

I really can't say I've seen many trucks with double frames. Years ago I worked for a vac truck outfit and I don't think any of their trucks were running double frames even with 20k steers and 69k rears.

 

Here in the Northeast where I'm at, we get a full change of seasons. We can literally go from 90° in the summertime down to 10° or something like that in the winter on average.

I think the weather really messes with those double frames.

Sometimes there's no rhyme or reason.

I've seen 40-year-old trucks with frames that looked virtually brand new and tight, and I've seen 15-year-old trucks with junk frames.

Nowadays the newer Tri axles here are being fitted with heavy single frames.

And colossal expensive emission engines...

If you do any framework, PG Adams up in Vermont will sell you frame rails to replace the double, with a really heavy single frame that has the right strength.

Not looking to do any jobs like that right now, though.

Don't know what it cost now to have the frames done, but probably 10 or 15 years ago it was $30,000.

 

Or, there's this,, 10 HUT,,
M917 20 Ton 8x6 Military Dump Truck (D-300-95) - Oshkosh Equipment

 

I had a friend that was a military guy, he had a couple of them.