Buying a Dump Truck

I looked at a 99 Mack just exactly what you're talking about. It was a really nice truck, but I found out or at least I was told that every so many years the computer had to be replaced because of getting wet or where it was placed in the engine something like that. I was told that because it was at the dealer when I went to look at it and I asked why it was there and that is what they told me. Just something to keep in mind.

Around here buying a new bed and having it installed is over $20,000. If you are going to find a road tractor and try to convert it, if you could put the bed on yourself it could be an option. But there really is nothing heavy duty like having a good double frame truck with a heavy front axle and heavy rear axles for going off road.

If you are looking at a double frame truck like I said earlier take a really good look at that frame for cracking or breaking or swelling. Around here to pay someone to replace the frame rails is $30,000.

 

It all depends on what you want and probably more importantly where are you are located. Each state has different rules on converting trucks.

For example, here in Pennsylvania I understand it's extremely difficult to add GVW or convert a truck from a tractor into a dump truck or even legally add a lift axle. I think it can be done here but it's a bunch of crazy hoops and paperwork and expense that it's probably just easier to find a truck that's all together. Other states it is not so difficult.

I'm curious where you are finding these are you are finding these cab and chassis trucks. Are those trucks former dump trucks or concrete trucks or something? Or are they extra heavy-duty tractors? Do they have double frames or at least an extra heavy-duty single frame? Depending on the kind of work that you're doing that's what you really should have.

There's nothing wrong with having a heavy duty cab and Chassis that someone put a bed on if they know what they're doing. All brand new trucks start out as cab and Chassis and they go to the body installers to have the bed put on, so I don't really see the difference

For what it's worth I don't know about the year truck you're talking about but some of the older Volvos had problems with the electronics behind the dash and some other issues. The automatic transmissions tend to cost a lot more money to repair than the manual transmissions, so maybe that's something to think about.

 

GA's got all sorts of frankenstein dump trucks put together. lots of new ones too. 1 of them weird states that doens't like lift axles on straight trucks

 

A heavy duty flatbed converted to a dump truck would be a good idea.

I like that.