Buying a Dump Truck

Well, I'm out of the loop considerable, find an old Superliner.Don't have much experience with newer Macks, but a Mack is allways a Mack. KW too, like I say, back in Wisconsin, every single dump truck was a KW. Probably get a KW a lot cheaper than a Mack.

 

I gotta agree with "semi" on this one. For whatever reason, Mack and KW dump trucks seem to be leaders in reliability. I personally prefer KW, but I feel you cant go wrong with either for the dump truck application. In my area, and it may vary for you, older macks seem to be cheaper vs. older KW's. I suggest an older KW W900 (reliability, classic styling, great powerplants, etc.).

As I mentioned earlier, just make sure you get a thorough inspection both mechanical and electrical done. You dont want to adopt someone elses problems. With your price point, you should be able to find a very good truck.

 

As far as engines are concerned, CAT, Cummins and Detroit (referring to PRE-DEF models) are notorious for reliability and power. Specifically the 6NZ and C18 from CAT, N14 from Cummins and D60 from Detroit are great options. These manufacturers have more recognized models, but wanted to keep it short and sweet.

 

C13's had oil consumption issues and poor maintenance lead to a lot of issues with the top end, in some cases they would throw a rod. I would stay away from C13's. They also require more maintenance than most.

 

If you're not sure what you are looking at, you really need to have an excellent mechanic go with you and check them out. They're just there so many things that can go wrong and wear out on those trucks that no one could give you a complete list or how to check everything.

The main thing is that if you look at a double frame truck make sure those frames are not swelling apart. That's a huge problem along with checking the frames themselves for cracking and breaking.

If you can find an older truck with a mechanical engine, sometimes you can find them that somebody really took good care of and kept up with it. If you find any truck that's older than a few years, you really should have a laundry list of repairs that they kept up with, otherwise you're going to have a lot of repairs to do. So my point is try to get something that has very detailed service records.

But really the best advice is to bring someone knowledgeable and experienced with you, because it's nothing to buy a truck and put 10 or $15,000 into it.

 

^^^^ also, great advice.

I'd narrow it down to a few options, then as I mentioned and those before me, bring an experienced and trusted mechanic

 

If you go with the KWhopper, there's only one motor I'd even consider today, depending how old it is. Old truck, BC Cummins, newer truck, Detroit all the way. Plus parts for Macks are pricey, and KW parts are everywhere. Today, I'd go with the KW with a Detroit.