Seeking advice on a tractor/dump trailer

Bigfoot62 · Nov 16, 2011

Here's a tractor pic taken by the previous owner. I'll post a pic of the entire rig after I get it back home. Right now, it's at the trailer dealership, being outfitted for the trailer. (wet kit, in-cab controls, etc)
Click on the thumbnail for full-size pic.

bigteelex · Oct 8, 2023

I purchased a 1998 mack ch613 e7 460 all mack. I try to get the right end dump trailer to pull 33 tons without turn around on scales. What size trailer should I be looking for.

bigteelex · Oct 8, 2023

Could someone help me, I'm looking at this 1998 mack ch613 e7 460 Day Cab all mack with wetline system in it. What end dump trailer size should I be looking for to purchase. I need to know exactly what size and that I could put 33 tons. So I won't get turn arounds from scale master. Need some advice.

abyliks · Oct 10, 2023

Where are you located all depends on state laws

bigteelex · Oct 10, 2023

abyliks said: ↑

Where are you located all depends on state laws
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Massachusetts

abyliks · Oct 11, 2023

26-28’ will be fine You could even do a 24 but the shorter you are the more the over weights are more for the shorter length

Eddiec · Oct 11, 2023

Bigfoot62 said: ↑

Hi folks,
I'm new to this forum, but not the trucking industry. I've been driving since I was a teenager.

I'll try to be brief, but I want ya'll to understand my situation. For the past 15 years, I have been out of the trucking business. (I owned and operated a fire protection company) My previous dump trucks were bobtails, but I'm considering buying a T/T dump rig. (triple axle end dump for hauling rock and sand) There's work in my area, and this is a business that I've been in before, so I'm not debating whether or not I can "make it" with the rig. The math works out, so I'm satisfied with that. I just need your advice on specifics. I want you to tell me what you would look for, or avoid, in a tractor/trailer dump combo. For the forseeable future, I'll be driving this myself. I want it to be dependable and nice, but I'm not looking to buy new. Good, clean used stuff works for me. But, since I'm looking for used equipment, I know I can't be as picky. So, please, in all your responses, let's have basically a "this will work" or a "stay away from this" kind of reply.

I'm looking at local hauling, 300-400 miles per day max. I want to be able to carry pretty much anything. (rock, sand, asphalt, etc) Day cab is my choice, but I realize that I might find a deal on a sleeper cab truck. I know there will be some long days, but I plan to be home every night.

I'm not trying to "open a can of worms" here or pick any fights. We ALL have our preferences. I have a pretty good idea of what I'm looking for, but I want the opinions of people that have been there and done that, those of you who have way more experience that I.

Tractor:
Pete or KW is my pick, but what other trucks might be considered?
I'm thinking big Cat, but what other engine options would work well? Also, what hp range to consider? (remember, this is a dump truck and it's got to have lots of "grunt")
Transmission and gear ratio?
Wet kit. Any brands that are "bulletproof" or any brands to "avoid like the plague?"

Trailer: triple axle aluminum end dump.

Mack with a deep reduction gear and a double frame mated to a East end dump trailer
I like the Travis and Mate brand trailers. Any others that I should keep my eyes open for?
Frameless, half-frame, etc,. Advantages/disadvantages of each.

Thanks in advance.
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