Best Chip Truck in your opinion

[sugaringman85]

I am looking at trying to buy a bigger chip truck come spring. I have a F350 now, and want to look into something bigger. I need it to stay under CDL weight. Ideally it would be big enough to hold two cords of wood when not being used for a chip truck. Removable top, and L boxes.

Any thoughts or opinions would be great!

 

[ROYCE]

GMC 4500 or 5500 with a 6.6L duramax diesel with an allison transmission. Get it with low miles as they are know to have head gasket issues at around 100-130K miles. You would be very impressed with the power they can produce.

 

[Bucknut]

Nice setup Royce.

My only advice would be to avoid the International 4200 series. Or at least avoid the VT365. It's a Ford block with an Intl head as I understand. It's the 6.0 liter. Crap. We've had loads of electrical issues and I expect the mechanical ones to follow soon.

Our internationals have Eaton-Fuller manual transmissions. No complaints other than the VT365 has no power in reverse. Truck feels like it's gonna explode backing a chipper up even a mildly sloped driveway.

 

[classictruckman]

The VT365 was all international, ford used international engines from 1983-the 6.4L pos

 

[Baja Mike]

If I were building a new truck under CDL I would make sure it had 295-325 hp if buying used the GMC 7500
Truck will turn tighter than a Nissan Altima
I've tried it
Mine has the 210 cat which I had reprogrammed to up torque to 650
Just tows the 1590 with a load of chips ok needs more power
My pick up has 800 lb ft

 

[sugaringman85]

We definitely have plenty of hills around my area. I only have a bandit 200xp for a chipper at the moment. So there isn't huge chipper weight to worry about now. There is the chance I will upgrade, but need to build a sugar house first.

 

[Tr33Climb3r]

5.9 Cummins. F650, ours is early 2000, I would buy another.

 

[treevet]

Cab over without a doubt.