Cab over chip trucks

[Paul Velte]

Anyone have any insights on cab over chip trucks (Isuzu NPR, Mitsubishi FUSO) looking for an upgrade eventually form my 1983 chevy K30.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Talk with Fred Berkelhammer there in Boulder. He's had twonor three and likes
Them

 

[evo]

I have a FRR, high miles but better turning radius than my pickup. It moves a full load of chips while moving the chipper but I avoid hills. I had a 2/3rds of a load of hemlock, and it towed a mini on a huge 18' tilt deck trailer. It didn't accelerate up hills, but maintained speed. Nothing I'd want to do every day, but it handled just fine.

 

[craneguy1]

Better turning radius = easier to jack knife!

 

[Gorman]

I have a UD 2300 and it pulls anything. There was a big problem with the way they put it together making it too heavy on the front end but we ended up putting supplemental springs in the front to remedy.

 

[Evan_WI]

I've owned 2 Isuzus (1 NPR, 1 NRR). They are great if you stick to the stated capacities (GCWR and GVWR). The NRR is a 19500 gvwr comparable to A F550 or Ram 5500, but it is only rated to tow 6000 additional lbs. So, if you work with something larger than a 12" chipper it might not be the right truck for you. I just bought a 2018 F550 and have been impressed with the turning radius and maneuverability. Plus, it is rated to tow another 20k lbs on top of the payload capacity (40k lb GCWR)! There are class 6 and 7 cabovers (Kenworth K270, Peterbilt 220, Autocar ACMD) that would provide more payload and towing capacity, but they get expensive.

 

[Fivepoints]

I have a fuso fh that is a flat bed with stake sides. Certainly not a chip truck but I have thrown a tarp on it and filled it full of chips. Its an 18k gvwr truck. We have used it to haul logs for years. I hauled my 16ft trailer with my sk650 on it today. It does pretty good. I've towed my 935 chipper with it as well when we were blowing chips on site. My truck has about 270k mi on it. I'm torn as I really don't need my truck anymore. I now have an f550 with 12 ft dump bed/chip box, grapple truck, and a forestry bucket truck. I don't want to get rid of a perfectly good truck. The bed on mine is starting to fall apart. I've thought about doing a switch and go setup. My fuso normally gets 12 mpg towing and 14 mpg unloaded. If I was going to buy another one, it buy one with a 6 speed transmission. Mine has a 5 speed and it turns to much rpm on the highway. 3200 rpm at 65 mph. It will run 70 but that's about it.

 

[eastsidetimber]

Check out isuzu ftr or Chevy t6500/t7500. There's plenty of under CDL cabover trucks out there with 6 cylinders that would make great chip trucks. A little bumpier ride but more pros than cons I would think

 

[Fivepoints]

I forgot some stuff. Mine has an exhaust brake that works pretty good. Being in colorado, I'd definitely look for one. My fuso is more maneuverable than my f550 even though it has 4 ft more bed.

 

[Gorman]

Anyone have any ideas if a cab over would work for a 14’ hooklift? Or would it be too heavy on the front? I was looking at that kenworth and man, I would love to know what a c and c costs.

 

[Paul Velte]

Thanks for the insights guys!! My dream is a fuse fg 4x4 with a southco chip box. I have a little 935 chipper so I think it would be a nice little kit.

 

[evo]

Thanks for the insights guys!! My dream is a fuse fg 4x4 with a southco chip box. I have a little 935 chipper so I think it would be a nice little kit.

That was my dream too... However with a GVW of 14,000 and a steel chip box leaves you with a 2-3K payload IF your lucky. That = 4-5 yards of chips.

 

[Variable]

Anyone have any ideas if a cab over would work for a 14’ hooklift? Or would it be too heavy on the front? I was looking at that kenworth and man, I would love to know what a c and c costs.

I have a 15’ switch n go on a Peterbilt 220 that is awesome. New cab n chassis is about $85000
I have 5 T7500 cabovers, by far my favorite truck. Pay for a Vin report before you buy one and make sure the rear end gear ratio is above 6.

 

[Variable]

 

[Gorman]

I have a 15’ switch n go on a Peterbilt 220 that is awesome. New cab n chassis is about $85000
I have 5 T7500 cabovers, by far my favorite truck. Pay for a Vin report before you buy one and make sure the rear end gear ratio is above 6.

I’m hesitant about used but thanks. Couple of questions:

What’s the gvw and gvcw on those trucks

Do you have a lot of tail swing with a cab over and a 15 footer?

I was told a switch and go wouldn’t handle past a 9k payload, do you have that problem?

 

[Variable]

I’m hesitant about used but thanks. Couple of questions:

What’s the gvw and gvcw on those trucks

Do you have a lot of tail swing with a cab over and a 15 footer?

I was told a switch and go wouldn’t handle past a 9k payload, do you have that problem?

If you are building a new one I would look at a Kenworth K370.

The newest T7500 is 33,000 GVW
My other 7500’s and Peterbilt are 26,000. Just under CDL

The 15’ Peterbilt does great. The wheelbase was cut down to fit the bed.

Switch N go has several models to pick from. I don’t remember what mine is rated at but it can lift the front tires off the ground if I put too much in the bed and hoist it on...

Your welcome to come try one out before you build one if you want.