First Chip truck help

SRTsteve860

SRTsteve860

New member
Location
North West Connecticut
Hey guys, im starting to dive into the market for my first heavy truck to keep growing my small operation. At the time, I am working with a 2000 s-10 and landscape trailer w. sides where i stack brush, so anything will be a step up from that, but im looking to get something that will satisfy what i will ask of it for years to come. Essentially if things go as well as they have been, I dont want to do an upgrade again anytime soon.

Im looking for nothing less than a F350 but am looking more at 450 and 550 chassis. From everyone I talked to, i know to look for a 7.3, but im looking for a newer truck, so any other recommendations for engines post '05?

I do mostly removals or storm clean up, so a larger chip box will be ideal, and towing a 12" chipper, weighing approx 7.5k lbs.

Any specifics you can let me in on, engine, chassis (length/model) flat/stake bed or mason dump.

I live in the NW hills of Ct so 4x4 will be a must and as of right now i plan to plow some smaller accounts as well.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

-Steve
 
If your willing to install your own dump body,

I have an owner operated, very well maintained 1999 f350, 4x4, 6 spd manual, 7.3 diesel, never plowed, cab and chassis I am considering upgrading this year. The body is not going with it.

In our area its very hard buying used trucks, most are rot boxes, or rode hard plowing snow.
 
I'd buy that truck in a heartbeat if I didn't just pick up a second one ton. Whatever you find, it's not going to like that chipper behind it for very long.
 
I think that an f450 or f550 is a great setup. I would look for a f550 if possible.

I have a 2000 f450 7.3l and it does everything I need. Great setup just wish it had an aluminum body. With the southco body the truck weighs 11k empty. I am almost overweight with 10 yards of chips and the chipper.
 
I wouldn't want the gas engine I've heard they get pretty poor mileage. THe 6.7 are pretty new so nobody really knows how well they will do over the long haul. I have read however that there have been a few 200K mile 6.7 trucks with very minimal issues.

If I were in the market I would consider the 6.0, as has been stated in other threads that engine has some basic design flaws but can be fixed for around 3-5K depending on the shop. I'll stick with my 2001 F550 7.3L with 79K for now.

jp
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Get a cab-over!!!

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I saw that same one on craigslist a while ago. The seller was also selling a bandit. That's a sweet truck.
 
I have put some thought into a cabover, but their ability offroad is not like that of a reguar truck, as well as I will put a plow on this truck, and i have never heard of anyone plowing with a cabover. If I were to get a truck for on road use solely as a chip truck, it would be ideal, sadly, I am looking for more from what I buy

-Steve
 
I know a bunch of guys who plow with cabovers. Mitsubishi Fuso FG. Somebody I know walked out of a local Dodge dealer a little over a year ago with a brand new 5500 work truck with 11' dump body for about 50K Just food for thought.
 
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Somebody I know walked out of a local Dodge dealer a little over a year ago with a brand new 5500 work truck with 11' dump body for about 50K Just food for thought.

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I would hope he drove out of the dealership. That truck was probably kinda heavy to pull, push or carry while walking.

-Tom
 
HL tree, i have no issue with dodge, infact I would go with a dodge 5500 chassis as fast as i would scoop up a 550, its just the 550 is more common than the 5500 ram in used vehicle searches, and with me also being a full time college student 2 semesters out of the year, I cant go taking on a payment on a brand new truck.

-Steve
 
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Any of you guys have an opinion on what newer powerstroke is more ideal? Between the 6.7, 6.0, and 6.4? Or how about the v10 gasser ford has in the 550?

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I have a 2011 F350 with the 6.7 and I love it. It is a single wheel pickup with an ezdumper in it that holds between 6 and 7 yards of chips. The trany that ford matched up with this engine is awsome. I have not had any problem hauling my morbark 2070xl (6k or so) and a load of chips. I have just about 16k miles and have had zero problems with it (except a wiper motor). You could probably pick up a used one for much less than new now too.
 
I run a few 7.3 diesels. If you notice often times a 7.3 with low miles goes for more than a 6.0 with the same mileage even though it's older. There is a reason for that.

My mechanic loves the 6.0, he keeps telling me to get one.... I think I know why. However, it is more powerful and has better acceleration. I would still stay away if I were you. the 1999-2002 fords are pretty bulletproof.

I wouldn't go with anything less than an f450, that is what I run for a chip truck. They generally come with lower gears than the 350 and that will really help ya if you ever want to pull a big chipper with a full load.

I have an 11x8x6 steel chip body on mine that I built myself and we haul a morbark 2400.

Also I think you should really reconsider plowing with your chip truck. You should build yourself a nice low mileage 7.3 chipper truck and spend around 20 grand, I had about 13 in mine by the time I was done but it's a 2wd. After that buy yourself an older short box 3/4 or 1 ton truck for plowing, then you also have an extra chase truck for big jobs, loading tools, small amounts of wood, pulling a trailer etc. Your chip truck is the real money maker I assume and you really shouldn't beat it up plowing.

Buy one with a pto dump on it so you don't have to add that expense. As far as the dump body goes it doesn't matter, you can build anything. A flatbed dump would be easiest cuz you don't have to cut anything off first. I built mine out of a mason dump. It was about a grand in steel if I remember correctly and it took me and another guy two days to weld it up, then got it painted for 400.

Anyways, stay away from the 6.4 fords, and I seriously wouldn't drop the cash for a 6.7, you can get two 7.3s for that price. The 6.4 is a known fuel hog, and has many issues. If you go with the v10 you will most likely start measuring your mileage in gallons per mile.

If you do go with a 7.3 just make sure you find one with very little to no rust around 100k or so, you should get another 150 out of it easy.

Automatics are better if you are gonna let your crew drive it, if only you are gonna drive you could go with a stick, I have the six spd in mine and have had to do the tranny once. The truck only has 130k on it.


JMO... I like older proven reliable trucks..... however you will have to do little things like starters, alternators, powersteering pumps, what have you, I call it making a payment.
 
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