looking for my first truck and trailer.

[Jehinten]

using Treetrader and Craigslist I am realizing I probably need to spend between 15k - $25k for a Chip truck. If anyone has tips or recommendations for a specific type/make truck I should pursue please do let me know as I am working on the financing part Would love to have something bigger than a one ton. What trucks would you stay away from?

You can find two ton trucks under cdl that would serve you well. I have one here that's setup up with a 10' chipbox and miniskid platform and includes toolbox storage. Add a chipper and you'd have everything you need on one truck. You'll also be much happier with a purpose built chip box, as they can handle log loads much better than most dump beds that are repurposed.


Consider if you have hills as to how much power you need on the road. Flat terrain can get by just fine with a smaller power train while if you have a lot of hills you'll be wishing for more umpf.

 

[cercidiphyllum]

You can find two ton trucks under cdl that would serve you well. I have one here that's setup up with a 10' chipbox and miniskid platform and includes toolbox storage. Add a chipper and you'd have everything you need on one truck. You'll also be much happier with a purpose built chip box, as they can handle log loads much better than most dump beds that are repurposed.


Consider if you have hills as to how much power you need on the road. Flat terrain can get by just fine with a smaller power train while if you have a lot of hills you'll be wishing for more umpf.

this sounds like a really nice setup you got there. Jealous!

 

[southsoundtree]

Consider how tight your access is, weight rating for local small bridges, etc.

I have a fair bit of difficult access, steep waterfront access roads.

Consider how much material you will generate in a typical day? Are you doing large tree removals or a lot of small, ornamental pruning, or some of everything?

Consider your traveling distances.



I can load my mini-loader into the dump bed of my ex-Asplundh chip bed (nose uphill only) with 1" to spare, so I don't need to have a separate mini platform. I rarely drive it, as I do a lot of chip onsite, even for large removals. It carries logs and wood well. As full of silver maple wood as I could load it, it dumped ok.

 

[Jehinten]

this sounds like a really nice setup you got there. Jealous!

It's an old truck, but works well. I actually no longer have a use for it anymore, so it's currently up for sale.

 

[Boomslang]

Don't underestimate what a 1/2 ton can do either. I've been running a dump insert in my F150 with the finest plywood box a trash picker can buy. I can pull a 9" chipper no problem, even when fully loaded, and when it comes time for the big wood just hook on the dump trailer. Can still load logs in the dump box too. Plus, it's maneuverable as hell and in a lot of situations I can drive on lawns without damaging them as opposed to larger trucks. Again, it's all going to boil down to what suits your needs and fits your budget best.

Here is just pine, but I've had this setup loaded even higher with oak/maple/ash.

 

[cercidiphyllum]

It's an old truck, but works well. I actually no longer have a use for it anymore, so it's currently up for sale.

got any photos ? curious

also boomslang that is inspiring thanks for sharing the pic.

 

[southsoundtree]

How's the 1/2 ton towing and braking capacity?

I was limited by mine. Used up the transmission (expensive), and was definitely overloaded with chips, that one time.

 

[Jehinten]

got any photos ? curious

also boomslang that is inspiring thanks for sharing the pic.

My mini will also fit in the chipbox as shown, but only "nosed in" due to the design of the box or obviously on the platform.

By no means a deal breaker when your looking for a truck, and you can always add them after the fact like I did, but upper and lower backup cameras are very nice on these trucks. Especially if hooking up or backing down a street solo.

 

[Boomslang]

How's the 1/2 ton towing and braking capacity?

I was limited by mine. Used up the transmission (expensive), and was definitely overloaded with chips, that one time.

Trailer brakes help big time with braking. I've never had an "oh shit" moment. Other than wearing through pads a little faster than usual, braking hasn't been a problem.

I beefed up the springs in the truck to the heaviest ones I could find to help alleviate some of the load and it's definitely helped. She still squats when fully loaded, but her ass isn't scraping the pavement.

We have a lot of hills here (river valley) and even loaded and hauling the chipper it's never felt sluggish. It's only got the 4.6 in it so I'm probably pushing it more than I should, but it's a beater truck so by even getting a year out of it it's already paid for itself. And I can probably easily get another. Nice thing about a dump insert is you can lift it out and pop it in another truck in a couple of hours, barely missing a beat.

This is obviously not a long term setup, but it's great for solo guys and the weekend warriors.

 

[SeanRuel]

Boston has notoriously tight little streets, and a lot of the burbs are full of really narrow driveways with gates and random fancy yard art, brick drive edges, or manicured lawn

I always thought the Toyota dynatruck or similar would be the perfect Boston tree rig. Great visibility cab over and built as a work truck, but smaller than the Mitsubishi fuso. You can get em imported if they are over 25 years old, and there's a few folks doing that, one in Virginia I think. They can be in awesome shape with low miles and under 15k- there is one local to me that I'm jealous of every time I see!

 

[cercidiphyllum]

Boston has notoriously tight little streets, and a lot of the burbs are full of really narrow driveways with gates and random fancy yard art, brick drive edges, or manicured lawn

I always thought the Toyota dynatruck or similar would be the perfect Boston tree rig. Great visibility cab over and built as a work truck, but smaller than the Mitsubishi fuso. You can get em imported if they are over 25 years old, and there's a few folks doing that, one in Virginia I think. They can be in awesome shape with low miles and under 15k- there is one local to me that I'm jealous of every time I see!

Thanks SeanRuel, you got it right - tight streets and hills ...however I operate primarily outside the city but tons of tight driveways and some hills so it almost might as well be the same. As long as the truck handles a full load of chips and or/wood better than a 1 or 1.5 ton truck. I actually loved the experience anytime I used a cabover (I believe it was a fuso) but it was yearsss ago. For sure will look into the toyota you mentioned. Anyone got a brief rundown of cabover style trucks and what to look for / avoid ? Which makes/models are just under CDL? Don't get me wrong I am googling up a storm but I any help is appreciated.

By the way.....you have all inspired me to create an LLC and get some insurance. Any tips for inexpensive insurance for someone like me? I am going for it boys.

 

[cercidiphyllum]

Also, this one is CDL - how appealing is a behind the cab crane like this ? never used one myself. Looks like it would need some modifications to chip into obviously.

https://www.gordonmotorcar.com/details/used-1997-chevrolet-c7500/82960669

Here is a fuso dump in my price range - thoughts on something like this also ? thanks for the support all....

2003 Mitsubishi fuso dump - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

Up for sale 2003 mitsubishi fuso fh211 dump Only 53 klm

longisland.craigslist.org

I am still in a learning phase....bear with my spam style postings XD

 

[southsoundtree]

If you have the room to maneuver the truck, that would be a candidate for a removal-oriented truck.

My friend has an f800 with a National kboom. Very useful at times. Needs space and hardened ground when empty, spinning on damp grass, and he's a very skilled, experienced driver.

He wants to sell it to me, but its very stinky and too big for most of my jobs.

I'm looking for a smaller dump truck.

 

[cercidiphyllum]

for sure removal oriented...decisions decisions...

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Posts #15 and #18 sum up what I would say.

Buy a ¾ ton automatic pickup. Pull off the box and find a flatbed or fabricate.

Get a dump trailer as big as you can afford. If you can't afford the one you want so what, dump trailers sell quick so you can watch out and upgrade later.

]Talk to your insurance company about rates. My guess is that a dump truck and flatbed trailer combo would cost more to insure than pickup and dump trailer. Don't try to pull a weasel move if your agent asks if it will be a work truck. You can get jammed up if you ever have a claim.

There are more under-worked ¾ ton pickups around than dumpers.

Back in the day I used an atv for brush/log handling. The atv was built into a mini skidder and I had a log arch for moving big stuff. Various ways of loading logs onto trailers with the atv. Very low overhead setup but very functional.

 

[cercidiphyllum]

These trailers are cool, cant seem to find one anywhere though.

( LLC, Insurance is in motion.... )

I much prefer the idea of a dump truck with a 5'ish foot skid platform between the cab and truck...Not sure if I can get a just under CDL truck + skid platform and dump body for under $35k ?? That would be ideal I have time on my side so I can find someone who fabricates at a fair rate. hmmm

 

[Jehinten]

in the meantime, I discovered these hybrid dump trailers. I just can't seem to find a used one anywhere. A new one is very far away and a custom request from what I can tell. Any tips for finding something like in the youtube video below?

( LLC, Insurance is in motion.... )

Careful looking at these. I started looking at this style trailer and ended up with a rear mount grapple truck. The phrase "if your gonna spend X amount anyways, why not spend a little more to get something bigger" kept coming to mind. Lol.



As for that style trailer, I contacted a company last year about a 4' stationary deck with a 16' dump bed. I ended up with a lead time of 62 weeks




I'm not sure if this will help you at all, but here is a thread I started while back while in a similar situation. https://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/trailer-purchase.44953/

 

[cercidiphyllum]

Careful looking at these. I started looking at this style trailer and ended up with a rear mount grapple truck. The phrase "if your gonna spend X amount anyways, why not spend a little more to get something bigger" kept coming to mind. Lol.



As for that style trailer, I contacted a company last year about a 4' stationary deck with a 16' dump bed. I ended up with a lead time of 62 weeks




I'm not sure if this will help you at all, but here is a thread I started while back while in a similar situation. https://www.treebuzz.com/forum/threads/trailer-purchase.44953/

thanks man, I got excited and already edited the post to focus more on dump trucks. You are so right lol.

 

[Z'sTrees]

Used prices are crazy right now but if you're ready sometimes you can't afford to wait.

A one ton dump and a 10-12" chipper can make you a lot of money to get you going.

I have a buddy that went the other direction with a dump trailer/mini skid as his first setup.

For us, dump fees are expensive and chips/firewood logs are easy to get rid of.

My opinion is loading wood sucks but loading brush suck more. Unloading either really sucks.

You can always rent a mini skid or chipper but hard to rent a dump truck.

 

[evo]

These trailers are cool, cant seem to find one anywhere though.

( LLC, Insurance is in motion.... )

I much prefer the idea of a dump truck with a 5'ish foot skid platform between the cab and truck...Not sure if I can get a just under CDL truck + skid platform and dump body for under $35k ?? That would be ideal I have time on my side so I can find someone who fabricates at a fair rate. hmmm

Consider a large tool box behind the cab instead of a min platform. Tools are essential. The mini can go in the bed, on a trailer or the like. My large tool box allows for nearly everything a crew of 3 needs. Everything is always on every job -mini, -cabling, -the biggest saw/bar combo. The hours saved by going through the work order and the gear shed every morning and evening will likely be offset by the extra trip to retrieve the mini after off loading (at least in my market and area).

The only way around this is having a second vehicle and second driver, which I do now. Mini is pulled by a second truck which could work for tools too. This suits my needs well. Crew of 3 (myself included) a dump truck with large tool box, a f-250 with dump insert, a 6/9” and a12” chipper and the mini with 12’ flat bed. I’d trade the flatbed and dump insert for a dump trailer but both cost me WAY less.

I totally understand starting out with the minimum as I did (1980 Toyota flatbed, and a 4x10 trailer). But now I can split off from the 2 others with either the mini or the small chipper and go do 1-3 small jobs nearly doubling my daily.