Purchasing a S/A dump truck, could use some help/checklist

Good Morning,

I have been in and around construction most of my life. Most of my experience centers around skid steers, hoes, crawler/loaders, and the occasional dump in various sizes.

This is not what I do for a living though. I am looking into helping my son get started as most of the employers in our town are food-related, and there just isn't a market for 20-somethings to go to school and try to support themselves.

With that said, I do have a decent background in diesels, pumps, routine maintenance items, etc. So, the prospects of purchasing a small dump aren't daunting. I bought a new 14K equipment trailer last week and can support either a pintel or ball. I am looking at purchasing a Caterpillar skid steer from Empire Equipment in the next month or so.

Here's the meat and potatoes, so to speak: I have found a 2006 IHC 4400 with a DT466, 10-speed Fuller, airbags, air brakes, air seat, air conditioning (lots of air), Heil dump bed, 10' 8 yard, front mount hoist, good tires, good brakes. The truck looks good overall and has 157,000 miles on the clock.

This truck would mostly be used to haul the skid steer around and move gravel for driveways and such. I don't mind using tandems or tri's for big load deliveries and keeping this unit under 26K for registration and insurance purposes.

Question: Does anyone know of a checklist that I can use to make sure I am not missing anything when I go look at this truck? Any pointers from experience would also be helpful. With the miles on it, I assume taking it to a reputable HE shop for a once-over would be standard procedure.

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There are many reasons to consider purchasing a pre-owned dump truck, but first and foremost, it must make business sense. Before beginning your search for a used dump truck, have you explored all your options, including purchasing new?

While it's unusual to start by asking if you've considered buying new, it is an important topic to address.

Purchasing A New Vocational Dump Truck

Commercial dump truck service companies use trucks with specific hard-to-find specifications. While a low-maintenance dump truck doesn’t exist, whether you purchase new or used, there are many advantages to purchasing new.

Pros

• You Get Exactly What You Need – Buying new allows for a variety of build options for vocational dump trucks.
• Reliability – Fewer chances for unforeseen repairs.
• Warranty – New truck warranties and extended warranties are beneficial options.
• Long-Term Costs – Over time, purchasing new can be more cost-effective than buying used.
• Depreciation – Most dump trucks depreciate over 10 years due to limited use and wait times.

Cons

• Purchase Price – High purchase prices may limit loan options or affordability.
• The Wait – New trucks may take 12 months or longer to arrive.
• Fees & Taxes – New purchases come with high fees that need to be considered.

Purchasing A Used Dump Truck

There are many excellent reasons for buying a pre-owned dump truck.

Pros

• Price – The cost gap between late model used and new dump trucks is currently low, but if you’re looking for an older truck, the savings will be substantial.
• Immediate Use – With a used truck, you can start working immediately.
• Better Value – A pre-owned vehicle allows you to get more for your money, whether that’s a bigger engine, larger box, or accessories.
• Fewer Fees – Lower vehicle cost means fewer fees paid upfront and in the long run.
• No FET Tax – There is no 12% FET Tax on used vehicles.
• More Options – Buying used offers more versatility if you need to sell quickly.

Cons

• Specs – Finding a dump truck with specific hard-to-find specs can be challenging.
• More Maintenance – Pre-owned equipment requires more maintenance, so plan for it before purchasing.

What Are the Different Types of Dump Trucks?

Once you’ve decided a pre-owned dump truck is the best choice, it’s time to decide what type of dump truck works best for your business. Dump truck sizes vary depending on your application.

What Class Dump Truck Do You Need?

Light Duty Dump Trucks

Light duty (up to 10,000 pounds) – Essentially a pickup truck or small flatbed truck with an electric dump. Good for landscaping and other lightweight materials.

Medium Duty Dump Trucks

Medium duty (10,001 to 26,000 pounds) – Heavier than a pickup truck, a medium duty dump truck is usually a single-axle truck that can carry more weight and is excellent for tight spaces and construction job sites.

Heavy Duty Dump Trucks

Heavy duty (over 26,000 pounds) – Severe duty dump trucks require a Class 8 driver’s license and can be used for heavy-duty construction both off-road and on-road. Available in single axle, tandem axle, and tri-axle configurations.

Choosing the Right Commercial Truck = Choosing the Right Specs

While selecting the right class of truck is important, equally crucial are the specifications you choose.

The Dump Truck Body

A truck’s dump box is as important as any spec you will need to consider. Choosing the wrong type of dump box could be costly.

Know What You Are Hauling

Before choosing a dump bed, you must know what you are hauling. A vocational dump truck that hauls a variety of materials will have a different body than one that only hauls bark or lightweight materials.

Knowing what you are hauling will help determine:

• Your Engine choices
  • Diesel or gas engine
  • Horsepower
• Front and rear axle configurations
• Transmission type
  • Number of speeds for manual transmission
  • Semi-automatic or automatic transmission
• Whether you need to haul other heavy equipment
• Tire Size and Type
• Required gate type
• Need for Electric or Hydraulic Ram

Where Are You Hauling?

• Are you going to be off-road? If so, do you need a severe duty dump truck or a versatile one?
• Will you be doing local and regional hauls?
• Are you hauling in confined spaces?

Other Considerations

• Will you need additional storage?
• Do you need special add-ons or customizations?
• Does the dump body on the truck you’re considering have service available nearby?

Note – Choosing a dump body with a chassis that doesn’t have a nearby factory service dealership can be problematic and expensive. If you have your own shop or a reliable mechanic, you have more options. Always ensure service and parts are readily available.

What Are the Best Dump Truck Brands?

Choosing the best dump truck to buy is a personal choice and may depend on your location. Here are the major manufacturers of Heavy Duty Chassis suitable for dumps:

• Peterbilt – Known for reliability and styling.
• Kenworth – Popular for toughness and reliability.
• Mack – Synonymous with construction. Known for powerful and durable trucks.
• International – Offers medium, heavy, and severe duty trucks.
• Freightliner – Known for versatility and popularity in the U.S.
• Volvo – Leading international heavy truck builder.

Heavy and Medium Duty Dump Trucks

• Kenworth
• Freightliner
• International
• Peterbilt
• Mack
• Volvo

Medium and Light Duty Brands

• Ford
• Dodge
• Chevrolet
• Isuzu

Finding the Best Dump Trucks for Sale

Here are great places to find used dump trucks for sale:

Print Magazines – You can find Truck Paper Magazine at truck stops or have it mailed to you weekly.

Online – Many people find trucks for sale online, where thousands of vehicles are listed.

Top Online Sites – TruckPaper.com is a leading site for private party trucks. Other popular sites include Craigslist, Commercial Truck Trader, Facebook Marketplace, and Iron Planet.

Buying a Used Semi at an Auction

Once exclusive to wholesalers and large companies, auctions have become a viable place to buy trucks. In-person and online auctions are now fashionable, and you can even buy a new truck at an auction. However, if you're new to the trucking business, think twice about buying from an auction. The risks may outweigh the rewards.

Buying from a Reputable Used Truck Dealership

A reputable used truck dealership is an excellent option, especially for first-time buyers. A smart salesperson doesn’t want to sell you just one truck; they want a lifelong customer.

Inspecting a Pre-Owned Dump Truck

We always recommend getting a third-party inspection once you have chosen the truck you are interested in. Inspect the engine, transmission, brakes, tires, and truck history. Pay close attention to the cab visibility, dump axles, frame rails, and most importantly, the dump body.

• Cab Visibility – Ensure the cab offers excellent visibility for better safety, driver confidence, and lower insurance costs.
• Axles – Dump truck rear axles are under significant pressure and require careful inspection. Check the differential axle housing for leaks and cracks, and ensure the locking differential operates correctly.

Dump Box Inspection

• Frame Rails – Look for sagging, cracks, rust, and bowing. Bowing upwards may indicate the dump truck was driven with the box loaded and upright. Sagging frame rails signal overloading, which are serious safety issues. If you see either, walk away.
• Hydraulic Cylinder – Inspect for wear, scoring, or bowing. Check for leaks, seal damage, and fluid filter debris or clogs. Ensure hydraulic lines are not leaking or cracking.
• Controls – Confirm all inside and outside controls are working, including remote controls.
• Body Inspection – Check the dump box for rust, thin spots, or corrosion near the headboard. Ensure all mechanics and hinges are working correctly. Lack of maintenance or visible abuse of the box indicates potential issues with the entire truck.

Buying used can work well since dump trucks spend much time waiting to get loaded or unloaded and usually do short hauls. The miles don’t add up as quickly, making it more sensible to spend less on a used dump truck than spending more on a new one with a 12% FET Tax.

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