Well, a yard of dirt/stone/sand is approx. 2500lbs, so I would expect a 2-3 yard dump body on a 3500 C&C to take at least 2 yrds of dirt or 5,000lbs + the 2,000lbs of the dump body of 7,000lbs total on the back of the truck. If that is risking the axle, then maybe a 3500 is not enough of a truck. I would hope to sell my dump trailer, but maybe I should keep it?

Man, this is so hard ... a nice old leftover that I could probably get for the low low 30's but worry everytime I have to get dirt/stone, or go new 2008 and get a 4500 at $35,600 invoice + $6,000 for a dump body and hydrolics and not have to worry about the dirt/stone, but worry about the check book and eating mac & cheese for the next 5 years.

What would you do?

 

The old Dana 80 axle was rated at 8,000lbs, and that was the limiting factor on the 2nd gen trucks. I'm sure the AAM axle is rated at least the same or better. I did a quick search and couldn't find the info on the 11.5 AAM axle. Maybe someone will come along with more knowledge than I have.

Either way, you're going to be running close to max with a 3500, and there's no doubt a 4500 or 5500 would be better, but does the extra cash justify it? That a tough question. I guess it depends on how often you'll be hauling the heavy loads.

 

I've never owned a dump but I've driven a lot of them and loaded a bunch more. I've never been around a 2yd. 1 ton, but I have loaded some 2tons, and their mud flaps were dragging the ground. If you need to haul 2 yds of heavy material to make money, I recommend a 5 ton at least. Good luck.

 

Shucks fellas I routinely haul 2-3 tons on my 2nd gen dually. It takes 1 ton to make it ride level. Stock suspension, 130,000 on the ticker and no problems with the rear .....yet. The new 2500 has had 3000lbs in the ity-bity bed it has, handled it fine for over 100 miles, horse feed!!

 

Thank you Hayseed for that testimonial, the 3500 C&C is looking better every day.

Especially since the insurance difference between the 3500 and 4500/5500 is considerable.

Its interesting how my regular insurance company (Lib. Mutual) won't insure anthing over 10,000lbs and i must price out Commercial Insurance for this truck I'm looking to purchase.

 

Fatcat you worry too much. Go and buy your truck and enjoy. It will handle that much of a load. I am in business that uses one ton dual wheeled dump trucks everyday just like you are looking to buy. Trust me the "Chevy" or AAM axle will handle your load. We still occasionally use our old 84 C-30 dump and it would handle 4 tons all day long and it is still kickin.

 

we can put 2 tons of hot asphalt on our one ton dump body trucks all day long and it never hurts em. Have done three tons before, and that may be pushing it a little. These trucks are ford f-350's and chevy 3500's. we have a few f-450's tha can handle some more weight but the beds will only hold so much before material is spilling over the sides

 

Thanks again folks for the testemonials. I plan on making an offer this week for that '07 left over. It they except my price with the additional items I want then it will be a done deal.

Its all up to the dealer if they want to get rid of the truck ... either I can pay the bank or they can ... its up to them.

 

About insurance, I have all my trucks including a 2 1/2 ton chevy dump and a Brigadier single axle dump on State Farm's farm comercial insurance. I costs a lot less than passenger vehicle insurance. Full coverage on my new one is less than liability on a car we have!

 

Well, so far Progressive Insurance gave me a quote of $814/yr here in Southern NH for the 3500 I'm looking at ($989 for a similar 4500). I don't understand why my Liberty Mutual company won't insure commercial.

I'll make a few other calls for insurance quote tomorrow.

It's a good thing we don't have any sales tax here in NH or I'd be taking another big wack on a purchase.

 

That's higher then mine but most vehicles in that price range run about $100 a month unless you are really young or have a high risk. The farm/commercial advantage is the only angle I've come up with for some savings. Liability on the 79 chevy 2 1/2 dump is like $70 for 6months. But that is limited mileage and farm commercial.