Dumping flatdeck or fold down side mason box

[Ford LT-9000]

I have to get a dump installed on my 95 F-450 I'am undecided do I want to stick with a dumping fladeck to try one of those fold down side mason style boxes.

I haul general freight aswell as dirt on the truck the fold down sides I would still beable to load with a forklift and haul dirt like a conventional dump.

The one thing thou a dumping flatdeck is 7000 dollars a fold down mason box will be a easy 9000 dollars. A dumping flatdeck I will have the full 8' width a fold down mason box I think its 7' something.

Either box will be 11' long and I'am wanting a front mount post hoist only one box manufacturer has that. I don't like the idea that the fold down mason box weighs 2000lbs :eek: where as a dumping flatdeck at most will be 1500lbs.

The fold down mason box will be stronger hauling dirt but I'am not sure if the extra 2 grand is worth it.

What do you guys think ?

[Cat420]

I would go with a flatbed. You can always build side boards to make it useful as a dump body and on something as relatively small as a 450, they should hold up fine as weight is not going to be a huge issue. Options are good to have and it sounds like a normal dump body would be limiting in your situation.

[Jeff D.]

I guess it would depend on how often you haul dirt,and how much dirt you haul when you do.

I know a guy with a very similar set-up on his 450 pick-up truck(box w/folding sides)and I know he hauls 3 yards pit run gravel on it.How much are you hauling with your flatbed now?Is it much more?Would you be decreasing your load capacity alot by going with the box?

I looked at those boxes,and was thinking of putting one on my 8000 Ford.I thought it would be nice for loading with my backhoe,with the lower sides.Plus,I liked the idea of being able to use it like a flatbed truck,if I wanted.

If I rememer right the box was around $2000.00 new,in primer.but I was going to use my current scissors dump,and weld the box to that,so it wouldn't have been as expensive as what your looking at.

[bobcatuser]

I would phone DEL hydraulics in Port Coquitlam. They sell the boxes with fold down sides. I have had 2 trucks with DEL installed equipment, and would recommend them to anyone.

From what I have seen most City departments are buying boxes with fold down sides and power lift tailgates that can hinge on the top or bottom.

If you get a scissor lift make sure the ram is big enough to lift the box with a full load. I have seen some that won't lift when the load is too far forward.

[Ford LT-9000]

I have to phone Del tommorow I have had one of their boxes too but it was on a truck I bought (88 F-450) it was originally from Ontario.

One thing I like about DEL is they are really the only manufacturer of front mount post hoists small enough for 1 and 2 ton trucks. I wouldn't use a scissor hoist they add weight to the truck and they don't lift aswell as a post hoist.

My 88 F-450 would dump 9000lbs of gravel like nothing the frame behind the cab would probably bend before the hoist powered out.

Del also builds and sells dumping flatdecks aswell.

I mostly do clean up work hauling way junk from peoples basements or hauling away scrap metal for recycling etc. I also haul lumber from a small mill I work for. The sand and gravel hauling is just something else I do its not a big money maker as I don't get labour charges out of it.

[nedly05]

If you don't mind hauling gravel with the flatbed with side boards I would go that way. It sounds like most of your work would go better with the flatbed, in a few hours you could build up some nice side boards, throw em right on and you'd be ready for the gravel haulin' business.

[Ford LT-9000]

I think I probably will stick with a dumping flatdeck for the amount of other materials I haul besides sand and gravel and topsoil.

One thing about a flatdeck you can remove the sides or make 4' sides or like I have on my current non dumping deck 10" sideboards. The deck that is on the truck now needs quite abit of work to make dump.

[2004F550]

Were trying to decide the same thing for a new Kodiak...seems like the dump body with folding sides idea might be the way were heading...we have folding sides on our 550 dump, its a Crysteel 9' SS tipper, and we haul 5 yards with it regularly, so the folding sides definatly hold up to work...

[Steve Frazier]

I had a mason dump on my F-350 and it sure was handy. Mine was a Rugby body, I wasn't crazy about the side latching design. I constantly had to spray it with lubricant to keep it working, and I'm not talking about occasional maintenance. The locking pins would seize in their guide holes, once so bad that I broke the chain that activates them.

Look at the design of the latch and hinges before purchasing and determine how much trouble they will give you.

[Ford LT-9000]

I'am considering building my own dumping flatdeck my brother is a certified welder I have been welding since I was 14 years old I have my famillies shop to build the deck in.

I can build the deck to the way I want it all I have to do is buy the steel it should save me some money. The companies that build truck decks could probably build the deck faster as they prolly have jigs set up to put the pieces in and weld them.

I will wait to see back about any emails I sent to one of the companies I emailed about dump bodies.

[Steve Frazier]

What's the status of this project?

[Ford LT-9000]

I have a steel deck started but I have to cut it apart and order some heavier steel the angle iron I ordered was 1/4 inch thick which I thought was enough it should have been 3/8s. Then the steel 1/8s plate I bought for the decking was reject material which the supplier didn't tell me :mad:

It would have cost me more to send it back so I'am dealing with it and trying to use it the plate is warped and out of square. I ran out of time to finish the deck I had to go to work. It took me close to 3 weeks to get it to 40% finished stage because the steel wasn't straight. My labour is cheaper than the 600 dollars worth of trucking to send the steel back.

Got prices on a 11' fold down side box from the same manufacture I bought the hoist from. The cost of steel has increased the price of the box to 8 grand and thats not installed a installed dump body is 10 grand. If I wanted a PTO hydrulics add another 1000 dollars. When I phoned the dealer they said there is a waiting list for the boxes.

[PSDF350]

:confused: You buying a truck, building a truck or just like to start threads that never amount to a finished anything.:Banghead

[Countryboy]

:eek:

[Ford LT-9000]

I started the deck in my free time before I started working for the gov't all summer. I have to work for the gov't in the summer its where I make 3/4s of my annual income. Working for the gov't in the summer time gives me a 2500 a month pay check. Working through the winter I made 2 grand in a week and few days. So I don't have time to finish my deck right now and besides I haven't got a truck to put it on yet.

I was going to go with a tandem axle dump and start hauling gravel but when I started looking at the trucks forsale your paying 50 grand for a fixer upper truck forget it. The days are gone when you could buy a decent dump for 25,000 nowwadays a 25,000 dollar truck is a site truck.

[PSDF350]

Then dont buy from your area. Because I look on line all the time and could find 20 trucks in your price range in decent enough shape. But you only want to talk about buying. If your serius you would stop talking and buy something. Now granted they will be used trucks so will need something. But the only way around that is to buy new. So quit looking for excuses not to buy, and start looking for reasons to buy. Honestly if your going to be in business you will need to grow a backbone for tough decisions. Sometimes the choices we (business owners) make are wrong. But then sometimes there right. Until you you take the plunge you wont know. Good luck

[woberlin]

Have you considered buying a small fuel efficient new economy car to use for your daily transportation, and fixing whatever needs repaired on your f-450, and then using it only for work? The money you save on fuel would probably pay for the repairs!

[Ford LT-9000]

Fuel is cheap for me I figure if I'am going to spend 2000 bucks on a commuter car that money will buy lots of diesel. A 1000 dollar beater are no longer existant new emmission rules have eliminated the old junk.

Plus I have insurance on two vehicals which would be 200 a month. My dad has a F-150 with a 300 straight 6 my truck gets better fuel mileage than the does because the diesel gets 12mpg.

My commute to work is 30 mins I each way a round trip is 40 kilometres (25 miles) approx. I don't do that every day either especially in the winter I only get a week a month.