Driving a dump truck cross country - What do I need to know

Andy1845c · Mar 14, 2020

Hey all,

I am looking at a little S/A dump truck for sale out in Califonia. Considering driving it home to Minnesota.

I am wondering what to expect as far as being legal getting it home.

I used to drive locally but have never dealt with logbooks, scales or crossing state lines. I also am wondering what to expect on I80 through the mountains. Would I be required to carry chains this time of year?

I have a CDL and health card. I also registered for a DOT number ad assume I could make up something temporary to display that until I can get it lettered.

The person I spoke with about the truck apparently just does advertising for trucks but thinks its currently licensed. Is there anyone here from CA that could tell me if there is anything state specific the truck should have before I drive it on the road?

Labparamour · Mar 14, 2020

I live in Washington state (Covid-central!)
I bought a little Ford L7000 from around Sacramento area about 7 years ago.

Plan your route and go online to each states DOT or state police to get info on trip permits. While I was still in Cali, I was able to call and have my Oregon permit emailed/faxed to the hotel I was staying at.

My rig is an ‘82 and not ugly but not pretty.

I was worried about rolling across scales with an old rig and temp permits in the windshield.

Ran across several scales and never called in (even the port of entry coming back in to Washington!

If I recall, I kept a log but, once past the last scale in Washington, pushed for home...fudging by a couple hours.

I’m sure others will have some good points.

Andy1845c · Mar 14, 2020

This truck is a 92', but really clean and well kept, so at least it wouldn't stick out as something not road worthy. I didn't know about trip permits. I will look into that.

AzIron · Mar 14, 2020

Last time I did that I came from colorado on a temp plate pulling no load except me you wont get stopped if your going to push the hours run 2 paper logs but again you wont get stopped your not conducting business so no name or dot number

Bls repair · Mar 14, 2020

What GVW are you going to register it for?

terex herder · Mar 14, 2020

The important thing is what is the GVW listed on the VIN plate. If its 26000 or under you are fine regardless. Personally, I've done similar, but never that far. Stay off the superslab and routes with fixed scales. A new trucker atlas is your friend.

Andy1845c · Mar 14, 2020

I think it’s 33k gvw. I should clarify that. I considered secondary roads but don’t know what to expect going across the Rockies. There can’t be as many roads. Don’t really want to get myself into too big of a mess

mowingman · Mar 14, 2020

Get a one-trip tag from your home state and slap it on the truck when you leave for home. Also, keep your logbook up to date. There should be no other problems with your trip home. I have done the same type of thing you describe, never had any problems needing permits, if you have that one-trip tag.

Labparamour · Mar 14, 2020

Forgot to mention: here they require chains be carried if traveling mountain passes Nov-April

https://www.wsp.wa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Chaining-Requirements.pdf

crane operator · Mar 14, 2020

Get it hauled. Its a long way across country, in a truck you don't know if its reliable or not. Tires, fuel filters, engine and trans, rear ends, condition, etc, etc. Do you really want to be broke down in the middle of wyoming with a 3rd member out? I'm all for saving $ when I can, but I wouldn't want to take off from Calif. to minnesota with a truck I know nothing about, except that it looks good in pictures.

Get it hauled. Unless you are retired and its no big deal if you are broke down in the middle of nowhere for a week.

terex herder · Mar 14, 2020

Every state has different chain laws. Check each one individually. A friend got stopped in Oregon last winter for a DOT inspection. He passed in fine shape. The officer asked if he had chains. Yes. How many? Six. That will cost you $350., Oregon requires 7, one steer wheel must be chained. He was legal everywhere else.

Bls repair · Mar 14, 2020

I’m assuming SA is a single axle

skata · Mar 14, 2020

Just drive it. Permits for a single axle dump??

Andy1845c · Mar 14, 2020

Yup, Just a single axle dump truck. International 4900. I am mostly concerned about the scales. Like I said in all my years of driving semi in-state I never dealt with them. As far as I know generally anything over 10k GVW and not an RV is supposed to scale? I know weight wise I would be fine obviously but don't want to get hassled about paperwork I wasn't even aware I was supposed to have.

RZucker · Mar 14, 2020

Personally I agree with Crane Operator and just have it hauled. It could be far cheaper in the long run. I would imagine $7-800 as a back haul would get it there if you find the right guy.

Andy1845c · Mar 15, 2020

Crane operator has a good point and one I have considered. Im familiar with the driveline in these trucks so that boosts my confidence a little. This one has under a 100k miles on it, so that helps also. That said if something major fails I'm likely screwed. Im a little worried its been sitting for an extended period because its got new tires and batteries. That makes me wonder if all the zerks would take grease ok and if there are some are hoses ready to blow out or anything. I haven't priced hauling it. It would cost me over $800 to drive it back when I factor in fuel and 2 night lodging. Gut level I feel like moving it would be a lot more than that but Zucker says if I could find the right guy needing a backhaul. Hell even meeting someone closer to MN and driving it the rest could be ok.

I'm not sure if I am going to move on it or not. I am kinda torn. It's got a 10 speed in it which is kinda rare in a 4900/DT466 setup and its not all rusty like MN trucks are. I really like it and wish it was closer. I really appreciate the advice on this though. unless I find one local I probably will have to move it at least a little ways so this will all still apply.

I guess worst case I can always go back to my original idea of putting one together from a semi tractor.

Willie B · Mar 15, 2020

14 years ago I bought a 27500 LB 1976 Chevy. Drove from Pennsylvania to VT. No problems with law enforcement, but with two tanks I ran out of gas twice within a mile of the dealer. I later discovered the fuel pickup is four inches off the bottom of the tanks. We did six stops beside the highway. Air compressor kept coming loose from its mounts. It proved to be a 22 hour round trip.

We did the same trip to pick up a new van a few years ago in 14 hours including paperwork, a Quigley factory tour, and meals.

cuttin edge · Mar 15, 2020

Willie B said:
14 years ago I bought a 27500 LB 1976 Chevy. Drove from Pennsylvania to VT. No problems with law enforcement, but with two tanks I ran out of gas twice within a mile of the dealer. I later discovered the fuel pickup is four inches off the bottom of the tanks. We did six stops beside the highway. Air compressor kept coming loose from its mounts. It proved to be a 22 hour round trip.

View attachment 212802 We did the same trip to pick up a new van a few years ago in 14 hours including paperwork, a Quigley factory tour, and meals.

yes but that's when they used to make real trucks. There used to be a guy around here with a truck like that. Gasjob with a trailing axle. He could haul more asphalt than the other trucks, because he was so light. Used to be funny seeing the young fellas trying to start our old service truck. They had never seen a manual choke.

cuttin edge · Mar 15, 2020

Andy1845c said:
Crane operator has a good point and one I have considered. Im familiar with the driveline in these trucks so that boosts my confidence a little. This one has under a 100k miles on it, so that helps also. That said if something major fails I'm likely screwed. Im a little worried its been sitting for an extended period because its got new tires and batteries. That makes me wonder if all the zerks would take grease ok and if there are some are hoses ready to blow out or anything. I haven't priced hauling it. It would cost me over $800 to drive it back when I factor in fuel and 2 night lodging. Gut level I feel like moving it would be a lot more than that but Zucker says if I could find the right guy needing a backhaul. Hell even meeting someone closer to MN and driving it the rest could be ok.

I'm not sure if I am going to move on it or not. I am kinda torn. It's got a 10 speed in it which is kinda rare in a 4900/DT466 setup and its not all rusty like MN trucks are. I really like it and wish it was closer. I really appreciate the advice on this though. unless I find one local I probably will have to move it at least a little ways so this will all still apply.

I guess worst case I can always go back to my original idea of putting one together from a semi tractor.

We have had a fleet of those with the DT466. Would love to have the money that has come through the tailgates over the years. Let me tell you, half the dash probably doesn't work, and they might not be a lot of comfort, but they were a good truck. We have been having so many headaches with the electronics on the new trucks. One of our last international tandems. A 93 I think.... they just put a rebuilt drop in engine, and new transmission in. It has the 466 with the fuel pump up high, a bit more power. All the new Freightliners have to be tied to the shop to start in the winter, the 1990 and the afore mentioned 93 start every time. The single axle has that international 6 speed, and the rest have 13s. All good trucks, they basicly ran them to death ,and the 4 that have retired were mostlly body issues, that probably would have been fixed if they had know what a headache the new trucks would have been.

Willie B · Mar 15, 2020

The Chevy is a gas hog! It had a 366, I couldn't time. 50,000 miles all the local mechanics said it must be timing chain wear. I swapped to a rebuilt 427, using parts from my engine, Upon putting the distributor back in we discovered a broken widget allowing the distributor entrails to move around. I probably switched engines for no reason. I do have a bit more power. My engine rebuilder had been around in the day when these engines were in everyday use. He said:" If you could get them running just right, they had just enough power to drag a sick whore off a pi$$ pot."

Driving a dump truck cross country - What do I need to know

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Senior Member