If you’re in the market to purchase a dump truck, you already know that this is a very specialized market, one that won’t have a hundred listings available in your local newspaper. But where do you go to find a good dump truck for sale, whether you’re shopping new or used?
Shopping for used dump trucks for sale
You can now use the Internet to locate 1 ton dump trucks for sale. Web sites specializing in heavy equipment sales offer pictures, spec sheets, and other details about the equipment, including whether financing is available. Depending on the site, you’ll be able to review hundreds or thousands of vehicles across the country, even filtering them to within a certain distance. If you don’t find what you need, many sites offer a “Wanted to Buy” section where you can detail exactly what you’re looking for.
Choosing a dump truck for sale
Purchasing a dump truck isn’t always easy, and you may have questions about exactly what type of dump truck you need. It’s important that you find the right dump truck designed for how you’ll use it. Regardless of your needs, you want the truck that provides the best combination of fuel efficiency and capacity.
The first consideration is whether you’ll be using the dump truck mainly for on-road or off-road use. The decision affects the truck’s engine, transmission, and frame. Other key considerations for used tri axle dump trucks for sale include:
- Axle ratings. Heavy duty one ton dump trucks have higher axle ratings, from 18,000 pounds for the front axles to 40,000 pounds for the rear. Smaller dump truck ratings typically are in the range of 10,000 for the front and 20,000 for the rear.
- Power. Heavy duty engines offer 270 to 500 horsepower, but you’ll also need to consider the low-end torque.
- Body length and type. Cheap dump trucks for sale can range from as small as 8 feet to more than 20 feet. The type of material you’ll be hauling determines the style of body you need. Half-round or elliptical dump bodies make it easier to dump loose materials, while square boxed bodies provide more overall capacity with the same length of dump truck.
Fuel economy
Gas mileage may not be as crucial to a dump truck driver as it would be to an over-the-road driver, but fuel economy is still important to consider. Any reduction in your operating costs improves your bottom line. The most important consideration for fuel economy is to choose the right engine size for the work you’ll be doing. Whenever the engine and transmission are overpowered or underpowered, your fuel costs increase. If you will be driving at highway speeds on a regular basis, you should also consider the aerodynamics of the dump truck; however, if most of your driving is local, this feature is usually not worth the added expense.
Seats
With modern commercial dump trucks for sale, you have a wider choice of seats, all with different associated costs. The standard seat is 21″ wide with foam over a wood or metal frame. However, you can upgrade to larger seats depending on the cab’s capacity, and you can upgrade to coil spring seats or adjustable air chambers, designed to give you the fit most comfortable to you. The important thing is to find a seat that is comfortable for you, especially if you plan to spend long days in your dump truck.
Additional features to consider
Depending on your needs and budget, there are additional features you might want to consider. Extra mirrors provide added visibility, and convex mirrors mounted on the fenders can make it easier to maneuver in tight spaces. Tool boxes can be mounted on the outside of the cab, giving you extra storage capacity. You can also consider additional fuel tanks to reduce how many refueling stops you’ll need to make.
