[LandArts]

Right now I'm using an open trailer to haul everything to our jobs. It's about used up and my Ford's trannie is having trouble shifting with only 20k miles on it
I'm thinking about going to an Isuzo cabover with a compact dump bed. Some kind of tool boxes that will store hand tools for a three man crew. Would be nice to have a lockable box for our plate compactor and wet saw. Hauling is limited to plants, very small quantities of soil, mulch, screenings and pinestraw. This time around I don't want to (read can't afford to) buy more truck than I need so a light-duty dump is fine. We sometimes rent a Dingo with trailer so I need to be able to pull it. I'd be curious to hear opinions on deisel vs. gas and lease vs. purchase.

[agla]

Isuzu and Mitsubishi cabovers have become the standard up here. Everyone seems to love them. The Mit is nicer, but more dough. The diesels are great on fuel I am told. They both turn on a dime and give you change. The design/build I work for bought two used reconditioned diesel Mitsubishis last year with new tool boxes between the cab and new dump body (drop side mason dumps). Everyone loves them and there has been no problems.

My brother has an older gas Isuzu with a 10' dump. The only regret he has is the new chevy 3500 (normal cab) he bought two years ago with the 10 body. It has power, runs great, but is a pig on gas and you need a football stadium to turn it around. He will buy a cab over again the next time.

By the way, all of these mentioned are automatic transmissions and electrically operated dump hydraulics with no issues.

[rbriggs]

We own two of the Isuzu cabover desiigns. Both have 10' dump boxes on them.
We love 'em. They are a nice ride, great on gas, and turn on a dime. I don't thnk you'll be disappointed.
Depending on what you are hauling however, I'd check and double check the specs from the manufacturer.
WE also have a Ford F450. Love the thing, but I am just wating for tranny problems.

[Paydaze7]

the next round of trucks will be cabovers with landscape bodys.. im done with the trailers! everyone i talk to about the cabovers have nothing bad to say about them though....

[1bsman]

All of the benefits mentioned hold true. But also consider that if involved in a head on or if you rearend collide another vehicle, a small cabover truck offers NO protection for the occupant. The front hinges are likely to break under impact. Now consider that if your dump bed is loaded or you are pulling a trailer the additional inertia will also increase the impact force and chance for occupant injury.

[Bill Schwab]

I have a little different spin on cab over trucks. First, unless it is a Mack MR-600 heavy hauler, and you have tandems under the frame, the weight ratios in a C/O are going to be front heavy so you really need to watch and balance where your loads go, especially with a single axle truck. It might mean getting a few feet longer body which could easily defeat the purpose of why cab overs are purchased in the first place.

The small Isuzu C/O truck is 140 hp, then you can go 175 HP. Both are pretty gutless wonders, but they last forever. The larger Isuzu can be had with CAT diesels, and I beleive you can also get the large 6 cylinder Duramax engine. Both have ample power.

What I suggest, before you buy a C/O style, is to check out the 4500-6500 series conventional GM trucks. We have wheel bases ranging from 160, to 208". The 208" turns tighter than an F-450 I had with a 155" wheel base.

The other features you get with a conventional is safety. You have 8' from the bumper to the wheel to cusion shock if you get into a crash. I've never liked that about any C/O truck going.

So, as always, assess thuroughly what it is you need your truck to do. Try and get some kind of ride in one before you buy. I can't think of a place where streets and parking slips are any tighter than southern California, and I've worked many Chicago back alleys and the conventionals will do anything we send them in for.

Smart choice getting rid of the Ford. I have the numbers on my past files that prove Fords with automatics are the most expensive trucks to maintain over time.

[rbriggs]

I agree that the trucks' power leaves alot to be desired. Which is why I love my F-450 so much. It truly is designed for work and haulng. Although, much more expensive to maintain. Unfortunately, the Ford is also tough on fuel, has a lousy turnng radius, and has obvious glitches with their transmissions.
I also agree with Bill regarding the weight and balance of loads. We have been cautioned against placing heavy items near the rear of the truck. In doing so, the trucks have seen a teeter-totter effect. Scary stuff I know.
We haven't experienced this ourselves. We own four cabovers. Two are the Nissan UD1400. I think they are pieces of sh**t. They don't hold up, made very flimsy and cheap, and dog with a load in them to say the least. The two Isuzus that we own seem to be holding their own. They are a much smoother ride, don't seem to dog as much and are very comfortable.

[Dale Wiley]

the weight ratios in a C/O are going to be front heavy so you really need to watch and balance where your loads go, especially with a single axle truck. It might mean getting a few feet longer body which could easily defeat the purpose of why cab overs are purchased in the first place.

Very important point here.... C/O's are not able to carry as much load on the front axles as a conventional. Therefore, the GVW ratins are often based upon a chassis rating, and when the truck cops stop you, you are going to be overweight on the front axle, in most normal operations, and especially if the 2nd guy brought a lunch box and thermos with him.

When I worked for the Toro distributor, they decided that the sales and service people were going to drive the Mit's cab overs. To a man, we all refused to drive that vehicle, just because of the cab over thing and no protection. We rolled about 2000 miles a week sometimes, and the odds are going to catch up with you.

Your actual 12K rating is going to be less. I don't understand why there is so much emphasis placed on these F 350 - 450, 12 GVW rated vehicles. Your paylaod is usually under 9000 pounds. I would not look at a dedicated truck under 18,000 GVW.

We have a F 350 that our foreperson uses to tow our 14K dump trailer with, it has a 100 gallon fuel tank, tool box, air compressor, generator, landscape tools, chain saws, and all that. We get more value that way , since he or I do all material delivery, we send the 2 crews out in our F 250 pickups, with all the basic tools in them and then support them with our other two vehicles.

This keeps the crew's on task on site, and we are still billing any of the other times as well.

[site]

The drivetrains are good, but the rest falls apart too easily. They are the slowest thing on the road if you are towing a load. I had a Mitsubishi FG, and I was really happy when I sold it and bought a Chevy 3500 Duramax. I will NOT buy another cabover.

[start2finish]

I agree with Bill, in a cab over if you have an accident you are the first one to get there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rbriggs]

We had an accident with one of our cabovers. Front end got damaged. In order to replace the front panel, the body shop had to tear the interior dash cmopletely apart to get to the weld points. IT was a real pain in the ass.

[LandArts]

I appreciate all the comments. Time to do a little shopping around...

[NCSULandscaper]

if you want a decent deal on a dump of any kind, take the time to visit Griffin Commercial Center in Franklinton on US 1. They have both used and new trucks, and if you dont see what you want, they can get it for you quick. Ive been by there a few times looking and their prices arent bad, they are new and lookin to sell.

[LandArts]

Thanks Matt! I didn't know about Griffin.