looking for purchase advice on a grapple/dump truck

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woodchuckcanuck

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I have a 3500HD Silverado with 9ft dump box. Using it along with a 7x14 dump trailer to deliver 3 cord split firewood at a time. 2-1/2 in the trailer and 1/2 in the truck because the truck can legally only carry 1/2 to 3/4 cord. A full green cord being 4000 lb. I am looking for larger, mid size truck, something that can carry 2 cord. That means it has to have a dump box 4ft tall, 12ft long and about 7-1/2ft wide. Also needs to have 4x4.

I do understand GVWR and most of the other ratings that come into play., but I have no experience with mid size (or larger) trucks. What brands/engine versions to consider, what to stay away from.

Since I am diving into this, I figure might as well make the truck as multi purpose as possible, so there's two things I am considering. It would be a hook lift dump, with maybe a flat deck as well (we have a sawmill and sell/deliver lumber). And a log loader to pick up logs, etc. Would be great if the loader could tuck in between the cab and dump so that the loader doesn't have to be moved when dumping/offloading.

Examples below.

Grapple-Trucks-Kenworth-T370-14137472.jpg

log-truck.jpg




I've been looking at several C5500 GMCs that are locally available. Some have dump boxes, others have flat decks. Either way, a 12ft dump and 3 ft for a loader means the chassis would have to be stretched. ANd even if that was affordable, this size truck GVWR is 19,500lbs. If 2 cord at 8000lbs were on board, that leaves very little wiggle room for max weight. More than likely it would be overweight. Not to mention always running at max weight. I figure it would be more prudent to get a truck that is 23000 or higher. Just register it under 26000 to keep under CDL.

This one is nearby with flat deck. .

truck-in-annap-valley.JPG

This one https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1494564811 is in the next province with a dump bed.

Other ones I book marked for consideration
2005 International https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1489565518

Or just start with a cab and chassis like this https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1491810742 and build onto it.
 

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