Transit tipper- yay or nay?

[Craig Howe]

So, I’m looking at tippers, chances are all I can afford that the moment is a second hand transit tipper.  I know a lot of guys who swear by their trusty steeds, what is the general consensus on them? Are they reliable work horses or money pits? Is there anything that goes wrong with them that I should look out for when looking to buy?  How do they compare to a Nissan Cabstar apart from the obvious fact that the transits usually have a larger capacity, these are an other option.

[spuddog0507]

Hi had both transit and now have a cabstar the transit seemed gutless compared to my cabstar that drags a 10ft Ifor tipping trailer with cage sides on loaded with log , think nothing of movie g 4-5 tonne of timber with it , cabstar is the 3 ltr  not new but only done 64k , transit was a 52 plate cabstar 04 plate and now had 9 years and if it lasts will still have in 9 yes. 

[Blake@waveney]

When I had my arb business I got rid of my transit in favour of a cabstar. I have to say for a 3.5t truck it was fantastic I put some heavy duty springs on it so it did not look over loaded. Would tow anything behind it with a full load on back. I think for 3.5t worth looking at them also the canter or Isuzu equivalents. You get a proper little lorry rather than a van.

[eggsarascal]

2 minutes ago, Yorkshire Compact Loaders said:

When I had my arb business I got rid of my transit in favour of a cabstar. I have to say for a 3.5t truck it was fantastic I put some heavy duty springs on it so it did not look over loaded. Would tow anything behind it with a full load on back. I think for 3.5t worth looking at them also the canter or Isuzu equivalents. You get a proper little lorry rather than a van.

What was the twin wheel Cabstar like after looking at a banana skin?

 

I've had a couple of the single rear wheel. IME  they carry the weight far better than Transits, but they would get stuck on a sticky back stamp. 

 

They are cozy mind.

[Blake@waveney]

Twin wheel rear. All depends what on how you drove it and the tyres. I had general euro van winter tyres all round. My yard and chip site was very muddy and slipery but never really an issue. I drove it across boggy fields as well. it was best with a load on. Mine was pretty cosy as my main guy was 6ft 8. He also sold his single wheel Isuzu to get a cabstar like mine. 

[dig-dug-dan]

Cabstars now have limited slip diff as standard, so getting stuck not an issue.

Personally, would never have a transit.

Only concern is a rumour that  the cabstar is being discontinued, if so i will look at mitsubishi,,or izuzu if they do a double cab

[TheHungrySquirrel]

Love my cabstar.
As above takes heavy loads with ease and pulls like a train.

[dig-dug-dan]

1 hour ago, TheHungrySquirrel said:

Love my cabstar.
As above takes heavy loads with ease and pulls like a train.

Smart set up. Do you use much ad blue?

[Mark Bolam]

Cabstars have always been good trucks, didn’t know about the limited slip diff now.

With the right tyres on that sounds promising.

I’ve always thought they were a bit too small, front and back, but they certainly handle weight well.

Parts availability used to be a massive let down with them. Is that sorted now?

My Transit is an old dog, but it’s been pretty reliable, only major issue was swapping out the crappy DMF flywheel when it shat itself, and 2 alternators.

Nearing 100k.

Can’t comment on towing, it’s lived it’s life with sub 750 TW’s.

Avoid the scissor ram tippers, they’re crap.

As to towing 4-5t of timber I’m sure you can make up your own minds on that one.

 

[Mick Dempsey]

I also know little of cabstars though they seem to have their fans.

 

I have had twin wheel tipper trannies since ‘98, been reliable, cheap to repair and pretty much overloaded most working days.

 

Big fan.