Converting a truck to a tipper - advice

[Cordata]

I am in the market for a truck (first vehicle starting up my new business, currently going through the pain of renting) and see one I like and have lots of recommendations for from other tree surgeons.

 

It isn't a tipper however. Does anyone have experience converting a truck to a tipper, what kind of things do I need to consider (materials for chipbox, dimensions, weight?), and how much did it cost you?

 

I'm posting this before I get on the phone to conversion companies to see what kind of quotes they have, just wondering what advice the discerning folk of arbtalk have on the matter.

 

Thanks in advance

[Mick Dempsey]

Much easier and cheaper to buy a tipper and get an arb body fitted.

[Cordata]

33 minutes ago, Mick Dempsey said:

Much easier and cheaper to buy a tipper and get an arb body fitted.

 

Spoke to the seller on the phone, he'd go to £10k and it has 33k miles on the clock

 

The tipper version of this same truck is £15k more (inc vat) for the same mileage according to other ads which are more or less accurate prices according to Parker's valuation.

 

Going for a tipper version I'd have to get an arb body fitted on top of this which I'm sure will get into £30k+ total price territory which is money I just don't have

 

I guess I've answered my own question here to be honest, shovelling chip out the back is no fun from past experience at other companies but I need to get started and I can do a lot with my own (tipper-less) truck

[Mick Dempsey]

Can you show us a picture of the truck?

 

 

[waterbuoy]

Buy a decent tipping trailer and then you get the best of both worlds?

[josharb87]

You're gonna need to give alot more info to get any kind of decent answer. 

 

Is it a 4x4 pickup? transit? etc

 

Will you be converting yourself or sending it off to someone to do everything?

 

Just tipper with sides, or roof, barn doors, ladder rack, toolbox?

 

[Ledburyjosh]

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[doobin]

Spend less on a first truck. Especially with the coming economic storm. 

[doobin]

17 hours ago, Cordata said:

 

Spoke to the seller on the phone, he'd go to £10k and it has 33k miles on the clock

 

The tipper version of this same truck is £15k more (inc vat) for the same mileage according to other ads which are more or less accurate prices according to Parker's valuation.

 

 

You could add a tipping body for way less than £15k. A straight swap from another truck would probably cost £2-3k, less a few hundred back when you sell the old dropside body. Say £2k for a tidy, possibly already arb spec body and £1k to swap it over. If your 33k miles truck really is a bargain, this is the route I'd go down. As for another £15k for some high sides and a toolbox (arb conversion)- what are you smoking? Parkers valuations are about to be slashed in the coming recession- they are bloated from Covid excess and supply shortages.

In the current climate, I'd be minded to start with a presentable £5k tipper and some greedy boards. If you've got an extra £15k to spend then buy something like a mini loader to make your life easier. You get money back every day when you use a loader rather than employ an extra guy, I'd sooner that than electric windows and air con on a newer truck.

 

I'd definately go straight for a tipper- I ran a dropside for a few years as a first truck (used to push it off at the yard with a loader tractor) My first tipper was a game changer.

 

Edited January 30, 2023 by doobin

[Cordata]

14 hours ago, doobin said:

You could add a tipping body for way less than £15k. A straight swap from another truck would probably cost £2-3k, less a few hundred back when you sell the old dropside body. Say £2k for a tidy, possibly already arb spec body and £1k to swap it over. If your 33k miles truck really is a bargain, this is the route I'd go down. As for another £15k for some high sides and a toolbox (arb conversion)- what are you smoking? Parkers valuations are about to be slashed in the coming recession- they are bloated from Covid excess and supply shortages.

In the current climate, I'd be minded to start with a presentable £5k tipper and some greedy boards. If you've got an extra £15k to spend then buy something like a mini loader to make your life easier. You get money back every day when you use a loader rather than employ an extra guy, I'd sooner that than electric windows and air con on a newer truck.

 

I'd definately go straight for a tipper- I ran a dropside for a few years as a first truck (used to push it off at the yard with a loader tractor) My first tipper was a game changer.

 

 

I don't see these suggestions being particularly easy.. where does someone find a straight swap from another truck? Sounds like a once in a blue moon suggestion your mate with a similar truck would offer you.

 

I said £5k+ for an arb conversion not £15k

 

Guessing you have your own yard if you're using a loader? I'm using a tip site currently but plan to find a yard in the future. Do you make firewood & sell chip?