Thoughts on a heavy hauler...

[ArdWrknTrk]

Around here, you can make some money hauling water for sure. At least enough to offset the cost of the vehicle over time.

Im sure AZ has a lot of water needs too. And sadly thats not something thats going to change.

I wasn't really suggesting going into the water delivery business. (unless you're looking for a job)

More that having a tanker sitting around six days a week seems like money tied up.

But if a few neighbors pitched in on the purchase/rehab it would be working more often and all could have access to something they couldn't justify for themselves.

[Ford F834]

Around here, you can make some money hauling water for sure. At least enough to offset the cost of the vehicle over time.

Im sure AZ has a lot of water needs too. And sadly thats not something thats going to change.

Thanks guys... Ford did offer 4x4 Cab and Chassis F350’s in this era, but they are rare to find and I’m thinking I should go heavier than a F350. Having it be 4x4 or having the possibility to convert it later on is a nice thought but definitely not the priority.

I have looked at, and thought about dedicated tank trucks, but most are large enough to require a CDL. I wouldn’t mind obtaining such an endorsement, but it is an area of scope creep I had best avoid for the moment. There are several home business water haulers in our area. I don’t know if the market is saturated so to speak... but again I just want to take care of our own needs at this time. I did see this ad, and love it, but it’s more than I really want to spend and at 30K GVWR it is in CDL territory:

https://yuma.craigslist.org/cto/d/tacna-ford-diesel/7073720706.html

This turned up which is more in my price bracket, but it is quite far and my Spanish is good enough to understand that it needs work. No clue how much or whether it would make it back to AZ. Also don’t know if the GVWR is under 26K or not:

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/perris-1980-f700-dump/7072898344.html

Cali is a good place to try to buy a F450 since they have essentially been banned (for commercial use I believe) on some kind of emissions issue. A couple years ago they were being parted out like crazy 😥. This is a nice truck, but is really far from me. I would rather have a 5 speed IDI than an automatic PSD but it would be ready to use:

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/d/vacaville-ford-super-duty/7071665620.html

My preferred choice would be a 80’s/90’s F600. But I have to admit it is more truck than I need, and I mostly want one because they are impressive machines and look like a giant Bullnose. Those are not very rational reasons to put it at the head of the list:

I thought an older F600 might be the answer, but I was looking through my camera roll and found some pics of a dentside F600 in a junkyard that I pulled mirrors from. It’s GVWR actually isn’t any higher than a F-Superduty “F450”:

All of the F600/700 trucks will have much higher costs for tires and parts, and no doubt fuel use. The F-Superduty is probably what I should be looking at, since it is the minimum for what I need to do the job. Evidently F-Superduty is the correct term. There was no F450 moniker until 1999. I’m waiting on a call back from the seller of the non running one. I may go check it out later if he is available.

 

[1986F150Six]

Thanks guys... Ford did offer 4x4 Cab and Chassis F350’s in this era, but they are rare to find and I’m thinking I should go heavier than a F350. Having it be 4x4 or having the possibility to convert it later on is a nice thought but definitely not the priority.

I have looked at, and thought about dedicated tank trucks, but most are large enough to require a CDL. I wouldn’t mind obtaining such an endorsement, but it is an area of scope creep I had best avoid for the moment. There are several home business water haulers in our area. I don’t know if the market is saturated so to speak... but again I just want to take care of our own needs at this time. I did see this ad, and love it, but it’s more than I really want to spend and at 30K GVWR it is in CDL territory:

https://yuma.craigslist.org/cto/d/tacna-ford-diesel/7073720706.html

This turned up which is more in my price bracket, but it is quite far and my Spanish is good enough to understand that it needs work. No clue how much or whether it would make it back to AZ. Also don’t know if the GVWR is under 26K or not:

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/perris-1980-f700-dump/7072898344.html

Cali is a good place to try to buy a F450 since they have essentially been banned (for commercial use I believe) on some kind of emissions issue. A couple years ago they were being parted out like crazy 😥. This is a nice truck, but is really far from me. I would rather have a 5 speed IDI than an automatic PSD but it would be ready to use:

https://lasvegas.craigslist.org/cto/d/vacaville-ford-super-duty/7071665620.html

My preferred choice would be a 80’s/90’s F600. But I have to admit it is more truck than I need, and I mostly want one because they are impressive machines and look like a giant Bullnose. Those are not very rational reasons to put it at the head of the list:

I thought an older F600 might be the answer, but I was looking through my camera roll and found some pics of a dentside F600 in a junkyard that I pulled mirrors from. It’s GVWR actually isn’t any higher than a F-Superduty “F450”:

All of the F600/700 trucks will have much higher costs for tires and parts, and no doubt fuel use. The F-Superduty is probably what I should be looking at, since it is the minimum for what I need to do the job. Evidently F-Superduty is the correct term. There was no F450 moniker until 1999. I’m waiting on a call back from the seller of the non running one. I may go check it out later if he is available.

Please allow me to take a side trail... Jonathan mentioned F600s [1980 - 1986], and a quick search turned up a 1955 F600 in Oregon. Look how well preserved this truck is and keep in mind that it was/is a work truck!!!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Ford-Other-F600/223899377774?hash=item342171606e%3Ag%3AeooAAOSw8xJeGtH3&LH_ItemCondition=3000%7C1000%7C2500

[Ford F834]

Please allow me to take a side trail... Jonathan mentioned F600s [1980 - 1986], and a quick search turned up a 1955 F600 in Oregon. Look how well preserved this truck is and keep in mind that it was/is a work truck!!!

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1955-Ford-Other-F600/223899377774?hash=item342171606e%3Ag%3AeooAAOSw8xJeGtH3&LH_ItemCondition=3000%7C1000%7C2500

I absolutely love that truck David. The rounded sloping back reminds me of our Streamline camper. I love the little start burst designs on the dash and gauges. It has so much more character than the new vehicles.

[1986F150Six]

I absolutely love that truck David. The rounded sloping back reminds me of our Streamline camper. I love the little start burst designs on the dash and gauges. It has so much more character than the new vehicles.

Thanks for preserving the photos!

[ArdWrknTrk]

I absolutely love that truck David. The rounded sloping back reminds me of our Streamline camper. I love the little start burst designs on the dash and gauges. It has so much more character than the new vehicles.

David, that '55 really does have character! 👍

Jonathan,

As was mentioned in Gary's thread, while there may not BE an F-450 until FORD sullied the Superduty name in '99, many of us consider anything with F4 in the VIN and ten lug hubs an F-450 regardless the model year.

[swampedout]

David, that '55 really does have character! 👍

Jonathan,

As was mentioned in Gary's thread, while there may not BE an F-450 until FORD sullied the Superduty name in '99, many of us consider anything with F4 in the VIN and ten lug hubs an F-450 regardless the model year.

Those are some good looking trucks.

Ive been thinking about this today and I was thinking about the guy that delivers water out here. His setup is:

90s Dodge with a cummins, single rear axle

Homemade high clearance trailer

He does one cube in the truck at probably 300 gal and a bigger tank on the trailer. He says he does 1000 gal a trip although Im not sure his trailer is doing 700.

Do you not have the room to maneuver a trailer? You could really up your capacity without going huge on the truck.

I dont mean to be throwing ideas at you, just trying to help based off what I know (which isnt much:nabble_anim_confused:)

[Ford F834]

Those are some good looking trucks.

Ive been thinking about this today and I was thinking about the guy that delivers water out here. His setup is:

90s Dodge with a cummins, single rear axle

Homemade high clearance trailer

He does one cube in the truck at probably 300 gal and a bigger tank on the trailer. He says he does 1000 gal a trip although Im not sure his trailer is doing 700.

Do you not have the room to maneuver a trailer? You could really up your capacity without going huge on the truck.

I dont mean to be throwing ideas at you, just trying to help based off what I know (which isnt much:nabble_anim_confused:)

Sam, I actually do own a 14’ tandem axle flat bed, GVWR 7,000 lbs. That was the original plan (and may still happen), to haul the 1,050 gallon tank on it. However, access to our cistern drop is lousy. The trailer will be a nightmare. Hitching and un hitching every time I want to use the truck for something else will also be a hassle. The transmission that is currently in my ‘81 truck won’t work. I will need to change it for a NP435 and add a stout receiver to tow with. The trailer needs tires. I am realizing the whole set up is marginal, and since we will be living here and hauling water for the foreseeable future I think investing in a more appropriate vehicle is needed (instead of dumping $ and time into my trailer set up).

I’m still looking at all options, but the F450 route is looking right-sized for the tank I have. The Diesel engine option that shares parts with my F350 build makes sense also. The non-runner on CL does not thrill me, but there are not many around.

[grumpin]

Those are some good looking trucks.

Ive been thinking about this today and I was thinking about the guy that delivers water out here. His setup is:

90s Dodge with a cummins, single rear axle

Homemade high clearance trailer

He does one cube in the truck at probably 300 gal and a bigger tank on the trailer. He says he does 1000 gal a trip although Im not sure his trailer is doing 700.

Do you not have the room to maneuver a trailer? You could really up your capacity without going huge on the truck.

I dont mean to be throwing ideas at you, just trying to help based off what I know (which isnt much:nabble_anim_confused:)

Good point about the California trucks. Northern Californians are advertising them in Southern Oregon because of the emissions.

[swampedout]

Sam, I actually do own a 14’ tandem axle flat bed, GVWR 7,000 lbs. That was the original plan (and may still happen), to haul the 1,050 gallon tank on it. However, access to our cistern drop is lousy. The trailer will be a nightmare. Hitching and un hitching every time I want to use the truck for something else will also be a hassle. The transmission that is currently in my ‘81 truck won’t work. I will need to change it for a NP435 and add a stout receiver to tow with. The trailer needs tires. I am realizing the whole set up is marginal, and since we will be living here and hauling water for the foreseeable future I think investing in a more appropriate vehicle is needed (instead of dumping $ and time into my trailer set up).

I’m still looking at all options, but the F450 route is looking right-sized for the tank I have. The Diesel engine option that shares parts with my F350 build makes sense also. The non-runner on CL does not thrill me, but there are not many around.

I figured you might have an accessibility issue with the trailer. I know what you mean about having too many pieces, I figured Id ask anyway.

I try to stay away from Southern Oregon CL, because I always see something I like. Theres a youtube channel, elderlyiron, that hauls trucks out of peoples yards up there. He does a good business restoring but also finds vehicles for out of towners. One of his projects was an old water hauler.

Thats a newer water truck, I cant find the really old one