For years I have been using a dump trailer for our site waste. We never have room for a large container. Recently, with multiple jobs going the dump trailer is always tied up on a jobsite and we are left scrambling for an empty trailer.
This problem has forced me to look into a rack body dump or small “Masons”(1.5 ton) dump truck. After searching for a used version of the above and estimating the average life of the investment we arrived at the conclusion…….not a good return on the investment.
We needed something that could efficently tow our compact excavating equipment, remove our construction generated waste, doule as a dump truck for misc. building supplies, last for 300,000 plus miles and not be overweight at random DMV checkpoints in our area.
Enter…….Isuzu FRR with 12′ Switch-n-Go detachable body system.
It cost and weighs far less that a hooklift body system. Containers should last us 10 years plus and the towing and fuel economy are excellent. It cost about the same to insure as my 2003 Sierra 2500HD (which I am now looking to downsize).
I would highly recommend looking into this style of truck of at least the cabover chassis with the rising cost of fuel. They are very economic to drive and very long lasting.
The Switch-n-Go has many detachable body options including containers, flatbeds, rackbodies and enclosed storage boxes.
Here it is:
Edited 5/28/2008 8:06 am ET by TTolla
Replies
very nice. What did that cost?
Total truck cost was $ 31,000 which is 10K less that my 03' 2500HD with 8 liter and allison trans.
Total truck cost was $ 31,000 which is 10K less that my 03' 2500HD with 8 liter and allison trans.
Thanks for posting. I've had an interest in their box trucks for years. Hadn't heard about this easy swap system.
Please add specifics; new or used, engine size with torque and HP, tranny, options.
The chassis is a 2001 Isuzu FRR (gvw 19,500). It was purchased used from a private owner with 85K miles. He actually used it to tow his fifth wheel camper! It is equipped with an Isuzu 6H 472 cu. in. inline 6cyl.Here are the specs from ISUZU:FRR
The Class 5 FRR offers an 18,000 to 19,500-lb GVWR. It has a 7.8-liter six-cylinder Isuzu engine delivering 200 hp at 2400 rpm and 441 ft-lbs torque at 1500 rpm. The standard transmission is an Isuzu MLD6Q manual six-speed with overdrive. An optional Allison AT542 four-speed automatic transmission is available. With wheelbases of 148", 167", 179", 191", and 218", the FRR can handle bodies from 14 to 24 feet. It has a 34"-wide steel frame. Daytime running lights, ABS, built-in door beams, padded low-rounded dash, non-slip entry step, grab handles, and 85° door openings have been added.My truck is equipped with an engine exhaust brake (Jake Brake) and six speed manual transmission.The hoist system I used is a Switch-n-Go. As I mentioned in my original post I chose this system for its true dump angle and over all cost over a hook-lift. You can read more about their system here:http://www.switchngo.com/switchngo.htm?gclid=CLCTj-D0y5MCFQwaHgodd3S1hQWe have two medium duty containers and a flatbed for hauling the skidsteer ...the mini-excavator weighs too much to be sitting 4' above the pavement so it rides on the trailer.It was an investment for sure but since we never have been able to deal with rental containers clogging our tight sites and with my quest to become more efficient........this seems to be workingHere is what the truck looked like on the way home from Florida..... before we performed surgery ( see attached)PS: I do let my excavating contractor perform the larger tasks............sometime.......
Thanks for the complete specs. Looks like you found a good buy on a nice unit. Glad it's workin' out for ya.
Is that including the bin?
Here is the breakdown:2001 Isuzu FRR chassis $ 16,500Switch-n-Go hoist frame and bumper $ 10,30015 yd medium duty container $ 2,800Rear fender kit $ 300Two under mount storage boxes $ 900Total cost $ 30,800
Edited 5/29/2008 11:02 am ET by TTolla
I had a little trouble figuring out what the "system" is.But this shows some of the different configurations.http://www.switchngo.com/switchngo.htmStorage box, flat bed, dump bed, and some specialties.I can see where a larger construction company could have a couple of these setup with as an small office/storage/porta potty custom unit. And then a dump or container bed.BTW as sister compay makes hydraulic beds for pickups.http://www.powerdecks.com/.
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
Nice system. Thanks for sharing so much information TTolla! What kind of fuel mileage are you getting with the rig? Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Thanks Jim. I haven't checked the mileage yet.
Man that's nice.
Thinking outside the box.
"Coming to recognize you are wrong is like coming to recognize you are sick. You feel bad long before you admit you have any of the symptoms and certianly long efore you are willing to take your medicine." -Charlton Heston.
Why does this sound like a salesman making a post for his own company?
He's been a member for over a year. It'd smell a little worse if he joined today.http://grantlogan.net/
But you all knew that. I detailed it extensively in my blog.
Pete,
This guy is a real contractor, who you would more likely see in the pages of Fine Homebuilding, than selling Mitsubishi trucks.
He and his guys installed this rig on a truck he purchased out of Florida. For a bunch of carpenters, they did a hell of a job.
These units are popular with roofing contractors in Connecticut.
This guy is definitely not a salesmen, I know him.
Greg in Connecticut
Edited 5/28/2008 9:56 pm ET by gzajac
Greg is too kind ! Nope...........not a salesman............just happy with a move that I made earlier this year and wanted to share.This is what we build.....just click on a thumbnail:http://www.pbase.com/amateurtom/csu_projects
That's a nice rig! I have been thinking of using these since our lumber supplier started switching his fleet over to these 2 years ago.
Does the container roll off like a typical dumpster that you could leave onsite?
"It is what it is."
Yes, here is the truck with the container off...:
Sweet. And you're selling that for only $10K? With the dumpster? :)--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
"And you're selling that for only $10K?"Where on earth did you get that?
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A-holes. Hey every group has to have one. And I have been elected to be the one. I should make that my tagline.
One poster asked about price and no reply, so I figured that orta do it. :)--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
WOW! Thank you. I am definately thinking of getting mine now.
"It is what it is."
Thanks for sharing the info. Nice setup.
TTolla
Great truck. Out of all the trucks I've bought that series is me favorite. easy in/out, good turn radius, nice handling. When our drivers swap trucks those aqre always picked up in a hurry.
But, Izuzu stopped making that size. You can go up to a T series, about 26k GVW or down to 14k GVW. That 20K GVW is just right for us.
Have you had any issues with towing? Your box (12') is a bit shorter than ours (18'). i've always been scared of loading too much on ours. Get over 20k weight.
How is your gross weight when towing the excavator?
i got tired in about 01 in buying clutches. So our 01 is the first one in our fleet that is auto trans. I really like it now. Wouldn't go back. Our 01 probably has 200 k miles on it or a little more. Great, great workhorse truck. You'll get a lot of work out of it
The empty weight with the can shown is 12,006 I have never been able to overload the can with construction debris....unless it's drywall of roofing. I have never been able to find out what the CGVWR is for truck and trailer but the trailer and mini-excavator is 9,400 #I could have purchased a truck (WT5500) with 14" S-n-G but I was afraid of over loading a larger can.
Here is a link to another company in our town that builds similar rigs (no association just seen them around)
http://www.trucktransformer.com
Reminds me a bit of the Unimog. Can you get a man lift for it?
http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/content/unitedkingdom/mpc/mpc_unitedkingdom_website/en/home_mpc/unimog/home/system_unimog/applications.html#mainnav
A guy in our area has a similar rig, though his is a used garbage company truck so nowhere near as low cost to operate. He does the same thing hauling the skidsteer in one of the dumpster boxes and has several different cube boxes for different types of loads. When I saw it I figured it was really the way to go; you've gone several steps better with the operational cost and abilty get into tighter spaces. Thanks for sharing!