Looking to buy over the cab. Opinions Wanted

[Harry0]

We just got rid of a 94 GMC gas guzling stake body. Now we want to purchase a more gas efficient more mobile lawn dump truck. Other companys around here have the Izusus.We presently pull a 12 ft. open trailer loaded with Skaggs-Great Danes ect. and use the truck to dump clippings ect. At times it might haul small loads of mulch ect. but we have other trucks for that. Any opinions on what company(Isuzu, ect) and where to look. What are the biggest diferences with an over the cab compared to a GMC or Ford Stake bodiesThanks Harry

[Harry0]

I mean cabover. See I need all the help I can get-lol

[GTLC]

Well, the Japanese cabovers aren't nearly as durable as the American trucks. They may be cheaper, but I wouldn't even touch one myself. The Isuzus, etc. they would wear out pretty quickly. that is was told to me secondhand from somebody who used to own a few Mitsubishi Fusos, but quickly replaced them b/c they wore out and broke down too much. Now all of his 250 units are American trucks, no cabovers. They are either International, Mack, or Peterbuilt.

[scottt]

Yeah, there junk. That's why you don't see many around.:rolleyes:
n1alx,
Do a search on this site or do some other research on the net and get a few more opinions, you may change your mind. Never take one persons word for fact.

[lbmd1]

LOL........................

[DUSTYCEDAR]

i looked at both and have driven both
i like the fords but they r hard to turn tight
that is where the cabovers rule
just remember the cabovers only come with 4 cyl in the smaller trucks so get the biggest engine u can get
the Isuzu's also come with a Chevy 350

[Harry0]

I just bought a Mitsubishi -I test drove a Isuzu and liked the Mitsubishi better-It is a 5 speed with a low dumpbody I can build up to my specs-it is a demo model 2000 with 1500 miles on it-cd player-hitch- trailer light plug and a real nice self retracting tarp set up-deisel- I was real happy with the price-$27500-It was on the lot so I took it. I know what you mean about not alot of power -It will only go 70 mph-empty-but I have other trucks (Ford) that can handle heavy hauling. They gave me the 3 year guaranty(as if it was new), and are giving it a complete maintenance service. I am located in south jersey(flat as a pancake) if i was in a hilly location I do not think I would have bought this truck. Thanks for your input. Ask me how I like it in 2 months or better yet 2 years-Harry

[Victor]

Hello Dusty, and Harry. That lack of power issue doesn't hold true with all of these trucks. I don't want people reading this to be mislead. My 99 Isuzu NPR held 80 MPH coming from Memphis, all the way back home to Columbus, OH. 10 hour drive, and not a single problem with it not doing a thing I asked it to do, whether I was on a hill, or not. It has plenty of power, and will do 80 loaded, or not. I can't speak up for Mitsis on this, because I've never tried doing this in one, but the newer NPR's sure don't have a lack of power.

Vic

[Harry0]

Vic-Thanks for your response-I know the Mitsu-fe-sf maxed out at 70-75 (Started redlining the tach)Maybe it can reach 80. But I will be using more for city driving so no need to go that fast. Thanks Harry

[Victor]

You'll wonder how you ever lived without it once you start running your routes with it. That's great that you got it!

Vic

[lbmd1]

Heres a pic of mine finally.

Mike

[lbmd1]

Oops, here it is

Mike

[Victor]

I really like your setup Mike. How long have you had it, and do you know how much our NPRs are rated to tow? I tried asking a dealer in my area, but he didn't know the difference between GVW, and GCVW. He told me that my NPR HD, and anything it's towing should weigh no more than 14, 500lbs. I had to explain to him that that was how much the truck could safely weigh, and that it didn't include trailer weight. No one in the service dept. knew, and they transfered me up to this worthless salesman, who gave me the bad info. I still am trying to find out this simple answer.

Vic

[lbmd1]

Hey Vic,
I called Isuzu directly and was told that I could fill my payload capacity internally and still be able to tow up to 5000 lbs. My trailer and mowers weigh in at around 3900 lbs and I've had not a problem. Have had this setup for over 3 years now. There are some days that I would really love a ramp for the truck for when I want to aerate without hauling a trailer around, or just when I go out by myself to mow with one mower. Would like to try the ramp setup that Lowes has on their delivery trucks but don't think I can fit it all under the box body. Or maybe a system like Load Pro has where the ramp disapears under the sub floor. I will probably experiment with some welding in the next month prior to the season. Thanks and I love your setup!!! I've attached the Lowes truck pic.

Mike

[Henry]

If you're hauling grass clippings, mulch and other light stuff you'll be fine with that truck. But I have to wonder why you're so concerned with doing 70-80 mph. These are not sports cars.

[Harry0]

Henry-I am not really concerned with the speed thing. It is just that I am used to my turbocharged Fords that give you so much more horsepower-Harry

[danno]

No need to give the DOT another reason to pull you over (doing 80 in a cabover). These trucks are great. You can haul more equipment than you can use for one crew, get better fuel mileage, and turn circles around (make that inside) an outfront truck. I have the inline 6 diesel with the Allison auto. tranny on a FRR. It's not fast, but it is strong and very dependable. Why do you think Chevy wised up and started using the Duramax (Isuzu) diesel w/ the Allison tranny...Good luck.

[patriottruck]

We've been installing bodies on these trucks for years and here's my two cents. Most owners of these trucks have a few things in common. First, they all tend to have a small fleet of 3-10 trucks and have very carefully studied purchase price, maneuverability, cost of operation, resale, etc. Second, they all switched from conventionals to cabovers and lastly, I've never met one that will go back to conventionals unless they have gvw or horsepower needs that exceed what's available from the imports. We mount bodies on a lot of used trucks and they seem to hold up pretty well. I will say that these trucks seem to be abused more than the conventionals. Not sure why though. Mitsu seems to have the best dealer network from what I've seen.

craig

[ChicagoLawn]

I didnt check where you are from but...................

If you are doing snow plowing of any kind - do not buy the Isuzu cabover!

I have owned a 99 Isuzu NPR HD w/5.7 gas (I know should have gone diesel) with a 10' dump/stakebody. Great summer truck and good salt truck (5 yard V box) but when it comes to snow plowing - the truck will not stick to pavement in 2"+ snow events (even with adequate weight???)

Long story short - blew out 2 rear ends(not transmissions-rear ends)both blew with well under 25,000 miles on the truck. Warranty coverage was NOT satisfactory!

Although I like the cab over concept, I NEED reliabilty for lawn and snow operations.

All Ford trucks now. F-350+, 4x4's and all have Powerstroke Diesels.

ChicagoSnow

[LandMatters]

My 2 cents....for what it's worth. I'd recommend a cabover truck to anyone doing work in metro areas where turning radius is important. Also, who cares if a dump truck can go 80 miles an hour any way. If my employees were driving my dump truck that fast, they'd be fired. I look at it this way, if the truck can only go 65 miles/hr, it's got it's own built in regulator on it. My 1999 Mitsubishi Fuso FK will easily go over 85mph. Had it on cruise control at 65mph all the way from NY to Maryland and never had to shift out of 5th gear. The truck was empty though.

My FUSO is no toy. It's got a 23,000gvw. We went to the quarry one day and the guy driving the big loader must have been half drunk or something. We asked for 5 tons of gravel and he dropped 15 tons on our truck...... Got to the scale at the quarry and were shocked at how much was on the truck. These are true work trucks. The F-450/550 are nice, but they are basically just beefy pickup frames. My partner was all about Ford, but now only wants the Mitsubishi Cab-Overs. We'll probably look to equip our future crews with Mitsubishi Fuso FH because the bigger ones are only 2 seaters. With a 3 man crew, that doesn't work. We'll keep the bigger truck as a utility for the company to do larger deliveries.

You will start seeing less and less landscape companies using the Internationals, Ford 650's, Chevy 650 and switching to the cabover. Why would FORD all of a sudden decide to bring out their new line of cab-overs later this fall. The market is shifting to the slightly smaller trucks and smart/savy owners will see the advantages.

By the way, Mitsubishi has the FG model which has 4 wheel drive. Best medium size plow truck around. Will out plow any Ford, Chevy, etc.... because of the turning radius alone. It has a much higher ground clearance also....

I'v attached a picture of my Mitsubishi Fuso FK. I bought it used this past January for $25,000. It only had 29,000 miles on it. We just need to get the aqua green body repainted dark blue or black.

[Lawn Sharks]

Let's see some pics of cabovers with ramps to haul mowers!

[i_plant_art]

check out ford commercial trucks they are comming out with a new cabover model sometime soon for the 2005 model series. i havent seen any but they have the pics of them on the thier web site as well as all of the specification.

[LandMatters]

SuperLawnTrucks has a great system for mowing systems. If I did maintenance work, I'd have one of these trucks. the link is up top.

[LandMatters]

I'd hold off on buying one of the Ford CabOvers for 2-3 years until they get all the bugs out. there are always problems the first 2 years of a new vehicle, and doubt the new fords will be any different.

By the way, our brand new F-350 is in the shop for the second time this week. The solinoids went bad in the transmission. They replaced them and then we dropped the transmission yesterday. We've got a new transmission going in today.... less than 3000 miles on the truck.