When you buy something for the first time, different things can make it more difficult than it has to be. Whether it’s price, variety, design, or preference, these factors can make you think twice about your purchase and have you wondering if you really do want to buy that certain product or if you’re after something else. 

It gets a little less complicated when buying vehicles. At least one factor will be decided for you, depending on what you need, whether for business or personal use. Thus, if you need a dump truck, you’d just need to consider the manufacturer and the model. Check out some of the best and popular models in the market.

GMC, the division of General Motors that focuses on utility vehicles and trucks, also offers a good range of models one can choose from. Here are some of the best to consider for your dump truck business.

GMC C5500

This truck runs on an 8.1L Vortec gas engine — GM’s last big block engine — which gives it enough torque and horsepower for practically any towing or hauling. The dump body is 14 feet long, controlled by a central electric hydraulic. The drivetrain can be either 2×4 or 4×4, although the latter is preferred, especially if you’re going to be driving it up rough or unpaved mountain roads.

If buying this model secondhand, you can rest assured that it will still be in good condition, especially if the previous owner followed the maintenance schedule. All things considered, despite the GMC C5500’s size and perhaps its age, it’s still a good choice for starting or expanding a business’s fleet. It’s not a big truck, however, so be careful not to overload it, or you’ll have to make a trip to a repair shop earlier than anticipated.

GMC C4500

Like the C5500, it’s powered by an 8.1L Vortec engine and features a 14-foot-long dump body. The sides can be removed if you need a flatbed truck, and there are tie-downs in the cargo area so you won’t have to worry about securing something back there. More often than not, you’ll find this truck with a 4×4 drivetrain, which should suit your needs just fine. 

Also, like the C5500, this truck has a good chance of still being in decent working condition if it was well maintained and the previous owner followed the recommended maintenance schedule. Despite its size, this is also a good model to add to your fleet; just make sure you don’t overload it, and be mindful of maintenance, especially if the previous owner used it constantly for hauling light to medium loads. 

GMC Sierra 3500

GMC does have a Sierra pickup truck, but it’s one of the models that can be upfitted so it can be used as a dump truck instead. Being one of the newer models, it may be a little difficult to find one, but if you do, you don’t have to worry about any repairs for a while. Unlike the C5500, though, the sides of the dump body can’t be removed. 

As with the first two models mentioned above, the GMC Sierra can have either a 2×4 or 4×4 drivetrain. What you choose depends on where you intend to drive it. The former is good enough if you’re just driving around the city and perhaps on paved mountain roads. If you’re driving mostly on rough roads, especially those with an incline, 4×4 would be the better choice of drivetrain. 

The 8.1L Vortec engine makes an appearance in this model as well, so rest assured it has enough horsepower to get where you need to go.

Final Takeaway

Whichever dump truck you decide to get, you can buy one from a used-car dealer, an online listing website, or a public auction website. You can try buying from different car dealers, too, if you’d rather get a new dump truck. 

Whether new or secondhand, there are several important things you need to remember. First, have a mechanic look the vehicle over to check for anything that might need immediate attention, and have that taken care of as soon as possible. Second, check the owner’s manual for the recommended maintenance schedule so you’ll know when to bring the truck in for which maintenance service. Pay attention to any warning lights that come on while you’re driving, so you can bring it to a shop as soon as possible instead of leaving it alone.

Last but not the least, make sure you don’t overwork the truck. This means checking for how big or heavy a load it can handle and ensuring that you follow that recommendation. You should also try and refrain from using the truck too often. For example, instead of using the GMC truck to haul two or more smaller loads, use a bigger truck so you’re only making one trip.

As you can see, there’s not much difference between buying any other vehicle like, say, a sleeper truck, and buying a GMC dump truck for your business. Finding one that suits your needs or finding the best place to purchase the truck from may take some time, but in the end, you’ll still have to look after it like any other vehicle.

Find other truck models and catch some of the best deals on dump trucks for sale at UsedVending.com.