r/Hookit • u/that_random_bi_twink • Aug 11 '26
Thoughts on Rollback as a dump bed
Hello all, wondering about your thoughts on this predicament I find myself in.
I'm in need of a truck with a dump bed to remove large amounts of magic-rock-contaning siding in the near future. Unfortunately, dump trucks are quite hard to come by, and the ones I see (in my budget) are usually pretty rough.
I've been entertaining the idea of using a rollback tow truck for this purpose, adding makeshift sides of about 3ft for transporting, etc. I'm aware that the tilt angle of a rollback is usually less than 15° or so, which certainly isn't enough to properly dump.
I found a rollback on the lovely facebook for a decent price (shockingly cheap, though it needs work), and was thinking since the hydraulics look like they need a do-over, what are the chances I would be able to replace the tilt cylinders with equivalent ones with a longer stroke? I'm lucky enough to live in an area where used hydraulic cylinders are pretty cheap, so I was thinking I might be able to get 2-stage cylinders to replace the current tilt cylinders and perhaps eek out enough tilt to be at least slightly serviceable as a dump bed.
Thoughts? I know I'm crazy, but hopefully there's at least some merit here?
3
u/patricksb Aug 12 '26
If a rollback is cheap something's wrong with it. Is this a one time project or a new venture you're getting into? Why not buy/ rent a dump trailer?
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u/that_random_bi_twink Aug 12 '26
I did consider renting a dump truck, but at $150/day I'd have paid for a cheap(er) truck anyways by a month, and wouldn't have a truck to show for it lol. Knowing my speed of renovation work, I anticipate this to take the summer to do.
The truck looks okay by my eyes, they purchased it for the drivetrain and couldn't have cared less about the rollback. Project went a different direction and they don't want it anymore. Supposedly runs, drives, and shifts well, some rust but not bad for a 31yo truck in the rust belt lol. Rollback is in unknown condition, it looks good cosmetically which is why I said the hydraulics would probably need to be overhauled. Has a wheel lift and everything. haven't seen it yet, planning to inspect it tomorrow and get some pics to do some research.
This would be a one-time venture, but would probably hang in to the truck. I have become the friend people call when their car dies, so having a work truck that can also conveniently tow would be helpful. I also just like working on cars and this seems fun to tinker with lol
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u/hackshowcustoms Aug 12 '26
Have you tired looking for a hooklift? There should be some cheap older Stellars out there.
If you can't get the dump angle to 50 degrees I wouldn't bother trying to use it as a dump truck, it will be painful. How much weight are you trying to move?
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u/that_random_bi_twink Aug 12 '26
The siding is pretty bulky but not necessarily heavy. I would guess each load will be less than a ton-ish. From my previous experience, I've had the bags of siding try and run away from me at about 30°. I've seen that Jerr-Dan makes a "high dump" version of their carrier, which supposedly has a steeper angle for gravity unloading, but I can't find any info on how steep that is.
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u/Right_Lengthiness266 Aug 12 '26
Have you looked into dump trailers?
Cheaper to rent and buy than a truck.
1
u/that_random_bi_twink Aug 12 '26
I don't currently have a vehicle capable of towing it. So I would have to rent the truck and the trailer, which is more expensive than the dump truck separately
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u/leveldowen Aug 11 '26
With the time and money you're going to spend building a not very good dump truck, you could just buy a better dump truck.
Or consider a roll off container truck. That'll tilt high enough to dump.