Buying a hook lift Truck? 7 mistakes to avoid that will cost you 💸 

I honestly was expecting to watch someone like you before buying my Hook truck! Thank you so much, God bless you for your great work and knowledge

I haul scrap metal with some old school international and kenworth hooklifts. Theyre both manual trans, manual air controls, auto tarps. I freaking love running these trucks. Ive gotten so quick with swapping cans. I swap empties for fulls 100% of the time unless I'm placing or pulling a can.

Great video. I spent more time researching hooks than your video took to complete, and your video had more than ten-fold information. Not just the 7 things, but the information you provided as your basis for the things. Thank you.

Great advice, thank you so much, looking to convert from winch to hooklift next year. Love your channel, would love to hear you talk about finances philosophy around debt, cash flow, how long to pay equipment off, etc. thanks for posting!

This was an awesome video and right on time for me. Thank you 🙏🏾

Great info and great straight forward advice, the take it or leave it approach is nice to see these days.

Great video, I agree on all 7, keep them coming.

Reaffirmed what I was thinking as I’m getting ready to purchase my first hooklift. The point about PTO operation in all trans positions was super helpful. 🇺🇸👍🏼

Thanks for taking the time and effort to share good information

Very informative well thought out great analysis!!

Really appreciate this and agree with it all. Video was a bit long though but well said.

Thank you for this great info. im in the market to start my own..

Dewez clutch pump kit for hydraulics. It mounts on the engine and doesn’t have anything to do with the transmission. Hydraulic power as quickly as an A/C compressor kicking on. I’ve installed several kits and been impressed by how easy they are to install and how much little maintenance required. I like how the pump clutch can be wired with the valve body solenoids. One momentary toggle switch to raise or lower the hook. Much simpler for the driver and less cussing for the mechanic. 😎

Amazing info Thank you brother

I learn a lot from this info..thanks ....trying to buy my second dump truck

Bro… thank you so much We’re a landscape company Im in the market for one You saved me !!!

As someone who has been hauling dumpsters for almost 10 years, both multi axle straight truck and semi truck trailer configurations. I have to say you’re spot on and all great information for someone trying to get into the industry. The only thing I can add is and I’m pretty sure all hook lifts are standard 36” rail (but I could be wrong). Make sure your system is standard rail if you plan on expanding into a fair sized operation or want to get into CDL trucks. That way all you’re trucks are running the same rail system and can haul the same dumpsters with little to no modification of the dumpster. Also the point on automatic transmissions is dead on. Although I have both a stick and automatic and I personally prefer the stick. Finding people that can drive a stick especially in the CDL world is like finding a needle in a hay stack.

Good info , I’m planning on starting a Dumpster MFG Business in the near future

Awesome advice bro! ✊🏼

Guys, defintely stay under CDL 😊 This is the one point I disagree with, but over 26k does definitely bring a lot of obstacles and costs, as well as a lot of rewards. You need to be sure the customers are there, but if you've got them I would move forward. John's right There's no reason to buy a truck that only works in neutral, zero. If your upfitter is trying to sell you one get a new upfitter. 54" is definitely the way to go, again, if you're upfitter is pushing 36", get a new one. You lose all that leverage and diminish the capacity of what your hoist should be able to do.

Awesome tips 👍

A friend of mine is a foreman at a construction company they have a passenger van to transport the workers and regular cab flatbed trucks.

Would like to see the different kinds of containers, flat beds boxes, etc.

John great topic, I agree with you. My question: if you have the option would you go with hydraulic brakes or air brakes on a 26k gvwr truck if both systems have ABS & traction control, and why? Also, what size wheels are your Chevys running, 19.5” or 22.5” (thinking maneuverability) ?? Thanks for your time and the valuable information you provide so we all can continue to learn the finer points of this business! Thank you, Keith

John I think you got All 7 of them right. Only one thing that I would add is make sure you order your truck through the right dealer that has built a hook truck before. That has been a big mistake on my part.

Coming in at #8: Don’t buy a chassis with a GVWR less than 26,000 pounds. Get right up to max capacity on hook lift and other vocational applications. Question: If under CDL chassis will yield the greatest “audience” for resale because of current and future demand, aren’t you also suggesting that this is, and will continue to be, one of the more competitive segments in which to operate? Thanks for another thought-provoking video.

I agree with 90 percent of the video only thing is that auto tarp horrible even with the holes for bungees I’ve seen trash fly across the road also for tight lane ways or downtown calls with lots of cars you won’t be able to get the bin last has to be winter everything freezes up and won’t work properly but like I said most of your video I agree with you

Any recommendations on where to find same chevy truck? I saw a guy from Cali having the same truck and even the color unless he bought it from you. Thank you John for all the info.

7 out of 7 for me 🙌🏽 👊🏽

Curious, Have you ever seen a hook lift mounted on a fifth wheel trailer ? Totally separate from the truck frame, There would have to be some hydraulic hose hook ups as well as lights .

6 of of 7 for me. 4x4 is a must for me. Do not like getting stuck in mud.

what tarp system/brand do you reccomend?

Excellent video. Where can I buy a used truck that meets these standards?

Yesss! First comment!! Love these vids keep them coming

What wheelbase are those two tracks? Great information

#4 should be more like know your terrain if you need a 4x4 run a 4x4 because 2x4 is for flat roads no snow or muddy terrain pretty much for the flat city boys, heck in rainy days my local mulch supplier won't let in anyone without 4x4 now just imagine the landfill. #5 installing a hook system is not rocket science. Most hooklift systems on the market come with easy to read manual and installation kit. People should be more concerned on learning their hooklift system and mechanics than who did the installation. Great points an advice 👏 👍

Highlight “ make some money. “ tandems and bigger make the money. Either way do. Depends on what you want to get yourself into. Over cdl is a bigger overhead that’s all. But more opportunities

I build and sell trucks. my most popular and fastest sold truck is diesel, automatic, 26,000 and under, air brakes. they also sell for more than the identical truck that requires a cdl. i know there are many folks who prefer new trucks and new equipment like you do. however, i get more inquires about "pre-emission" trucks than any of the late models i have. new trucks' aftertreatment system do not like to idle. i encourage folks to raise the rpm up if it will be idling for a decent amount of time. it can reduce the need to regen so often.

I thanknyou for this video, I am wanting to buy one an I need to call your company

How much a truck like this? Would you mind sharing the spec out? Thanks!

Thank youuuuu

What are the requirements for purchasing a new truck like this? I have great credit, just curious about financing, down payment, etc. Would I need an established business first or could I be a start up?

the likes denote a totally underrate for this content

Thank you, I'm right there at the truck and roll-off trailer, looking to get into a hook lift. My problem is that I can't find anyone in my area to buy a truck from and get a hook installed. Who would you recommend that I can go to, to buy a setup just like yours and who can I buy bins from? I'm ok with traveling for the right deal.

What do you think of using Isuzu ftr truck with hooklift for such dumpster rental service?

What size of truck you have about how many tons can you haul?

what's your recomendation about Isuzu FtR PRO AND CONS

Seems like I heard 4500 and over or maybe it was 5500 and over get a true Allison transmission, not the GM version. I also understand its a 6 spd automatic and not the newer 10 spd that have issues. Something to look into when deciding on the size of your trucks.

Do you have a recommended wheelbase length?

Where is the website to buy this type of truck set up?

How's those chevys treating you? I know they have a lower GVWR compared to Ford and Dodge

But what's wrong with a 62? More capacity, better angle, easier to see, less travel time for the jib. Just wondering.

What type of trucks do you have behind you in the video? I know they are Chevy's but are they 3500's or higher?

Don’t you have to run a clutch pump on those Chevys? Why didn’t u go with a f600 with a live PTO?

I’ve got a 6500 with a stellar 36” hook. I can see the hook pretty well. I’ve never ran a 54” but it does look like a 54 has a better angle than the 36 but it’s not bad.

You should explain to your audience another reason for not going to CDL truck, they have to comply all DOT BS.

Lots of good stuff, I'll disagree a little bit, the problems you state with going over CDL are regional, not so much a general perfect rule, the only trouble we have is getting CDL drivers. We suffer absolutely none from competing with the big dog in our area, we take more work off of them than we can keep up with sometimes, despite not beating them in price. The other thing is your big automatic rule. I would never buy another manual truck for our dumpster company, but I have no trouble from the manual truck I drive myself for the sake of it not being auto. I drive a '99 Volvo tri axle with an ISM and 13 speed, Galbreath 50k hooklift, I do dumpsters for our demolition jobs, haul equipment in dumpsters, haul a good deal of gravel and dirt in an air tailgate box, and pull a tagalong trailer hauling equipment. I've put a lot of hours in both sides, and when I go from one of our brand new rolloffs to our old Volvo hooklift, it really doesn't pain me at all to go without the auto. LIVE PTO is what I miss, but most of the time it really doesn't matter to me anyway, big dumpsters hold in place better than small ones when operating in neutral, and it doesn't make a difference hauling gravel or pulling a trailer. I'm not trying to put 10 yards in house driveways without rolling the dumpster wheels with it. When I replace that Volvo, it will be with another pre emissions truck, which almost guarantees another manual, and I will gladly do that, because God knows we've spent tens of thousands more on emissions systems and sensors than any manual transmission work. It would be different if it was a hired driver and not me, but I see no issue with a manual hooklift truck if it's being driven by the owner or another old school driver, and they aren't bothered by dead PTO.

I’ve been in the trash business for about 35 years, and I do run a roll off truck. We have both systems Palfinger and Ampliroll both are fantastic systems well built. I digress, in my opinion and experience, these guys that run the small single axle hook trucks should have a CDL. I’ll tell you why, quite a few drivers drive a little reckless. For example, weaving in and out of traffic, cutting off us bigger roll off trucks in traffic or at the transfer station. These guys don’t realize we are 35k - 60k+ . So, just because a roll off sites on a heavy pickup doesn’t mean they need to drive it like these yayhoo’s in the 4 wheelers. In my personal opinion I think every commercial vehicle truck from semi’s to lawn guys pulling the mower trailer around needs to have some type of CDL training. All of us are supposed to be professional drivers, so act like it, it leaves a go image on you and your company. I’m a class A driver. Good video very professional, thanks.

what about gas verse diesel engines? im a diesel fan

Is there a hook lift truck that can also tow a gooseneck?

Who do I need to talk to to buy one?

Under cdl until the stupid customer over loads the rolloff then ...then dot stops you....

If you have the money for that it works. But you can do the same job and spend about half of the money. Then work your way up to better equipment.

The rationalization of doing it yourself is something that makes me laugh. It is a reality in any profession and any job across the board. People will always rationalize what they want based off of saving a couple hundred dollars. Its a lot of money but in the end buy once cry once.

I would drive a manual transmission all day long over an automatic just my preference

If you are worried about truck length why not go with a cab over truck? Chevy sells them and even though they are less popular, they are way more agile and have a lot of common parts with other Chevy trucks.

i have two truck without a PTO doesnt operate in all gears. i can tell you. you do not want that. i only let me and my dad operate these trucks. our trucks that overate in reverse while picking up a load is great.

What about a 62?

On the contrary, I would never buy a truck with a tarp system for an operation running under 40 yard cans. Takes my driver maybe 5 minutes to tarp a load, 5 min to untarp it. Costs me pennies in labor. Roll Rite tarp system is $10K+ and they are unreliable. They break constantly, and the customer overfills the dumpster 8/10 times even after you tell them, so you end up getting caught on all kinds of miscellaneous junk when you go to use it. I often see guys with expensive auto-tarpers who have manually tarped loads. The economics of the auto tarp do not make sense to me.

Why not 62? and I think going under cdl is a horrible mistake. Why limit your selve? Is like walking away from half the business. The drivers are out there. Pay them good and they come.

2 out 7 aint bad right ha??

Totally disagree with #5. The "pros" around here have done nothing but turn out junk and charge way too much money to do it. From bodies welded on crooked, to PTOs falling out of the transmissions because the bolts weren't torqued properly, to not routing hydraulic hoses in a way that makes any sense, to doing a terrible job laying out the controls in the cab, and so on and so forth. If you're a mechanically inclined person with the proper tools and know how building a truck is the way to go. It'll be exactly what you want when you're done and you can put all the custom touches on it that the "pros" don't have time for.

What’s your thoughts on 2wd vs 4wd?

HI Love IT Kjell Sweden

4 minutes of info....14:30 minutes of over dramatization.

Why would any body on planet earth want an automatic?

All your advice is wrong

do u only do residental jobs?

If my truck only hauled 26,000 pounds, I would not be able to do half the jobs with it. I run to an aggregate yard to pick up my block sand 22 a slag other materials like that this is why I need a class seven and not a class six my truck is good till 36,000 pounds 8 tons. Your truck is good for 3 1/2 ton. I can take a dumpster and pack it myself with trash to over 7 ton really wish GM would make up class seven looks like won’t be getting rid of my Kodiak anytime soon too good of a truck it is unbeatable. I put it against any hook truck.

Do you have a recommended wheelbase length?