I ran across a chance to pick up a '86 International 2 1/2 ton 22' rollback cheap. My main idea was that I could turn this over for a prompt profit, But now I'm thinking that there would be more money in odd jobs with it. It is designed for car hauling but I don't really want to get involved with the heavy liability involved with vehicle towing, not to mention the odd hour, dead beat customers and so on. Do any of you use this type of vehicle to supplement your income other than stalled vehicle towing?

-- mark (toymeister@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001

Answers

You might want to check on the cost of insurance first. Somebody just gave me a two ton dump truck the other day, in great condition. I thought I might use it around the farm, but wanted to get it licensed to go on the road so I could pick up mulch, firewood, etc. The insurance agent informed me that because it is a commercial vehicle, I cannot add it to my existing personal auto policy. Instead I must take out a commercial policy for it, that will cost a minimum of $50 a month. Not what I had in mind.

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), December 10, 2001.

Chuck I know you must have meant 500 a month, being here in beatiful Md.

-- Rick (Rick_122@hotmail.com), December 10, 2001.

doesn't MD have farm use registration for trucks?

-- Dave (something@somewhere.com), December 10, 2001.

Mark, there is good profit to be made in hauling cars from auction to dealers, about $40.00 per car in a short distance (10 to 20 miles), but hauling for the public requires heavy insurance, an impound yard, and too many regurlations to be practical. Ag hauling is much less regulation orientated, do the homework for your area.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), December 10, 2001.

Mark, I'm in the truck business and have been for 25 years and may be able to help you here. The insurance consideration is very real. No experience in the field will only make your rates higher. The idea of equipment hauling might work but you still have permitting and insurance considerations. As far as hauling for dealers to and from auctions, most auctions offer those services and you have to compete with one call convenience there ("I want to reserve places for two cars in your sale this week. You can pick them up anytime."). They also deliver cars you buy there.

You may have hit on the right answer first when you suggested making a quick buck on it. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), December 10, 2001.

Thanks for all the ideas. I too have also had a 2 1/2 ton dump truck. Insurance was 700/yr for farm use, I expect the cost for this is about the same. The only break I will get is from the state on plates, 200/yr, this is a 'special' rate for wreckers.

I found that it is a '83 (older than I was told) but my local tow service that it was a good deal. Since I'm not buying it from him and I told him it was 7,500 and it actually cost 5,000 I'm not worried about getting burned on the price. On ebay nothing is available for under 6K.

Does anyone know about the milage on these? It has a inline 6 466 international diesel w/ 6spd manual trans. The dump I had was a 4 sp 350 gas which got 5mpg max. That vehicle was grossly underpowered.

-- mark (toymeister@hotmail.com), December 11, 2001.

DT 466 has a bit over 200 hp. Enough to handle over 50,000 gross weight. I have a roll back myself. Have been ask to move a few portable buildings and such. Declined as too much time and hassle, but if your free, it could be a good little sideline. I run farm insurance as a hay truck. $80 per year, plate about $30. Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), December 11, 2001.

Don't know how it is where you are, but here in Texas farm tags mean ONLY farm use. If you go get groceries in your truck with farm tags on it, the cops can give you a $400 ticket.

-- Wingnut (wingnut@moment.net), December 11, 2001.

Forgot to mention about the fuel usage. Should get almost 10 mpg. I run a DT 360, little brother to the 466, and it gets 10. I know people with your engine getting 10 also. Matter of gross weight. One of the best engines IH makes. D.

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), December 12, 2001.