The transmission installed with the engine needs a lot of ratio range. You need a low enough gear to get out of a hilly jobsite and high enough top gear to attain decent highway speeds.

The Eaton Fuller 8LL transmission is a common truck spec, but she suggested an 18-speed transmission for larger and heavier trucks. “The 8LL gives you two low gears for startability off-road and enough top-end range for the highway,” says Parlier. “But if you are hauling over 90,000 pounds, you should consider an 18-speed because you get much closer splits from bottom to top.”

The typical dump truck uses rear axles rated at 46,000 pounds. This covers most trucks, from 14/16-yard solo dumps through combinations up to 110,000 GCW.

Another thing to remember for operating off-road is air filtration. Lots of drivers love the look of dual polished external air cleaners, and these provide excellent filtration with low air restriction. But they are quite expensive compared with under-hood air cleaners. A little money spent up front on a better air cleaner is cheap compared to a dusted engine. And better filtration will usually mean longer life for the filter elements. For example, dual 15-inch air cleaners will last more than times as long as a single 11-inch underhood air cleaner before needing replacement.

Weight watching

If you are hauling a lot of loads per day, cutting vehicle weight can be profitable. You can slim down by spec’ing components – such as wheels, air tanks and clutch housings – in aluminum rather than steel. “Use the smallest fuel tank you can get away with,” Parlier adds. “Some operators can get away with a 56-gallon tank, but most will need at least 75 to 90 gallons to get through a day.”

You can also save valuable pounds by choosing the right suspension. “The difference can be as high as 400 pounds,” Parlier says of the different suspension options.

To avoid hauling around extra steel in the vehicle frame, have the dealer work with an application engineer so that you only get enough frame where you need it. You will typically need a strong crossmember at the back of the cab to strengthen the hoist mounting area. If you are planning to add lift axles later, make sure the dealer adds that information to the order so that the frame can be prepared for them.

But remember that many of these weight savers will cost more up front. You will need to balance that against the gains you expect to make hauling more payload.

Driver performance items

Finally, consider a few driver performance-related items. To get the best turn performance and road feel from steering, Parlier recommends dual small gears rather than a large single steering gear. The dual system will also last longer than a single system.

Try to spec as much glass area as possible as well as for plenty of mirrors.

On a topic related to windows, Parlier suggests picking low-replacement cost windshields when they’re available. “Most vocational fleets replace at least one windshield side per truck per year. Two-piece flat-glass windshields with roped-in seals can be replaced in half an hour for a total cost of under a hundred dollars. This can save thousands of dollars over the life of the truck.”

With lift axles, it’s smart to get a six-channel ABS system. “Lift axles, especially steerable ones, are normally over-braked for the load,” Parlier says. “By including them in the ABS system, they’re less likely to lock up and you reduce tire flat spotting.”

To enhance truck productivity and the driving experience, consider adding a navigation system, Parlier says.