WTB Ramp Truck!

I know we have a lot of craigslist surfers all over - I'm looking for a ramp truck! I thought maybe some of you might have seen one locally, I'm located just south of Nashville, TN, but I'm happy to fly and drive, etc. SWMBO gave me permission and everything. 

Needs A/C - prefer manual, but automatics are fine.

Here's all I've turned up in my searches so far:
https://nashville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1987-chevy-ramp-truck/6278903323.html

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/sat/cto/d/1989-chevrolet-3500-ramp-truck/6307935877.html

There are a few others, but I figured I should at the very least shop around a bit.

Thanks Guys!

What's your budget?

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/d/2000-ford-f550-ramp-truck-2/6309787150.html

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/d/1995-fpowerstroke-ramp-truck/6277896493.html

Or level of commitment?

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/eat/cto/d/1970-dodge-4-door-truck/6297828141.html

Ideal budget is <15k - I was given a bit of leeway in the budget. I'm fine with projects, but I need it to be a runner/stopper from the get-go. 

 

In reply to accordionfolder :

Here's one in Mobile, but the ad lacks details and price.

I just saw this one online the other day, not a manual but well within budget.  I really like how low the ramp is.  

https://miami.craigslist.org/mdc/cto/d/ford-1991-f350-ramp-truck/6316208737.html

Fixer Uppers OK?

How about Roll Backs?

F550 18k https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/cto/d/62000-miles-roll-back-tow/6298869311.html

More from Seattle area 

Silverado 12k https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/d/89-chev-silverado-ramp-truck/6283356585.html

In reply to java230 :

I wish that maroon and black one was closer - that might be too much of a fly and drive :)

These are awesome! 

Here's my favorite I've found so far (though I imagine it'll go out of budget by the time it's done)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1947-Chevrolet-Other-Pickups-/172886184723?hash=item2840d1d313:g:uFcAAOSwg9dZyX8n&vxp=mtr

Accord, are you locked into a Ramp Truck or are you looking for a cool hauler?  Seems easy enough to weld a Caddy onto a car trailer, even a rear wheel drive car and a swapped out trailer axle couldn't be that difficult.

I'm in Middle TN as well.  I bought my 99 f550 rollback for under you budget.  Cold ac,  hauls two cars, powerstroke diesel, and 6 speed manual.  I know where there is an older Chevy rollback for around 5k that needs a little work,  but with your budget I'd get something nice.

In reply to 914Driver :

I haven't thrown out that option yet - I would probably convert a newer gen Caddy though!

 

In reply to Cotton :

You give me hope, I was avoiding the rollbacks since they seemed more complicated, but I suppose it would be shorter overall? 
 

In reply to Cotton :

Actually - looking at rollbacks really open up a lot of options. Is there anything I should know in particular? I'm in Murfreesboro btw, just moved back from CA.

Any thoughts on this one:

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/1973-ford-f350-rollback-jerr/6312991183.html

It actually appeals to me because it seems to be shorter overall (I'm just race-car hauling). Plus I dig that old grill. 

Well, I had a '69 F100 with a 390. It was a lot like a tractor motor, but it was a STRONG tractor motor. I'd like it more with a 460.  I'm not sure I believe him when he says "good brakes" unless r really meant "Functional brakes."  Old HD Ford trucks are massively cool but are also a lot like riding in a washing machine full of rocks. You can solve a lot of that with extensive application of Dynamat though. 

It's a good looking truck and leaves you enough dough to fix the AC, put in decent seats, and dynamat the entire cab. Then you can upgrade the brakes later.

there is a sorta classic car and truck sales lot up in Jasper Ga that has a couple really good looking ramp trucks ( late 70's early 80's) one is painted in an American Flag Look it's Cool, I will get a number and a pic but it's rare anyone is there.

accordionfolder said:

In reply to Cotton :

Actually - looking at rollbacks really open up a lot of options. Is there anything I should know in particular? I'm in Murfreesboro btw, just moved back from CA.

Any thoughts on this one:

https://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/d/1973-ford-f350-rollback-jerr/6312991183.html

It actually appeals to me because it seems to be shorter overall (I'm just race-car hauling). Plus I dig that old grill. 

That's a good looking old truck,  but the 17ft deck hurts it some...or would for me.  My deck is 19ft and will haul a crew cab longbed dually,  barely, but it fits.   If you're only doing race cars it would be no problem.  Also,  if you're only towing local no big deal,  but for longer trips a modern turbo diesel will be much much better.

As far as what to look for rollback specific.  Well the decks are pretty straight forward and everything that matters is serviceable or rebuildable relating to the hydraulics, controls, etc.  I bought mine from a tow company that refreshed its fleet and basically needed to catch up on a lot of deferred maintenance....tires, rotors/pads,  balljoints, etc.  I mean I personally felt that it was unsafe to drive,  but it's amazing how far on the edge they'll run some of these trucks.  Just keep that in mind if you're looking at an ex tow truck.  Otherwise,  for hauling they're awesome and the winch and wide flat deck makes loading broken cars,  dead projects, etc a breeze.  I'll post some pictures of mine up soon,  but even with my 19ft deck is should be shorter than most ramp trucks.