2017 Western Star 4700SF Tandem Axle Dump: Specs and Pricing

The Western Star 4700SF is a vocational truck that appears often in used dump truck listings, and the tandem axle version is the configuration most buyers search for. Around the 2017 model year, that combination lands in a practical middle ground. The truck is heavy enough for aggregate, dirt, and demolition hauling, yet it stays more manageable than the largest Western Star dump models when space on a job site is tight.

Buyers who pull up a 2017 Western Star 4700 dump truck listing usually want the same handful of answers: what engine is under the hood, how much weight the chassis is rated for, how many axles it runs, and what a fair price looks like in the current market. This breakdown works through the published specifications for the 4700SF, the frame and axle details that show up on 2017 listings, and the pricing data that is publicly available across truck marketplaces and auction results.

What the 4700SF Tandem Axle Dump Is Built For

The 4700 line sits below Western Star's larger highway and heavy haul models, which makes it a natural fit for construction work that mixes paved road travel with rough site access. A tandem axle dump adds a second rear axle set to the rear of the chassis, which spreads load across more tires and supports a heavier dump body than a single axle truck can carry.

In practice, that means a 4700SF tandem axle dump ends up hauling material on short and medium runs: moving spoil off an excavation, delivering stone or gravel, clearing a demolition site, or supporting a paving and grading crew. The truck is also a common choice for owner operators who want one machine that can travel to the job and still work once it arrives.

Published Specifications for the Western Star 4700SF Dump

Specification references for the 4700SF dump truck list a Detroit DD13 engine with an Allison automatic transmission, and the published output range is 350 to 505 horsepower with 1,250 to 1,850 lb-ft of torque. Fuel and fluid capacities are published as well, which matters when you are comparing a 4700SF against another truck in the same size class.

The vocational cab is built from galvannealed steel for durability and corrosion resistance.

A spacious interior with available air-ride seating helps improve driver comfort through the workday.

A 100 gallon fuel capacity is a meaningful number for a dump truck that spends part of its day idling in traffic or on site while the body is being loaded. It cuts down on refueling interruptions during a full shift, and it gives a longer working radius on jobs that are spread out across a region.

What a 2017 4700 Tandem Axle Listing Typically Shows

A 2017 Western Star 4700 dump truck listing describes the truck as a model 4700 SFA tandem axle dump truck with a 62,000 GVW rating, a 223 inch wheelbase, an Allison RDS automatic transmission, a 20,000 lb front axle, a 46,000 lb rear axle, a heavy duty 120,000 PSI double frame, and a 16 inch chrome steel bumper with tow provisions. Those are the numbers that set the truck's working envelope.

One 2017 Western Star 4700SF listing shows 453,000 miles, a new body installed in 2023, and a well-maintained condition description. That same truck is listed at $129,800.

The 223 inch wheelbase is a bridge between maneuverability and load stability. A longer wheelbase generally rides better and supports a longer dump body, while a shorter one turns tighter in crowded yards. The 120,000 PSI double frame is the structure that carries the dump body and the load through years of flexing on uneven ground, and on a used truck it is one of the areas most worth inspecting closely.

Compare that with a 2016 Western Star 4700SF dump truck listing that carried a contract price of $144,100.00 and showed tandem axles, a full differential lock, air suspension, and dump valves. Those details are typical of how these trucks are ordered when the buyer intends to work them in loose or uneven ground rather than run them strictly on pavement.

How the Used Market Prices the 4700 and 4700SF

Pricing across the 4700 model group is not a single number, and the spread is wide. TruckPaper lists 94 new and used Western Star 4700 dump trucks with prices ranging from $74,900 to $179,900. Similar 2017 Western Star 4700SF trucks can range from about $59,950 to $151,850. That range reflects differences in year, mileage, engine hours, body condition, and how the truck was spec'd when it was ordered.

Individual listings inside those pools help frame the numbers. One Western Star dump truck listing at $135,000 showed 376,889 miles and six rear axles. With average mileage for a 2017 Western Star 4700SF at around 340,000 miles, trucks showing low mileage often sit toward the higher end of the price range. A 2022 Western Star 4700SF located in Candler, North Carolina was listed at $135,000. Auction results add another reference point, since Western Star dump trucks sold at auction span model years 2024 through 2026 in the results set indexed at Purple Wave.

The practical takeaway is that a 2017 4700SF tandem axle dump should be priced against what comparable 4700 and 4700SF trucks are actually listed and sold for, not against a single asking figure. Mileage, frame condition, and dump body wear move the number more than the model year alone.

Reading the Model Tags: 4700, 4700SB, 4700SF, and W4700SF

Western Star dump truck listings are not all tagged the same way. Auction model filters for Western Star dump trucks break out 4700, 4700 SB, 4700SB, 4700SF, 47X, 4800, 4900, 4900 EX, 4900FA, 4900SA, 4964EX, 4964FX, 4964S, 49X, and W4700SF as separate entries. Buyers sorting inventory should expect to see the same truck described under slightly different tags depending on the platform and the seller.

That matters when you are comparing listings. A search that only looks for 4700SF can miss a truck tagged as 4700 or W4700SF that is otherwise the same configuration you are shopping for. Widening the search terms and then confirming the actual build from the listing photos, the spec sheet, and the seller directly is the more reliable route.

Axle, Differential, and Suspension Details to Confirm

The 4700SF tandem axle dump description covers the rear axle setup, but the supporting components are what determine how the truck behaves under load. A 2016 4700SF listing showed tandem axles paired with a full differential lock and air suspension, plus dump valves for the body hydraulics.

A full differential lock helps when one side of the rear axle loses traction, which happens on soft ground, gravel, and muddy site entrances. Air suspension changes the ride quality and the way weight transfers onto the frame. Dump valves and the hydraulic system control how the body raises and lowers, so any used truck should be cycled through a full raise and lower before purchase, ideally with a load in the body rather than empty.

Inspection Points Before You Commit

With a truck in the 2017 model year range, the inspection matters as much as the spec sheet. The research available on these listings does not document common failure points for the model, so the checklist below is about verifying what the listings already claim rather than diagnosing known faults.

• Confirm the frame rating and check the double frame rails for cracks, previous repairs, or excessive rust.

• Verify the GVW rating on the truck's own data plate and compare it against what the listing states.

• Check the tandem axle assembly, differential lock function, and air suspension bags for wear or leaks.

• Run the dump body through a full raise and lower cycle and inspect the hoist, valves, and hydraulic lines.

• Review engine hours alongside mileage, since a dump truck can accumulate hours faster than miles.

• Ask for service records covering the engine, transmission, and rear ends, and confirm whether the truck has been regularly maintained.

• Confirm the truck's actual weight and allowable payload against the weight limits that apply where you operate.

Any specification you plan to rely on, including GVW, axle ratings, and payload, should be verified against the truck's data plate and the documentation the seller provides. Published listing specs are a starting point, not a substitute for looking at the machine.

Buying and Selling a 4700SF Tandem Axle Dump

Marketplace listings give buyers a way to compare multiple 4700 and 4700SF trucks side by side without chasing individual dealers. That comparison is useful because the price spread across the 4700 model group runs from $74,900 to $179,900, and the reasons behind that spread are usually visible once you line the trucks up against each other.

Sellers get the same benefit in reverse. A clean tandem axle dump with documented service history and a verified frame is easier to price when there are recent comparable listings to point to. Whether you are buying or selling, the details that drive value on this model are consistent: frame condition, axle configuration, dump body wear, engine hours, and paperwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Western Star 4700SF a good dump truck?

The listings and specification data show the 4700SF as a spec'd vocational truck with a published 380 horsepower ISL engine, 1,250 lb ft of torque, and a chassis that supports a tandem axle dump body. Whether a specific truck is a good buy depends on its frame, hours, and service history, so inspect the individual unit and verify the data plate before deciding.

How much can a tandem axle dump truck like this carry?

Payload is not fixed by the model name. A 2017 Western Star 4700 tandem axle dump listing shows a 62,000 GVW rating, and usable payload is that rating minus the truck's own weight. Because weight limits vary by location and configuration, confirm the truck's actual scale weight and the regulations that apply in your operating area before loading it.

What should I check on a used tandem dump truck?

Focus on the parts that carry the load. Inspect the double frame for cracks or repairs, cycle the dump body through a full raise and lower with weight in it, check the differential lock and air suspension, review engine hours against mileage, and confirm the Detroit DD13 diesel engine and Allison automatic transmission match the listing and the truck's data plate. Ask for service records covering the engine and rear ends, and verify every spec against the truck's data plate. Before purchase, confirm the truck is well-maintained and fully operational.

What does a Western Star 4700SF cost?

Prices vary widely by year, mileage, and condition. TruckPaper lists 94 new and used Western Star 4700 dump trucks priced from $74,900 to $179,900. A 4700SF listing page shows a 2022 unit in Candler, North Carolina at $135,000, and a separate Western Star dump listing at $135,000 showed 376,889 miles. Compare recent listings before settling on a number.

Why do listings use different model tags?

Western Star dump truck inventory is tagged inconsistently across platforms. Auction model filters separate out 4700, 4700 SB, 4700SB, 4700SF, W4700SF, and several 4900 and 49X variants as their own entries. Search with broader terms, then confirm the actual build from the photos, the spec sheet, and the seller rather than relying on the listing tag alone.