Hydrovac Truck Manufacturers: Complete Brand Comparison Guide

Quick Answer: The major hydrovac truck manufacturers are Vactor (market leader, best dealer network), GapVax (best value, Pennsylvania-made), Vac-Con (strong in Southeast US), Super Products (cold-weather specialists), Kaiser (Canadian premium brand), and Vermeer (compact units). Vactor has the highest resale value but costs 10-20% more. GapVax offers comparable quality at lower prices.

I've been wrenching on hydrovac trucks for 25 years, and I've worked on pretty much every brand out there. Vactor, GapVax, Vac-Con, Super Products, Kaiser, Vermeer — I've had them all in the shop and on job sites.

Here's the thing: there's no "best" brand. There's the best brand for your situation. A fleet running 60 hours a week in Minnesota has different needs than a small contractor doing utility work in New Jersey. The right truck depends on what you're doing, where you're doing it, and what kind of support you can get locally.

This guide covers the major manufacturers, what they do well, where they fall short, and what I see break on each one. No marketing fluff — just what I've learned from actually fixing these trucks.

What Should You Look for When Comparing Hydrovac Manufacturers?

Before we get into brands, here's what actually matters when you're comparing:

Dealer and service network. This is huge. A great truck with no local support becomes a nightmare when it breaks. You'll be waiting weeks for parts, flying in technicians, and losing money every day it sits.

Parts availability. Some brands use common components (Cummins engines, Roots blowers) that any diesel shop can source. Others use proprietary parts that only come from the manufacturer. Guess which one costs more and takes longer?

Resale value. If you're financing or planning to trade up in a few years, resale matters. Some brands hold value better than others.

Total cost of ownership. The sticker price is just the start. Maintenance costs, fuel consumption, repair frequency, and downtime all factor into what that truck actually costs you over five or seven years.

For a deep dive on costs, see our complete hydrovac truck pricing guide. And make sure you're getting the right size truck — oversized equipment costs more to buy AND operate.

Major Hydrovac Truck Manufacturers

Vactor (Federal Signal)

The short version: Market leader with the biggest dealer network. Premium pricing, but parts are available everywhere. Solid trucks if you keep up with maintenance.

Who they are: Vactor is part of Federal Signal and has been building vacuum trucks since the 1960s. They're headquartered in Streator, Illinois. When most people think "hydrovac truck," they think Vactor.

Popular models:

• HXX series — Their flagship hydrovac line. HXX comes in various configurations from the HXX Prodigy (smaller, maneuverable) to full-size units.
• Vactor 2100 — A combination sewer cleaner that some operators use for light hydrovac work. Not a true hydrovac, but I see them out there.

What Vactor does well:

• Biggest dealer network in North America — you can get parts and service almost anywhere
• Strong resale value
• Good documentation and technical support
• Variety of configurations for different applications
• Cold weather packages available for northern climates

Where Vactor falls short:

• Premium pricing — you'll pay 10-20% more than some competitors
• Some proprietary components that only Vactor dealers stock
• Parts markup at dealers can be steep
• HXX booms have some design quirks I've had to work around

Common problems I see:

• Boom rotation motors — seen plenty of these need rebuilds or replacement
• Door seal wear — not unique to Vactor, but something to watch
• PTO engagement issues on certain chassis combinations
• Hydraulic hose routing can cause chafing on some models

Price range: $450,000 - $600,000+ new depending on configuration. Used units from $150,000 - $350,000 depending on age and hours.

My take: If you want peace of mind and don't mind paying for it, Vactor is a safe choice. The dealer network alone is worth something when you're broken down 200 miles from home. Just budget for their parts prices.

GapVax

The short version: Strong competitor to Vactor at a better price point. Good trucks, growing dealer network. Pennsylvania company, so I see a lot of them in my area.

Who they are: GapVax is based in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and has been building vacuum equipment since 1989. They started with industrial vacuum trucks and moved into hydrovac.

Popular models:

• HV55 — Their workhorse hydrovac. 12-yard debris tank, solid specs.
• HV56 — Larger capacity, more features.
• HV33 — Smaller unit for tighter job sites.

What GapVax does well:

• Competitive pricing — typically 10-15% less than Vactor for comparable specs
• Good build quality — I've been impressed with the welding and fabrication
• Responsive customer support — being smaller means you can actually talk to engineers
• Standard components where possible (easier to source parts)
• Strong in the Northeast and growing elsewhere

Where GapVax falls short:

• Smaller dealer network than Vactor — coverage varies by region
• Less brand recognition (matters for resale)
• Some operators report the controls aren't as intuitive
• Cold weather packages not as refined as some competitors

Common problems I see:

• Water pump issues — seen several need rebuild or replacement earlier than expected
• Electrical gremlins in the control systems
• Boom extension cylinder seal leaks
• Some early models had hydraulic cooling issues in hot weather

Price range: $380,000 - $520,000 new. Used units from $120,000 - $300,000.

My take: Great value. If GapVax has good dealer coverage in your area, they're worth serious consideration. I work on a lot of GapVax trucks and their owners are generally happy. Just make sure you can get support locally before buying.

Vac-Con

The short version: Florida-based company known for combination sewer/vacuum trucks. Their hydrovac offerings are solid but they're not as specialized in hydro excavation as some others.

Who they are: Vac-Con is headquartered in Green Cove Springs, Florida. They've been around since 1986 and make a range of vacuum trucks including combination units, industrial vacuums, and hydrovacs.

Popular models:

• Mudslinger — Their dedicated hydrovac unit. Good mid-size option.
• Various combination units that can do light hydrovac work.

What Vac-Con does well:

• Strong in municipal markets — lots of city and utility fleets run Vac-Con
• Good dealer network, especially in the South and Southeast
• Durable debris tank construction
• Solid reputation for combination trucks if you need multi-purpose

Where Vac-Con falls short:

• Not as focused on hydrovac as Vactor or GapVax
• Some models feel like they adapted sewer truck designs rather than purpose-building for hydrovac
• Northern operators complain about cold weather performance
• Parts specific to Vac-Con can be slow to get in some regions

Common problems I see:

• Blower oil leaks on certain models
• Boom operation can feel clunky compared to purpose-built hydrovacs
• Water system heater issues in cold climates
• PTO gearbox wear (run hard in sewer applications, then converted to hydrovac use)

Price range: $400,000 - $550,000 new. Used units from $130,000 - $320,000.

My take: Good trucks, but they're really a sewer/combination truck company that also makes hydrovacs. If you're doing dedicated hydro excavation work, I'd look at brands more focused on that. But if you need a versatile vacuum truck that can do some hydrovac work, Vac-Con is worth considering.

Super Products (Mud Dog)

The short version: Wisconsin company with solid industrial and municipal trucks. The Mud Dog line is their hydrovac offering. Good build quality, less common than the big names.

Who they are: Super Products is part of Alamo Group and based in Mukwonago, Wisconsin. They've been building vacuum trucks for decades. Mud Dog is their hydrovac brand.

Popular models:

• Mud Dog 1200 — 12-yard capacity, their standard hydrovac
• Mud Dog 800 — Smaller 8-yard version
• Various configurations with different boom and tank options

What Super Products does well:

• Heavy-duty build quality — these are built tough
• Good cold weather engineering (Wisconsin roots)
• Strong in industrial and construction applications
• Solid warranty support

Where Super Products falls short:

• Smaller dealer network than Vactor or GapVax
• Less common means fewer used parts available
• Some operators find them heavier than necessary
• Brand recognition lower than competitors

Common problems I see:

• Hydraulic system runs hot in summer — cooling system sizing could be better
• Boom cable wear (older models)
• Electrical issues in harsh conditions
• Some components sourced from smaller suppliers — longer parts lead times

Price range: $420,000 - $560,000 new. Used units from $140,000 - $310,000.

My take: Underrated trucks. The guys running Mud Dogs tend to like them. They're built heavy and hold up well. Main concern is dealer coverage — make sure you can get service and parts in your area before buying.

Kaiser Premier

The short version: Colorado company specializing in cold weather hydrovacs. If you're running in harsh winter conditions, Kaiser deserves a look.

Who they are: Kaiser Premier is based in Fort Morgan, Colorado. They build hydrovac trucks with a focus on cold weather performance. CV series is their main line.

Popular models:

• CV Series — Various sizes from CV58 to larger units
• Specialized cold weather configurations

What Kaiser does well:

• Best-in-class cold weather performance — these trucks are designed for Canadian winters
• Excellent heating systems — water tank, boom, and component heating are well thought out
• Growing dealer network
• Purpose-built for hydrovac (not adapted from sewer trucks)

Where Kaiser falls short:

• Smaller company — less dealer coverage
• Price premium for cold weather features (worth it if you need them, overkill if you don't)
• Less common in southern/warmer markets
• Resale value harder to predict

Common problems I see:

• Honestly, I don't see as many Kaiser trucks in my area (Pennsylvania) — they're more common further north
• When I do work on them: heating system complexity can mean more maintenance
• Proprietary cold weather components

Price range: $450,000 - $580,000 new. Used market is smaller.

My take: If you're running in Minnesota, North Dakota, or Canada, Kaiser should be on your list. Their cold weather engineering is serious. For operators in milder climates, you're paying for features you won't use.

Vermeer

The short version: Big name in horizontal directional drilling, newer to hydrovac. Good equipment, but they're not as established in this space.

Who they are: Vermeer is headquartered in Pella, Iowa. They're huge in HDD (horizontal directional drilling) and trenching equipment. Hydrovac is a newer addition to their lineup.

Popular models:

• VX Series — Their hydrovac line
• Various sizes to complement their HDD equipment

What Vermeer does well:

• Massive dealer network (already established from HDD business)
• Good parts availability through existing channels
• Familiar to contractors already running Vermeer HDD equipment
• Strong financing options

Where Vermeer falls short:

• Newer to hydrovac — less history and refinement
• Some early models had growing pains
• Not as specialized as dedicated hydrovac manufacturers
• Premium pricing for the brand name

Common problems I see:

• Early models had some water system issues
• Integration between chassis and equipment wasn't always smooth
• Some operators prefer brands with longer hydrovac history

Price range: $420,000 - $550,000 new. Limited used market (newer product line).

My take: If you're already a Vermeer shop and want one vendor relationship, their hydrovacs are decent. But if hydrovac is your main business, I'd lean toward brands that have been doing this longer. The Vermeer dealer network is a genuine advantage though.

Tornado Global Hydrovacs

The short version: Canadian company, strong in cold weather markets. If you're working in Canada or harsh winter conditions, Tornado competes well.

Who they are: Tornado is headquartered in Alberta, Canada. They've been building hydrovacs since the 90s, primarily for Canadian oil and gas and utility markets.

Popular models:

• F Series — Their main hydrovac line (F2, F3, F4 in increasing size)
• Configurations optimized for different applications

What Tornado does well:

• Cold weather performance — designed for Canadian winters
• Popular in oil and gas applications
• Good vacuum system engineering
• Strong in Canada and northern U.S.

Where Tornado falls short:

• Limited dealer network in U.S. (better in Canada)
• Parts can be harder to source south of the border
• Less common means fewer mechanics familiar with them
• Some models feel dated compared to newer competitors

Common problems I see:

• When I do work on them: water system freeze issues even with cold weather equipment (usually operator error)
• Boom wear on high-hour units
• Electrical system issues in older models

Price range: $400,000 - $550,000 new. Used market varies by region.

My take: Good trucks if you're in Canada or doing a lot of cross-border work. For U.S.-based operators, the dealer and parts situation can be challenging. Make sure you've got a plan for service before committing.

Brand Comparison Tables

Specs Comparison (Representative Models)

Specs vary by configuration. These are representative middle-of-the-road specs for comparison.

Price Comparison (2026 Estimates)

Which Hydrovac Brand Is Best for Different Applications?

Best for municipal and utility work: Vactor or Vac-Con. Dealer networks are strongest in municipal markets, parts are available, and resale is predictable.

Best for cold weather operations: Kaiser Premier or Tornado. Purpose-built for harsh winters. Don't cheap out on cold weather equipment if you're running in sub-zero temperatures — frozen water systems will cost you more than the upgrade. See our safety guide for cold weather operating precautions.

Best value for small contractors: GapVax. Competitive pricing, good build quality, solid support if they have dealers in your area. The money you save on purchase can go toward maintenance.

Best for large fleets: Vactor. Standardization matters when you're running multiple trucks. Parts commonality, dealer relationships, and resale value all favor Vactor for big operations.

Best for operators already running Vermeer HDD: Vermeer VX. One vendor, one parts system, one financing relationship. Convenience has value.

Common Issues by Brand

Every brand has problems — here's a quick reference for what I see most often:

For detailed troubleshooting, see our complete troubleshooting guide. Specific issues like vacuum problems, boom rotation issues, and hydraulic overheating are covered in separate guides.

The Bottom Line

There's no universally "best" hydrovac brand. The right choice depends on:

1. Your location — Dealer and parts support matter more than brand loyalty
2. Your application — Cold weather, municipal, industrial, or construction
3. Your budget — Both purchase price and total cost of ownership
4. Your fleet — Single truck vs. standardized fleet considerations

If you can, talk to other operators in your area running the brands you're considering. Their experience with local dealers and real-world reliability is worth more than any spec sheet.

And whatever you buy, take care of it. A well-maintained GapVax will outlast a neglected Vactor every time. For maintenance schedules and tips, see our maintenance guide and service intervals breakdown.

Need Help With Your Hydrovac?

I service all brands — Vactor, GapVax, Vac-Con, and the rest. Whether you need a pre-purchase inspection, emergency repair, or ongoing maintenance program, I've got you covered throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and the DC/Maryland area.

Call me at 272-296-9637 or request service here.