Dump Trucks

[Big Bri]

So i'm looking for a career change,(more like simi retirement) and have thought about hauling dirt and gravel for years. I think i'm ready to take the plunge but don't know a lot dump trucks.

Thinking i want to start out small, 26k gvw or less (have my eye on a 99 ford with F650 w/10' 8yard bed and cummings engine)

My questions are what should i be looking for while looking at used dump trucks. what features would be nice to have and what are a must.
Also am i buying too small. I sure i could make more money with a larger truck but this is going to be part time work, i don't have a cdl, and i think i can fill a nitch with a smaller truck doing smaller loads for homeowners.

Give me the good and the bad about this business
Thanks
Brian

 

[crash325]

I think you are on the right track and could fill part of the market. I say don't go too big. The 10' bed should be about 6 yards??.

Before jumping in and getting a truck, find a source of sand, gravel and stone.

On the truck itself, see if the ram leaks or is bent. Check the whole hydrolic system as well. Look inside the dump bed, they rust out at times, or if a lot of large rock has been hauled they get hammered out. Often the bed and dump system has been on several trucks, it could be 10 or more years older than the truck. Also make sure the tail gate latches are secure and in good shape.

Tire size and condition is important, if it needs tires they could cost almost or even more than the truck its self.

Most trucks will have a 2 speed rear axle, make sure it works correctly.

Most of all have fun. You may not need a special license for personal use. But once you hire out that's a different story. :thumbsup:

 

[Big Bri]

Thanks for the insight, hadn't thought about how much tires would cost.

I've found a couple of places to get dirt/clay, still looking for a place to get gravel/limestone.
Thanks again

I think you are on the right track and could fill part of the market. I say don't go too big. The 10' bed should be about 6 yards??.

Before jumping in and getting a truck, find a source of sand, gravel and stone.

On the truck itself, see if the ram leaks or is bent. Check the whole hydrolic system as well. Look inside the dump bed, they rust out at times, or if a lot of large rock has been hauled they get hammered out. Often the bed and dump system has been on several trucks, it could be 10 or more years older than the truck. Also make sure the tail gate latches are secure and in good shape.

Tire size and condition is important, if it needs tires they could cost almost or even more than the truck its self.

Most trucks will have a 2 speed rear axle, make sure it works correctly.

Most of all have fun. You may not need a special license for personal use. But once you hire out that's a different story. :thumbsup:

 

[gregsons]

I just got out of the business last year. My father and i started doing just what you want to do about 8 years ago. We got out of it because i have a "real " job or full time job and he is getting older. I started selling alot of topsoil and mulch but in the last few years i sold alot of stone and gravel. I owned a frod f-350 and a ford -700.
I know around me there were alot of large Dump truck operaters that did large constuction jobs that i could not compete with and there were alot of weekend or side job guys with F350's doing work. they under bid everyone so there is not much money there. The f-700 size truck was great. I hauled 8 yards or 10 tons with it.
Suggestions: Crash was right on with what he said. A few more, get diesel, gas is low on power and you will regret it. Get air brakes, you may need to take a test to get a endorcment on your license but Hydro brakes are a pain in the butt to adjust and maintain. You need a 2 speed rearend. Where i am in really flat i can count the hills in my county on one hand. I used the 2 speed getting out of the stone quarry when loaded down and in yards. I dont know the correct name for it but the pivot point an the rear of the dump box " where it conects to the truck frame" has greese fittings on them they need to be greesed. when looking at a truck and they are dry be vary carefull.
Price per tire about $100.00 for cheepo's
It was a great business i loved it and will get back into it when i retire or even sooner. Hint be honest and fair. their are alot of scamers in this biz once you get a good name you will get the business. also get insurance and watch out for power lines and underground septic tanks, pipes homeowners forget to tell you where they are. ( i took out powerlines only heard about the septic tank). GOOD LUCK

 

[flyingcow]

In the state of Maine, we have an outfit called Maine Motor Transport. Costs $125 a yr to join. They are a private group that represents the trucking industry for this state. They have been a great of source for the legal side of what you can and can't do, legally. Simple answers to simple questions. Anytime I have called my local government office....never heard of a simple answer to a simple question. So now i call MMTA, and if they don't know the answer, they will find it. See if your state has such a group, I am sure they do.

Check mileage and hours on a motor. Then call the are rep for that motor. If it has a computer, should be able to give an accurate number. Diesels are the best option, but not cheap to rebuild.

 

[Builder]

Bri, I like ya bud, always enjoy your posts. You strike me as a common sense hard working guy, not a weekend warrior, but you are getting into a "race to the bottom" business. I've owned tri-axles and single axles and after 20 + yrs of driving & hauling, I can safely tell you you'd make more money doing a lot of other things that require less capital investment, storage, maintenance, insurance.
The reason I still have 2 trucks is because i use them to haul my equipment around, clean up construction debris from jobsites and haul aggregates, etc. for a few customers.
If all I were doing is hauling dirt, stone, etc. it would lose me money.
I know very few guys who just own one small truck and claim they make a living off of hauling with it. They usually have it for a multi-use purpose and maybe then it will break even.
You'd be better off finding a niche that's more specific: septic systems, mini-excavator, backhoe, light farming, etc. Then once you get that business up and running, then buy a dumptruck. Until the time comes necessary to buy a dumptruck, let some poor sap move your equipment around for you. Guys around here will move equipment locally for ~$100. The yearly cost to own, insure, maintain a dumptruck could be $15,000/yr.
Here's mine

 

[Bigfoot62]

Bri, I like ya bud, always enjoy your posts. You strike me as a common sense hard working guy, not a weekend warrior, but you are getting into a "race to the bottom" business. I've owned tri-axles and single axles and after 20 + yrs of driving & hauling, I can safely tell you you'd make more money doing a lot of other things that require less capital investment, storage, maintenance, insurance.
The reason I still have 2 trucks is because i use them to haul my equipment around, clean up construction debris from jobsites and haul aggregates, etc. for a few customers.
If all I were doing is hauling dirt, stone, etc. it would lose me money.
I know very few guys who just own one small truck and claim they make a living off of hauling with it. They usually have it for a multi-use purpose and maybe then it will break even.
You'd be better off finding a niche that's more specific: septic systems, mini-excavator, backhoe, light farming, etc. Then once you get that business up and running, then buy a dumptruck. Until the time comes necessary to buy a dumptruck, let some poor sap move your equipment around for you. Guys around here will move equipment locally for ~$100. The yearly cost to own, insure, maintain a dumptruck could be $15,000/yr.
Here's mine

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: GOOD LOOKING RIG!!!


As much as I hate to "rain on your parade," Builder is correct. I sold my last dump truck about 16 years ago. The biggest reason was insurance cost. The last year that I had it on the road, just liability was about $1800. When it came time to renew, the price had jumped to nearly $4000! (now that was liability only, with me as the only driver) I wasn't making $4000 per year in profit with the truck, so I pulled the plates and parked it. Sold it to a guy that had a maintenance contract at a paper mill. He never put it on the road, just used it in the mill.

You don't say where you are located, and that could make a difference. POSSIBLY, you might make it if you are filling a niche that nobody else is. Like, you would have the ONLY small dumptruck in your area, and you had several contractors just waiting to use your truck on thier job. Or, maybe there's a rock pit two miles down the road and the local people are wanting a small load of rock for their driveway and don't want to buy a semi- load. Around here, that's about all you will do with a single axle dump. All of the highway contractors want tandem axle trucks or larger.

BTW, I did general dirt construction. (driveways, house pads, site prep, septic systems) I made very little money hauling dirt and rock. Like Builder, I had the truck because it went hand-in-hand with my other equipment. (bulldozer and backhoe) I had a 1985 International S-1500 diesel, 5 speed trans, 2 speed rear axle, Perfection 10' dump body. (6 yard water level load) Not as nice as Builder's, but it worked, and was a good truck.

 

[Big Bri]

Thanks for all the advice guys, lots of good info here. I'm planning on leaving my current job in the next 6 months (selling my business) and need something to do. The main reason i was looking at getting a truck was the difficulty of getting dirt delivered in my area. Last time i needed dirt it took over a week to find someone who would deliver. It wasn't a lot just 140 yrds but most of the places i called told me they didn't like working past 2:00. Even the company that i've used for years, (last year i bought over 800 yards from him) wouldn't show up when he said he would. . . something always came up.
I just thought that if it was that hard for me to get dirt maybe i could clean house.

There are lots of trucks in the area, two pages in the phone book and the going rate for clay is $8 to $10 per yrd depending on how far they drive and how much you buy. The local pits charge between $2.5 to $3.5 per yrd. I don't know how much stone would cost as i haven't bought any in years.

Was thinking i could use the dump along with my tractor (small 50 hp kubota) and do a couple driveways or fill in some low spots, or maybe a house pad or two.

You guys are really making me think twice about this. I know it cost some money to get into this, heck the first quote for insurance i got was $3300 for a 300k liability on the truck and a 1 mil general liability for the company.
Don't have any idea about maintenance on one of these trucks, but i'm sure its not cheep. and then there is the cost of diesel. . . it hurts when filling up my 3/4 ton can only guess what a dump would use. Just doing rough math (and i may be way off) but i figured that with just clay i'd have to dillever at least 12 loads a month just to break even, not including maintenance.

Thanks again for all the advice, i'm still going to play with the numbers stop by a couple of the pits and see what they say about all of this as well.
you guys are great

 

[TonyF]

So i'm looking for a career change,(more like simi retirement) and have thought about hauling dirt and gravel for years. I think i'm ready to take the plunge but don't know a lot dump trucks.

Thinking i want to start out small, 26k gvw or less (have my eye on a 99 ford with F650 w/10' 8yard bed and cummings engine)

My questions are what should i be looking for while looking at used dump trucks. what features would be nice to have and what are a must.
Also am i buying too small. I sure i could make more money with a larger truck but this is going to be part time work, i don't have a cdl, and i think i can fill a nitch with a smaller truck doing smaller loads for homeowners.

Give me the good and the bad about this business
Thanks
Brian

I'm pretty much doing the same thing, only part time on the weekends - not made a dime of profit yet.

I would check the braking system on the Ford, if it has the Lucas Girling hyd brake system, be aware that is difficult to source parts. Ford only used that system for a few years. I have a 98 Ford F700 with this system, it works OK, but parts are expensive, if you can get them, I've only found one place online where I can obtain parts, Ford dealer has some, but at twice the price.

I would check carfully any conversion trucks -- road tractors that have been converted into dumps -- some only have the single frame vice double which may tweak when you load it or overload it (You will overload it)

Tarps -you'll need some kind of tarping system - manual tarps are inexpensive, but power tarps new are high - about $1-2K.

Insurance, you may be able save money by purchasing an umbrella liability policy, and reducing the liability on the truck, plus you gain liability coverage for all your endeavors.

Have fun.

Tony

 

[Egon]

Just a note on the safety aspect: Always make sure the box is blocked if you get under it to do any kind of work or inspection. That means even if it only takes a second or so.

The more knowledgeable should be adding to this.

What about a trailer for the tractor?

Does your tractor have enough bucket height so you can dump into the truck box?

Is there any need for a Hotshot type operation in your area?

 

[BoFuller]

A lot of good advice on here. I just bought a dump truck for my ranch, but the only way I could afford it was to go with farm plates. Low insurance, low registration. I won't be hauling for anybody else.
I hauled a few loads of 'chat' for my drive ( I need at least 20 more loads) and even with cheap farm use insurance, I'm pretty sure I could have it hauled by someone else cheaper. But I wanted a dump truck, so I bought one. It's no fun watching someone else bring it.
Having said that, I wouldn't give up if I were you. It looks like you have done some research. If you really want to do it, then go for it. Market yourself - maybe as the little guy that will get what you want when you want it. It may take awhile, but you could build up a reputation of getting the job done, especially the jobs that don't mean a lot to the big guys.
Here's my rig, a 1980 F8000, 27,100 lbs, 15,900 empty, 16 ft bed. I paid 3900 for it but spent almost 1600 for 4 new back tires! The ones on it were bald (1/32 and less) and I wanted something meaty, as 90% of my driving is off-pavement.
Have fun! :thumbsup:

 

[gregsons]

A little more information I see others have brought up insurance, If you plan to do this you will find insurance price can vary quite a bit. I found the price to change $5000 per year depending on what company and who was the vehicle registered under. I owned the truck but had it registered under my father with me as the driver and it was several K less a year for ins.
Also you made a comment that you would need to make atleast 12 loads of Clay a month, i think at least around here you need to do more then that to make it worth it. I did about 16 - 20 loads a week Between April 1et till mid to late Oct. when I took the truck off the road for the season. That was in a good year the last few were a little less. I bought out of pocket never got a loan so i never of in over my head. I was making money but not enought to quit my day job. The dump truck was taking up alot of my spare time in the summer. I just weight it out and said it was not worth it for me at this point. BUt if you are retired and can put in 5 hours a day 6 days a week it may be a good option for you.

PS those price you gave were low for my area. never halled clay but topsoil is over $20 per yard and the cheepest stone was over 417 per ton.

 

[Builder]

You guys might not believe this, but I get full & complete coverage on my dumptruck for $900/yr.
All that said, even if BigBri was to get insurance for $100/yr, I still wouldn't advise him to do it. The upkeep, repairs, storage, oh and did I mention the price of diesel fuel??? :confused2:

You're better off subbing-out your hauling to someone else. Let them have the headaches.

Bri, the reason you can't get good service in your area is because the pay to own/haul for a living is so low, nobody wants to do it anymore.

Here's my advice: If you like playing in the dirt like a lot of us do, build your business with tractors & attachments, then add the dump truck & trailetr when you get to the point where you MUST have one (you can't wait for the local guy anymore to deliver your equipment or stone). That happened to me 22 years ago and I've owned 1-3 dumptrucks since. Bad part is once you buy something nice, you'll want to build a pole barn to store it in. Then it gets real freaky expensive.....lol

Heck my buddy does septic systems and all he owns is a NH backhoe and a little 4WD CUT for grading & cleanup. He has a local guy move his equipment around and deliver stone/haul dirt for him. He swears it's cheaper than owning a dump.

 

[Big Bri]

Man you know how to scare a man. I tell you i've gone from excited about this adventure to down right nervous. Heck i feel like i've already lost money and i haven't even bought a truck yet.

I really do appreciate all the advice you and everyone has given me. I'm still going to look in it but will put a hole lot more thought into it.

As much as i like playing on my tractor, i don't think i'm skilled enough to make a go with it for a business. For one my tractor is kinda small so large field or lots are out of the questions (most of the guys use batwing mowers here) and the smaller lots just don't pay much because it seems right now everyone with a tractor is a weekend warrior and they cut CHEEP.
Can regrade driveways but again so many people have tractors. Thought about doing lot cleanup but think i really need a skid steer to avoid the flats.

Guess i just need to spend some more time thinking about what other options i'll have.

Again Thanks for all the advice!
Brian

You guys might not believe this, but I get full & complete coverage on my dumptruck for $900/yr.
All that said, even if BigBri was to get insurance for $100/yr, I still wouldn't advise him to do it. The upkeep, repairs, storage, oh and did I mention the price of diesel fuel??? :confused2:

You're better off subbing-out your hauling to someone else. Let them have the headaches.

Bri, the reason you can't get good service in your area is because the pay to own/haul for a living is so low, nobody wants to do it anymore.

Here's my advice: If you like playing in the dirt like a lot of us do, build your business with tractors & attachments, then add the dump truck & trailetr when you get to the point where you MUST have one (you can't wait for the local guy anymore to deliver your equipment or stone). That happened to me 22 years ago and I've owned 1-3 dumptrucks since. Bad part is once you buy something nice, you'll want to build a pole barn to store it in. Then it gets real freaky expensive.....lol

Heck my buddy does septic systems and all he owns is a NH backhoe and a little 4WD CUT for grading & cleanup. He has a local guy move his equipment around and deliver stone/haul dirt for him. He swears it's cheaper than owning a dump.

 

[Builder]

Try to find a niche business that you like.
I am one of only a few that build, do large prop maintenance and plow snow.
Don't try to compete in a saturated market full of competition.

 

[gregsons]

you know a good small business, Power washing. all you need is a pickup truck , good power washer not a homeowners version, industrial soaps ,brushes and a few odds and ends. My brother in law did this and I help on a few larger jobs, good easy money.
you can start out with homes and decks then work your way up and get contracts at marinas in the fall and trucking , bus business. 3k and your in business with new equipment.:thumbsup:

 

[tlbuser]

Heck my buddy does septic systems and all he owns is a NH backhoe and a little 4WD CUT for grading & cleanup. He has a local guy move his equipment around and deliver stone/haul dirt for him. He swears it's cheaper than owning a dump.

That's exactly what we do. Let someone else do the hauling. There business is hauling stuff, ours is making something useful for the lot owner. For us, it seems to be a more profitable way of doing business. Don't rule out a roll-off business either. They can haul material and equipment too.

 

[Builder]

One thing overlooked by many who don't own/operate a dump is convenience.
I have a lot of jobs stacked-up where a dumptruck is needed. Soon as I get a break off another job, I'll grab the dump and start running modified, wood chips, whatever my customer or my own jobsite needs on pretty short notice.

That's the only thing a for-hire guy usually can't do for you: is be there on a very short notice. If you're doing septic systems, it's probably easy to shcedule ahead to have equipment moved to next customer. My business has a lot of short notice dump truck needs. That's why I own one or 2 dumps.

 

[bcp]

Another possibility would be to aim for even smaller jobs, with less equipment expense. Use something like a 1-ton flatbed dump and a dump trailer.

Bruce

 

[SLHawkins]

Big Bri,
Here's my two cents for consideration. If this is what you want to do go for it. Just be persistent and be patient (and, of course, smart about how you go about it). The work is out there, you just gotta find it. Rarely will it find you. The more versatile you are, the greater your opportunities. It would serve you well to get a loader to complement the truck. I started with a F350 pickup, a little yanmar 2210D, and a dump trailer doing small jobs on the weekend and holidays. Now, I have a JD5403, tandem axle dump, and Case 450 loader. And, it is all side work. As I read the posts, I see that quite a few of the folks said that they parked or got rid of their dumptrucks and paid someone else to haul. Well, be the guy that does the hauling! After awhile, I hooked up with a guy who did tree work. He brought them down and I hauled away the brush and logs. When I moved to Northern, VA I started all over again. Small jobs on the weekend and holidays. Then I linked up with a landscaper pushing snow with my tractor and a buddy in the rollback business. He has a single axle rollback. I actually get charged less for my tandem axle dump than he does for his boxes. So, if he has a lot of heavy debris, I will haul it to the dump. Unless, you are going to haul strictly sand gravel and dirt, I would get an F750 (or equivalent for you non-Ford types) with a landscape body rather than a construction body. Gives you more versatility. Brush,mulch, and general debris doesn't weigh much but it fill you up quickly. And, you will come across a lot of brush and debris jobs in between sand, gravel, and dirt loads. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend anything larger more than a tandem or tri-axle dump. In addition to the dump trailer I pull behind my pickup, I have a '74 Diamond Reo with a 14' bed. I would prefer a 16' bed, but it was a good price. My mistake, I was over anxious and it was in lot worse shape than I originally thought. It runs and operates great, but there are a lot of little things nickle and diming me to get it right. There is no way to get around fuel. Insurance and how you tag it will be a big factor. I pay $275 a month with Progressive. And, I have non-apportioned tags. So, I can't run out of the state of VA with the dump truck. If you are nowhere near the state line, then it shouldn't be an issue for you. Again, network, be versatile, be persistent, and have a little patience! And, I think you will find that you can make it.
Hawk