Owner Op Dump Truck

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Samot, Sep 20, 2014.

  1. Samot

    Samot Bobtail Member

    44
    7
    Mar 5, 2009
    Georgia
    0
    OK, so I'm looking into buying a dump truck and starting a business. I've been driving a T800 tri axle roll off for the last 10 years, I think its time to make a move and see what I can do. I've looked at many different trucks, Macks, KW, Peter-built and so on, price ranges from 35k - 60k. I have a few questions that I want to ask and if you can give any advice please do so.

    Average rate here in NJ from what I hear is 85 hour?
    Insurance 10k-12k a year ?
    What motors should I stay away from ?
    Is this a hard business to start ?
    Will I be able to make a decent living ?

    I will admit, I'm nervous about this. This will be a big change for me, I just want it to a change for the better..
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

    19,805
    63,667
    Apr 8, 2012
    Orion's Belt
    0
    Winter is coming...... Are you looking at a spring time start up????

    Do you know where your going to work ? And are they on the up and up...? Those are the big problems.....


    I would stay away from any 08- 10 dpf only trucks. Also any flood victims ....
     
  4. Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

    1,075
    1,322
    Aug 13, 2011
    New Jersey
    0
    Why are you thinking about dump truck in old bridge Nj? Do you have an account? If you've run this area for 10 yrs then you know the type of trucks and caliber of dump truck drivers are in that area. Does it look like they make 85$ per hr? Got to be honest man unless you have that rate already negotiated I would cut that rate down to like 50$ man.
     
  5. Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

    1,075
    1,322
    Aug 13, 2011
    New Jersey
    0
    Also if your thinking about running tar out of old bridge please consider the time of year it is. That work will dry up by jan 1st. I don't want you to sink your new company before you get started.
     
  6. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

    10,353
    11,159
    May 28, 2009
    Rancho Mirage, Ca.
    0
    Yeah you can make decent $$$. Just know that it could be seasonal. It certainly is on the west coast. However you could haul snow there in the east after a bad storm. If you guys on the east coast work thru brokers, you should call some brokers now and ask questions etc. Be prepared to travel for work, even 100 mi !
     
  7. Samot

    Samot Bobtail Member

    44
    7
    Mar 5, 2009
    Georgia
    0
    I should update my profile, I live in south jersey now.. Im looking to start in march, I dont have an account but there is a place 5 miles away from my home thats looking for tri axle owner ops, I have been told they pay 85 a hour hauling stone / dirt.. I'm mechanically inclined but don't know much about diesel engines so not sure what I should pay attention to and look for. I just want to make a better life for my family and feel this would be great if I can get all the info I should know..
     
  8. Largecar359

    Largecar359 Road Train Member

    1,075
    1,322
    Aug 13, 2011
    New Jersey
    0
    Before you buy a truck I would poke around and actually talk to some people that will pay you. You can have your company up and running within a few short weeks. But finding good paying work for it can be tough. I run a lot of south jersey, there are a couple very good paying guys down that way, however, they do not stray away from their own kind. If your in with those guys by all means, go for it. I'll probably run into you down there. If you don't have an in, it will be very difficult for you to get in. Nj has a lot of bottom feeders, which is why the good paying circles are small.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.