Debating getting a dump truck

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Hazardous, Sep 29, 2014.

  1. Hazardous

    Hazardous Light Load Member

    136
    82
    Jul 25, 2012
    0
    Hey all. I think I'm posting in the right spot, but if not please move.

    I own a roofing company in the Dallas/Ft Worth area. I have been using a F350 and dump trailer for debris, but I am looking into getting a dump truck to replace it. There are numerous pros for doing roofing, but what I have been tossing around is also using it for hauling/dumping in off season (or full time if it pays enough).

    Does anyone have any info on what the pay is like for dump truck O/O in DFW? Also, how do you get work as a dump O/O? Thanks for any and all info!
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. LoneCowboy

    LoneCowboy Road Train Member

    1,466
    3,599
    Oct 6, 2009
    Colorado
    0
    I owned a dump truck and anytime I needed something delivered (soil, rock, etc) it was cheaper to pay someone to bring it then to operate my dump truck.

    i think that says it all.
     
    123456 Thanks this.
  4. Hazardous

    Hazardous Light Load Member

    136
    82
    Jul 25, 2012
    0
    I would be using it for debris disposal in roofing. But my question was more about using the dump truck for hauling purposes. I see all the trucks lined up at construction sites and they all belong to different people/ companies. I wanted to know what money is like for O/O's. Maybe if its more money (or the same money and less hassle) I may focus on that.
     
  5. nb629

    nb629 Light Load Member

    213
    245
    Aug 21, 2012
    0
    Why not get yourself a smaller under cdl single axle roll off that will handle 10 yd dumpsters. Then you could possibly have one truck servicing more then one crew if your company is or will be that big. There is a roofer in my area who did this and now one truck serves 6 crews. The smaller truck also will prevent you from busting up customer driveways and sidewalks as well as make it easier to get into those tight jobs. Just a little advice from a former roofer of 11years.
     
    Shaggy Thanks this.
  6. Hazardous

    Hazardous Light Load Member

    136
    82
    Jul 25, 2012
    0
    I appreciate the suggestion and I have looked into the rolloff idea before but due to the sheer weight of composite shingles and the size of roofs in DFW it just doesn't make sense. Thats why I am looking at dump trucks. With way higher GVWR than my dump trailer it would reduce trips to the dump to 1 per job rather than 3-4. This would save me HUGE on fuel plus it provides a food presence in a neighborhood. But due to the higher cost of payments and insurance for a dump truck, and the fact that roofing is seasonal thats why I wanted to know about alternative work with it. What kind of money they pay and how hard it is to find work as an O/O
     
  7. chris886

    chris886 Medium Load Member

    531
    286
    Aug 22, 2013
    Chicago, IL
    0
    I don't know the details, but most owner ops of dumps, or any other truck, go through a bbroker. The broker has connections with a lot of of people who need loads hauled, the broker gives you a load and takes part of the money.
     
  8. WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

    3,422
    2,142
    Apr 1, 2011
    Broomfield, CO
    0
    What configuration are you looking at? Tandem? Tri-axle? Quad?
    What type of dump body are you looking at? Steel rock tub is the most dynamic, at the expense of higher weight. Aluminum dirt box is the lightest, at the expense of being limited in what you can haul. Steel dirt tub is a compromise between the two, but falls short of the best features of both.
    What kind of work are you looking at doing? Asphalt? C&D? Ag?
     
  9. Shaggy

    Shaggy Road Train Member

    3,116
    2,599
    Sep 21, 2006
    FIGMO
    0
    Too bad you are DFW. I would of suggested use that dump truck for a Salt spreader and add a snow blade.


    Single Axle roll off dumpster trucks aren't cheap, Plus the cost of dumpsters and outrageous disposal fees at the transfer / landfills for a ma&pa company. Can't compete with multi unit / mega companies for a seen discount.

    I'd use the dump truck for roofing business and then get side work for delivering Mulch / Gravel while the truck sits making zero money at the jobs, go do side jobs, have someone or yourself do it.
     
  10. JTNTLLC

    JTNTLLC Bobtail Member

    45
    18
    Aug 21, 2014
    0
    There are large outfits in texas, that offer O/O opportunities so they can provide service to huge construction projects. I have owned tandem axle dump trucks for 4 years up until last month when I finally got out. I live and operate out if San Antonio, so it's a bit different demographic, but If you can find one for your personal use (if justifiable and practical) then by all means do it, but don't plan on getting rich off of it. And a lot of times, the construction company's we hauled for for years would all still call us to deliver their aggregate, because they couldn't justify paying someone full time as a truck driver, and always had more important tasks for everyone to do. I would say you need to first figure out our operating costs for said investment (insurance, registration, maintenance, fuel, etc etc.) and then figure out how much it will save or cost you to use it for your personal use...and then you'll know if the offset is feasible come the off season...a lot of contractors and leasing companies want to be able to call you the night before and get their materials the next morning...his will be hard only doing part time.
     
    Shaggy Thanks this.
  11. JTNTLLC

    JTNTLLC Bobtail Member

    45
    18
    Aug 21, 2014
    0
    One thing to consider, is these quarry roads and construction sites are HELL in a truck...if it CAN break, it WILL break and at the worst possible time, 5 miles back on a ranch with no towing company within 100 miles...and dump trucks and quarries will murder tires faster than you can buy them...maintnence fund needs to be much larger than OTR figures...any other specific questions you have I can answer, if you'll ask. Profitability questions however can't be answered as I don't know your "part time" ideas, your dedication to contractors, or your equipment...but gravel haulers don't get rich unless their operating or leasing/dispatching at least 8-10+ trucks, then you can do very well.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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