I need advice on dump trucking

Discussion in 'Tanker, Bulk and Dump Trucking Forum' started by shawnsworld2000, Mar 31, 2013.

  1. shawnsworld2000

    shawnsworld2000 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 30, 2013
    Jacksonville, Florida
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    Hello all, I'm located in Jacksonville, Fl . In the next couple of years I would like to obtain my class B's and get me a dump truck to run locally here.

    My questions are, how would I acquire work for the truck and where?
    How much money with in reason is expected to be earned by only one truck?
    What size and type of truck should I be looking at acquiring ?
    Being a owner operator of only one truck would I be able to find work to stay a float?


    Any answers to my questions would be a big help. I don't know anyone that's dump trucking? I'm very much open to all suggestions.
    Thank you !
     
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  3. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    First if you don't have any experience I'd suggest to try getting a company driving job. Start with the gravel pits , contractors and asphalt plants. Learn the ropes in your local area and go from there.

    Most people around here work directly for the large companies . However in FL a lot of people use brokers. It all comes down to connections.......

    Some say you are better off with a tractor and dump trailer. That way you can drop the trailer and use the tractor to pull a box or flat etc. With a tri-axle or 10 wheeler your stuck with just dump work.

    Its very difficult to make it work. The profit margins are pretty thin. You need to keep expenses to a minimum . And plan for some slow weeks...........

    The last few years in construction haven't been the best, and this summer looks about the same.

    best of luck...
     
  4. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Tennessee
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    Cat Spd has good advice. Being an independent you either hook up with the building contractors or a paving crew. Florida uses a lot of concrete. It's not like there are hills to move, holes to fill or many quarries around when you are 13 feet above sea level. I think they use a lot of sea shell down there for a base? All that said the dump truck market is probably thinner down there. Do you homework and go work for someone to learn the local market before going off on your own. Going into a business you need to be experienced and have a business plan.
     
  5. Dieselgeek

    Dieselgeek Medium Load Member

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    Nov 25, 2012
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    I would suggest getting your class A license instead of a B. Don't limit yourself to a straight truck.
     
  6. JIMROY

    JIMROY Medium Load Member

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    Feb 15, 2013
    ESCONDIDO CALIFORNIA
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    another option is to set your dumptruck up as a quick change so you can pull the dump box off quickly and throw on a fifth wheel and become a semi tractor..... Thats what i would do, it gives you the versatility.... And diesel geek is correct go for a class a get your doubles/triples, hazmat and tanker also...don't limit yourself....... setting truck up as a super ten won't hurt either.
     
  7. Mack185

    Mack185 Medium Load Member

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    I wouldn't even consider it. Dump trucking is the most cut throat type of trucking there is and it is seasonal on top of that. If you don't buy a properly spec'd truck then you will be broke down a lot, tires are a huge expense as well.

    I can't tell you about Fl but the owners of the company I worked for in Ga hated it and wanted out badly. The started in the 70's, had 50 trucks by the mid-late 80's and started downsizing starting in the late 90's. Had 20 trucks in 2004 when I started with them, down to 15 when I left in 2009 and have sold 2 more since.

    One guy with one truck might be able to make it but, I wouldn't want to mess with it. Here in Eastern Missouri, there is almost no money in it, this is end dump land.
     
  8. carrkool

    carrkool Heavy Load Member

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    May 10, 2012
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    Dump is a down and level than down some more industry and with the economy the way it is no one is really building a lot so enless you have contacts freight varies way to much. the maintance is a big cost factor with tires part wear out 10 times as fast. I did loved doing it but it cost way to much and you don't make that much doing it. up here in pa a 30 dollar day is ok they try for 40...those numbers come from the dollars per hundred you haul so say the loads you load today pay 7 dollars a hundred than you need 5 or more loads. when the gas wells started in pa we made a killing but than word got out and every person with a cdl bought a truck and people with money or credit I should say bought 20 to 50 trucks within a year. it got so bad I went to work on a Friday and there was 300 trucks approved on Monday there was 500 plus approved and the line to load was 2 miles long. I went home put a for sale sign in the window and went back to flatbeding
     
  9. Blind Driver

    Blind Driver Road Train Member

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    New Albany, IN
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    You need to know people or you'll never get a good rate.

    Be a company driver for a few years, but I wish you the best of luck without any driving experience.
     
  10. shawnsworld2000

    shawnsworld2000 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 30, 2013
    Jacksonville, Florida
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    Thank you all for the information that was give to me !
     
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