But I do know a bit about dump trucks and the cost of maintaining a used truck.

My example 1998 Mack tri axle tandem dump with a 12 yard bed.

1) Purchase price...used 48,000 US
2) New clutch at one week 3000 US also tore the shifter out of the top of the transmission case...shop mechanic took care of that. $25.00 hr labor # 4 hrs. Cheap, but had to haul the dump back to the yard on the hydrotail trailer and haul truck. $75.00 hr # 3 hrs Truck was down for 1 week...no revenue.
3) Tore shifter out of tranny again 6 months later. Same fix and transport deal.
4) Transmission went out completely at the 1 year mark. 8000 US...plus towing. $75.00 hr # 6 hours and 2 men # $20.00 hr
5) 10 new tires. ??????? cost...check prices and preferences and do the math.
6) Constant electrical problems...remember this IS a dump truck and road vibration and off road use just takes its toll on things electrical.
7) Prepare to be beat to death. This isn't an air ride anything truck. It does have an air conditioner that kinda works in Texas heat.
Remember that construction is seasonal even in the south. When it rains...you can't work because the construction crews can't work.
9) Plan on a new tarp and roller retractor every year...the guys that load you just aren't that careful. About $300-500 depending on how fancy you go.
10) On the up side, my truck averages 8 MPG...I run between 250 and 450 miles a day. Between 8-14 hours a day.
11) This probably won't apply to you, but my truck also doubles as a light equipment mover...backhoes, bobcats, light bulldozers and such...so most of the time it tows a pintle hook utility trailer.

Hope this hasn't rained on your parade, but these are just the facts.

I drive for a construction company, and it's their truck, but I know if I don't take care of it, I can't work. I'm EASY on my equipment, it's just the nature of the business that tears up dump trucks.

It's also a feast or famine type of industry. Some days, there just isn't enough work, some days too much.

Big Red

I agree you know about the biz but that other guy was nothing but a salesman which means idiot to me.
I pulled dumps off and on for many years, drove a few triaxles too unfortunately. Your right, you either work all the time or you don't work at all especially with a triaxle. Fortunately I had my trucks set up for local or OTR work, so when the local got slow, I took off back to OTR.

Your not raining on my parade LOL. I find it interesting that each state has their differences in terminology for the equipment and products that they haul, as well as the weights that they are allowed.
Here in Bama we have learned the value of air ride on everything. We just drop the bags when dumping, works like a charm.
I agree some loader crane operators aren't careful and don't care what they do to your equipment. I had a load of scrap on once and the crane operator tore the whole shooting match off. They paid for it and my down time, it was a pain to deal with them but they paid. I had the Shurco 3500 Series electric tarp system on mine.
They didn't like the $5,000.00 it cost to replace it or the week of down time. You notice all the plants have signs stating that they aren't responsible for damage, or injuries but that's a lot of hot air and they will pay if you push the issue like I did.

Originally Posted by Big Red

But I do know a bit about dump trucks and the cost of maintaining a used truck.

My example 1998 Mack tri axle tandem dump with a 12 yard bed.

1) Purchase price...used 48,000 US
2) New clutch at one week 3000 US also tore the shifter out of the top of the transmission case...shop mechanic took care of that. $25.00 hr labor # 4 hrs. Cheap, but had to haul the dump back to the yard on the hydrotail trailer and haul truck. $75.00 hr # 3 hrs Truck was down for 1 week...no revenue.
3) Tore shifter out of tranny again 6 months later. Same fix and transport deal.
4) Transmission went out completely at the 1 year mark. 8000 US...plus towing. $75.00 hr # 6 hours and 2 men # $20.00 hr
5) 10 new tires. ??????? cost...check prices and preferences and do the math.
6) Constant electrical problems...remember this IS a dump truck and road vibration and off road use just takes its toll on things electrical.
7) Prepare to be beat to death. This isn't an air ride anything truck. It does have an air conditioner that kinda works in Texas heat.
Remember that construction is seasonal even in the south. When it rains...you can't work because the construction crews can't work.
9) Plan on a new tarp and roller retractor every year...the guys that load you just aren't that careful. About $300-500 depending on how fancy you go.
10) On the up side, my truck averages 8 MPG...I run between 250 and 450 miles a day. Between 8-14 hours a day.
11) This probably won't apply to you, but my truck also doubles as a light equipment mover...backhoes, bobcats, light bulldozers and such...so most of the time it tows a pintle hook utility trailer.

Hope this hasn't rained on your parade, but these are just the facts.

I drive for a construction company, and it's their truck, but I know if I don't take care of it, I can't work. I'm EASY on my equipment, it's just the nature of the business that tears up dump trucks.

It's also a feast or famine type of industry. Some days, there just isn't enough work, some days too much.

Big Red

Greetings im currently in the Tri axle dump truck business here in florida with 1 truck a 2005 mack granite thats paid off. In the near future I am going to add to my fleet but since I havent been driving trucks as long as most of you I have some questions about truck specs. The mack I have is great bullet proof off road but gas milage on the highway and for longer distance hauls 80+ mile trips is average at best. The next truck I buy I would like to be better on gas for longer trips. I have been looking at this Peterbilt closley http://www.rushtruckcenters.com/sear...px?stk=P777279# because I feel as if it could be what im looking for in my next truck. The truck above is a 18 speed I have never driven one and don't have to much knowledge about how they work in a dump truck config? How would the transmission hold up off road? And how do you guys with experiance feel about air ride trucks. When I say off road I don't mean 3 feet deep mud or anything hardcore like that I mean soft dirt medium duty off road. Hope I was detailed enough thanks for any help.

Anthony

Most Dump trucks get paid by the ton. So....how much does the Pete weight empty? (Full of Fuel and Driver) Petes with a big Cat are usually pretty heavy. Looking at the specs I would guess 5 mpg tops. Personally I like an 18 speed. Air ride is OK for stock piling but not for spreading gravel or asphalt...it works, you just have to be very careful rolling with the bed raised.

18s are great and if you need a granny it has it. I used one to pull a 39 ft TIBROOK and it would get u up out of the mines but had to go to CAT and get the eng turned up to 2100 RPM or you couldnt shift on the hard pulls up out of them.I have a pump that will fit one too, has about 3 mo use on it, came off a 13 over. You'll love airride once you get used to it, you have dump valve so you cnableed them off bfo dumping.

I can't really tell but that Pete looks to have an aluminum body. Thats great for weight but you can forget trash loads like broken concrete, asphalt, rip rap, surge etc. etc. Around here the only time you see alot of Petes and Kenworths are trucks that haul 90% asphalt and millings. I say buy another Bulldog, nothing better in construction trucking.

If one was to puchase a dump truck what is the best way to get jobs or contracts? Is it all about who you know? Is it hard to get started if you dont really know the industry that well? I would guess that one should work for a company then branch out on there own. Anyone out there been through this experiance, that could offer some advice to a newbie gettin into the industry.
Thank you all ahead of time!