end dump driver going on my own...

By the load, by the hour, by the ton. You wouldn't charge by the ton on a light load, right ? I mean, a 15 ton laod VS. a 25 ton load. Usually by the hour will cover expenses and make you a profit hopefully. By the load means you need to keep hustling for another load. The customer likes this because it's not his problem if you're stuck in traffic or goofing off driving slow. So you need to take all conditions into account. If it takes 5 min to get loaded VS. 40 min, well, you can see that charging by the hour is better. Because who cares if it takes 40 min or 2 hours, you're collecting hourly pay, right ? Knowing your revenue requirements will help. I remember driving for SMX in 2000. They wanted truck revenue to be $10 grand a month. Ask your buddies doing the same work what the going rate is ? And are you regulated by the PUC in your area ? Sometimes you can buy the product from the quarry and deliver it to a customer. (with a profit margarine added in) and assuming you're hauling aggregates. Or you can be strictly transportation. Good luck