How feasible is it to run a one man dump truck business?

I own and operate my own truck and end dump trailer, yes you can do it, I do it every day, still make a decent profit even with the fuel cost today, but I may need to raise my rates if they keep climbing, local only, home every day, sometimes miss being over the road, but not enough that I’d give this up! Good luck in your new adventure

 

what sort of setup if you don’t mind the ask?

 

Personally, If I were you, I would work for a company for a while to see what I was getting into as you mentioned you are a rookie. You need experience. Crawl before you walk, walk before you run so to speak. Saving money is a good idea but you'll need way more than you think to buy and operate a one man show. FYI I run a 1 woman show but have done it for many years. Right now I wouldn't buy a truck until I see what the price fuel and the economy does.

 

Well said. This would be a bad time to dive into a business he basically knows nothing about. Look at driving for somebody else as a paid learning experience. Meet people, make contacts, network with other drivers. The really good jobs never advertise.

 

What both of you said. I had a partial network in place from my days working for an employer, and started out with dirtwork being the primary business focus, trucking second. Over time, and with some additional circumstances, now it's often the opposite. Started with a single axle, went to a tandem a few years ago, and now running a NW transfer set and probably keeping the tandem for tight access, small jobs where it isn't really necessary to run all those axles.

A couple of sidelines - weekends it's worth it to haul manlifts, telebooms, hoes, other equipment for contractors, most of whom run their own or have long term rentals. Most use them, few have means or desire to cart them around. Can sometimes make enough to pay for the weekly fuel bill, and it's relatively easy duty.

The other trucking that nobody really wants is hauling demo concrete, for the obvious reason. But there is often a big call for it, and with a good AR500 elliptical bed that'll take the punishment you can charge top dollar if you get hooked up with the right outfits. If a new dump truck owner had one set up for that kind of hauling, knocked on doors, I'd bet the work would be there.

 

@MOBee where in CO is he operating if you don’t mind me asking? I’m currently running an end dump for a small company, mainly to Martin Marietta pits. But I see O/O’s everywhere I go and am wanting to get my own truck. Been wondering if all these guys get the business/contracts on their own or if they run for larger companies?

 

I’ve got a 99’ PETERBILT 379 with a 01 western 1/4 frame enddump

 

Curious, where at in MI? I'm just outside Lansing, and looking into switching gears to local work.