My first dump truck! advice please?

Oh, yeah. I'm sure we could go on about dump truck mishaps all day. Like the guys who slap a dump body on an air ride road tractor, and try to keep up around a curve with a truck which has a Hendrickson/Camelback/Chalmers, or when they forget to evacuate their air bags before they dump. Fun times.

 

There will be times the ground won't be 100% level, but you need to use a bit of discretion in this. If you start to raise your bed, and it suddenly sways to one side, stop what you're doing, because you're about to get yourself in very bad spot.
Overhead objects, definitely be aware of. I know one guy who managed to take down a fiber optic line, and he wasn't new, either - been into it since the 1960s. He just had a slip of the mind that one day. Paving crews aren't always the best at paying attention to what they're pushing you into, either.
If you do haul asphalt, make sure you clean the area where the gate comes into contact with the bed regularly, by the way. Get yourself a good scraper.

 

Pretty much any gate. Whether it's a regular swing gate - either by manual or air actuation - or a three way gate (which yours probably isn't), there's always the possibility of that gate slamming onto extremities. In the case of the three way gates, when they're set to open to the side, they can also catch wind, which can be a bit uncomfortable for someone who didn't think to put the restraining chains into place.
On that 1989 Ford, I suspect you'll have the five speed Allison automatic and a Hendrickson walking beam suspension.

 

Copied this off Louisiana's DOT website:

LAWS AND REGULATIONS ENFORCED BY OTHER AGENCIES

Operating Authority
Intrastate
To operate Intrastate For-Hire Transportation in Louisiana, all common and contract for-hire carriers of passengers, towing and recovery, household goods or waste (except those exempt by Louisiana law) must obtain operating authority from the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC). They must also register and purchase an identification (bingo) stamp to be carried on board each vehicle to be operated in Louisiana. The LPSC can be contacted at:

Louisiana Public Service Commission
Transportation Division, Intrastate
P. O. Box 91154
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-9154
(225) 342-4414 or (888) 342-5717

Each year, between October 1 and February 1, the LPSC will issue intrastate cab cards and identification (bingo) stamps in numbers equal to the number of vehicles operated. The carrier will complete a car card and assign an identification (bingo) stamp to each specific vehicle. The fee is $10.00 per stamp.

NOTICE: If you haul “FOR-HIRE” (hauling other than your own products for compensation) in or through Louisiana you may need intrastate authority or a Single State Registration Receipt (SSRS) from the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

Please visit the Louisiana Public Service Commission office located in the Louisiana Truck Center at 7919 Independance Blvd, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70806 for information or call 1-888-342-5717


I have always tagged and insured my truck for more weight than I could haul just to ensure adequate coverage. Anything less IMHO and you're risking as you stated your policy being canceled which would be a disaster in the event of an accident.

 

I came close. For some reason the gate didn't close all the way and when I went to latch it, it was outside the latches. Instead of raising the body, or at least using my shovel to open it, I had a "brain fart" and went and gave it a pull with my hands. I got everything but the middle finger on my right hand out in time. The gate caught the tip. I was spitting blood all over the place, and found out later that I broke it (after working all day with a few paper towels taped around it).

It could have been much worse.

 

hey my dump truck I drive is air ride, it makes for a comfy ride. hah.

I would give you hints but everyone covered it, if you do forget to unlatch your gate, it wont open once weight is against it, be sure to SLOWLY bump your bed down, its going to jerk the truck around alot and possibly pull your front tires, but go slow and youll be fine.

 

I sign on with a broker. He finds me the work and collects the money and then pays me. I don't have to chase around collecting money. Brokers who have been in business for a while have access to more business than a new person starting out. I use Progressive....it is the cheapest insurance for my dump. Never, ever do anything with your truck on ajob if you don't feel it is safe or right. It is your truck and if something happens it is your ### and your money. Hook up with a CPA and have them help you set up your books for money tracking. Incorporate to protect your assets. Carry workers comp...most brokers require you to have it.
Good Luck, Debby

 

What kind of gate do you have? I've never driven a dump with a gate that couldn't unlatch with weight against it... that's how we'd spread ABC and processed fill.