Where's a good place to get dump truck experience?

REO6205 · Jan 30, 2022

Does It Matter said: ↑

Probably the best experience and easiest to get into, is either excavating companies, asphalt companies, dig out crews (bigger companies that do gas/sewer/waterlines all year), etc.. Many are hiring but seem to be lazy running adds. Can always call them, watch CL, look for dump trucks on the road that you always see, and call the company and ask if they are hiring. Most NEED drivers.

I drove otr and ran reefer, flatbed, etc. for my 20's and part of my 30's. Around 40, I applied for a guy that ran a few asphalt trucks on the side (they did chipseal and fabric, etc. mainly) and picked it up pretty quick. Applied last year to an excavating company much closer to home with 20+ trucks that also runs ashalt trucks, dirt, stone, millings, etc., and they didn't even road test nor require job app lmao. I knew the lingo during interview and they had me follow a guy for a day. They kept me on a short leash first couple weeks and observed me on some of their dump/load sites, etc., instead. Pre-screen drug and FMSCA clearinghouse obviously. Clean record and driving, though some of these guys in dumps have lots of points.

In other words, very easy to get into. Biggest things are do NOT back up with drop axles down, ever, or you'll snap them. Do NOT dump on uneven ground. Reposition to be more level, tell the guy directing that your bed is tilting too much, etc.. Don't drive with the boom up over uneven terrain. If load is sticking in the nose and it rocks too much, it can tip the truck over. Do NOT drive with PTO engaged. On older trucks, it'll creep the bed up at highway speeds, even with the raise/lower handle in the middle. Those guys that hit bridges or overpass signs in the middle of the highway with the bed fully extended w/o realizing it went up? That's how. Also burns the pump out leaving it on, though that's the lesser worry. When raising the dump, hitting the accelerator (truck in neutral, foot on brake) will raise the bed faster. This is a MUST for asphalt crews that need to move quickly. If bed slams down when lowering, there's still something in it. When empty, they lower slower.

Asphalt typically pays more per hour, but you HAVE to be good or catch on quickly or the crews running the paver will lose patience (if it's 95 degrees out with 80% humidity, it's even worse for them on/near the paver and many get irritable). It needs tarped (most are automatic/electric) to keep heat in. If you own the truck and it breaks down loaded, you'll probably have to eat the load. Also, need to be good at watching them constantly and understanding the hand signals. If/when doing asphalt, I NEVER look at my phone. Eyes are glued to the mirror and watching paver operator or one which ever crew member is guiding.

Dirt, stone, dig outs, millings (road milling machine that grates top surface of old road and uses a conveyor belt to load dump; hard at first as you have to match their speed going down the road and keep belt near middle of bed) broken concrete, etc., typically pay less (pays the truck less so pays you less unless you have a generous boss) and are easier to learn.

Whatever you do, be sure to let the more seasoned guys runs ahead of you so you can get a feel for what's going on, especially on job sites which are often "off road" or graded dirt, etc.. So try not to be first at the site. ALWAYS watch out for hand signals and construction guys walking. Only time I ever do something like look at my phone or are otherwise distracted, is when equipment breaks down or there are trucks in front of me, otherwise I try and watch mirrors and keep head on a swivel. If these guys have to honk at you more than once to move, or get out of their loader to get your attention, etc., they'll be less likely to have you return to the site. Also, always be mindful of where your truck is. Often times, a loader with 304's (type of stone used as a base) might need to get around you and if you are on your phone playing a stupid game, they'll start to get irritated. And most of these guys are running heavy equipment, spotting trenches for the excavator i.e. if a gas line isn't where it's supposed to be, they'll see it before excavator hits it, doing calculations, etc.. They do NOT want you out of the truck standing next to them and talking their ear off. Some guys do this and it pisses guys off.

Most everything off top of my head I can think of. Very easy work, but have to be alert and think of the guy running the loader, excavator, etc., as god for a day. If they see you respecting them and being mindful, always ready to go and quick with returning, etc., they'll be more likely to request you for follow up days, bigger or new jobs, etc.. If you act like a dick and are on the phone, not caring what's going on, you'll slowly find yourself doing the runs others don't want.
Click to expand...

Good post.

racer182 · Nov 20, 2022

Does It Matter said: ↑

Probably the best experience and easiest to get into, is either excavating companies, asphalt companies, dig out crews (bigger companies that do gas/sewer/waterlines all year), etc.. Many are hiring but seem to be lazy running adds. Can always call them, watch CL, look for dump trucks on the road that you always see, and call the company and ask if they are hiring. Most NEED drivers.

I drove otr and ran reefer, flatbed, etc. for my 20's and part of my 30's. Around 40, I applied for a guy that ran a few asphalt trucks on the side (they did chipseal and fabric, etc. mainly) and picked it up pretty quick. Applied last year to an excavating company much closer to home with 20+ trucks that also runs ashalt trucks, dirt, stone, millings, etc., and they didn't even road test nor require job app lmao. I knew the lingo during interview and they had me follow a guy for a day. They kept me on a short leash first couple weeks and observed me on some of their dump/load sites, etc., instead. Pre-screen drug and FMSCA clearinghouse obviously. Clean record and driving, though some of these guys in dumps have lots of points.

In other words, very easy to get into. Biggest things are do NOT back up with drop axles down, ever, or you'll snap them. Do NOT dump on uneven ground. Reposition to be more level, tell the guy directing that your bed is tilting too much, etc.. Don't drive with the boom up over uneven terrain. If load is sticking in the nose and it rocks too much, it can tip the truck over. Do NOT drive with PTO engaged. On older trucks, it'll creep the bed up at highway speeds, even with the raise/lower handle in the middle. Those guys that hit bridges or overpass signs in the middle of the highway with the bed fully extended w/o realizing it went up? That's how. Also burns the pump out leaving it on, though that's the lesser worry. When raising the dump, hitting the accelerator (truck in neutral, foot on brake) will raise the bed faster. This is a MUST for asphalt crews that need to move quickly. If bed slams down when lowering, there's still something in it. When empty, they lower slower.

Asphalt typically pays more per hour, but you HAVE to be good or catch on quickly or the crews running the paver will lose patience (if it's 95 degrees out with 80% humidity, it's even worse for them on/near the paver and many get irritable). It needs tarped (most are automatic/electric) to keep heat in. If you own the truck and it breaks down loaded, you'll probably have to eat the load. Also, need to be good at watching them constantly and understanding the hand signals. If/when doing asphalt, I NEVER look at my phone. Eyes are glued to the mirror and watching paver operator or one which ever crew member is guiding.

Dirt, stone, dig outs, millings (road milling machine that grates top surface of old road and uses a conveyor belt to load dump; hard at first as you have to match their speed going down the road and keep belt near middle of bed) broken concrete, etc., typically pay less (pays the truck less so pays you less unless you have a generous boss) and are easier to learn.

Whatever you do, be sure to let the more seasoned guys runs ahead of you so you can get a feel for what's going on, especially on job sites which are often "off road" or graded dirt, etc.. So try not to be first at the site. ALWAYS watch out for hand signals and construction guys walking. Only time I ever do something like look at my phone or are otherwise distracted, is when equipment breaks down or there are trucks in front of me, otherwise I try and watch mirrors and keep head on a swivel. If these guys have to honk at you more than once to move, or get out of their loader to get your attention, etc., they'll be less likely to have you return to the site. Also, always be mindful of where your truck is. Often times, a loader with 304's (type of stone used as a base) might need to get around you and if you are on your phone playing a stupid game, they'll start to get irritated. And most of these guys are running heavy equipment, spotting trenches for the excavator i.e. if a gas line isn't where it's supposed to be, they'll see it before excavator hits it, doing calculations, etc.. They do NOT want you out of the truck standing next to them and talking their ear off. Some guys do this and it pisses guys off.

Most everything off top of my head I can think of. Very easy work, but have to be alert and think of the guy running the loader, excavator, etc., as god for a day. If they see you respecting them and being mindful, always ready to go and quick with returning, etc., they'll be more likely to request you for follow up days, bigger or new jobs, etc.. If you act like a dick and are on the phone, not caring what's going on, you'll slowly find yourself doing the runs others don't want.
Click to expand...

Man, that is one helluva good post. This should be a 'sticky' at the top of the page. Absolutely spot on.

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