Dump Trucks
 

Hey everyone. Im 19 years old and Im looking at getting a dump truck of some kind. Im not sure what to get because everyone Im talking to says tandem axle 10wheeler or bottom dump or dump/transfer. I want to stay local and I dont know which of these trucks gets the most business and will keep me working.

Any Suggestion on how to get in to the business of dump trucks would be much appreciated.

Thank you

If you're only 19, i would say the best thing for you to do is find someone who will hire you, and then make sure it's something you want to do and something you can make money at before you go and bury yourself in something with no way out. I started out driving when i was 19, and in my opinion to start out a new career with a truck payment might not be your best idea, and i'm not sure where you live, i'm in florida and i see more and more trucks going up for sale everyday around here, the industry here in florida just took a nose dive over the past year. Just think about your decission before you get yourself into something you can't get out of.

Dumps
 

Might help if we knew what state you're in. If you're just starting out, why don't you work for someone else, make all your mistakes on his dime. BOL

Mackman, Mack2, marylandkw, floored all are people to talk to for advice.

location
 

Im in San Diego California and Im trying to get all the base covered before I spend the money so I wouldnt call it a career so far just an idea. Ive been talking with some successful 10wheeler drivers and they say is great money and easy. If anything Im looking for a better way to pay for school other than my 10 an hour full time job.

I already have someone I would work for but I would have to buy a truck to get the job.

Any advice before I get farther along with my looking into this would be awesome. Im trying to figure out everything before I spend money. Im already in the process of talking to brokers and any trucker I come across to learn more.

trucks
 

Other things Im curious about are what engines to focus towards and what brands. Suggestion toward axle strength all that kinda stuff if I was going to get a 10wheeler because Im kinda leaning that direction.

:?: :?: :?: :?: :?: :?:

Ha cool faces. 8)

Re: Dump Trucks
 

take the money you have for a truck and go to school. take business classes so you will at least know how to run a business. this is a hard business to be in. a lot of guys that know what they are doing fail.

School
 

At the rate I'm going it would take 6years in community to transfer, 2 years to get my bachelors, 2more years for my masters. 10years maybe more of working full time to go to school before I can start making any kinda of decent money. Not to mention I will be in more debt after.

In order to make enough money to live here and pay rent and all other bills I would have to limit the amount of classes I take to get passing grades.

I'm not saying I would start my own business with out knowing how I'm just trying to find a job where I can make alto more money in order to pay school not be and debt and get through school faster.

I kinda already have someone I would be working under I would just be the owner operator. That's why I want to know more about this Field before I spend money in it. I'm just curious about it so I can figure out what path I should take if I take that path.

Go to this website www.truckpaper.com and get a idea of what these things cost you will probably spend $35,000+ to get something decent.

If you can get a old Mack (by old I mean a 1992 or older) other wise go with a International with a Cat motor also probably a older Ford would be good.

Another question is do you already have your CDL?

licence
 

I'm reading the book and probably going to go for my a class but some people are saying to just go with a b class if I'm going to drive a 10 wheeler. I want a old mack from what Ive heard they are good.

Plus the look like a beast!

I will probably have my a class in less than 2months I think. I'm not certain yet because I'm still researching this.

Some other question I have...

What are the best dump trucks to go with (dump,bottom dump,dump/transfer)?
What years are good Mack's or other brands?
What things should I look into before buy a truck?
What mileage decent for an old truck?
What license would be best for me to get?
Should I get a tandem axle or higher?

Anything really that has to do with make sure I get the best for the value. Also if anyone knows anyone in my area (San Diego, CA) that knows someone I could contact in the field I'm looking at and can give me a few tips would be great too.

Re: Dump Trucks
 

get a Mack with a steel bed and a transmission with deep reduction, then you can haul about anything, stay away from automatics unless 3 1/2 miles to a gallon appeals to you

mack
 

Macks look cool : ) any ideas of a price range and year that are the best for old macks.

If you go with a mack, stay away from the maxi torque 5 speeds, they really suck to drive. That's just my personal opinion, but if anyone else on here has drove one, i'm sure they'd agree. You go to shift and i swear you gotta do a 3 count before you go to put it back in gear or else you'll be grindin' to the moon. Other than that, Macks are workhorses for anyone looking to do on/off road work, i haul sod with a Mack CH600, and 801,000 miles, and it runs like a champ everyday.

the newer Macks have a 8 speed with a granny low and a deep reduction, shifts just like a 10 speed,I dont think you can get the old maxidyne anymore, but I dont know for sure.. I drove many miles on an old maxidyne, the first time I drove one, the boss said just push in the clutch, count to 100 and then shift. he wasnt far off. A friend here owns a trucking company, he just bought 12 new Mack dumps.. $120.000 a pop. the first 4 were automatics and get 3 1/2 mpg and the rest are 8 speeds getting 5 1/2 mpg, that adds up fast.

Re: licence
 

Probably ought to go with a 1999 or older these new Macks are made by Volvo not quite sure about them. Also with a Mack you are going to want a Superliner, R model, RD, or DM they are real trucks.

Check out the motor, trans, frame, just do a through inspection of it, craw all over it, and see if there are any leaks, rust, holes in body, whether the cross members are bent or straight. There is allot of other stuff GMAN would probably be the best to talk to on buying a used truck.

Try and keep a dump under 400,000mi

Class A.

As for the number of axles I don't know. I think Flored runs CA she could probably help you there.

Buy a 2001 an older mack 2002 is when Volvo bought mack out. MAKE SURE THE TRUCK IS DOUBLED FRAMED. I would go with a rd Mack with a 400 or 427 with a 8LL tranny. BTW get your class a.

...
 

I don't know if I wand a dump but I know I want a truck where I can make money and not lose money.

If anyone know any other fields in trucking that make good money I would like to hear about it because I would definitely look into it.

Well I don't know the tri axles my dad runs aren't double framed and get along alright but they pretty well stay on the road.

truck
 

Do you have a picture or a link of a double framed truck that I can see I dint know how to find them very well but I want to see what your talking about.

If you can post a link with an image of a double framed truck.

Re: ...
 

I dont believe that truck has been invented yet.

truck
 

That makes me sad hahah.

I know truck expenses suck and probably always will but I don't want to get a truck that does nothing but break down. These engines are designed to go a 1,000,000 miles. I just wish everything on the truck would.

What area in trucks do you think is best for a young person like me to get into. I just want to know all my options and maybe if you guys know some better routes I can look into them.

???

Re: truck
 

this isnt what you want to hear, but you REALLY need to drive for someone for at least a year and see if its really for you. pretend like its your truck and see what kind of income you would have, you will probably see that it wont be much different. if you buy a truck with no experience, you will pay dearly for insurance and will have a hard time getting work. and what happens if you hate it? You will lose your shirt when you sell the truck ( if you can sell it) I have owned 3 trucks in the past and NEVER had as much left to spend as I do now driving a company truck, whatever you do, good luck.

I am not sure if I am charmed or insulted.

Fredog is only partialy correct. He should have said REALLY REALLY REALLY :lol:

A dump truck is alot different than any other beast on the road and it is super easy to do super bad things to it really quick if you are inexperienced. Now everyone has a first day, but wouldn't you prefer to do it in someone else's truck? Even if only for a year, you will gain insite and knowledge much more valuable than costly mistakes on a start up business.

Now lets say you got it in your head to do it. You gotta have that truck, you might succeed. But are you prepared for how much money you are going to need to embark on this endeavor? Perfect example, I picked up my nice new truck last week. I hit a deer the second day and had a flat tire on the third day. Not to mention you will need to pay for fuel yourself until your settlements start to filter in. Are you prepared for tax and tags? If you decide to buy a dump truck, IMHO, you should have at least 40K in reserves before you start anything and that is after you buy your truck.

Now what I am about to say will likely get me banned from this board and shunned for years but.......Macks are strong reliable trucks that ride awful, have even more awful power and even worse cabs. There I said it. Before you buy a Mack, make sure you drive a few others, KW's Internationals, and even Peterbilts. Get a feel for what you could put up with as far as noise and ride. I can't even hear my jake break in my cab and I can stretch my feet out (no small task at 6'4")

You really gotta be careful about buying a used dump truck, they can have the life destroyed outta them. The first thing I think when I see a low mileage dump truck for sale is "why" and most low millage dumps my friends and myself have put on the block are full of gremlins.

I am not saying you can't do it, but it sure would help to get some time in someone else's first.

insurance
 

From what Ive heard because I'm 19 and have no experience in a truck insurance companies will charge a boat load more for employers. I thought because of that I wouldn't be able to get hired in a dump truck till at least 25 with 2 years experiences before I am able to drive.

Does anyone know what trucking I can do where I would make 20 an hour or more starting pay(locally not a few days drive there and back). I need that money in order to pay the bills. 10 an hour just isn't cutting it and its making life to slow for me. I want to do the things 20yr olds do ha. Not only have enough money for sitting at home. I live in San Diego, CA if you need to know.

Any suggestions??

Hey warrior101. I agree with the veterans on this. Start out driving for someone, get a feel for it, and make sure this is what you want to do. I'm 21 and from Ohio. I know that must of the dump trucking in my area the companies want you to be at least be 21 or older and have at least 2 years experience and I'm sure it is the same everywhere else. I admire your ambition but you should think it through a little bit more. Not many people will want to entrust a load upon a 19 year old with no experience that is a self employed contractor. In getting your own truck you will have a truck payment, insurance for it, fuel costs, etc. Get some experience in the business before you decide to go out on your own. BOL

Its me again. Being 19 you cant drive out of state with a commerical rig of any kind. It will be hard for you to get on locally as well. There is a lot of competition for the local jobs because everyone wants them. Most of the guys with local driving jobs have spent years OTR and have paid their dues out on the road to get it. The $20 an hour you want is ridiculous!! Lets say you are OTR and get paid .30cpm a decent starting amount for a beginner. You drive 60 mph for 9 hours. You'll being making $18 dollars an hour. But thats OTR. Must local companies pay about anywhere for $7 to $13 here in Ohio. If you want to do local looking into U.S. Xpress. You would have to get a class A. I do know that they have some local in the big city areas in Calf. but those positions are limited. BOL

thanks
 

I'm loving all this advise even though a lot of is it disappointing. Keep it coming!

:lol:

I have been thinking that this sound impossible to do unless I'm 21. I keep seeing people doing this that look around my age. I thought I could but I guess I probably cant unless anyone knows where to start at 19 ha ha with out being the owner operator.

the new Granites ride pretty decent, I have talked to a lot of owners of other brandsa and they all say the Macks hold up better than anything else in heavy dumptruck work.

Re: insurance
 

I really am just trying to be helpful, the same people who wont hire you are the same people who arent going to give you any work if you have your own truck, getting your own dumptruck work is next to impossible, most owners lease on with a company and then just do odd jobs with the truck on their off time, that's another reason I say you REALLLY REALLY REALLY should get some experience first, then you will know how things work and have a much better chance of success.

when it comes to dump truck work MACK is #1. You have to remember your riding in a DUMP TRUCK not a car. It ain't all about the ride and the cab. Its about how much of a beating it will take. A Mack would run circles around a 379 w900 etc in the mud.

Now if your going to do stock work then a KW or pete is fine. But if you want to go off road in job sites get a mack.

Fredog, I have only sat in the new granites and not driven them and was not impressed. But I am also somewhat brainwashed :lol:

Mackman, you are brainwashed. I mean really who would put a truck name in their message board name?

Yes I drive a W9, And no, I never EVER go off-road or into mud. It might mess up my shiney truck :D

I guess I am not a typical "dump trucker"

:? So...we gonna see a dog fight or what?

Awwah crap...that's right...PuddleJumpin' TireSquatter's sit/drive in line all day just sniffing each other's butt. :lol:

Well your smart enough to let the real trucks do the hard work :lol: :lol:

Drive an RD for a week and get in and out 12 or 15 times a day and then get in a Granite, you will think you are in a Rolls Royce, for anything else, I wouldnt want a Mack, but for dumptrucking, they are the only way to go
you cant really use airride in a dump truck because so you wont get the ride of a K/W but the guy wanted to know about dumptrucks, not about what rides or drives best

.
 

I guess I'm just going to try and get with a company then. I wanted to have my own truck and company but I'm pretty sure that's not the right route.

But for some reason I still want to drive a truck. I use to go oh a huge truck in my way going slow on the freeway. Now I go what type of truck is that and what is it hauling.

Its weird to say it but I think trucks look kick ass! 8) excuse my french and now I want to at least try driving one and maybe more from there.

They run the North American economy and that demands respect. 8)

Re: .
 

YOU ARE RIGHT

To bad we dont get any :evil:

I would NEVER EVER buy my own dump truck, until i had lots and lots of extra money in the bank.

Dump trucks take the most beating of any truck, it's so easy to tear out a transmission or rear end or driveshaft. And they cost big bucks!
Easy to destroy a tire too! And those front tires cost about 800 bucks and usually can't be repaired, they have to be replaced!

And it only takes a second to flip a truck when not dumping level, or to tear down a power line with the box in the air.You got money to pay for all this?

And alot of jobs you might not get paid for a month or 2 months. And you gotta pay for all your fuel until you get your cheque!

And when it rains, you don;t work! But you still gotta pay for the truck!

Go work for someone else, and then maybe think about buying your own truck someday.
You won't make much with your own truck anyway, everyone else with a dump truck, will be willing to work cheaper than you.
I think some guys must just like to work for fun, cuz they sure aren't making any money, for how cheap they work!