Trucking: Dump Trucks, engine warranty, impulse buy

Question
Bob, I have been driving AZ to CA for 2 years now.  I would like to buy a dump truck to stay home to do local work.  How do I find dirt brokers?  What type of dump truck would I need to purchase?  Is it better to buy a used dump truck or should I lease a truck?  Thank you, Derek

Answer
Hi Derek,

Out West, the dump business is different than it is here in the East.  I use to always see dumps pulling trailers and other configurations that you just don't see anywhere else.  That said, I would talk to other owners, or dealers, in your area to get a better idea of what type of dump you would need.  You probably want a Tri Axle (not including steer axle).  I would guess you need around a 14,000 to 20,000 pound front axle capacity with a 40,000 to 46,000 pound rear axle capacity. You should have an electric tarp and look for other things like double frames, coal shutes, and asphalt aprons.  Things you may need.  Again, I would talk to other drivers in your area along with dealers.  They can help out a lot.

I don't know how to find dirt brokers in your area.  I would suggest, again, talking to some dump haulers in your area.  You will learn a lot by talking to other drivers.  Take everything with a grain of salt, but it will be the best way to get a feel for the dump business in your area.  In this area (Tampa), there are a couple heavy hitters in the dump business.  A friend of mine leases out to one of the smaller dump companies here with a couple of Peterbilts.  I asked if he ever thought of running on his own, but he stated that to keep steady work, it was too hard.  His days are full just driving one of the trucks.  It would be too hard to find loads, send invoices, etc.  Lease out to a good company and get a feel for it first.

I always say, with your first truck, buy used with an engine warranty.  I've seen a blown engine put a lot of owner operators out of business!  All too often guys see that shiney Pete or Kenworth and make an impulse buy that doesn't make good business sense.  Keep it simple for the first time out.  I have a shiney Kenworth in my fleet, but it wasn't my first truck and I crunched numbers so as not to be suprised.  My first truck was an old International (with an engine warranty)!  It gave me a lot of insite into the cost of running a rig.  Down the road you may lease a truck, if you think that you'll be flipping them every couple of years, but I prefer to own.  Once it's paid for, put a driver in it and get yourself another truck!

Best of luck in your new adventure!

Bob Stephens