Dump truck owner operaters

Hi would like a little honest advise; I am a retired UPS feeder driver that I would still like to use my cdl. I don't want to go to work for someone which I already know is very easy to do, almost all trucking company's are looking for good drivers. I was thinking to buy a good used dump truck out right, I don't think all the converted tractors would be a good fit, I would think that they would be way to light,the front axles on most seem to be in the 1200 pound range. Also not sure if a tri axle would be worth the expense over a tandem.I would say that the big contractors that hire owner operators for let say blacktop road work would want the tri axle trucks. I will be moving to Maine and the problem with Maine is that they work for alot less per hour then here in Ma. I don't know the rate for tandem or tri axle dumps up there. I can't understand how someone can pay 150,000 for a dump for the same hourly rate as someone who payed 50,000 I know that new needs less at first. I'am not looking to work 60 or 80 hours a week, looking to cover cost make a little and have a little fun doing it. Now is that possible???? Thanks for any good advise Jeff

Well, what are you looking to haul, and who for?

If residential, you would want only a single or tandem, if commercial/industrial, only a tri or quad makes sense.

When you mention "hourly rate" is sounds as if you want to sub out (yourself and your truck)...so that leads to commercial/industrial work. And that leads to volume...generally they only like quads. All else being the same, why would anyone pay more for less (a tri or quad can load 50% to 150% more than a single or tandem.

Conversely, I think you can custom tailor your time and hours more with residential work...if that's more important.

Bottom line: Most contractors want you on demand, for as long as necessary (that day, week or month). The question you have to ask yourself is if you can profit @ $50-$80 less all expenses (payments (if one, else the cost of using 50-100k of your own money), repairs, maintenance, license, fuel, etc.) and have fun (enjoy it) while doing it.

Before you buy a truck i would drive one for some one else. This would go along ways in figureing out what to buy or if you realy want to.

Hi thanks for the reply; I would think that tandem's would be cheaper not only to buy but to repair and just the reg. and insurance would be less. I would think that a tri axle carrying 5 or 6 yards more of material that's that much more wear and tear on everything .I have looked at Maine's hourly rate that they will pay for dumps and the difference is like only 5 bucks an hour more... for tri axles. At the same time who knows how much residential work there might be big ?? I would only get into this with no debt. But it would still have to pay for it self. Thanks again Jeff

In Maine I believe you can only register a 10 wheeler for 55,000 lbs, basically a 12 yard load. Companies such as Pike hire a lot of trucks to haul mix during paving season and they are pretty much all Tri Axles. Give them a call first, I think you could get $80.00/ hour max.

flyingpassage said:

I have looked at Maine's hourly rate that they will pay for dumps and the difference is like only 5 bucks an hour more... for tri axles. Jeff

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I hate these debates. Yeah, there is some added expense, but it's kind of like the difference between running tandem or triple axle trailers here in ND. If we use some very conservative numbers, I believe a pusher more than pays for itself. On a 50 hour week, 40 weeks per year, you'll have an extra $10,000 in revenue. IF the extra weight costs you a half-mile per gallon, in 50,000 miles at 4.5 vs. 5 mpg (which I do not believe it will hurt mileage that much) it will cost about $2750 figuring $2.50 fuel. IF you're running a single tire steerable pusher, and put new tires on every year, that's only another $800-$1000. Finally, I know the license will be more, but even if it's a $1000 more, you are still over $5000 to the good for the year.

flyingpassage said:

Hi thanks for the reply; I would think that tandem's would be cheaper not only to buy but to repair and just the reg. and insurance would be less. I would think that a tri axle carrying 5 or 6 yards more of material that's that much more wear and tear on everything .I have looked at Maine's hourly rate that they will pay for dumps and the difference is like only 5 bucks an hour more... for tri axles. At the same time who knows how much residential work there might be big ?? I would only get into this with no debt. But it would still have to pay for it self. Thanks again Jeff

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Whats the market? Which can you keep busy? I agree with driving for someone for six months to a year and get a inside look and handle on the industry.

flyingpassage
Here is my experience with the very same business you have in mind.
In May of this year I purchased a 1999 International Tri-Axle Dump, I then hired a driver for the season so I wouldn't have to give up a full time job as a Supervisor for a earthwork company just to see how this would pan out. I knew there would be a huge demand for trucks for paving projects in my area so this was as good as time as any to try this venture. I purchased this truck for 32k from a private sale which I think was a fair price. The dealers have their trucks priced way to high I think.
I got hired on for a large paving company hauling asphalt, pavement milling and aggregate for the plants for the summer and all in all it was a good season, I didn't rich mind you but I covered all my cost and was able to put some money in the bank to cover the payments on the truck for the winter months will its idle.
Here's some advice:
1. Find a reasonably priced used tri-axle, your not going to make much money with a 100k truck to make payments on trust me.
2. The paving companies prefer either tri-axles or live bottom belt trailers. Those companies are going to be the largest source of work in Maine. There really is not a residential market for hired trucks,at least not here in Northern Maine.
3. Year #1 is going to be the toughest as far as being hired hauler for the paving companies, they have their favorites and some of the haulers have been there along time. If you do manage to find work you are going to be the last to get called in and the first to get sent home. But if you are dependable, have a decent truck and do good work you will work your way up the ladder in time.
4. The hourly rate is not good but I learned you can make it up in volume. I made a decent profit if I got a 50 to 55 hour week and that's with a hired driver in the seat.
5. The winter months are mostly down time unless you are lucky enough to find some type of work for a dump. So plan ahead, the payments keep rolling every month

It is not a bad business to be in (although Maine has a tax on everything you can possibly think off) and you can make a decent living at it being an owner operator.

Hi Mally; Thanks for the reply, The town that I'am building in is Waldoboro which is mid coast.You must of gut lucky to be able to find a driver they seem to be few a far between. I would not even try to get a driver. I have been looking at tri axles in the 40000 range so I would have no payments. Have you ever worked for Pike construction? I was on there web site they look like they are a big company. I know Lane is up and down the east coast as well. As far as the winter months I don't think I would want to run a double framed truck in the salt all winter long. I have talked to a few trucking dirt guys and they would hire me in a second but I don't want to work for someone, I just retired from 31 years with UPS that was enough, The good part was that I was able to get my class a cdl and 8 years of feeder driving through them. Thanks again for the information Jeff

I have not worked for Pike yet, I noticed they have a good hired hauler packet very similar to Lane whom I worked for this summer. I agree running a double frame in the winter is not good with all the salt and calcium on the roads. I'm going to keep mine parked until spring.
I hope it works out for you, you are in a good area for work.

Bottom line: Most contractors want you on demand, for as long as necessary (that day, week or month). The question you have to ask yourself is if you can profit @ $50-$80 less all expenses (payments (if one, else the cost of using 50-100k of your own money), repairs, maintenance, license, fuel, etc.) and have fun (enjoy it) while doing it.

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Most of your so called profit is related to the specs of your truck, how you drive and the skills you have.
For a production based never get out of the truck only to pee no thanks. But for a load yourself, 1-2 truck job, paid McDonalds break, 1-2 days a week always.
And for finding a driver that wont come home with the driveshaft twisted and the ft tires burned off good luck.

One gent [now retired] drives his own rig (day cab tractor) to pull the local concrete plant cement hoppers, he runs in the night, sometimes two trips if he wants it, most other days one trip. The one trip day is perfect cause it is less than a regular work day duration and he has the rest of the day to do what he wants; he is paid on a load basis. If he doesn't want it, they broker it. He keeps his rate a hair below the going.
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From talking with drivers with their own rigs (owner operators) over my years, if I listen I hear lots of various stories & coments about a concept (so called): a Load Broker. I get the idea there is only one person/firm who gets hired by the construction company and that outfit puts their "hand" on the rest.

And during the last couple three/five years the stories came out the construction company would review the yard time to yard time billings and 'correct' them to indicate time loaded to time unloaded. If you were helping w hauling off site that would be a big deduct of time from when you left your yard until the truck was initially loaded. I believe one term for this is "pinching". How is this for a visual: we have seen the three axle (plus steer axle) trucks in a motel parking lot waiting till the wee hours to then get a/c.
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Perhaps this idea:
There is a local dirt/sand/gravel/asphalt hauler that has a mix of folks: hired drivers sitting in his trucks, and owner operators with his magnetic sign on their door. Have you considered a planned short stint as a hired driver to see what it is like before you acquire a truck?