Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Dump truck owner operator question

Retired and looking to get into a part time gig. Not knowing much about it but giving this some thought. Any of you guys own or tribe a dump truck that might let me know a few things to look for when buying a truck?
Thinking about an older truck that I can pay cash for and or trade into. Would an old 79 c60 be HD enough?
Getting a bit bored and don’t want to go back into IT world again. Construction in booming in my area.

Maybe if you were a landscaper and was using it for very limited use.


I would not use a C60 for any kind of construction work.

We have a 92 f350 super duty with a 5 ton dump. We use it just for our own use. I know all my friends have wanted to use it through out the years. Ours is too small to make any money but if you buy a decent sized one and find a good gravel yard, you could make decent money

Have you thought of all the regs that go with what you are proposing? Health card, daily inspections etc.

Just entertaining the idea. Health card, that’s not doable. Wanting to stay as far away as possible from that.

Thanks...was thinking it might be a little small.

I don't know what NC's regs are, but the guys in this game have trucks built to best maximize capacity, longevity, efficiency and maneuverability within legal limits. Talk to guys in your region who own trucks. Talk to salesmen at truck dealers. They'll know how trucks are spec'ed in your region and why.

That said. I wouldn't want to be buying a truck in this market.

You can buy a used 3 axle, 10 yard truck, quite cheaply, maybe as cheap as a 5 yard 2 axle.....don't fool around with medium duty, you'll regret it. Scissor ram hoist is a lot less prone to hydraulic leaks. Avoid a driveshaft pto, get a married pto. Avoid alloy frame, thick flange steel or double steel. Inspect the crossmember and motor mount flanges on the frame. Pad and beam suspension, don't get me wrong, springs get around better in mud, but they can be high maintenance and are a bit less stable when dumping on unlevel ground. Inspect the bed/liner, the last 4 feet toward the tailgate can be worn paper thin...give her a good whack with a pointy hammer. Avoid wedge brakes, go S cam all around. Try to go with a Fuller trans, don't get too high a ratio rearends, you won't save beans on fuel unless you are doing a lot of highway. If you don't savvy this stuff, just get as close as you can to your potential competitors. Don't know your skills but you might just hire out and drive somebody else's truck for a season.

In order to stay away from the commercial drivers lic and all the BS that goes with it, you will have to use a two axle truck with hydraulic brakes. To even break even operating that truck you would need to have a really sweet deal somewhere. A really sweet deal.

Go see Eric McCombs at Carolina Brick and Materials (Indian Trail/Monroe area). They will give you good advice.

then change your plan. every "commercial" driver, will need a medical card. CDL or non CDL

Out west a lot of guys buy a water truck. Not only construction but fire control as well.

If you get a small dump truck,

Also gotta have a .38 special snub nose.....

In case you run into trouble at the redlights.

.

The Dump Truck College is beside Chainsaw University


😃

38Souper...

On da seat, mofo…

As small of a truck as you're looking at - you can't charge enough to cover your expenses and most jobs aren't going to hire you.

I've only run Macks with camel back suspensions, but this was for lots of site work.

Again, conditions and regulations are everything.

Somebody needs to bump that thread. LOL

Classic Campfire drama.