The pricing and costs of dump trucks can be expensive, ranging from $15,000 to $100,000 for a used truck. In addition to purchasing the vehicle, operation training, fuel and maintenance are necessary. Some companies find it more suitable for their budget to hire a hauling business. Others decide to rent a dump truck for a limited amount of time.

There are several different options for your dump truck needs. The price range for dump trucks varies depending on the type and size you select. When planning and creating a budget that will satisfy your dump truck requirements, think about the following:

1. How often will you need dump trucks?

2. Do you have an employee trained to use dump trucks?

3. What type of budget do you have set aside for purchasing dump trucks?

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Rent or lease dump trucks

In some cases, businesses do not use a dump truck often, although those same companies have certified dump truck operators and drivers on staff. The expense of purchasing a dump truck is unwarranted and unnecessary. Instead, these companies choose to lease or rent a truck for their occasional needs.

I recommend: Agriseek rents dump trucks for $55 to $60 per hour. Carter Machinery rents dump trucks for $240 per day up to $2100 per month.

Hire a hauling company with dump trucks

Hiring a hauling company is another option for businesses that do not require regular use of a dump truck. When hiring a hauling company, you not only pay for use of the truck, but you also hire a driver. The company typically takes complete responsibility of the loose mater

I recommend: OT Trucking gives free estimates on hauling. Have Dump Truck Will Travel hauls trash for $120 to $510 depending on the size of the load.

Look for dump trucks for sale for your business

If your company needs a dump truck on a regular basis, it is probably in your best interest to purchase a dump truck from an industrial dump truck vehicle distributor. You can find new or used dump truck on the market; many companies that use dump trucks daily trade their trucks frequently to upgrade and update their equipment. The type of truck you purchase depends on your needs and your budget.

I recommend: Trucker to Trucker has used dump trucks for sale from $15,000 to $100,000. Buyer Zone gives viewers a price comparison on new dump trucks from up to 5 dealers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When planning your dump truck purchase, think about the type of load you will haul. For heavier loads, it is best to choose a heavy-duty dump truck. Heavy-duty dump trucks and industrial dump trucks work harder.

An industrial dump truck vehicle distributor generally sells a variety of dump trucks designed for specific purposes. Use a standard dump truck for removing waste. It maneuvers better than larger dump trucks due to the short wheelbase. Articulated dump trucks work well on rough terrain and drive using hydraulic rams that pivot the cab. Semi-trailer dump trucks allow for quick unloading, but cannot be used on uneven ground.

Consider these things when you get ready to buy a dump truck:

1. What type of maintenance must be done to keep the truck in good working condition?
2. Does the industrial dump truck vehicle distributor offer a money back guarantee or financing options?
3. Are the rates comparable to other distributors?

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Search for new and used heavy-duty dump trucks

As with most vehicles, buying a used dump truck costs less than a new one. Often dealers pay to fix mechanical problems and complete maintenance on the used trucks prior to the sale. The major draw back is that some companies sell their trucks to avoid paying for expensive repairs or maintenance.

I recommend: Search Commercial Truck Trader, which lists 100,000 vehicles including several thousand new and pre-owned industrial dump trucks for sale. Set your search to show the price from highest to lowest, the year, or manufacturer’s by alphabetical order. Find an industrial dump truck vehicle distributor by state using their State Directory of dealers. If you prefer a family owned company, Wyatt-Johnson GMC has been family owned for more than 50 years, provides nation-wide shipping and lists new and used dump trucks for sale.

Buy dump trucks for sale via auctions

Online auctions make it easy to purchase heavy-duty dump trucks when you live in an area where auctions are scarce. Often you bid on an industrial dump truck without inspecting it yourself. This means you need to make sure you use a reputable company.

I recommend: Try a practice auction at Iron Planet to become familiar with the process. Then read the customer's testimonials. To find upcoming auctions, review Truck Paper's online Auction Calendar.

Insure your dump truck to protect your investment

Industrial dump truck vehicles cost thousands of dollars to purchase. Without insurance, you become personally liable for damage caused to others and you lose the money you spent. A commercial insurance policy also protects your drivers and pays for injuries they may sustain in an accident.

I recommend: Talk with a representative for Progressive Commercial Truck Insurance, which specializes in insuring industrial dump trucks. They provide liability, physical damage (including collision, comprehensive and specified perils) and contingent liability for deadheading. Compare rates by getting a free quote from Dump Truck Insurance, which covers a wide variety of dump trucks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Hire a mechanic to do an investigation on used dump trucks for sale before you purchase.
• •  Don't get pressured into spending more than you should at an auction. Unless you need the dump truck immediately, wait for the next auction.

Many companies and businesses own or use dump trucks. A dump truck is often used for construction purposes to move gravel, dirt, sand or other loose materials. Dump trucks are convenient because they operate with a hydraulic open box bed. The bed of the truck lifts from the front of the truck to empty its load onto the ground.

Some businesses are solely devoted to using dump trucks to haul loose materials for other companies. Other businesses used their dump trucks for their personal business needs. Dumps trucks come in a variety of styles and models. Gain some dump trucks basics before talking with an industrial dump truck vehicle distributor. Consider the following:

1. What type of material will the dump truck haul?

2. How many dump truck loads of loose material will you need to move?

3. Where will you use your dump truck?

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Determine if you need standard dump trucks

When you think of dump trucks, you are most likely thinking about standard dump trucks. Standard dump trucks are trucks with a full cab and a frame attached dump bed. One raises the dump bed by hydraulics. These standard dump trucks have one axle in the front and one or more axles in the back. The back axles usually have dual wheels. The largest standard dump truck has seven axles. Many call it a centipede. Standards dump trucks are the most commonly seen dump trucks for road use.

I recommend: Learn more about standard dump trucks from Trucks Updates and News. Excavation and Ground Work also provides dump truck information.

Use articulated dump trucks for short rough terrain trips

Like the standard dump truck, an articulated dump truck has a cab and a dump bed. However, there is a hinge between the two. Despite the hinge, you do not consider the cab a separate vehicle. One cannot separate the two from one another. One steers this dump truck with hydraulic rams. The entire cab pivots when steered. These trucks are best suited for short use over rough land. Many feel that this is one of the highest maintenance of the trucks.

I recommend: Absolute Astronomy discusses the various types of dump trucks and gives details on articulated dump trucks. BNET offers an article about how to make the right choice when looking at dump trucks for sale.

Purchase off road dump trucks for all your off road hauling needs

Off road dump trucks are strictly for using off road. People use them most often for mining and hauling heavy loads of dirt. They look more like heavy construction equipment than they do on road dump trucks. Companies that use these trucks more commonly call them haul trucks rather than dump trucks. These trucks have different ways of unloading and dumping. The Caterpillar 797B and Liebherr T282B are the largest of the off road dump trucks.

I recommend: Trucks 9 details some of the biggest heavy-duty dump trucks. TPUB also gives information about industrial dump trucks.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Keep in mind that although they are vehicles, dump trucks require special training for use. When thinking about purchasing industrial dump truck vehicles for your company, also consider the training that will need to accompany it. Check to see if any employees are familiar with dump truck operation.

Dump trucks offer more to a business owner than the ability to carry waste. For example, heavy-duty dump trucks offer the capability to carry loads across rough terrain. Centipede dump trucks allow you to move more loads at once. And hydraulic rams help you to empty the beds at a faster rate, saving time on labor. When it comes to dump trucks, key terms can classify types of vehicles or define components.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Standard dump trucks

Most people think of a standard dump truck when they think of this class of vehicle. This type of truck, also called a refuge truck or a garbage truck, offers a bed attached to the cab. Most standard dump trucks work on one axle.

I recommend: Trucks Updates and News offers a description of the standard dump truck.

Articulated dump truck (ADT)

An articulated dump truck is hinged between the cab and the bed to allow for more range of movement. ADTs are better suited to moving loads like gravel or rock than garbage.

I recommend: View pictures of an articulated dump truck at Deere & Company. Construction Equipment provides specifications for the Caterpillar, which has a larger load capacity than most dump trucks.

Centipede

The centipede is a special class of semi-trailer dump trucks. It has six or seven axles, depending on the manufacturer, and offers a large load capacity.

I recommend: View pictures of centipede-style dump trucks at Rock & Dirt.

Heavy-duty dump trucks

A heavy-duty dump truck can carry loads weighing more than a regular truck can handle. In some cases, the term heavy-duty means the dump truck has components made to handle the additional strain of more weight.

I recommend: Penton Business Media provides photos and descriptions for heavy-duty dump trucks.

Hydraulic rams

The hydraulic rams lift the bed of a dump truck at the push of a button. The type of hydraulic rams used on a dump truck will depend on the weight of the load the dump truck can move.

I recommend: Dayton Hydraulic Cylinders offers an up-close photo of hydraulic rams attached to a dump truck.

Tarp system

By law, dump trucks may need to cover the load to prevent loose objects from falling out of the bed and striking cars. When this is necessary, a tarp system can be a quick and easy fix. The tarp system is all the parts needed to attach the tarp to the dump truck to cover the load. Depending on the location of the tarp, the tarp system may have a special name like flip tarp.

I recommend: Heavy Duty Supply provides pictures and descriptions for different types of tarp systems.