Six Ways You Can Find Loads for Your Dump Truck Business

Whether you are an experienced dump-trucker or you are new to dump-trucking, the following guide will help you get loads and contracts as an owner-operator. There are opportunities for dump truck owners abound!

Before pitching for loads, as an owner-operator you should be aware of your truck's capabilities, restrictions, and the specific requirements of the potential job to ensure a successful and profitable match.

One of the most important factors will be your truck's load capacity. Dump trucks come in various sizes and types, each designed for specific tasks and load capacities. Here's a breakdown of some common dump truck sizes in the U.S., along with the impact each size will have when looking for loads:

GOOD TO KNOW:

Depending on the types of loads you plan to haul, your business will need the proper insurance policies. Your local state laws will dictate the required minimum coverages. Visit our Dump Truck Insurance Page to learn more about insurance coverages for dump truck owner-operators. Once you have determined the best types of loads for your business, you will then be ready to begin the search for loads and contracts.

Dump truck load boards are websites that connect truck owners to clients who need their services. When exploring load boards to find work for your dump truck business, it's a good idead to stick to reputable sites. Some of these include:

• DumpTruckLoads.com
• DAT
• Trux
• Loadup
• 123 Load Boards

Load boards work in 3 ways:

1. Post and manage loads.
2. Find trucks when you need them.
3. Have trucking companies call you.

Example: Let’s say a Contractor won the bid to pave the local shopping center parking lot and they figure they’ll need 10 tri-axles to get the job done over the next three days.

They’ll go on DumpTruckLoads.com, put in the details for the job, and post the load.

Text messages and/or emails will be sent to all Trucking Companies or Contractors (that's you) registered on DumpTruckLoads.com that are located near the start or end location of the load with tri-axles in their fleet.

You’ll receive notifications by text message and/or e-mail about all loads in your area for which you are qualified, and you can also choose to receive notifications for jobs elsewhere in the country that are suitable for relocation if you’re willing to move for seasonal work.

If you want to work on the job, you can contact Contractor through DumpTruckLoads.com to work out the details.

Government contracts can provide steady streams of work for your dump truck business. Most state governments operate bidding websites where contractors can learn about contracts.

1. Register your dump truck business on Sam.gov

You can register your company to do business with the government at the System for Award Management site.

There are more than 32,000 active listings on the website. All listed opportunities are not specifically for dump truck businesses. Register and identify yourself as a "vendor" in your registration profile.

From the SAM.gov home page, there are three ways to begin your search:

1. Select "Search" in the menu bar.
2. Select a domain link to search a certain type of data.
3. Use the search bar located below the domain links.

2. Register with the Small Business Administration (SBA)

You can find government contracting opportunities through the SBA. The agency offers a website called Subcontracting Network, also known as Sub-Net.

Primary contractors post opportunities for subcontractors on the website. Owner-operators and other smaller businesses who are looking for loads may become subcontractors. The database is organized by state. Simply Select the location you would like to view SB Subcontracting Opportunities from the map or the appropriate drop-down list.

Construction sites always generate debris. This means that construction zones often translate to opportunities for dump truck owner-operators.

Search for construction zones within your service range. Use tools such as ConstructionMap.info for this.

Make contact with the construction companies provided and inquire about whether they are looking for subcontractors.

If your area has recently experienced a housing boom, builders and developers may be your ticket to steady business. Builders and developers need dump truck service providers to assist with cleanup at various stages in their projects. Companies often have their preferred contractors.

You may need to be persuasive and offer a clear comparative advantage when selling your services. If there is a plethora of development work going on in your area, there may also be plenty of hauling work to go around. You may even find a surplus of opportunities with top local development companies.

You may feel tempted to offer steep discounts, but doing so may not be necessary. Demonstrating your reliability is often more important to construction companies and developers.

Local landscapers and home renovation contractors often require the help of dump truck companies. These small businesses rely on waste removal services for several reasons. Renovators need trucks to haul off obsolete fixtures and construction waste. Landscapers need trucks to remove yard waste and assist with general cleanup. Reach out to local contractors in your area to offer your services. Partnering with a busy contractor or landscaper may also yield a steady stream of work for you.

Many new residential communities work with private dump truck companies. These privately owned trucks handle their regular garbage and recycling pickup.

Aside from trash pickup, garbage truck owner-operators also provide seasonal services. Yard waste pickup and snow removal are popular services that keep dump trucks busy all year. HOA contacts can be attractive income generators. The right HOA can provide consistent income during seasonal slowdowns.

Find your local HOA from the HAO Directory.

Freight brokers act as intermediaries between shippers and carriers. Similar to over-the-road truck owner-operators, dump truck owner-operators also use freight brokers' services. These services connect them with opportunities. Brokers facilitate communication between shippers and trucking companies. Having a broker as the neutral middleman ensures a smoother process for both parties.

Shippers enjoy working with brokers because the broker serves as a single point of contact from start to finish. For truck owners, freight brokers generally provide the advantage of route optimization. They can also minimize "empty" miles and make the trip more profitable for the trucking company.

Many of your best opportunities may be within your own community. Local nonprofits may have the need and budget for hauling services. A property owner may require debris removal during a renovation or after a tenant moves out. Tell everyone you meet about your business.

Oftentimes, people within your community will have a need for your services. Those who may not need your services will likely know someone else who has an interest in doing business with a company like yours.

If you feel like you have a limited network, there are several ways you can expand awareness about your dump truck business. Create social media profiles for your new business. Engage with the accounts of businesses and individuals who are your ideal customers. Be sure to share informative, yet personable information about your company. Consistency is the key to growing your company's social media profiles.

Create an aesthetically pleasing, functional website for your business. If you will be designing the site yourself, consider simpler, easy-to-navigate designs. DIY web hosts provide beginner-friendly templates to help you get started. Be sure to include your contact information in a prominent position on the website. If you would like customers to contact you via email, create a separate email account for your business.

Be sure to list your business with popular search engines like Google and Yelp. Top search engine Google offers the Google My Business listing service that allows you to create a landing page for your business. On your page, you can post photos, your business hours, updates, and other information.

Your customers can also leave public reviews, which will boost confidence in your business and attract new customers. We recommend creating your Google My Business listing before you create your website.

The setup process for Google My Business is relatively straightforward. As an added bonus, your listing page will serve many of the same functions as your website in the meantime.

Google My Business is free to use and will only require an investment of your time to create and maintain your listing. Make regular updates to your listing. Regular updates will improve visibility in Google's search engine.

Similarly, Yelp is a popular business search engine that can help attract potential customers to your business. Encourage your customers to leave reviews on your Yelp page to attract new customers and boost confidence.

Do not limit your business presence to online platforms. You may also opt to reach potential customers through more traditional means. Posting ads in trade publications, newspapers, and local circulars can be highly effective. Running a mail campaign by mailing business postcards to every shipper in your region may prove to be very effective.

Some of the best business connections are formed through face-to-face contact. Attending trade events can place you in front of shippers and potential partners. These potential customers are more likely to have a lasting impression of your business if you meet them face-to-face.

Try the aforementioned strategies, and determine which are most likely to work best for your business. The sky is the limit when it comes to promoting your dump truck business. Seize every opportunity to communicate with others about your business. Always be on the lookout for potential contracts and partnerships. Immerse yourself in the industry.

You will find the right business opportunities and relationships that will take your company to the next level. CoverWallet has the information you need on dump truck insurance coverage and business strategies to help you succeed as an owner-operator.