There are dangers involved in any form of heavy machinery operation, but dump truck driving tends to be one of the most dangerous – and not just for the driver!  The issue is usually that dump trucks are being operated on work sites that often have limited mobility and plenty of other people around.  This creates ample opportunity for accidents, when a 30,000+ pound loaded vehicle and distracted workers are in close proximity.

Having sold new and used dump trucks for decades, we’ve always encouraged careful driving.  So, watch out for these major risk factors, and avoid them!

The Top Four Causes of Dump Truck Driving Accidents

1 – Tipping over

Dump trucks becoming unbalanced and tipping over, particularly during loading and unloading, is almost certainly the biggest cause of dump truck accidents.  Some of the best ways to avoid this include:

• Only ever loading/unloading when the truck is on flat ground
• Knowing the ground’s consistency, and only loading when it’s sufficiently solid and unlikely to shift
• Making sure incoming loads are spread evenly, to keep the weight distributed
• Keeping up on maintenance, so the lift hydraulics can’t fail

2 – Backing up

Dump trucks often have very limited visibility to the rear, and that can cause issues whenever backing up.  Be certain that your warning sounds and lights are working before entering a job site!  Also, whenever possible, use a spotter when backing up so that they can watch for pedestrians for you.

3 – Driving with the truck bed raised

It might be tempting to keep the bed raised for the sake of saving a few minutes, but this is extremely dangerous.  The truck isn’t balanced to run with the bed raised, and it significantly increases the height of the truck – making it more likely you’ll hit obstacles, low-hanging power lines, or worse.  There’s no situation where driving with the bed raised is ever justifiable.

4 – Poor maintenance

As with any vehicle, poor maintenance can easily lead to blowouts, equipment failures, and more.  However, most vehicles are not so large, heavy, and dangerous as a dump truck.  Do frequent inspections of your truck before driving and fix any minor issues before they become major issues.

Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth Has Great Dump Truck Deals

At any given time, we have dozens of new and used dump trucks suitable for any application.  Visit us to see for yourself!

Understanding the Costs When Buying A Used Dump Truck

Buying a used dump truck can easily cost $150,000 to $200,000. It’s no wonder that plenty of fleet managers and independent owners look to buy used instead.  A well-constructed dump truck can last for decades and rack up many hundreds of thousands of miles, so even an older model can still potentially offer superior value.

However, you’re still going to be investing a large chunk of cash even when buying a used dump truck. Smart buying is the key!  Here are some major cost factors to think about.

The Truck’s Age

When it comes to the sticker price of used dump trucks, that is generally going to be determined by the age of the vehicle as well as its mileage.  The older it is, and the more miles it has, the cheaper it would be.  Very broadly speaking, you could probably expect to pay around $125,000 for a recent model with low mileage. That could go down to $25,000 or even lower if you’re looking at an older and more heavily used truck.

Of course, that’s just the basic sticker price.  You could, for example, see larger savings if you trade in an existing truck to upgrade to a different model.

The Cost of Maintenance

Then the question becomes, “how much maintenance will this truck require?” Generally, used dump trucks are sold as-is. The seller may or may not have put any of their own money into repairs/restoration.  This is something you should always ask about before purchasing a used truck.  If you pick up one that’s old and cheap, less than $50,000, you should probably assume that it will need some upgrades and maintenance before it’s fully trustworthy.

Therefore, it’s often a good idea to bring an experienced mechanic with you when shopping for used dump trucks.  They’ll be able to tell you ahead of time how much more it’ll cost to make the truck street-worthy.

Finally, don’t forget to inquire into matters like its gas mileage.  Older trucks generally have worse MPG, and that can drive up costs in the long run.

Quality Used Dump Trucks at Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth

Get some great deals on our wide stock of inventory at Coopersburg & Liberty.  Contact us to learn more, or come visit either of our locations to see our selection for yourself!