In some ways, dump truck driving is easier on drivers than many other forms of heavy trucking.  Among other things, they usually don’t have to put much effort into loading and unloading, and they aren’t going to be called to make long hauls.  However, on the other hand, dump truck driving is among the more dangerous forms of hauling.  There’s a lot that can go wrong with a dump truck – especially during loading and unloading.

At Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth, we want everyone who drives one of our dump trucks off the lot to have a long and safe career.  Here are some key safety tips for dump truck operation that should always be followed!

Five Vital Dump Truck Driving Safety Tips

1 – Know your ground conditions

It’s a good idea to check the solidity of the ground where you’re working before raising the truck bed.  That significantly alters the dump truck’s center of gravity, and even minor instability in the ground – such as soft spots in the dirt – can throw the truck off-balance.

Likewise, only raise the truck bed when the truck is flat and level.

2 – Always have a spotter

Running a dump truck without a backup is an accident waiting to happen.  You have plenty of blind spots and, sadly, construction workers may not give your vehicle the proper respect -and distance- it deserves.  Be sure there’s a spotter ready to wave you off if someone is too close to your truck.

3 – Never drive with the bed raised

It can be tempting, particularly if you’re only moving a short distance or you’re pressed for time.  However, driving any distance with the bed raised is an accident waiting to happen.  The risk isn’t worth the minimal time savings.

4 – Keep up on your maintenance 

Always give your dump truck an inspection before taking it out for the day and fix any minor problems ASAP so they don’t turn into major issues.  Pay attention to your suspension and the lift systems since, if those failed, it could cause the biggest mishaps.

5 – Don’t put too much faith in automation

Just because a truck has automated truck bed movement, that doesn’t mean you should ignore safety procedures.  If anything, it means you should pay even more attention.

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Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth has a huge selection of used and new dump trucks.  Visit us and see!

If you’re a dump truck driver, you know that there are plenty of different dump trucks out there for plenty of different needs.  Whether you’re buying new or used dump trucks, choosing the right dump truck for your own job roles is essential.

When we’re working with a dump truck driver to help them find the right truck, here are some of the aspects we focus on.

Vital Truck Specs That Dump Truck Drivers Need to Know Before Buying

1. Overall maximum weight when loaded

Knowing the maximum weight your truck can haul is important when taking jobs but being aware of its total weight is more important.  State laws regarding allowable dump trucks weights can vary wildly, as will regulations on associated issues such as the use of lift axles.  It’s vital to know your max weight and the laws in nearby states, to be sure you can operate it anywhere you need to go.

2. Chassis impact capacity

One aspect of dump truck specs that often goes overlooked is the maximum impact force the chassis can take without damage.  This is different from maximum weight!  A load of sand being poured into the bed may be heavy, but it puts very little stress on the frame.  On the other hand, if you’re hauling large heavy demolitions debris, each piece dropping into the bed will impact with a huge amount of force.  We’ve seen dump trucks buckle because their operator failed to consider this.

3. Suspension rating

Will you be doing most of your driving on-road, or off-road?  This will determine what sort of suspension and shocks you pick.  Lighter suspension saves money on the highway but may not be up for heavy-duty work off-road or at the bottom of a gravel pit.  Choose wisely based on the jobs you expect to take.

4. Horsepower

A common misconception is that the right amount of power for a dump truck is “as much as possible.”  It’s not, and that’s just going to drive up your fuel costs as well as increasing your unloaded weight.  This is another situation where knowing the jobs you’re likely to take, and picking an engine that matches those jobs, will be the better long-term investment.

For Great Deals on Dump Trucks, Visit Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth

We have forty acres of trucks across our two lots!  Visit us to see our selection.

If you’re considering a move into the world of dump truck driving, it’s a great time for it!  The entire commercial hauling industry is facing a labor shortage, and that means you could demand a premium for your services.  You could probably even get your employer to foot the bill for training and licensing.

Of course, like all jobs, driving a dump truck isn’t perfect – but it’s got a lot of upsides.

Four Major Benefits of Dump Truck Driving

1 – Good hourly pay

It’s hard to even estimate pay rates because some companies are paying a real premium right now.  There’s a good chance you could start off making $15/hr, or more, and that could easily go way up with experience.  Some independent owner-operators make $200,000+ a year!

2 – Easy Loading/Unloading

Most traditional truckers spend a lot of time manually hauling boxes around and assisting with loading and unloading.  With a dump truck, this part is easy!  Loading and unloading is short and easy, requiring a minimum of effort on your part.

3 – Local Driving

If you like the idea of being a truck driver, but don’t like the idea of spending days on the road at a time, dump truck driving is definitely for you.  You’ll do nearly all your driving within a relatively small radius.  You may not even cross state lines since every state has different regulations for dump trucks.  If a company needs materials hauled interstate, they’ll usually load it onto a tractor-trailer instead.

Of course, this does risk burnout from repetition.  Dump driving work is steady, but it’s kind of like driving a bus – you’re likely to drive the same route a lot. 

4 – Spend Time with your Family

It can be downright difficult for a long-haul trucker to have a family because they spend so much time on the road.  But that’s not a concern for dump truck drivers!  You’ll be home at night, every night, with only very rare exceptions.  That’s good for you and it’s good for your family.

When It’s Time to Own Your Own Dump Truck, Come to Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth

We have a vast selection of Kenworth dump trucks available, with both new and used options to fit a wide variety of budgets and needs – as well as a huge parts and accessories store.  For all your dump truck needs, come visit Coopersburg & Liberty & Kenworth!

Buying a used dump truck can be an excellent way to save a lot of money on your vehicle budget!  A well-maintained used dump can potentially still have years or decades of life left in it while costing half or less of what a new vehicle would. But, of course, in the wrong cases, you can get a serious lemon – a truck which will require major upgrades to be usable or might not ever be fully fit to drive.  Here are some vital inspection tips to know before buying a used dump truck.

Four Aspects of a Used Dump Truck You Should Know Before buying

1. The Body and the Dump Body

Start by giving the truck a good walk-around.  You’re looking for overt signs of wear and neglect, including cracks or rust.  If you see problems with the exterior, that’s a bad sign since it tends to indicate that the previous owner wasn’t even paying for basic maintenance.

The same goes for the tires.  A used truck with badly-worn tires in need of replacement probably wasn’t kept up in general.

2. Framework

Next, check the frame.  What you want to see are nice, straight pieces of framework without signs of bowing or buckling.  If the frame bows downwards, that means the truck was run while over-loaded, and there could be numerous other problems – such as with the axles or hydraulics – as a result.

3. The Hydraulics

A dump truck is going to have hydraulic lift cylinders in nearly all cases, and those are another critical component, which is frequently damaged in poorly-maintained vehicles.  Look closely for any signs of cracks or buckling!  Also, check the fluid reservoir for any signs of leakage.  If there are, you probably want to move on to another vehicle.

4. Cab Status                                    

How does the cab look?  Has the previous owner at least kept it well-maintained?  Also, be sure to start the truck up, and verify all the various controls work properly.  Never buy a used truck without a test drive!

Finally, you might consider having an expert mechanic come with you, even if they want some money for their trouble.  They’ll have a much better eye for problems, particularly in the engine compartment.

Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth

Take these inspection tips before or while looking for the right dump truck for you. For a quality Kenworth used dump trucks, come visit Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth today!

“Do I need dump truck insurance?”  If you’re even asking the question, the answer is probably “Yes.” Dump trucks get their own special insurance policies and are often not covered by more generalized policies.

Since we want to see every new and used dump truck we sell stay on the road for many years to come, here are some important things to know about dump truck insurance.

Answering Your Frequently-Asked Questions About Dump Truck Insurance

1. Who needs dump truck insurance?

Broadly speaking, this includes:

• Independent owner-operators with their own truck
• Contracted independent dump truck drivers hired to run others’ trucks
• Businesses with vehicle fleets that include one or more dump trucks

Basically, if you own or operate a dump truck, you probably need insurance.

2. What types of dump truck policies exist?

Insurance for dump trucks is structured much like insurance for any other vehicle, with all the same “standard” types of coverage, plus a couple dump truck specific polices.  These include:

• Liability:  As with civilian vehicles, every state will – at a minimum – require liability insurance that covers both bodily injury and property damage.  Without this, it’s guaranteed the dump truck isn’t street-legal.
• Physical coverage:  Again, like other vehicles, you have your choice of either collision-specific coverage to protect your investment or comprehensive coverage that also includes damage from factors like the weather.
• Non-trucking coverage:   Basically, this covers you when you’re not on a job, such as owner-operators driving their truck home.
• Cargo insurance:  While usually not required, and sometimes not really needed, it’s often a good idea to get a separate short-term policy protecting the cargo against damage.

3. How do I get insurance for my dump truck?

Fortunately, this is easy, because just about any major insurance company providing commercial vehicle insurance will have policies for dump trucks.  As with most forms of motor insurance, costs and ease of acquisition will depend on your level of driving experience and your past driving history.

This can be a great way for independent drivers to set themselves apart from the competition.  If your insurance rates are low due to safe driving, that’s a cost-savings you can pass on to your customers.

Get the Dump Trucks You Need from Coopersburg & Liberty Kenworth

We carry a wide range of both new and used dump trucks, and we’ll even help with the paperwork.  Visit us to learn more!