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!

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.

Come Visit Us

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!