how's one become a dump truck driver?

[skywlkr515]

I applied at a job a few months ago with a local co. that does van and dump, but unfortunately the only work he had was dump.
i've never operated a dump truck b4 and i was told by the owner that it seems that us otr drivers make lousy dump operators something dealing with braking.
what's the difference?
other than all the weight is closer to you and your more top heavy i would imagine.
There are a lot of dump jobs in my area and I know they pay real well $18 + an hour, not to mention all the home time you get.
I've never seen a dump truck school so what would i have to do to learn?
thanks

[TAWhit]

Did he elaborate any as to why OTR guys make lousy dump drivers? I drive both a dump trailer and a tri-axle dump truck. I'll try to help if you have any questions.

[skywlkr515]

no not really, he just mentioned that we OTR drivers brake differently which causes accidents.
I cant figure that one out.
as an OTR driver I know that every load I take on I have to break differently. depending on the weight.
if I'm hauling 80,000 lbs I know I have to break sooner than if I'm hauling empty or a light load.
he just went on about something with the weight and the axle location.
I dunno maybe it was just his way of saying he didnt have any work for me.
the only thing I can see that is really different about a dump truck is there are only 6 sets of breaks compared to ten sets. but then again as they say I'm just a dumb truck driver lol

[slackdragon]

Originally Posted by skywlkr515

no not really, he just mentioned that we OTR drivers brake differently which causes accidents.
I cant figure that one out.
as an OTR driver I know that every load I take on I have to break differently. depending on the weight.
if I'm hauling 80,000 lbs I know I have to break sooner than if I'm hauling empty or a light load.
he just went on about something with the weight and the axle location.
I dunno maybe it was just his way of saying he didnt have any work for me.
the only thing I can see that is really different about a dump truck is there are only 6 sets of breaks compared to ten sets. but then again as they say I'm just a dumb truck driver lol

sounds like your are talking about a ten-wheeler maybe a tri-axle with out front brakes ... it is harder to stop with all that weight on a short straight truck ...I was a O/O many years back ...I drive a set of freight pups now ....best braking that I have driven ...when I single I sure miss all those brakes ....BTW there are using Quads around here now 80,000 on a straight truck 4 back axles and a steer axle

[FESTER1]

Probably because D trucks are so abused woreout and neglected that you cant count on the brakes working every time you step on the pedal therefore OTR drivers brake diff than D rivers. It is hard to break in the dump ind around here as it is the redneck stereotypes that drive them and the job itself is very easy to make a very costly mistake. D trucks are pushed to the extremes of a trucks abilty as well as the driver. You typically have to know somebody and have a reputation as being a better than good driver. I managed to hang in it for 3 years and I did have my share bumps a Whoa Holy S**t's.

[Qdiddy]

any advice for som1 looking to purchase a used dump truck for a business, looking for something that can get the job done reliably, but cheap ( i assume a normal size bed will be the biggest i need)