Do you have a pickup truck and need to make a few bucks? Why not pick a job where your prized pickup can help you earn some money? Let's face it; trucks are expensive. While they are always nice to have, the associated costs can be a hard pill to swallow. To help with that problem, this post will give you some great options for using your pickup to earn extra cash. We've scoured the internet for all of the various ways a pickup can help you earn some extra dough, so you can find the answers here.
Here are the 6 jobs that can start earning you that much-needed cash with your pickup truck right away:
- Plowing snow
- Moving services
- Retail delivery
- Uber/Lyft driving
- Towing or transport service
- Renting out your truck (Turo and similar services).
While some, like towing and moving, will require some heavy-duty equipment and potentially hard labor, others require almost no effort at all. It all depends on what you are willing and able to do, as well as what your needs are. With so many options available, however, the bottom line is this: If you need the money, there are ways to use your pickup to make money every month.
This blog post includes all of the requirements for each job, as well as the potential earnings. That should help you to decide what works for you. So, without further ado, we present you with the list of 6 jobs that put your truck to work.
1. Use Your Pickup Truck For Snow Plowing
As we enter the cold season here in the U.S., snow plows are one great option for those who live in colder areas that see regular snowfall. Businesses and even some residents need someone to keep their parking lots and driveways clear and accessible. That can be you!
What's required
In addition to a truck, you will, of course, need a snowplow. If you are buying one new, you can find one of these attachments for around $1000 for an affordable entry-level plow, like the Detail K2 Avalanche. That price soars to over $6000 for a heavy-duty V-blade plow for those who really plan on going all-in on this option. Because they obstruct your headlights, make sure you buy a set of plow lights if they are not already included.
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Next, because you will be driving in snowy and icy conditions as you plow, a good set of tires is a must. While snow tires are best for the job, a good set of all-terrain tires should get you by as well. Four-wheel drive, while not strictly necessary, will certainly be your best friend if you find yourself in any sticky situations.
One additional consideration is a salt spreader like the SaltDogg. These attach to the rear of your truck and spray salt down to melt the ice. Plan on spending another $500 to $2000 for a new one, but that will be another asset as you market your business.
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Permits
Depending on your location, a business license or certification might be required. So, check your local ordinances before starting out!
How much you can expect to make from snow plowing with your truck
This one is very hard to estimate. If you live somewhere with reliable snow storms every winter, you will obviously make more than the lonely snowplow operator in Southern California. Your income will also depend on how many contracts you are able to pick up for the winter season.
With all of those caveats in mind, this in-depth article found that someone with 20 commercial contracts can expect to make nearly $36,000 between November and March. While $1800 per commercial contract sounds reasonable, the tricky part is going to be securing that many contracts in the first place. You can calculate your expected income based on your situation on the site as well.
2. Start a Moving Service Using Your Pickup Truck
As any pickup truck owner is probably well aware, people love to ask for your truck on moving day. So why not turn that into a business? Offer your services to help someone move.
What's required
In the simplest form, only muscles and some good ratchet straps are required. If you want to get more serious about it, you can consider adding things such as padding, a dolly, and even a trailer to help make the job easier. You will almost certainly need to hire at least one other mover to help with the heavy and/or delicate stuff as well.
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Permits
Often before starting a moving business, you will be required to first jump through some regulatory hoops. First, you will need insurance for your business. If you break someone's valuable furniture, this will be in your best interests as well. A license is also often required, but again, it is always best to check with your state before starting any venture like this.
How much you can expect to make
According to an internet search, movers usually charge $25 to $30 per hour while they are moving. That doesn't necessarily mean that's how much you can expect to make, however.
You will first have to factor in your upfront costs (tie-downs, trailer, dollies, etc) as well as your ongoing costs (fuel, truck payment, insurance, etc). Next, while you might make upwards of $30 per hour or even more while you are actively moving someone's property, there are times when you will be working but not "on the clock," like when you purchase needed items or drive to and from the job sites.
Another consideration is how much and how far you are willing to move for someone. Big interstate moves usually require a huge moving truck, but if you are able to swing it with your vehicle, these jobs pay the most money. Also, if you pack for the person instead of simply move their boxes, the price rises again.
3. Retail Delivery With Your Truck
Contact some local shops and see who is in need of a delivery truck. In the mad rush to compete with Amazon and the like, many local companies are starting to offer delivery services. That's where you come in with your big pickup bed. Instead of pizzas, you will most likely be carting around furniture, hardware, and the like.
What's required
Pretty much just you and your truck. As with the moving service, tie-down, blankets, and at least one helper would be very useful as well.
Permits
Commercial insurance is usually required to perform this type of work. As always, though, check with your state to make sure you are in complete compliance before beginning.
How much you can expect to make
Because this one is a less established job, the earnings are a little less clear. It will depend on who you are working for and how much they need you to deliver. Amazon Flex is an established business hiring people to use their personal vehicles to make deliveries, and they claim you can make between $18 and $25 per hour. The good news is, you make more the bigger your car is.
4. Uber/Lyft Driving In a Pickup Truck
If all of the work required for snow plowing and moving puts you off, you should consider driving for Uber, Lyft, or any other rideshare service. And if this option really interests you, check out our in-depth article about driving a truck for Uber or Lyft.
What's required
First, these agencies usually require that your vehicle has 4 doors, so regular cabs won't fly. Next, your truck needs to be fairly new - usually, 10 to 15 years old is the limit. You will also need to have a smartphone capable of running the company's app.
You will also need to have your insurance and registration up to date and pass a background and driving record check. Uber also requires that you are 21 years or older before you are eligible to drive for them.
Permits
No permits are required to drive for Uber or Lyft. Again, this is proving to be an easy option that most people can just jump straight into.
How much you can expect to make
You knew there had to be a downside, right? Well, here it is: This is not a very lucrative venture. While many factors will determine just how much you can make, the end result isn't going to be very impressive. Even those working long hours in fast-paced cities (ideal conditions for making money) tend to take home between $16 and $20 per hour.
But most people don't drive pickups when they work for Uber. The reason, of course, is that trucks get horrible gas mileage, especially in city driving. If you are making $20 in a Civic or Prius, your truck's appetite for gas will take that rate down quite substantially.
5. Establishing a Towing or Transport Service With Your Truck
Not everyone who needs something towed has a truck capable of doing the job. They will then hire someone to do the job for them. If you have a great tow vehicle, this is another good option for generating some cash with it.
This won't necessarily involve just towing vehicles parked in the wrong spot. Some people hire tow trucks to transport vehicles they just purchased from another county or state, while others may need their non-road legal offroader taken to the trails. The possibilities are endless.
What's required
You will need a heavy-duty truck to be able to tow professionally. A 2500 or 3500 (dually, if possible) would be ideal. A good trailer will also be necessary. And if you are going to tow inoperable vehicles, like those improperly parked or post-accident vehicles, you will need a way to load them onto your trailer.
Permits
You will have to check with your state government to see what all is required in your area. Commercial insurance is going to commonly be required, as is a business license.
How much you can expect to make
If you go all in, towing can be a lucrative business. One study found that towing businesses making 120 tows per month can bring in between $100,000 and $200,000 per year, before expenses. But these are likely multi-truck operations with an impound yard and dedicated tow trucks (rather than standard pickups). Your income will therefore be much lower than that.
This is a good option for those seeking occasional side work. You can pick up the odd job when it comes along and make some nice cash if it's a bigger interstate job. These tend to pay between $800 and $1000 per vehicle, so finding a car to transport on your way back would really maximize your profits.
6. Renting Out Your Pickup Truck
If you can occasionally spare your truck, you could try making money from renting it out to others. Turo is a website where you can find potential renters for your pickup.
Just what exactly is Turo?
Well, this relatively new company is essentially just another car rental service. But, unlike Hertz and Avis, you rent cars directly from other private car owners. Think of it as Airbnb for cars. With it, you can rent your pickup out to anyone who chooses it on the Turo app.
What's required
The biggest requirement here is that you need to be okay with giving up your vehicle to let someone else drive it. Not only do you need to be willing to let someone else use your pride and joy, but you also need to be able to get by without it for substantial periods of time. This is a great option for those who only use their truck occasionally.
Next, you will need to sign up on Turo. There are no monthly fees, and the insurance is covered by Turo. Having a smartphone to monitor the Turo app from will be handy but not necessary. Oh, and you will have to be trusting that these strangers will take good care of your vehicle.
Permits
Just have your insurance and registration up to date - nothing else is required.
How much you can expect to make
Turo provides a nice estimator tool that gives you an idea of how much can be made. For example, they claim that someone with a vehicle worth $20,000 can make $540 per month if they rent it out for half of each month. That's not a bad way to earn some passive income if you can swing it. Of course, the added mileage will cost you more than your standard pickup ownership costs, so that will need to be factored in as well.
Now, Put Your Truck to Work!
Now that you have the list, it's time to take action. Choose the best option for your situation and make your truck more than just a money pit. Some of these options can realistically cover your payment, gas, and insurance and even make money on top of that, so why wait?!
Now that you how truck drivers earn extra cash are you thinking about buying a pick-up truck? Check out How Much Does a New Pickup Truck Cost? So that you'll know the best prices when buying one.