[2023] How to Make Money With a Truck
Updated: Aug 14
Affiliate Marketing Disclosure
I talk to Americans regularly that are working to increase their incomes through any number of different strategies. Oftentimes, I am asked what the best strategies are, and my answer is usually the same.
It depends on each person's skills, interests, and possessions. I always encourage people to think through the potential ways that the possessions that they already own can help them make money moving forward.
For example, trucks can be an asset that is easily monetizable.
Here are 5 ways in which you can make money with a truck.
How to make money with a truck
There are many ways in which truck owners can use their vehicles to make some additional cash. Among those strategies that I will discuss within the scope of this article include:
Junk removal and hauling
Landscaping services
Renting out your vehicle
Deliver for Amazon
Offer delivery services
1. Junk removal and hauling
If you are looking to make money with your truck, starting a junk removal business can be a great way to do so. Logistically, the biggest challenge and getting this business model off the ground is having a way to haul away junk.
But since you already have a truck, you are one step ahead.
You will be able to haul away junk with a little difficulty in either your pickup truck ’s flatbed or your van's/truck's storage area.
I wrote a guide about starting a junk hauling company, not too long ago, and the idea fascinates me, particularly if you were able to find some junk with potential resale value.
2. Landscaping services
Landscaping services can be another way for you to make money simply by owning a truck. There are so many different services that you may offer, including:
Transporting plants, mulch, and other materials
Removing yard waste
Many areas across the country don’t actually offer yard waste pick up, so if you live in one of these areas, it can be a great opportunity for you to make some extra money.
If you decide to start a lawn maintenance business, you will be able to transport much of your equipment without any difficulty. I have written guides on starting a lawn care company and shoveling snow for money (links above), so if these ideas interest you, be sure to check out those guides.
3. Renting out your truck
By this point, you have probably figured out the trucks are oftentimes in demand for help in moving large quantities of product in a short period of time. This makes your vehicle potentially valuable to others in your area to rent.
Luckily, there is no shortage of online platforms and apps where you can list your truck for rent. Today, I’m going to focus on two main companies in particular:
Turo
Fetch
Turo
Turo is an online platform that allows Americans to rent out their personal vehicles to others in their area. The Turo platform allows you to take part as long as you meet the following eligibility criteria:
Have an eligible vehicle registered in the United States
Have permanent or temporary license plates
Your car will also need to meet certain eligibility requirements, including:
Be less than 12 years old
Have less than 130,000 miles
Meet all maintenance and safety standards
Have a fair market value of less than $200,000
Vehicles with more than 130,000 miles on them may still be able trouble as long as they meet all legal safety and mechanical standards.
Finally, you’ll also need a clean title and active car insurance policy.
Fetch
Fetch is another great platform in which you can rent your truck out for use. The rules of the platform are simple to understand, and you will be able to make money passively, thanks to Fetch's contactless rental functionality.
Plus, you can rest assured, knowing that your vehicle is protected by the company's insurance policy during rentals.
There is a fair number of terms and conditions, though, that you will absolutely want to read and familiarize yourself with before you rent your truck out. You can find all the information you need through Fetch at this link.
My favorite part about the Fetch platform is how customizable your listings can be. For example, you can customize dates and times and what your vehicle is available, your rate per day, how many miles are included for this price, and more!
To get started making money from your truck in this way, you will need to create a listing and install a Fetch smart device in your vehicle. The smart device is the functionality that makes the contactless rental functionality possible.
How much money can you make renting out your truck?
Online, Turo advertises that you can earn about $500-$1000 per month, though most listers seem to average about $500 to $600 per month.
Still, this isn’t bad for passive income, and it may cover some or all of your car payment, if you still have one.
On its website, Fetch advertises that listers may be able to make up to $19,000 per year renting out their pickup and other truck. This seems high to me, but it will be largely dependent on how often you were able to rent your vehicle out and how much money you make per day rented.
4. Deliver for Amazon
Delivering packages for Amazon can be a great use of your truck. The company's program, known as Amazon Flex, allows you to use your own vehicle to deliver packages for the company. In order to get started, you will need to download the Amazon Flex app.
Some of my favorite features of the program include:
You can work when you want to
You don’t need to interact with customers
More predictable income, then other delivery jobs with companies like DoorDash or Grubhub
How much money can you make on Amazon Flex?
Most Amazon flex drivers earn between $18 and $25 per hour, but this can vary somewhat, depending on where you work, when you work, and other variables.
According to ZipRecruiter, drivers for Amazon Flex earn an average of $19.86 per hour of work.
Your truck, once approved, is an advantage here. If you are looking to work more lengthy shifts, known as blocks, having the extra storage capacity of a truck can help you to accommodate more deliveries at one time.
Getting started with Amazon Flex
To get started with Amazon flex, you will need to be at least 21 years old and meet the following driver requirements:
Have a valid Social Security number and driver's license
Be able to provide proof of car registration and insurance
Have no criminal background or dangerous driving record in the past seven years
Have a smart phone capable of running the Amazon Flex app
Do you know that if you plan on using your truck for deliveries that your flatbed will need to have a cover.
5. Offer delivery services for small businesses
The final strategy you may consider as you’re planning out how to make money from your truck is to offer delivery services. There are very likely some local and family run businesses in your area that need help in delivering items such as furniture or other bulky supplies to customers near you. And by making agreements with these companies, you’re helping them to solve some of their logistical challenges, while at the same time increasing your personal income.
Finding businesses to deliver for
I find it helpful to find these businesses by searching in your area for non-chain companies in the furniture, landscaping, appliance, and other spaces. Depending on the agreements that you strike, you may not even be responsible for loading your own truck. Just make sure that you outline insurance and other safety parameters in the event that your truck is damaged or gets into an accident while you are making deliveries.
How much money can you make with a truck?
The amount of money you may be able to make with your pickup or other type of truck depends on many variables, including:
Your comfort level in letting others drive your truck
The time of year and your location
How often you need your truck for your own work or transportation
Now, I'll go into a little bit more detail about these three variables in particular.
1. Your comfort level
The only money-making strategy in my list today that will lead to others driving your truck is if you decide to rent it out by day, week, or other period of time. Of course, this is one of the most lucrative ways that you may be able to make money.
But you’ll also have to factor in some hidden costs, like wear and tear on your vehicle, as well as your comfort level in letting others drive it. Remember - both Turo and Fetch do offer insurance policies in the event that something happens to your truck while it is being rented, but only you can decide if you are comfortable with this level of risk.
2. Time of year and your location
Demand for pickup trucks and services that require pickup trucks tend to be higher in the spring and summer months of the year. After all, this is the time of year where people conduct activities like spring cleaning, lawn care/maintenance, or moving.
So, if you decide to start making money off your pickup truck in the winter months, I encourage you to not get discouraged if you struggle to make money right off the bat.
3. How often you need your truck
There will likely be times when you need to use your truck for your own purposes. Unfortunately, this will directly decrease your profit potential in any given month or year. So, if you’re serious about earning as much money as you can through your truck, it is wise to only use it for activities that can make you money, to the greatest extent possible.
Conclusion
There are a number of ways in which you can make money as a truck owner. Now, I want to hear from you.
Have you ever made money as a truck owner? If so, how? Tell me in the comments below!
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