Did you know you can work as an independent contractor with a box truck? With the box truck market valued at $42 billion as of 2024 and expected to grow to $67 billion by 2031, box trucks can help you earn a sizable income.
Whether you own a box truck or are thinking of owning a box truck, to make money with a box truck, you’ll need to first do some research.
In an effort to make your life a little easier, we culled together a list of the most popular ways to make money with a box truck.
At Equipment Experts, Inc., we’re all about helping you do the heavy lifting. That’s right! For more than 20 years, we’ve been Tacoma, Washington’s premiere diesel truck and fleet repair shop for commercial truck drivers.
Whether you’re just getting started or have been a long-time truck operator, join us! We’re confident you’ll take away something fresh and exciting from this article.
Here are seven ways to make money with a box truck.
Some of the best ways to make money with a box truck are through the following services:
1. Delivery services
2. Moving services
3. Cargo hauling services
4. Advertising services
5. Towing services
6. Becoming an independent contractor for truck dispatch service providers
7. Starting a box truck business
We’ll walk you through each of these money-making ventures in detail in the rest of this guide.
Since many customers now make purchases online and have products delivered to their door, new opportunities have popped up for people with box trucks.
Many local companies and corporations look for independent contractors for their eCommerce and online shopping delivery needs. You can take advantage of this opportunity by offering up your box truck for deliveries.
Feel free to offer your box truck for rent, or deliver the products yourself.
As you turn your box truck into a dashing delivery money-making machine, check local job boards and retailers for job opportunities.
Also, companies that sell large and heavy products — such as appliances, furniture, and other large items — are a great place to start.
With delivery services, you’ll have options. All you need is a box truck.
Every day, businesses and people create and innovate new ideas. But there’s a problem at hand; they need a place to store all their goods and resources in the process.
As a result, many box truck owners help move and transport items for people throughout the year. Since most moves are made at the beginning or end of the month, box truck owners can do quite well for themselves if they plan their moving services around people’s schedule.
Which begs the question: which types of moving services exist? In general, box truck owners can make money from moving services by:
1. Transporting goods for people who are relocating
2. Working as a mover for an established moving company
3. Starting a moving services business
If you do decide to start your own business, you can charge the client for transportation and have them handle the unloading and loading process. Or, you can offer a package deal including transportation and loading.
Whether you work as an independent contractor or own a business, you’ll also want to think about investing in moving materials such as cargo straps, dollies, liftgates, blankets, and more to keep cargo secure. Doing so will ensure a seamless loading and unloading process.
While some box truck owners prefer to move cargo, household items, and business freight, another way to make money with your box truck is by starting a junk removal company and/or offering junk removal services.
For example, you can offer moving services and/or work as an independent contractor for a junk removal business. Whether you’re moving furniture, appliances, or large items, you can turn your trusty box truck into a cargo-hauling machine for businesses and homeowners alike.
Billboards don’t always have to be mounted on hundred-foot-high steel poles. In fact, billboards don’t have to be steel-framed at all.
The side panels of a box truck are perfect for a billboard. Box truck drivers: why not use your box truck for advertising?
Many businesses rent out space on the side panels of a box truck to share their company’s offerings. One of the easiest and most lucrative ways to make money with a box truck is by turning it into a stationary or mobile billboard.
Consider painting your truck, slapping a banner on it, or fitting it with a 3D display. Box truck owner-operators can earn anywhere from $200 – $2,500 a month by renting out their box truck for advertising space.
Your earnings will depend on how many people are expected to view your truck and/or where you’re driving your truck.
If you’re looking for a side hustle to make a little extra money, you can boost your current income stream and earning potential by renting out your truck for ad space to small businesses and local retailers.
The trucking industry is expected to grow by 21% over the next 10 years? You heard it first at Equipment Experts, Inc.
Life throws us curveballs. As a result, reliable tow trucks are always in demand.
Box truck owners: the money you can make towing broken down vehicles can be quite lucrative.
Whether you’re towing cars, trucks, or other fleet equipment, you can utilize your box truck to help those who’ve been in accidents or who have vehicles that have broken down on the side of the road.
Choose to work as an independent contractor for one of the many independent tow truck logistics companies, or start your own business. The choice is yours.
Individuals who want to skip out on the logistics of running their own company can work as independent contractors for companies that dispatch truck services. Truck dispatch providers can help you find the perfect job for your needs.
Whether you’re looking to offer transportation services, or if you’re looking for jobs that require loading and unloading, a truck dispatch provider can help coordinate the logistics to get you moving.
Companies like Amazon Flex will arrange the pickups and deliveries, so you can show up and make smooth deliveries.
If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient way to make a little extra money, consider offering your services to a truck dispatch service provider.
If you like the freedom of setting your own rates, finding your own clients, and creating your own schedule, consider starting a box truck rental business.
You can connect with potential clients who need one-off hauling services, or choose to work with clients who’ll provide you with a consistent flow of business week after week.
Whether you’re working with construction companies that need to move large items and materials, or you’re working with local homeowners who need help moving, the possibilities are endless.
Some of the best ways to turn your truck into a lucrative source of revenue include using your truck for:
What’s more, every great box truck operator needs a reliable and efficient team. When things head south wrong, having a reliable and efficient repair technician can make a world of difference.
Whether you need an engine replacement, transmission work, brake service, or more, we help box truck owners with all their diesel truck repair needs. Our master diesel repair techs have more than 20 years of experience providing fleet management and diesel truck repair solutions to box truck owners and drivers the world over.
Reach out to us and discover why we’re listed as one of the top 10 Seattle-based small companies in Washington. We’d be happy to help with all your box-truck needs.
According to ZipRecruiter, the average hourly pay nationwide is $21 an hour with some box truck drivers earning as much as $29.42 an hour.
Box truck owner-operators can earn an average hourly wage of $57 or more — an annual salary of $120,000 a year (or more).
If you’re looking for work and are willing to offer your truck for hire, you’ll find load boards can help. Load board websites connect clients and box truck operators to help fulfill transportation jobs.
Similar to a job board, load boards help connect those looking for work with work that needs to be done.
Some of the most popular and helpful load boards include:
1. 123Loadboard
2. TruckStop
3. DirectFreight
4. DAT
5. Amazon Relay
These websites offer jobs in each of the 50 continental U.S. states (and Canadian provinces and territories).
To start your own business, consider the following action items:
Ensure your truck receives regular maintenance: preventive maintenance will ensure your vehicle doesn’t experience any unanticipated downtime. Doing so will keep the wheels well-oiled and greased on your box truck business.
“Amazing work from these guys; honest, good quality work with amazing customer service. They communicated through the whole process and told me exactly what was wrong with my truck and what needed to fix what was broken.
Also, they told me what should be fixed as preventive maintenance. I would recommend them any day.” – Satisfied Equipment Experts, Inc. customer
