An automotive investment
Anyone with a truck lives with a simple fact: at some point, people will ask you for a favor involving your truck. They probably need help moving, or hauling something large to the dump, or maybe they’re just behind on their Costco shopping and need a truck bed for all the paper towels they’re about to buy. A new study shows many truck owners are getting wise to this and have started using their trucks for gig work.
American Trucks says 7 in 10 truck owners have used their trucks “for a paid side hustle in the last 12 months,” and are pulling in an extra $1,360 per month doing so ($13,648 per year). 62% of people using their truck as a side-hustle money-maker say it’s worth it, and 66% recommend anyone with a truck use theirs to earn extra money on the side. Next time you ask a friend to move, don’t be surprised if they give you an hourly rate.
A truckload of cash to be made
Using a truck as a side-hustle hauler is almost a second job. 38% of truck owners say they spend 10 hours or more every week doing side-gig work with their truck. Truck owners say 20% of their total income comes from side-gig work, and they average 2.6 “hustles” to earn it.
Moving and furniture delivery are the biggest moneymakers, with 33% of truck owners using their rigs for side gigs, reporting that this is a hustle they pursue. 29% say junk removal is in demand, with 22% noting yard debris haul-away as a money-maker for them. 16% tow trailers, boats, RVs, and other vehicles. 15% make supply runs for contractors, 14% deliver firewood, and 11% courier goods from Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace for others. Transporting pets, farm work, and storm cleanup are also lucrative side gigs.
38% of truck owners who use trucks to earn extra money say they purchased their trucks with extra income in mind, and 13% report buying a truck specifically because they had a side gig in mind for it. 35% say they plan to turn their side hustles into a whole business within the following year.
Toyota
Extra income fills the gaps
We tend to think of the gig economy as a band-aid for those struggling to make ends meet, but this study proves that’s not always the case. 47% of respondents say they save their extra income or invest it. 35% report using side-gig income for leisure, such as vacations. 35% are paying down debt, and 30% simply wanted the flexibility to start their own revenue stream and be their own boss. 14% are doing it to test a business idea, while 12% needed to start a side gig because their hours at work were cut or they lost their job.
The truck’s brand may not matter when it comes to doing truck things, but perception does. 44% say Ford has “the best ROI for side hustles.” 38% say Toyota is best for side gig work, and 29% say Chevy trucks are the most lucrative. The TeslaCybertruck was not mentioned; we are absolutely shocked.
Final thoughts
61% say using their truck as a side gig is temporary for them, while only nine percent say it’s a long-term business venture. Fuel prices, maintenance costs, and time commitments are the largest blockers. Only 22% say finding clients is an issue. If you have a truck and want extra income, it’s worth posting to Craigslist or other marketplaces that you’re for hire. Who knows, your truck may end up paying for itself.
