39 Creative Pickup Truck Business Ideas [2023]
Are you looking for the best pickup truck business ideas?
From delivering to hauling business ideas, a pickup truck can be versatile equipment that offers plenty of opportunities to earn extra cash.
If you are looking for some great business ideas, you can start with a truck you came to the right place.
In this post, we highlight 39 truck business ideas that pay well. I will include real-world examples and advice from successful entrepreneurs for your inspiration.
Here they are:
1. Start a mobile locker truck
A locker truck business offers solutions for people who need temporary places to keep their belongings safe.
Individuals rent the lockers for short-term storage, and can even request items to be dropped at their address the following day, at an extra cost.
Generally, locker truck businesses are common at event venues.
Molly O’Connor here, the Founder + CEO of The Mobile Locker Co, an onsite storage solution for events. We are the first mobile locker service in the US and utilize an e-commerce strategy for selling locker rental sales.
We kicked off our growth phase last year, and have since grown from two vehicles in one region to five vehicles in five regions! Our year over year revenues have just about doubled each year for our past two fiscal years as we’ve expanded our fleet and coverage areas.
Here is what mobile locker looks like:
2. Start an e-commerce order fulfillment business ($18K/month)
An e-Commerce fulfillment business picks, packs, and delivers products to customers. The tasks involved include maintaining inventory, locating products within the storage, packaging, and supporting the delivery logistics.
To expand your business, work with third-party fulfillment providers such as Shopify Fulfillment Network, Colorado Fulfillment Co, or Sunship.
Hi! My name is Jan Bednar and I’m the CEO and founder of ShipMonk, a technology-driven fulfillment center based in South Florida.
Last year, we were named America’s Fastest Growing Fulfillment Center and scored a spot at #29 on Inc. 5000’s list of fastest growing companies. We made the list again this year at #154. With projected revenue of $60M for 2019, we absolutely can’t wait to see what else is in store for us!
Learn more:
3. Start a seeds distribution business
The seed distribution business involves delivering seeds, seedlings, growing supplies, and farmer's starter kits to farmers across the nation or within a preferred geographical location.
To start, partner with a seeds company or a seedlings distribution business near you, and request to offer logistics solutions to them or their customers. As your business grows, you can start your online seeds and seedlings business.
I’m Parker Garlitz, one of the Co-Founders of True Leaf Market. We are an independent seed company offering heirloom, non-GMO and organic seeds. We also offer growing supplies and starter kits. We sell to home gardeners up to professional growers. We offer traditional vegetable garden, flower and herb seeds as well as specialty seeds like microgreens, sprouts, and wheatgrass. The other Co-Founders are Lance Heaton, Kaitlin Jones & Robb Baumann.
Learn how to sale seeds!
4. Start a junk pickup business
A junk removal service involves picking up and removing unwanted items that owners cannot throw in the regular trash cans. Residents and businesses need junk removal services to haul away broken furniture, electronics, or appliances.
To make money, offer a unique junk removal service so customers can trust and remember your services. Calculate your fixed and variable costs to ensure you are charging the customers a fair price and making reasonable profits.
Hello. My name is Lewis Vandervalk and I am the co-founder of Integrity Junk Removal And Demolition with Ryan Grice, who founded the company. We are a premium, eco-friendly, residential, and commercial junk removal company serving Fredericton, Oromocto, New Maryland, and the surrounding areas that are dedicated to giving back through donating your stuff to local charitable organizations like Habitat For Humanity and community involvement. We do whatever we can to keep your junk out of the landfills through donating and recycling.
Learn how to start a junk pickup business!
5. Start a landscaping business
A landscaping business is engaged in maintaining lawns and gardens, trimming trees and shrubs, and providing landscape maintenance and beautification services. Landscaping costs vary depending on the size and location.
For small jobs such as taking care of the lawn and trees, the cost can vary from $50 to $100 per hour. The average wage of a landscape designer is $70,000 to $90,000, and a landscape architect makes around $50,000 to $100,000 per year. For basic maintenance and mowing services, a single person who runs a landscaping business can get started with as little as $5,000 or less. However, a proper landscaping business will require a large investment. The average start-up cost is between $15,000 to $20,000.
Once the type of service is decided, the list of tools and equipment can be purchased. The best way to succeed in a landscaping business is to provide quality service. This will not only retain existing clients but also promote and attract new customers.
I'm Bryan Clayton CEO of GreenPal which is best described as Uber for Lawn Care.
Good thing early investors told us no because with their capital they would have owned and controlled 30% of our business.e are self-funded and my cofounders and I own it all.
Learn how to start a landscaping business!
6. Start a food delivery business ($206K/month)
In today’s busy lifestyles and schedules, cooking is no longer a priority to many. People like to order-in food from their nearest restaurants or food joints and enjoy a meal in the comfort of their homes.
The food delivery business is like a courier service through which restaurants deliver food to their customers.
You can offer retail food delivery services to restaurants within your locality if you have a truck. Customers order through a restaurant or grocer’s website, and the owners contact you to deliver.
I started my career at the world-famous Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles Apprenticing under Certified Master Chef Raimund Hofmeister.
Food Fleet’s growth Year after year has been at an at over 30 %. From 2017-2018 we had an unprecedented 160% growth spurt. With a team of 6, including my partner and I, we managed over 20 million in sales for our clients. As an example. We took over a convention center 3 years ago managing their food truck business. For their largest event of the year, we were up 53% over the previous year. I honestly would have to equate some of that success to the under-reporting of sales by the previous operator. But the following year we were up 19% from that figure and again close to that this year. That is due in large part to our understanding of transaction times, menu mix, the equipment in each truck or pop up and other factors.
Here is how to start a food delivery business:
7. Become a mystery shopper
Sign up with a mystery shopping company, and they will send you to retail stores, restaurants, or other locations across the country to measure the quality of customer experience.
After the shopping experience, the mystery shopping company sends you a form where you fill in the feedback.
After filling the report, the mystery shopping company will reimburse your mileage and the cost of purchases and probably pay an additional fee.
Learn how to become a mystery shopper!
8. Start a moving service business ($1.5K/month)
Moving service businesses pack, load, transport, unpack, clean, and carefully arrange items at the new location.
The demand for moving services is high among businesses, office owners, and residential customers.
As the owner of a moving truck business, your responsibility is to find potential customers (people who are moving home or office), hire a number of packers depending on the scope of work, and transport the items safely to the new location.
Hello! My name is Marcia Solis and I run Send me South, a company that helps people relocate to Costa Rica, Central America, since 2012.
Since this is a business that is mostly referred to by word of mouth, clients do not show every month. However, there is always a family coming to stay, wanting to give their children the Latin experience of learning Spanish directly in our schools, or retired people looking for the tropics to spend their golden years in our beaches and mountains.
Learn how to start a moving service business:
9. Start a garage sale business
Hi there, My name is Susie Q Aranda and I’m the owner of Garage Gym Barbell Apparel. I design pretty things for strong women right in my garage. Providing tees, leggings and more for women of all sizes including our stronger plus size lifters. In addition, I also offer free garage gym workouts to follow at home and if you’re local; in person only women strength classes.
I believe that anyone, anywhere, at any level is capable of starting or continuing their fitness journey…even in their home garage! That's where Garage Gym Barbell began and has continued to grow.
Learn exactly how to start a garage sale business:
10. Start a mobile truck advertising business
Mobile truck advertising gets brands noticed, recognized, and remembered. The alternatives here can include using the truck for roadshows/mobile advertising campaigns and mounting mobile billboards/truck side advertising.
The business idea allows truck owners to diversify their income sources. Therefore, you can use your truck for hauling and at the same time rent the truck side to an advertising company.
Learn how to start this business easily!
11. Become a building materials transporter
Construction of industries and commercial and residential properties continue increasing at a furious rate. Consequently, the demand for construction materials is massive and there is no sign of slowing down on the horizon.
The trucking industry is responsible for hauling a huge percentage of overland freight served to the construction industry. Therefore, if you are looking for a potential opportunity within the trucking industry, consider the haulage of construction materials.
To start, research the market and identify which areas have more opportunities. Then, buy or lease a suitable truck for the specific items you prefer to transport. Networking with construction site managers, foremen, and engineers will help you get more repeat business opportunities.
Diane and Ken Hendricks established ABC Supply Co. Inc., a leading wholesale distributor of exterior and interior construction supplies.
Their staff tackles the most difficult projects with proven solutions at almost 800 sites nationally.
The duo borrowed $900,000 from a bank & acquired two failing construction supply companies in 1982.
They planned to acquire from manufacturers directly and then sell to contractors and project builders.
They ensured top-quality customer service and drew around $140 million in sales in the first five years.
In 2021, the revenue for ABC Supply reached a new high of $15 billion and they plan to close at $18 billion in 2022.
After her husband died in 2007, Diane now owns a 100% stake at ABC and a holding company with investments in 18 firms.
Diane has a net worth of $12.2 billion, which is way more than any other women entrepreneurs in U.S history.
From being a teen mom to working as a waitress to pay her bills to beat cancer and finally becoming one of the most successful businesswomen in the U.S, Diane has had an inspiring journey.
Read the full story on forbes.com ➜
Learn how:
12. Start a metal scraping business
Metal scrapping refers to the recovery and processing of recyclable metal materials. Metal scrappers collect end-of-life products and structures and refine or sell them to metal product manufacturing and fabrication companies, where the scraps are reintroduced as raw materials.
To start a metal scrapping business, find out the possible sources of scrap metal and ensure you understand the legal and tax issues concerning operating the business. Spot a location where you will get a deal for your scrap metal business, and start collecting the scrap metals.
Learn how:
13. Start a truck rental business
A truck rental business provides individuals, businesses, and companies with large trucks to haul cargo to specific destinations.
Businesses constantly look for the best ways to reduce operating expenses. One preferred method is hiring trucks instead of buying. This is often the case when the need for a truck is rare such as when moving an office or transporting machinery to a new plant.
You may invest in a box truck and work with a motor vehicle leasing company, or if you have huge capital, buy a fleet of trucks and start a full truck rental company. Market your business to startups and other small-scale businesses that likely need trucking services but do not consider buying an economical way of doing business.
Learn how:
14. Start an appliance repair and delivery business
Household appliances break down and need repair. Besides, you need to keep up with regular appliance maintenance to keep power consumption in control and ensure the appliance's optimal performance. Therefore, the demand for appliance repair technicians will remain high. Starting an appliance repair and delivery service can be profitable.
First, you need basic electrical engineering training to understand how appliances operate. Then, you can start with a home-based appliance repair service, where you move door-to-door, fixing broken machines. To grow your business, focus on online sales and ensuring your customer's satisfaction so they can recommend your services to friends and colleagues.
Learn more about this!
15. Start a grocery delivery service
Grocery delivery is an on-demand service where clients shop for groceries, and you deliver to their commercial or residential premises.
As a carrier in grocery delivery, you have an opportunity to maximize your output, as you can serve multiple customers in one trip. Besides, you get to choose your preferred working time and location.
Gopuff, a leading food & consumer goods delivery service, was started in 2013 by two Drexel University students, Yakir Gola and Rafael Ilishayev.
Located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the business began as an on-demand hookah delivery business but has now grown to provide food and supplies.
This consumer products delivery business operates on an on-demand basis. The firm mostly fulfills deliveries for food, drinks, alcohol, home essentials, and other necessities you typically find in a convenience shop.
GoPuff's business model is distinct from those of other delivery firms. The firm operates its warehouses, where it stockpiles items and fills orders on demand.
Rafael, born in Russia, began his career at his father’s sandwich restaurant and afterward at a banquet hall that his father had purchased. Yakir, the son of an Israeli immigrant, used to work in his father’s cash-for-gold store.
The genesis of GoPuff began in 2011, when its creators, Rafael Ilishayev and Yakir Gola, met in a Business 101 class at Drexel University in Philadelphia.
In less than a decade, the company has evolved into a multibillion-dollar corporation serving over 1000 locations. In 2021, GoPuff generated $1 billion in revenue, three times what it did in 2020.
GoPuff has raised $3.4 billion over nine rounds, with its latest $1 billion funding round in July 2021. The company is valued at a massive $15 billion.
Read the full story on blog.wishpond.com ➜
Learn how:
16. Start a furniture delivery and assembling business
A furniture delivery business is a low-barrier to entry business opportunity for a handyperson with tools and a truck. You can manage the business easily from your home office or online, keeping operating expenses minimal.
As the home construction business experience a boom, demand for new furniture is also increasing. New home buyers purchase furniture online and look for a handy person to help with the delivery and assembly.
To start a furniture delivery and assembly business, partner with furniture manufacturers and become their local agent. For every order, they send, request to be the delivery and assembly partner.
Learn how:
17. Start an ice cream truck business
Do you have childhood memories of a neighborhood ice cream truck that reminded you anytime is a good time for ice cream?
An ice cream truck is one of the truck business ideas with great potential. So long as you choose high-traffic streets and a business strategy, an ice cream truck business could be profitable.
Starting an ice cream truck makes you your boss and helps you reach your financial goals. To start the ice cream business, research the nearby ice cream businesses and identify some potential gaps, prepare a business plan, customize your ice cream truck and launch your business.
Learn how:
18. Start an animal transportation business
Animal transportation is the commercial ferrying of wild and domestic animals. The animal transporters help rescuers, game parks, and pet lovers by offering safe and convenient animal transfers.
Thus, if you own a truck, you can customize it to offer animal transportation services. The truck should be customized as per the size of animals you will be transferring in them and there should be a facility to lift animals into the vehicle and out of it.
Starting an animal transportation business is a profitable prospect. You require some licensing, and you ought to carve a niche and market your services to potential customers.
Learn how:
19. Start a boat transportation business
Global recreational boating marketing is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 5%. Given the projected growth, and boat hauling service is another profitable opportunity for trucking companies.
Boat transportation service targets boat owners within the tourism and fishing industries. If you want a promising trucking business idea, hauling boats for money is a great opportunity.
Learn how:
20. Start a towing service
Towing service refers to a licensed and insured business offering for-hire motor carrier service for stalled vehicles or other vehicles requiring a towing service.
The automobile towing industry opens up multiple opportunities to make money. To start the towing service, you need special licensing, towing equipment, and insurance to operate the tow truck business.
People need help when their cars break down, and they need someone who can get them out of the ditch, or off the side of the road and back on the road as quickly as possible. You can offer this service to people in your area who are having trouble getting their vehicle repaired, or if they're looking for a reliable place to get their car towed when they're not sure who can do it right away.
It’s a great way to get into the business world without spending a lot of money. You can start out small and build your company over time as you see fit, which gives you more control over how your business develops.
It’s an easy way to make money if you already have a truck and some basic equipment—all you need are customers!
You can choose whether or not you want a full-time job or something part-time on nights or weekends only when necessary; this allows for flexibility in terms of hours worked each week without sacrificing any income whatsoever.
My name is Johnny Van, I am the President and Owner of Finish Line Towing & Auto Repair. I have always been interested in cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles… you name it. My father was a major contributor to my love for automobiles, he started a towing company when I was a child. He always had about 2 or 3 trucks while working a full-time job also and he did this for around 25 years.
FLT does around $5,000,000 in sales a year between all our services and we are focusing on growing to other markets in Wisconsin and soon Illinois.
21. Start a transport and logistics business
A transport and logistics business moves goods and materials from one location to another. Depending on your client’s needs, you can use a truck, train, boat, or plane. To start this business, you will need a fleet of vehicles, a team of drivers, and a warehouse or storage facility. You will also need to obtain the licenses and permits to operate legally.
To operate this business, you must communicate with your clients to understand their shipping needs and negotiate prices. You will then need to plan routes and schedules for your drivers and ensure that all goods are transported safely and efficiently. You will also need to track shipments and update clients on the status of their deliveries.
In addition to transportation, you may also offer warehousing and storage services. This service would involve receiving and storing goods in your warehouse until they are ready to be shipped out. You may also provide value-added services such as packing and labeling to help your clients save time and effort.
Overall, running a transport and logistics business requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and excellent customer service. If you are up for the challenge, this can be a rewarding and lucrative business opportunity.
My name is Johnny Van, I am the President and Owner of Finish Line Towing & Auto Repair. I have always been interested in cars, trucks, motorcycles, snowmobiles… you name it. My father was a major contributor to my love for automobiles, he started a towing company when I was a child. He always had about 2 or 3 trucks while working a full-time job also and he did this for around 25 years.
FLT does around $5,000,000 in sales a year between all our services and we are focusing on growing to other markets in Wisconsin and soon Illinois.
22. Start a wood pallet scraping business
23. Start a snow plowing business
24. Start a local deliveries business
25. Start a large items delivery business
With the rise of e-commerce, more businesses have to deal with delivery logistics.
A large items delivery business is a company that delivers large items such as furniture and appliances to customers’ homes or offices. These items are often too bulky for people to carry on their cars or delivery vans, so they need help from professionals who can get them from point A to point B in one piece.
Starting a large items delivery business in 2023 can be a great business opportunity.
26. Start an odd jobs business
27. Start a pick-up/ clean-out business
28. Start a haul stuff away business
29. Start a thrifty resale business
30. Start a deliver with DoorDash
31. Start a mail delivery business
Groceries, gifts, and medical supplies are delivered to millions of homes daily.
If you own a truck, starting a door-to-door delivery business allows you to get into entrepreneurship and set your schedule.
As the boss, you will have to make some tough decisions, such as whether or not to hire more drivers.
With the right truck and a winning personality, a door-to-door delivery service can be profitable and lead to financial freedom.
32. Start a scooter charging business
33. Start a ride-hailing service
34. Start a mulching business
35. Start a pallet flipping business
My name is John Wilker, founder of The Simple Biz. Since 1998 I have been running an under-the-radar business model that requires low overhead and is very non-technical. The Simple Bizis a wooden pallet recycling business done in a very streamlined way. It enables me to make extremely high-profit margins, and most importantly, I only work a few hours a day to make a good living.
If you do the math from the scenario above, you can readily see the profit is very nice for minimal work. $8 per pallet x 150 pallets = $1200.00 for less than an hour's work.
36. Start an ikea hauling business
37. Start a tricycle transport business
38. Start a flipping pickup trucks business
39. Sell firewood
Starting a firewood business can be a great opportunity for those looking to enter the wood industry or simply wanting to supplement their income. This business involves sourcing, cutting, and selling firewood to customers for use in wood-burning stoves, outdoor fire pits, and other heating purposes.
To get started, you will need a reliable wood source, such as a woodlot or access to a sawmill. You will also need proper equipment, including a chainsaw, splitting maul, and possibly a wood splitter if you plan to sell pre-cut and split firewood. In addition, you will need a way to transport and store the firewood, such as a pickup truck or trailer.
Marketing your firewood business will be key to success. You can start by reaching out to local customers through word-of-mouth and advertising in your community, such as through flyers and online classifieds. You may also consider setting up a website and social media presence to showcase your products and services.
Running a firewood business can be physically demanding, as you will be handling and cutting large amounts of wood. However, with the right knowledge, equipment, and marketing strategies, you can turn your love of woodworking into a profitable enterprise.
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
Get our 5-minute email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
"An amazing network of founders that truly want to help each other grow their business."