|
|
10-27-2006, 03:48 PM
|
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,831
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveBooth
I may be over simplifying the problem but can't you just go where the work is instead of waiting around for work in your local area?
|
Yes, that's how it suppose to be done, unless you have some "special deal" is going on.
But here is a problem, the rates you see on those "boards", is a loaded rate, per "book" mile.
It doesn't include DH, and actual "out of route miles". And that will drop that rate for 15-20%.
For example, my average "loaded book mile" rate for this year is $1.91 a mile. Yet my "all hub miles run" is just $1.61. And that's including all "extras", FSC, stops, detention...etc.
If you work for brokers, those "extras", may be hard to get. :roll:
Another problem, is that you have to maintain a certain gross, per day average. 2 buck a mile freight, would do you no good, on a 2-3 hundred miles loads, cause most likely, that's all you will be able to do, in that day.
You see, i've said it before, but will repeat again;-Everything in this business, is not what it seems from outside! And "paper" numbers, never match the real ones. And that "rule" ignored, got a lot of folks in trouble! :?
__________________
Pessimist,- is just well informed optimist!
|
10-28-2006, 08:49 AM
|
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 725
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveBooth
This is more of a general question and not directed towards Mudawg. You all know I know dick about the industry but I see lots of posts about people in trouble and not making it due to cheap loads. I belong to a few load boards and I just went in to the internet truckstop and did a few checks. I may be wrong but they are many places I could go if I were in trouble. I could run 7 days a week between PA and OH for example and I see rates that are actually posted anywhere from $1.40 to $1.70. Even at $1.40 and running back and forth would be more than enough to keep one out of trouble. You would have to stay away from home for maybe 3 or 4 weeks at a time going to where the work is. I may be over simplifying the problem but can't you just go where the work is instead of waiting around for work in your local area?
|
Steve, The guy that got in trouble spent too many days waiting for the freight to come to him. You must preplan your freight. The point here is plan, most dont have a plan except $$$$$$$. They dont understand they have to plan to make the $$$$$ and tweaking the plan and running OH<-->PA may be necessary. Posting the pity party here is definitely not part of the plan or necessary
|
10-28-2006, 01:57 PM
|
Administrator
Site Admin
Board Icon
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 17,097
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
One reason a lot of owner operators get into trouble is that they only want to run in one specific area. Freight can change according to the season. For instance, when the weather is cold and snowing, some won't run in those areas, so rates tend to be higher. Rates may actually drop in the sunbelt during that time because of so many who want to stay out of the bad weather. This is a business, and things happen. I am not sure why you would need to spend $25,000 on a rebuild, jdtj63. Depending on what needs to be done, you should be able to do it for somewhere between $9-15M. You may be able to replace the entire truck for that amount of money. An engine is the most expensive part of this business. Once you have a new engine, it is almost like having a new truck. At least you could avoid the large truck payments. What type of engine to you have?
|
10-30-2006, 04:38 AM
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 129
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
I'll tell you what I did, been dump trucking for ten years and got the slow pay no pay old truck blues, I got them so bad I sold my truck and went to work selling cars only made about $50 a day. Got the itch to drive again and pay at least half my bills so I drove for Budweiser at $16.50 an hour I stayed only a few months. All this took place over the course of 11months. Thank god I was able to save most of the cash from the old truck I am back in it with a renewed excitement,kind of like a self initiated kick in the butt, I have had the best 2 years ever and keep trucking in fear of going back to working for "The man". Didn't know what I had till it was gone,you need to do what is best for you,for me it worked out just think it through.
|
10-30-2006, 03:52 PM
|
Board Regular
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 215
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Definitely a slowdown in the past couple weeks, and the rates have gone from poor to abysmal in my run areas ( OR WA ID NV UT).
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course;
who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly;
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory or defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
|
10-30-2006, 05:21 PM
|
Administrator
Site Admin
Board Icon
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 17,097
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Sometimes, it becomes necessary to move to a different area to find the better paying freight. Rates have been soft for a couple of months, now. I am seeing a slight upturn in some areas.
|
10-30-2006, 05:23 PM
|
Board Regular
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 215
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
I wish I could move to another area Gman... I am still stuck running my 300 air mile circle, which limits my run area. Hoping that come Dec. 5 when my insurance makes it's one year mark that I will be able to get that restriction removed... :?
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts,
not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled,
or where the doer of deeds could have done better.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena;
whose face is marred by the dust and sweat and blood;
who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again;
who knows the great enthusiasms,
the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy course;
who at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement,
and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly;
so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls
who know neither victory or defeat."
Theodore Roosevelt
|
10-30-2006, 05:24 PM
|
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
|
When Ultra Lights first came out we use to watch them give instructions at the local Mall on Sunday because they were closed. It was a semi pulling a flatbed with an Ultra Light tied down with ropes and a chair sitting in front of the plane for the instructor to give the student instructions. The plane could probably move maybe 5 feet in any direction.
|
10-30-2006, 05:28 PM
|
Administrator
Site Admin
Board Icon
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 17,097
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
|
Well, Mountain Flyer, at least you only have about one more month. I hope they lift their restriction. I am sending you a pm on someone you may check with in your area.
|
10-30-2006, 05:44 PM
|
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
|
Can't remember if your with Progressive but they only do a 300 mile radius no matter how much experience you have so I think you could be stuck with them for 2 years until someone else will handle you.
From there website.
Trucking Businesses We Insure
We can insure you if you use your truck in any of the following businesses:
* dirt, sand and gravel hauling
* logging
* local trucking, including courier and expedited freight
* tractor-trailers (up to 300 miles)
* auto transportation and hauling
|
|
|
|
|