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! :?

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

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?

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.

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).

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.

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... :?

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.

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.

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