Rates have been suppressed for at least a couple of months. They tend to drop in the winter months along with the amount of freight available. You don't necessarily have to sit forever to find the $2/mile loads, but may do more sitting than if you booked the first load offered. It has been more of a challenge to find the $2/mile freight the last couple of months. If your average is $1.80 and includes ALL miles driven, then you are doing much better than many out here. Everyone has to do what they feel is best for them. But if everyone would refuse to haul the cheap loads, then all rates would come up. The only reason rates are so cheap in some area's is because there are so many hungry owner operators who are trying to operate off of a shoe string. They take the cheap loads in hopes of keeping the bill collectors at bay for a little while longer. Supply and demand are what control rates. Not long ago I saw rates on one shipment go up about $0.50/mile in one day because they could not get it moved for the cheaper rate. The rate kept going up until someone took it. It went from about $1.08/mile to $1.51. Some people are either afraid or cannot afford to sit for a day to find a better paying load. While you seem to be doing well, others are not. It isn't usually difficult to find a rate for around $2/mile that originate and stay in the West, unless you try to move east of Denver. Then rates tend to be lower because of an abundance of trucks in Colorado wanting to head east, compared to the level of freight. I have gotten a legal load out of Colorado for $3/mile, but that was a fluke. I usually deadhead out, since I won't haul freight less than a certain rate. If I can't make money on a load, I either wait a day or deadhead out. There are still some who will haul a load out of Denver for less than $1/mile. It will be interesting to see how you do once you get to the area, especially with all the new snow.

 

I did ok coming out of Colorado the last time although I headed to Texas from there. I don't remember the rate but it was a little over $2.00. The only reason I think I got that was because it was a rush delivery. UPS showed up and said, ya right, a 30' beam, I don't think so. I checked the load boards and there does seem to be a lot of loads going out from a 50 mile radius from Aspen.

I just got back from Walmart and stocked up. What a zoo early in the morning with skids everywhere! There was a Home Depot next door and I got some big C clamps that I'm going to clamp to my horizontal beams under the bed on my flatbed. Then I got some big huge D-Rings that I'll hang on the C clamps and through the chains and hang them that way.

 

I don't think I would use the C-clamps and D-rings to secure anything on the deck. I would not think they would be secure enough to hold anything of substance. I doubt whether they would remain tight with the flexing of and stress of the trailer and load. DOT might frown on using them. There are certain ways in which you are supposed to secure your load. I don't recall C-clamps being mentioned. :shock:

 

I believe Steve was talking about how he was going to hang his chains from the beams of his trailer. I apologize if I'm out of line with stating this, but I think you might have mis-understood him.

-Jason

 

If you guys want an awesome 5th wheel lube, come up to canada and head to a petro-canada bulk oil station. The stuff is called "barimol heavy" and it's about $110 CDN for a 5 gallon drum.

The stuff is SUPER thick, it feels almost exactly like fibreglass. This stuff sticks like crazy. The trick to it is that the surface is super slick.

Steve, you say $1.80 a mile, is this all miles or loaded miles?

 

Depending on the quality of the c-clamps that may work to hang your chains from. I would try it with one chain or two, and run a 4 inch strap also through the chains underneath the trailer to the other side as a backup. You may not notice for a few hundred miles if your system breaks, but with a 4 inch strap you will at least still drag the chains along.

It wouldn't take a good welding shop long to make you a set of hangers for the chains. Take a look around the truckstop at some others that look easy to use.

 

Yes Teal, you are correct. I did buy the C clamps but not happy with the setup. I just can't crank them down enough. I'm considering drilling some holes and putting eye bolts in then hang the D ring from that then hang the chains through the D ring.

 

I apologize if I misunderstood, Steve. They have a shop where Steve is hanging out. It is around behind the Pilot. I don't know if they do welding. If not, they could probably direct himto someone who could help. Chains are heavy and I would doubt whether C-clamps would hold chains for very long.

 

The $1.80 is for loaded only.

 

The place I'm at is like a giant flea market for truckers. You name and they have someone here to do it. People on the CB selling everything and every shop you can imagine.

I think I'll wait and have someone weld some hangers on. Those chains I have are for both wheels and real heavy and I'm having second thoughts doing it myself.