[sodbuster]

On short hauls what would be a good minimum rate. There is a local steel fabricator here in east texas that pays a minimum of $450 plus fuel surcharge. Is this an industry standard.

[big truck driver]

How many miles and where is it going

[rank]

My personal minimum is $500.

[sodbuster]

The starting rate is 2.10/mi + fuel surcharge from 0-275 miles, then the rate drops when more miles are added to the trip. I am between Dallas and houston so both are about 150 miles so the minium would apply.

[big truck driver]

sound like a good rate is it. will you backhaul to their plant

[GMAN]

I usually don't take a load for less than $700.

[sidman82]

If your rate is $450 a day that won't cut it. 150 miles each day x 2= 300 a day. About $700 to $800 in fuel alone. 5 day week = $2250 - $750 in fuel = $1500. Take out everything else and you don't have much left. If you have a load coming back, that would change the story if you can get it done in one day.

[GMAN]

The problem you run into on those short hauls is the time it takes to load and unload. If you pull a van around and can drop and hook or the shipper and receiver will get you in and out quickly, then you might come out with a little less money. But, if you pull a flat bed and need to tarp you will spend a lot of extra time tarping rather than moving the load. I count on losing the entire day when I haul a short run. It isn't usually the travel involved but the loading and unloading which takes up all the day.