Steel hauling
#41
Originally Posted by Double L
I've always wanted to do things different, I love the Columbia's every since they came out which what I been around old and new style's. I like the 05 and newer style and I've always liked to see areo trucks with chrome and chicken lights. Oh yeah I'd more than likely invest in super singles for the tractor and trailer as well. Isn't the weight savings 500 per wheel? Don't get me wrong I like large cars but I like to see something different to a fleet type of truck. I'd like to have a green Columbia 70" midroof XT with yellow lettering.
Uh....Load It,I'll take that Marmon........ 8)
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#43
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,825
I plan on it when the time is right, one of the many reasons I like Freightliner besides being partial to them and growing up around them is the Detroit/Mercedes. I've always like the areo trucks for many reason besides saving fuel I like the turning radius and the ability to get in tight spaces. Oh yeah can't forget the visibility! You can't go wrong with a Freightliner. I've heard people say Freightliner are throwaway trucks, I disagree because any truck can be a throwaway truck if you don't care of it, I've seen 10 year old FLD's still running STRONG and seen newer Freightliners that have been abused rattle like crazy. Now I will admit the early Century Class and Columbia's were not the best built and were made of cheap plastic but atleast they got the job and did it well and saved the drivers/company thousands in fuel each and every single year. Plus super singles will help in the fuel bill and weight department alot.
#47
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,825
Fuel prices-It's hurting everyone, but I think $2.00-$2.50 will be the norm for here on out. While fuel is at what it is now I want to SAVE money in the short and long run. Fuel milage is important to me cause that could make or break me. That is one of the reasons why I like areodynamic trucks especially Freightliners so much cause it'll save me money especially if I decide to run super singles which will also allow me to haul more weight! The only fuel saving device is the drivers right foot.
Driver Retention-Treat them the way you want to be treated, don't screw them around and get them home when they need to be home or when they request, don't run them to death. Safety is my top priority if and when I do hire drivers and for myself as well. I prefer true independent contracter, I always wanted to do everything myself and be a one man operation, but I know later on down the road I'd have to hire drivers. But I'm gonna try to hold off on hiring drivers until I'm close to retirement or I get swamped with too many loads. I'd rather hire owner operators instead of company drivers because that would be less money I'd have to spend on equipment and I could use the extra to benefit the driver like more pay for tarping their loads or milage/% pay and etc. I know alot of drivers are skeptical of super singles and you got to weight the pros and cons, I already went over the pros but the cons are if they blow out it'll cause alot of damage and they are hard to find. I'm gonna run my business as a business not a hobby to where I'll go out and buy a decked out Pete or KW and chrome and light it out and then next thing I know I'm broke because I can't afford the payments on it. There is more to running a trucking company than just buying a truck and trailer and hauling loads, I'm gonna have alot more responsiblity because I'm gonna do my own book keeping and all of that stuff, I don't trust people with my money and make sure it's done on time so it won't come to bite me in the ass and that way the only person I got to blame incase there is a mess up is me!
#48
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,079
#49
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Illinois
Posts: 1,825
Nice White Freightliners, I want to say those are powerliners by the grill but I say it's an early 70's year model. I heard the 70's model Freightliners were the best trucks built, but I know for a fact the most popular tractor at the time was the International Transtar and Transtar II.
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