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Originally Posted by Oso
I hope this is the right forum for this. Although I’m not a trucker I’ve been lurking around here as I have an interest in the trucking biz. Who knows - I might even try my hand out if the economy improves (Yes I've read all the "don't try it now" posts, so I consider myself warned). So here are a few random O/O questions that I had:
1. Generally speaking, does travelling on a freeway versus a 2 lane highway or country road affect your cost per mile? I’m thinking of the effects of lower speed & aerodynamics versus travelling on rougher pavement.
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It doesn't make any difference whether you travel on a freeway or 2 lane road as far as cost per mile is concerned. The difference could be which is shorter and has fewer stops such as going through small towns, traffic lights, etc., You will probably get better fuel mileage sticking with the interstate, but not always. If he route is shorter going 2 lane roads then I may take that route to save fuel but may go the interstate if I can save time. Lower speeds can help your mileage but if you are doing a lot of stopping and starting that will offset any potential savings.
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Originally Posted by Oso
2. How much would you recommend spending on your 1st truck (i.e East-coast tractor w. sleeper, 80-90k gvw)? What sort of mileage/wear and tear could you reasonably expect? I've read that one should start with a solid but no frills aero truck - which makes sense to me.
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You should be able to find a good truck for less than $20,000, especially today with all the repo's. Wear and tear is something that is very individualized. Some people take care of their equipment and others abuse theirs. The type of driving, where you go and what you haul can also impact the type of equipment you should purchase.
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Originally Posted by Oso
3. As an independent, is there money to be made in regional trucking (i.e within Ontario/Quebec)? Or does one have to go OTR to make ends meet?
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I don't know anything about current rates for in-country rates in Canada, but a friend of mine crosses the border on occasion and gets pretty decent rates for a flat bed. But that is going back and forth from the U.S. to Canada and back. I could not tell you about going back and forth from Quebec and Ontario.
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Originally Posted by Oso
4. I've also been playing with load boards - but I can't see any of the rates. So, in the Ontario/Quebec region can you make decent money on runs that take you into rural areas, or is the money mostly in traveling on major highways to big cities? (I'm also assuming that you wouldn't take a rural job unless you could also find another load nearby that would get you home.)
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Sorry, someone else is going to need to answer this one. But, I expect truckers in Canada are deadheading more than a year ago just as we are.
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Originally Posted by Oso
5. I see a lot of flatbeds with odd shaped loads. Is it possible or desirable to improve your aerodynamics by tarping? How much of an effect might that have?
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You might help your aerodynamics with tarping, but that is not the reason most people tarp. We tarp to protect the load.
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Originally Posted by Oso
6. Curiosity: are northern trucks rustproofed (ie oil coated) on a regular basis - like we do for our cars?
Thanks in advance!
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As far as I know manufacturers don't rustproof big trucks, at least in the U.S. We get enough oil from the trucks and road to slow down the rust. We do try to wash the equipment more frequently when we have been in a lot of salt.