OK, I know some of you run some pretty heavy horses out there so my question is what is the cargo weight an O/O is expected to be able to carry?

I ask because I have a great running, reliable horse (no downtime in the year I've run him!) but the small carrier I'm leased to just lost their biggest contract and I'm hoping to figure out a way to not have to send such a great horse to the glue factory.
:sad: :sad: :sad:
He has two major issues - he's 13 years old and only four footed (single 23k drive axle). Lots of carriers will not lease on a middle aged horse like this and with a 13k trailer he's limited to 41K up here in the Northeast (39K nationally). I'm willing to buy a new, lighter trailer and with a spread axle 12K 53 footer I could do as much as 48K up here (46K nationally). My other option - which may be cheaper - is to add a 12k lift axle which will get me up to 46K up here (44K nationally).

Or, I could go grab a local company job for better $$$ and let them worry about the equipment.
:sad: :sad: :sad:

Depending on the type of freight, most carriers will expect you to be able to haul about 45,000 pounds. You may want to take a look at expedited freight. The better, higher paying carriers don't care about the age of your truck as long as it looks good and will pass a DOT inspection.

Thanks! I asume that 45K figure was for van loads? How about flats?

My tractor was being run as a "Big Shot", pulling a 3 car trailer with another one on the roof. It even has an electric brake controller. Problem is that - like the guy that sold it to me - I don't want to be a "dweller". I wish I could find a smallish local carrier that is all O/O and specialises in short haul and 500 miles max radius out and back. There seems to be a fair amount of short haul on the load boards but I don't want to go though all the BS of having my own authority and having to find loads - driving and taking care of the truck is enough work!

I'd think wih all the drivers that won't do New England that I could find a carrier that would need someone to shuttle loads in and out of New England, doing the deliveries and pickups for the cross-country drivers?

Try Jones motor freight Hotshot DiV

I would also recommend Jones. Their Hotshot or Tracer divisions might work for you. Since you have a 3 car hauler, you may also want to check with some of the car hauling companies. Fleetcar at one time had a few hotshots pulling short hauls out of some of the ports. You do have to put up with a lot of BS with them, however. I think that I would consider getting my authority and working some of the car auctions. Dealers are always looking for someone to haul their cars. If you don't want to get your authority, you may check with the auctions in your area to see who is running out of them. Sometimes one or more carriers run most of the cars out and they may even have an office at the auction. If so, you may work out a deal to run under their authority for the short runs. A 10 car hauler doesn't work as well with the short runs. Those are better suited for longer runs.

I didn't buy the three car trailer - and also removed the head rack. I've never "done" autos and know just enough about it not to try it without some serious training!

At the company I presently (?) work for we have a number of O/O's renting parking spots from us - and one has a $250K car hauler.
:shock:
He was running two trucks but sold the older one when business started to go downhill. They both used to pull out of the local auction yard 5 miles away, doing two trips a day - all local obviously. They used to park them every night loaded for delivery the next morning but I think he is running OTR now as he only parks about every two weeks. So - I'm guessing the local hauling scene is in bad shape.
:shock:

[quote="roadranger"]Thanks! I asume that 45K figure was for van loads? How about flats?

quote]


It doesn't matter what type of trailer you pull when it comes to weight. It is the same based upon axles.

As there are flats down in the 9K range I thought that you'd be required to take heavier cargo - but I guess many guys still pull steel flats that are about as heavy as the newer vans?