I'm just interested in thoughts on the wear and tear that comes from tankers and what kind of mileage/rate premium that ought to command.
I'm on my first load and, man, I used to baby my truck! The drag on the powertrain is constantly in flux- more pull, less pull, more pull, less pull- and then there's the occasional hard jerk, not just full on surge.
I'd be thrilled to make what I make with a dry box, we'll see about this tanker. At $4.70 fuel, I'm making $1.63 practical miles loaded and $1.53 practical miles unloaded. The rate goes up automatically with fuel prices. There is some loading/unloading accessorial pay as well. Any sitting I do is definetly my company'$ problem, not mine. We'll see about length of haul, they're supposed to use my fleet for long haul. First load is Detroit to Cali, anyway.
Listening to K Rutherford last night and there are indications that enough companies have folded or are about to fold that significant rate increases could be just around the corner. He said Swift has to raise their rates 19% if they want to break even, otherwise, asta la vista.
Don't worry about being kind if you think it's not a good deal. But, with guys like Vassago and Big Diesel around, others, I don't expect kindness to be a problem. :lol: