As a Landstar O/O, I constantly turn frt. down. I am appalled at the rates some agents call me with, then try to "sell me" on how easy the load is, or how good the frt. is on the other end. Never haul cheap frt. just to get a good load on the other end. I will run empty before hauling cheap. A Freightliner dealer has NEVER volunteered to reduce his rates for repairs on my truck just because he was in a "cheap rate" area.
Keep turning downs, and see how much cheaper you will work for when the mortgage come due. Never ever turn down a load. The company i work for understands if you do run out of hours, just be honest. That is a ticket you do not want.