Grain Hauling - How Much Per Mile?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by newbe, May 16, 2011.

  1. newbe

    newbe Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    May 16, 2011
    0
    my friend and i want to haul grain most from one elevator to the other (a common thing in south dakota) but would like to know what other people charge per mile so we don't over do it or under do it.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. hawkeye42799

    hawkeye42799 Light Load Member

    94
    23
    Jan 28, 2007
    iowa
    0
    i do the same thing but i do it for someone else and i get paid by the hour and i go from elevator to elevator or to customers

    so i would be interested to know what ya find out :biggrin_25519:
     
  4. newbe

    newbe Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    May 16, 2011
    0
    mind if i ask how much you charge for a general idea
     
  5. hawkeye42799

    hawkeye42799 Light Load Member

    94
    23
    Jan 28, 2007
    iowa
    0
    no clue what the company charges but with all the crap i have to go through it aint enough
     
  6. BIGMIKE1

    BIGMIKE1 Light Load Member

    257
    86
    Jan 23, 2010
    Missouri
    0
    If your hauling for the elevators it will be cheap, and they will tell you what there going to pay you.
     
  7. BigBadBill

    BigBadBill Bullishly Optimistic

    4,599
    4,438
    Oct 2, 2010
    Chattanooga, TN
    0
    Off-season in IL barely covers overhead but you have so many farmers looking to get something/anything from expensive equipment that barely gets used a month a year. So you are looking at a true over supply vs. demand. Some farmers will even run at a loss when you add driver pay as it is a cheaper way for them to keep someone employeed year round.

    As far as rates, it will likely be on a per bushel basis based on a mileage band. So you have to load heavy to make the most money. And be carefull to not listen to guys that tell you that DOT wants to see that you are under gross and axel weight is less important. No state has the ability to override the laws on federal highway.

    Last year during harvest with fuel rates about $1/gal cheaper guys saw between $5 and $6 per mile with the ones with good relationships with the transportation manager getting much better than that.

    What I would suggest is to get a van or a flatbed and haul that during the off season then follow the harvest around and get 2-3 gravy months.
     
    Admin Thanks this.
  8. Prairie Boy

    Prairie Boy Road Train Member

    3,258
    1,911
    Nov 18, 2010
    Edmonton, AB
    0
    The best rate structure is always by the hour. Otherwise, establish rates on a Ton Per Mile Basis. Use a Minimum number of miles at all times in your rate structure.
     
  9. Cowpie1

    Cowpie1 Road Train Member

    5,569
    4,646
    Nov 25, 2008
    Kellogg, IA
    0
    BigBadBill got it right. The rate on grain hauling is on a per bushel loaded rate. You have to load right on up to the top if you are going to make it worth while.
     
  10. 66truck

    66truck Light Load Member

    136
    29
    Nov 7, 2008
    ohio
    0
    I know a guy that does it here in Ohio and I think he told me he was paid around .20 or .25 cents a bushel. He runs hard and heavy, buys a new hopper trailer every couple years because of it. Ive been told rates arent all that great because of all the farmers that own their own trucks these days.
     
  11. wheathauler

    wheathauler Trucker

    2,031
    584
    Mar 10, 2009
    Hutch, Kansas
    0
    You are correct. Most farmers own multiple trucks and trailers around here.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.