O/O running a day cab.

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by MACK E-6, Sep 21, 2014.

  1. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    How about this theory for an aspiring O/O? This is something that the misses and I have been pondering the last couple days.

    How feasable is it try and capitalize on the weight difference between day cabs and sleepers?

    What I had in mind is to buy a used day cab and a nice aluminum flatbed, like a 45'x96". Theoretically that should produce a low enough tare weight that would appeal to places that ship heavy freight such as building materials.

    What say you all?
     
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  3. BAYOU

    BAYOU Road Train Member

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    The problem with that is most brokers/shippers don't want to pay extra for them heavy loads over 48,000, my last setup I could scale 49,500lbs so all them heavy loads I called on and what I found most paid the same so the only benefit I could see is a fuel economy savings due to less weight and no idle time due to have to get a hotel every night. I spend $70/night just idling my truck 10 hours
     
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  4. mnmover

    mnmover Road Train Member

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    Daycabs will work, but best option is to stay close to home, haul fuel, cement, flour, or anything that returns you home at the end of the load. Perhaps even a mail contract?
     
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  5. NavigatorWife

    NavigatorWife Road Train Member

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    I'd say drive a lightweight truck like Prime has. But they do haul more, have the room to sleep, but are neutered. And more weight means more fuel consumption. Also get an APU if you can.
     
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  6. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    In Baltimore area you should be able to make this work. The problem is there's always a problem that could possibly pop up and cause you to have to sleep in the bunk at least overnight once in a while. Maybe even a couple of times a week. This is trucking and stuff happens. I'd opt to get a tractor that had a very small coffin like bunk just in case. I've seen some late model international tractors with these.
     
  7. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    My kW daycab weighs more than a WS with an 82 inch stratosphere
     
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  8. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Well, GAF here in Baltimore at least used to pay a premium for more than 47k, 12 years ago anyway. And I do know that the Owens-Corning roofing plant in Kearny NJ likes to ship loads in excess of 53k.

    The type of tractor I have in mind would be something like one of the smaller dump trucks that paving companies use, with a single drive and lift axle. With a fifth wheel on something like that, hooked to a flatbed like what I described earlier, you may be able to load around 55k and still be legal. That could be an effective way to market to shippers that routinely use outside carriers to haul to places that are within 300 miles.

    I'd be content just to go anywhere I can get to and back in a day:)
     
  9. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Yikes. Sorry to hear that.

    It's basically what I did when I first started out. At the time that type of freight was paying around $2.00 a mile. That may be the next thing we research.

    Thankfully in 13 years I have yet to be left stranded.:)
     
  10. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    I don't have a lot of experience in the industry, but when I was booking loads I found that the heaviest loads were also the cheapest. I don't see any value in running a day cab to haul cheap, heavy loads. Not to mention the fact that hauling those heavier loads (more product on one load) cuts down on the number of available loads from that shipper, effectively increasing capacity and lowering rates.
     
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  11. BAYOU

    BAYOU Road Train Member

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    Lot of things have changed in 12years you need to check the market your in
     
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