I have a unique situation and would like to run it by some flatbed brothers.

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Gonehuntin1, Mar 16, 2012.

  1. spacetrucker88

    spacetrucker88 Heavy Load Member

    ask yourself why do these people want to help me make money. This deal would scare me.
     
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  3. Gonehuntin1

    Gonehuntin1 Bobtail Member

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    I really appreciate all the feedback drivers. I have mixed feelings about it too. No family members Blanco hahaha. We're meeting tomorrow to cover more of the details. 40cal got it pretty good I don't have the capital/credit or I would do it myself. A friend of mine is already doing business with these partners for the last few years and has 4 or 5 dump trucks through them he uses for all local work (Class B stuff) and his work is all hourly based. So they have a much different deal going then what I am hoping to do with them. He's happy about his business with these guys and if he hadn't been working with these guys already I would feel the same as most of you about it. I haven't had any luck finding the kind of gig I'm looking for so I'm really hoping I can put this together correctly. I like having the freedom of running how I want but still have to make sure it's gonna work out how I need it to. Keep that feedback coming in and I'll be back tomorrow night after our meeting with more details.....Thanks Drivers.
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2012
  4. Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

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    Driver pay is 25% of linehaul. Mileage pay is for suckers. Especially in flatbed.

    I guess what's left after all expenses incl your pay then gets split up as profit.
     
  5. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    A generalization like that is totally wrong in my experiences.
    Mileage pay can be a good rate, with tarping etc on top of that.
    Also take into account the deadhead involved, as 25% of nothing is still nothing isn't it?
    I know our company guys like the mileage rate, then they get 50% of OD and tarp charges. Think the guys get @40 cents a mile to start, then it goes up from there. Along with the OD charges, they do pretty good from what I have heard.
    There are a lot of variables involved in the mileage vs percentage decision than just making a blanket statement.

    Martin
     
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  6. dave26027

    dave26027 Road Train Member

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    Sounds like they trust you. They're going to compensate you for your experience, integrity and labor, not for your fuel, truck payment and overhead. Take a deep breath- sum up your trustworthiness, work ethic and experience. Add up your responsibilities in this arrangement. You negotiate the loads, plan the work and provide the labor. Pay yourself a fair compensation for your efforts. Most company drivers don't have those duties so compensation might include fair mileage pay, fair rates for manual labor and for negotiating with brokers. If you can wrangle a good rate from the broker you should share in the profit. (You deserve a bonus for your negotiating skills if you get a good rate).

    Look them in the eye and set up a partnership that's a mutual advantage, not indentured servitude.
     
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  7. windsmith

    windsmith Road Train Member

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    Misread the original post.

    Probably best to pay an attorney to advise you of your exposure to liabilities since you'll be part owner.
     
    Last edited: Mar 17, 2012
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  8. Gonehuntin1

    Gonehuntin1 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 14, 2012
    Las Vegas, NV
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    They had to postpone the meeting till Monday night. That doesn't set well with me. I guess we'll see on Monday.
     
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  9. Gambi80

    Gambi80 Medium Load Member

    That's what I was thinking as well. They'd be silent partners taking care of the 'easy' stuff....maintenence etc...while you do the leg work finding work and with your name on the company and as a driver 'o/o', you are exposed to all the liability should something happen...surely they'd have it set up on their end to be able to wash their hands clean in that event.
     
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  10. Dorsey

    Dorsey Medium Load Member

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    Sounds like a bad idea to me. On your part and theirs.
     
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  11. Semi Crazy

    Semi Crazy Road Train Member

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    40¢ a mile is less than some guys get for vans! And tarping is built into the linehaul rate.

    If you get 25% of $2 it's 50¢ a loaded mile.

    $3/mi driver makes 75¢/mi

    OD loads driver does even better.

    That no pay for empty miles is just a mental thing the driver feels. Smart drivers realize that loaded percentage makes up for it.

    Why do most companies pay mileage? Because the company makes more $$ not the driver!

    Percentage pay is good for the industry because the company driver won't want to haul cheap freight.

    Sure there are variables between different companies and niches but as a blanket statement it's been known to be true for decades.
     
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