Power-Only Loads

Discussion in 'Freight Broker Forum' started by truckingbizness, May 25, 2013.

  1. truckingbizness

    truckingbizness Light Load Member

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    Apr 19, 2013
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    Hi Brokers - What do power-only loads pay per mile compared to reefer or flatbed? Can I expect $2/mi? I can only afford to buy a used truck and get my own authority. I can't afford to buy a trailer. I'm gonna have to start out doing power-only loads til I save up for a trailer... I've also seen these loads where you take an empty trailer and they let you load it with whatever. Those seem like an option too.
     
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  3. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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    I'd suggest not handicapping yourself with no trailer. But that's just me.
     
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  4. coastie

    coastie Road Train Member

    From what I seen Power only does not pay that much. Most cases not all but most u just move a trailer from point a to point b but U can pick up a load inbetween to make extra cash. But it depends on the contract
     
  5. Marlin46

    Marlin46 Medium Load Member

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    Atlanta, GA
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    The load-out or empty trailers that you see posted typically only pay $100-$200 however you get to use them for at minimum 10 days and I know a few who stretched it out and after asking the broker nicely were able to keep them for 21 days. I always kept them for around 10 days. With Power only you are kind of rolling the dice as to if something will be available in the area that you are dropping one off in. Most of the time it worked out. Once got paid $800 to move an empty trailer 400 miles and put another load on the same trailer that paid $850 p/u and delivery in almost the same places.

    Typically reefers and vans are coming out of the Wabash factory in IN.
     
  6. mikec265

    mikec265 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 25, 2009
    Dumbed Down Land, WTF
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    if you cant afford a trailer how are you going to afford an unexpected breakdown? you need to learn how to think like a business owner before even buying a truck. otherwise you will be "ABC Out of Business Next Week- Trucking Co"

    if you can put up with unsafe EOBRs go to landstar. Nevermind the percentage. Dealing with good agents will pay as good as dealing with a few good brokers. if not more in some cases.
     
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  7. mikec265

    mikec265 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 25, 2009
    Dumbed Down Land, WTF
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    I almost forgot some advice...... $2 per mile sucks. we dont need more cheap dummies who cant figure numbers making it harder for the rest of us to get what we deserve!
     
  8. cetanediesel

    cetanediesel Medium Load Member

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    Mar 26, 2013
    Albany, NY
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    I will be one of your cheap dummies at $2 per mile for running my tractor only. You need to figure out what you are wasting money on when $3000 net, a week for a tractor is not enough.
     
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  9. truckingbizness

    truckingbizness Light Load Member

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    Apr 19, 2013
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    Your expenses must be crazy high. At $2/mi just for running my own tractor I would make a boat load of money. About $150k per year net. It seems you're the one who "can't figure numbers". But thanks for being one of those guys out there holding out for higher rates and making the rest of us look good
     
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  10. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

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    You look really good working twice as hard as you need to. When you're burnt out and they need a truck that's the point where real money gets tossed around.

    Sent from my droid using Tapatalk 2
     
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  11. Big Jay

    Big Jay Light Load Member

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    Jul 31, 2011
    litchfield, mn
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    I would also own the trailer as MNDriver suggested, however, I have done some PO loads for a grocery distribution place and don't mind them. Pay is decent but not good enough to devote trucks to......yet. Routes pay better for this particular company as their stop pay is well above industry norm, shuttles (loaded out empty back) is 2.00 a mile from our shop back to our shop and up depending upon their urgency. Not great, not bad for a night's work especially if I want to be hanging around home. I'm just not a fan of running all night but it fits the bill from time to time. Look to your local LTL outfits, maybe there is opportunity there. With that said, if ya can't afford a trailer today, you also can't afford an engine overhaul most likely.....
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2013
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