Is Cali vital to the success of a reefer dragger?

Discussion in 'Refrigerated Trucking Forum' started by Al. Roper, Feb 13, 2014.

  1. Al. Roper

    Al. Roper Road Train Member

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    Ok folks, here's the deal. Got about another year doing what I'm doing. Been looking at trailers and as some of you have seen I like to ask questions. Especially about new ventures. Company I'm leased to now pulls both van and reefer. The majority of our cold loads go to Cali then we pull produce back in season. My 1st job was as a meat hauler from Midwest to east coast. Guess my question is this. When I get my own deal up and running is it necessarily a must to upgrade my truck to newer than '08 so I don't limit my options of freight. Kind of like running west but also like running from SE to MW. Know things will probably change some in the next year as far as regs and such but trying to map out all the right moves. With all that being said, can a reefer make a good living and not go to Cali? The contacts that I have are guys that do stuff from and to the west coast. Thanks for listening!
     
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  3. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    What is this Cali you speak of?

    BTW, that's "code" for: no.

    Screen Shot 2014-02-13 at 11.07.36 AM.png
     
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  4. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    I wonder how much the drought is going to hurt the loads #s coming out of Cali ?
     
  5. Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

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    When you consider California represents about 9-10% of the total goods consumed in this country and they are producing these goods less and less, you can see why it's an important market.
    However, one can make a very good living without California.
    The new trucks (especially '11's and newer) are fraught with so many breakdown issues, I wouldn't consider upgrading to a CARB compliant truck unless I had major market works in that state.
    I read the other day where farmers in the mid valley have to cut water consumption another 20% this year.
    That translates to 20% less produce coming out.
    I'd bide my time for a bit and see how things shake out. that at least gives us time for the engine manufacturers to work out the bugs and give us a good performing engine.
     
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  6. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    One of the Sacramento water districts just announced that the "save water" threshold will be upped to 40% within 45 days unless we get an estimated 17 inches of rain for this season. but it isn't just the rainfall totals for the valley that are critical, the needed snow pack is basically non-existent, the current storm is forecasting snow levels of 9000', Tahoe is getting rain, Truckee is getting rain. The different agriculture districts are very concerned about the planting that is supposed to be happening now, and the farmers are holding back for at least 3-4 weeks to make a decision on what and how much they can plant. Not looking very good at all for our fruit and produce out here!
     
  7. RedForeman

    RedForeman Momentum Conservationist

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    Sounds like a contradiction there. If they're producing less, it would seem to be trending toward becoming less important.

    As-if they weren't already taxing and regulating their own producers right out of existence already, this irrigation control mandate sure won't make that better.

    It's a shame the small business people dealing with that burden, along with a voting majority that have no clue how much that policy is already inflating prices at the grocery store. It took my sister-in-law (one of probably 3 or 4 conservative voters in Santa Barbara County) coming out for a visit to see how much a difference there is, despite the area being a major producer. In other words, many Californians never shop outside of home to even know they're paying double, due to the size of the state.
     
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  8. Emulsified

    Emulsified Road Train Member

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    What I was trying to say is California is a major consumer, but has to import more and more since they produce less and less.
    It would indicate a growing market for incoming freight, but I suspect it's going to become like Florida for outgoing freight.
    California screwed itself a few years back when a major group of investors were willing to build a pair of desalination plants in San Diego county and guarantee a price of $100 per acre foot for 10 years. the plants would have been capable of producing 3million acre feet of water per year.
    Now they're paying over $140 there and what they wouldn't give for an additional 3 million feet!
     
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  9. otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

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    We get an additional 3 million feet about every year....from south of the border!:biggrin_2559:
     
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  10. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Yeah, but even though the feet may be wet, they really don't bring in enough water to help. . .:biggrin_25523:
     
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  11. Al. Roper

    Al. Roper Road Train Member

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    Thanks for the replies. As stated earlier just trying to get things lined up over the next year. My current truck is an 07 and will be paid off in this time frame. I saw the signs all through the valley a couple of weeks ago about the cut in water usage, but everyone seemed to be preparing the fields for the coming season. Over the next few months will just see how things play out and try to make some other contacts for different markets. Again thank you all for your input.
     
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