How viable is is this? Bulk hauling produce as O/O or IC

Hard to say what's going to be happening in a few years

 

You usually run through a broker instead of for Cargill direct. If they buy corn direct from a farmer the farmer usually hauls it in right out of the field. If it comes out of bins on the farm it has usually been. Sold to a grain buyer such as Schoular company and they sell it to Cargill and broker out the hauling at a very low rate. Bare in mind this is just an example I'm sure there are exceptions. I do know every time I pull anything into feed mills it's a broker deal. For the elevators it could go either way.

 

Well I can't say about produce other than trucking is tough all over. We run all row crop commodities, or grain it's commonly called. Also feed ingredients such as rice bran, salt, phosphate, chicken by products things like that. It's takes all of it to keep the wagon loaded. There is a lot of sitting in long lines all day and trucking all night. It's rougher right now than I have ever seen it but it's seems to be getting better. It's not all bad though

 

I pull a hopper bottom you can expect anywhere from 1.70 a mile to 2.20 a mile. more of a 1.85 average. Yes I know there are some who make more and a lot who make less. They do not call them welfare wagons as a total joke. You will have to work with a lot of different brokers to stay busy. There are some people who like to make multiple short runs from elevator to feedlot/mill and be home every night these runs are usually paid at the lower end of the scale but you do not drive alot of miles and are home every night. you can take the time to make turns with multiple brokers and run otr more money less time home. or you can lease on to a company who will find the loads and dispatch you and take care of most of your paper work for you. If you go this route INVESTIGATE any company you are thinking about leasing on to. There are a lot of company's who will not think twice about screwing you out of your money

 

First talk to the elevator shipping agent, walk in and ask for the business. Same deal go talk to the farmers, etc... In a lot of cases especially bulk these load are available for direct bid.

To give you and idea of priving I haul cement from Mojave. Tehacahpi area to Colton CA, This pays according to our company contract 15.00 per ton, I haul 27.5 tons,this pays the truck 412.00, As a Driver I make 28% $ 115.00.

I then pull a load from Fontana back to Bakersfield @ 22.50 per ton, 27.5 tons, pays truck $618., And as a driver I get 28% $ 173.40, My day totals is $ 288.04.

Food Grade pays more. Go to work for a company that pays percentage if nothing else, then bid on loads direct, you dont need a broker.