Made the jump and booked my 1st load

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by W Bench Farms, Feb 27, 2021.

  1. W Bench Farms

    W Bench Farms Light Load Member

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    I've been planning for over a year, getting everything situated and in line. I've had my authority since 2010, but only used on the farm for our own loads. It has taken me over a month to get everything I needed to switch over to for hire, IRP plates, insurance, etc. Booked my first load for Monday. Will be pulling a flatbed. I think I did OK, load about 15 miles from home, it's about a 100 mile round trip, for $650. Just wanted to get a couple of short hauls in to make sure I have everything lined out. Trying to stay regional. Would like to be within 300 miles of home.

    I appreciate all of the comments and suggestions from everyone while I've been trying to get rolling.

    I've been trying to shoot for $3.00/mile all miles. Keeping an eye on Truckstop, it seems doable at the moment. I don't want to be below $2.20/mile all miles. I figure I can take the law of averages into account. Where is everyone else running? For me, calculating all miles I think will work better, as there is quite a bit of short haul work around me, or loads without a backhaul home.
     
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  3. bad-luck

    bad-luck Road Train Member

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    Wish you the best of luck. And the load isn't bad, its even better if you can load and drop the same day
     
  4. W Bench Farms

    W Bench Farms Light Load Member

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    Yep, same day drop. Load at 9am, should be home by 2pm. Best part is I need to make a drive pretty close to the drop off for some parts. Win for me.

    Working on booking Tuesday load at $2.88. 267 mile round trip. Plus tolls. Same day load and drop.
     
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  5. OldeSkool

    OldeSkool Road Train Member

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    I don’t run off load board so not real familiar with it, but if you figure round trip like that, I think it’s a smart move. I read another guy on here that does that. That way it’s good if you can find a back haul, but even if you dead head home you haven’t don’t too bad.

    It seems there’s two ways people run. Some try to stay loaded as much as possible, others aren’t afraid to run empty quite a bit and get better paying loads. If I was to run off a load board, I would be trying the same thing you’re doing. Good luck!!!!
     
  6. Dino soar

    Dino soar Road Train Member

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    You have exactly the right idea.

    If you really want to make more money I find it best to just stay out even with short hauls. I say this because the best loads don't always bring you back to your house. You may go one direction to pick up and go another direction to deliver and then go back out the other way and then pick up another load that takes you back home.

    Sometimes you can crisscross your house with loads but I find it best to just follow the money.

    What area are you in?
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2021
  7. Zanadu

    Zanadu Bobtail Member

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    Good Luck, please keep us updated with your progress.
     
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  8. W Bench Farms

    W Bench Farms Light Load Member

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    30 miles south of Youngstown, 30 miles north of Steubenville, and 10 miles north/west of East Liverpool.
     
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  9. Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    Congrats! I’d probably pull a van but it’s great your up and running. That’s a huge first step.
     
  10. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    Those are good rates but as an O/O I look more at day rate than dpm. I always want the truck to make a grand a day if possible. It's not always possible. Sometimes I make connections between good loads for less but I can't remember when I last ran a load for less than $900, and that was probably 250-300 miles.

    I will run for a little less if I'm ready to go home.
     
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  11. W Bench Farms

    W Bench Farms Light Load Member

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    I'll probably try to find a good deal on a van once I put some cash in the bank. Probably try it out next winter, or when the rates flip.
     
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