How many out there run under own authority?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Scuba Steve, Dec 18, 2009.

  1. Scuba Steve

    Scuba Steve Light Load Member

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    Im really curious as to how many people actually run under their own authority arent leased to any company, and get all their loads on their own via load boards. Any tips to a person looking to go this route?:biggrin_255:
     
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  3. bullhaulerswife

    bullhaulerswife Forum Leader/Admin Staff Member Administrator

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    Steve, we have our own authority, but we don't get our own loads. We have a broker. I know, I know, brokers bad, blah blah blah. This guy has been pretty good to us, and we just aren't ready to negotiate our own loads yet, we are close, but just not there. Its all a learning process.

    Our plan is still as it was when we started:

    Pay off the truck, buy a trailer to eliminate that portion of the brokers cut, and eventually start booking our own loads, on the side of him, for starters. There is one guy already doing what we are planning, that is also with this broker. If they can't find him a load, he finds his own, and since its his trailer, they can't do anything about it. I think the key is to build a network of contacts outside the broker, and figure out rates that you can haul and make a profit. That way if a broker gives you a low ball load, you can refuse it ( we still refuse some of them ) and find your own, better paying load. Seems to be working for the other guy, but he told us it took him 15 years to get there. But he also bought newer trucks 4 times over those 15 years, and then bought the trailer. His equipment is completely paid for.
     
    Tommo2 Thanks this.
  4. Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    My own Authority. I get my loads from a few brokers or Internet Truckstop loadboard. So far things have been just fine. As a matter of fact, my broker loads have been paying better than loadboard loads.
     
  5. Scuba Steve

    Scuba Steve Light Load Member

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    Thanks for the replies so far all, gears I was actually trying to message you the other day because you seem like the one that gets most of their loads from the boards and is completly on thier own, which I love because I used to own a paving company so Im looking to skip a lot of steps and run just as you are which is getting loads off the boards and eventually working with a broker or a contract through the shipper. So everything goin good for you means im happy!!:biggrin_25514:
     
  6. Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    Thanks Steve... so far, no major breakdowns or issues. I would like to find another broker or two to hopefully fill in some voids in some of the areas I like to run. Load boards don't always have loads or good loads going to some areas.
    Keep doing your research and planning. Put together your business plan. Plan the work and work the plan!
    Keep us posted.... I think you need like 50 posts before you can send PM's here.
     
  7. XiZBiT

    XiZBiT Light Load Member

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    In proces of obtaining mine as we speak...
     
  8. miconn

    miconn Light Load Member

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    Keep in mind, you're gonna hear a whole lot of opinions here about brokers vs getting your own customers. With all due respect to those are have their own customers, it is dang near impossible to do this unless you are willing to accept the risk and the expense of carrying them for 30,60,90, or 120 days. Thats a pretty expensive risk to take for an individual.
    Have you considered looking into working as a carrier partner? There are several carriers that are taking owner ops with own authority and insurance to pull their trailers (for dropping and hooking) and their freight base. The one I work with pays percentage and advances 50% after loading, rest Quick Pay 48 hours after receipt of BOL and invoice. You are not leased, don't have to deal with anything but delivering the load, no commitment.
    I see you are in Detroit, well this company had me bouncing around PA, OH, IN, MI,IL, and KY quite a bit.
    Another little secret....more miles is not more money, usually shorter miles equates to more money per mile (why I like %)
    Any questions about specifics, feel free to pm me.....
     
    RickG Thanks this.
  9. YETI1

    YETI1 Light Load Member

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    yep! small co 2 trucks 3.5 trailers.....:biggrin_2556: some shippers, some brokers... use ITS & DAT now is not the time. we started when things were good, I would hate to start up now from scratch..... me thinks it would equal suicide:biggrin_2556:
     
  10. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Nobody mentioned the type of trailer but I'd say stepdeck would be a good choice . There is too much cutthroat competition with vans . Auto transport seems to be getting better but you will need $1 million liability . I know some hotshotters that turned to auto hauling to survive . These were experienced carriers that had good base customers that ship far less than they did a year or two ago .
     
  11. MeatHead

    MeatHead Medium Load Member

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    As far as I know, everyone needs $1 million liability. I think you meant cargo?
     
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