So you want to "own " your own company

Yep - not suprised it could happen out there in the DAC target companies...... Sorry about the driver in that case - we never get out from under these the way the companies do!

 

MeatHead,

Thanks for the info, well needed and glad for filling me in on that info.
They didn't tell me I could purchase days at a time beyond my radius though I didn't ask.

I will ask now.

I was told I was able to go beyond my 500 mile radius only 10% of the year with no extra cost/fees ,I would not have to contact them if I went out of the radius.
They made it point to tell me a mileage log book should be kept for the entire year, I explained to the woman that we all keep mileage log's.I guess she had to say that though.

Thanks,

crusin

 

She means you have to keep a separate log that shows mileage in the 500 mile radius and outside of it? Kinda like a log that would show mileage for the state borders you cross for fuel tax purposes.

 

slabrunner,

Yes,
The agent I spoke to suggested I keep logs, but she had stated it was up to me as to when I would exceed the mileage limit.
I need to call and confirm this info this week.
Everyone who travels intrastate keeps logs for fuel purchased/mileage/ mileage in each state.
Or they are supposed to anyway.

crusin

 

10% makes sense. On 365 days that's 36 days out of radius. Let me say it again though. Make sure you plan your trip so your right on the edge of your radius at the start of the day so you have a full day of driving before you call. The same when you come back in try to plan so it's the end of a day.

They don't want you to keep a separate log book. Just your normal one. I kept a separate piece of paper that listed the days I was out of radius and a running total.

Also try and run between your radius as much as possible. Keep in mind it's 1,000 miles from one side to the other.

I did VERY VERY well with that policy and pretty much went everywhere for the whole year. I think I bought 2 extra weeks.

But Geezus H.....Make sure you keep your nose clean and no violations or tickets. Northland Inusrance picked me right up after a year with liability and cargo for $6,200 and that was that.

I think it's a great deal for anyone wanting to jump right into their own authority with absolutely no experience at all. I hired a private instructor to get my CDL. Bought a truck and trailer. On my last Friday I was sitting behind a desk. On Monday I was loaded with a steel beams headed to Vernal Utah.

 

i've come to the conclusion that you haul flatbed, i was curious how did you learn to secure your loads? is there a class you took, or did you just get the cargo securement book and ride around with it as a guide?

 

Yes, flatbed and yes, I did buy the cargo securement book and read it cover to cover many times. My first load required chains and tarped. What a B I T C H. I used 10 3/8" grade 70 chains on the load. More then twice what was required.

If I hauled something I wasn't sure of and there were other flatbed drivers around I asked for advise. Lets just say not one came over.....THEY ALL CAME OVER!!! Flatbed drivers were always willing to help and I learned so so so much from them every single time. It wasn't too long before I was helping someone else tarp, strap or chain their load while I was waiting.

 

Here's a picture of my first load.

 

nice rig!! i want to do the same thing, i'm just waiting.. i've had the "GreenBook" and the Cargo Securement pamphlet sent to me. it's pretty interesting.. Only second guesses i'm having is about the trailer.. i seem them real cheap on TruckPaper but someone said that it should be load tested to make sure it doesn't go negative, but i wouldn't know how to go about doing that.. Did you have any problems when you bought your trailer.. I would PM ya but i see you dont have 50posts.. i'm not really trying to jack this thread..

 

Are you Steve?