So you want to "own " your own company

Your argument might be valid if I was paid by the mile. I get a percentage of the gross, which is usually around $4000+. So, yes it does matter because I don't have to drive as much as you do to make the same amount of money.

 

Thanks for the responses:

As I stated I relatively new in the game is the reason I started out with a Dry Van - as I get more experience I would like to add on with a Flat-bed however that is a ways out at this point. The Dry Van means there is always freight to be hauled however it is a little tough when it comes to the rates. In my opinion the rates for Flatbed and Reefer are higher however so is the insurance and the number of things that can go wrong. Once I was paid $200 to haul 70 pallets approximately 33 miles however the truck should be pulling in $4,000 week so I would need a pile full of those loads as Meathead mentioned. Operating costs are no where near $1.50 per mile. Fuel is approximately .50 per mile plus tacking on the $13.50 per day for insurance and the $46 per day truck payment. Based on revenue I should make it however with one truck the downside is looking at $28,000 per year and the upside should be close to $40,000 per year after paying driver etc....I have created a six page marketing brochure and have one direct client lined up and hopefully plan to get a few more and potentially by-pass the boards as much as possible along with getting higher rates.

Demented - funny you mention JB Hunt as they called the other day about the Power Only program and how you get to take $1.30 per mile or something like that and boy were they proud of that.

 

Start with one. You've gotta crawl before you can walk, and you've gotta walk before you can run!

 

lol, I know. Sadly there are a lot of companies like that out there and they get really offended when you laugh at them. The $1.50 operating cost I mentioned varies depending on your payment, etc. If you look elsewhere on the forums I have my business plan cost details. I was buying a used truck and cheap dry van. My insurance ended up being a lot cheaper than I expected.

 

Meathead,

Good read!
I just bought a refer last Friday.

Figured I could go both ways, refer/van.

My next move is to purchase a flat w/ $ from the refer about in the spring.
It seems $ are higher w/a flat,longer runs paying slightly more.

Thanks for the insight.

crusin

 

I use to haul dry van freight with a reefer.
Mail, fedex, magazines, those sorts of things.

 

Keep in mind also that usually with a flat your hauling something special and people are actually glad to see you!!! lol

With a flat your going to places like ship yards, steel mills, military bases, cranes....arg arg arg!!! sorry, got carried away.

I got a taste of van life twice with my flat hauling onions to a produce market. Both were filthy places, no room and I got treated like a dog.

Most of my runs are long ones 2,000 to 3,200. I definitely found that I can do much better running non stop for a week instead of short high dollar loads. There's no stress on both me and the truck.

Most of my runs are to places with crappy freight rates so they pay pretty good going in. From there I usually go to another crappy place and so on. I live in NH so when I'm ready to go home I always get a good rate since my place also sucks for rates.

 

I'm used to pulling a box. I'd like to look into flats, but the thought of tarping, chaining and all that good stuff doesn't excite this 50 year old. Not to start at this age at least...although Gears is in pretty good shape!
I'll stick with my coldbox. Been thinking of getting a '53 van as that would open plenty more doors as well regarding freight...

 

Hey everybody, i've gotten ton's of help from y'all before and I need it now more than ever. Basically, I am 21, and I was supposed to start driving for the company I was working for this week. Back in Feb they asked if I could fill in yard-jockeying for a few months. I agreed and all was going well. Then I had an accident, not my fault, no ticket issued, nothing on my record, don't really want to discuss the rest. Anyway, they let me go because they said the insurance wouldnt cover me now. Just for some backround, I got my CDL when I was 18 and have over a year and a half of casual driving experience in the state and about a year of heavy wrecker experience. Ive exhausted all my resources looking for another driving job, I don't know what it is economy or me or whatever, no one will hire me and believe me, Iv'e applied everywhere. Now to the point. This may sound dumb to alot of you, and im not trying to be rude but I dont care and I also dont care how many times you tell me not to do it I am going to do it and I might make it I might not, but ill give it my dam@#st shot. I am buying a used truck and a trailer and starting my own llc, im in the middle of my research now and I would just like everyones input on everything I need to get together so I dont forget anything. Im forming my LLC currentley. Get my insurance all lined up. Then im going to apply for my DOT# and MC authority once im done purchasing the truck. Then get all my state permits and plates. File for my IFTA and IRP. If im forgetting something and I think I am let me know. The only other thing im trying to learn is about the load boards, now when you call the number, is that a broker or the shipper, and if its the shipper do i need broker authority. I would like to lease with a company when I buy the truck but I cant seem to find anyone that will take me being 21, and yes dont ask about me buying insurance im already working on it. Thanks in advance for your help and support.

 

If insurance will take you, go for it.

You sound determined, go make some money !!!!!