Dry bulk O/O

Yes those stacks will be a problem. Maybe take them off and get a short pair, I'm sure you don't want to cut those nice tall ones ! I'm like just under 12' on the stacks and our trailers are all 12' 6'' or under.

 

Here's a question for you Bulk/pneumatic boys. Most of my experience is in Reefer and LTL, along with airfreight. I just don't know about anything about the Bulk side of the house as far as an O/O. So what I'm looking for is I guess some general advice to the questions below. I'm wanting to switch to something different because the market for van & reefer are saturated pretty much. I'M POSING THIS QUESTION, NOT FROM A NEWBIE STANDPOINT...Just new to Bulk.

Questions: 1) Companies in the US; preferably Tx area(seeing how thats where I'll be based)
2) What trks make better equipment choices for this type of freight? ( I was thinking 379 or flat-top 379)
3) What are considered to be "normal" pay types? percentage or mileage?
4) Do I need a blower? more revenue gained or lossed?
5) Could $5K gross a week be "reachable" meaning in 5-6 days?
6) Be home on the weekends or every-other W/E? Regional basically?
7) Your own trlr or theirs?
8) Types of freight....ie, Lime, fly-ash, sand, pellets, concrete?

Thank-you guys in advance; also if you think of something I did'nt then throw it @ me..All info is appreciated..

 

I'll try,
#1 Can't help you I'm in the northeast

#2 You should be 12' 6'' or less on height , flat tops are fine. Tare weight is a factor to. If you have a large car you can run around with low fuel in tanks.


#3 %, mainly lots of shorter hauls


#4 Not to start but your own pto does help in the long run. They will send you to customers that have blowers on site but if you stick around long enough most companies want one on the truck.


#5 No not the way things are now

#6 I'm home everynight, you might find a job where you stay out every other night or something like that.
But it's mostly short hauls.

#7 Their trailer mostly, so many different products some can't be loaded over others . So to start this will help you .

Hope this helps!

 

@Cat SDP - Thank-you for the reply sir. In terms of Revenue; what would you say is a normal starting %? If you cant make around $5K a week what is/should be expected, in terms of gross rev? I know with Refrigerated LTL you can, however it takes all week or so to do it.

I'm looking at Bulk or Flat(step) to make a change too. I'm trying to weigh between maximizing Rev. and home weekly or every-other. I hear pulling a step deck with Glass pay's quite well; although I dont know.
When you say shorter runs, you mean like a range of 250-450 miles?

Anyone else like to add to it, guys?

 

You could check out a&r transport. I believe they run o/os out of Houston tx. You will need a blower with them. Not sure about revenue but all the o/os I've seen have super nice trucks. Lots of large cars there. I drove for Bulkmatic and most plastic loads were around 45k in weight so I'm guessing there loads weight about the same. Hope this helps a little

 

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@ Chrome1216 - I looked @ A&R out of Houston; here's what their page said. Revenue was @ $1.30/mile loaded and $.65 empty, and the fuel said you were paying for it @ $1.15 - $1.30. The part that sounds strange too me is the dead-head part @ $.65/mile? (Hmmm) Just some simple logic here; but it still cost's the same to run it loaded as empty!

When you look at CRST Malone for their flat-bed their @ $2.00/mile all in rate. Kinda wonder which one is better. Yes; I know its different Industries. So; one simple question; is $1.30 for Bulk a good rate? I don't think so.. It said they pull pellets; which I hear is real work clean I guess?
I'm still looking around guys so please keep the info coming. Thank-You!

 

Check out Bruce Oakley out of Little Rock, don't know what their rates are, but they pull pneumatics, dumps and I believe hoppers. I'm sure they are hiring out of Tx. Maybe something to look at.