What is the cpm you would want for this type of work?

Let's get to the point:

6 days/week, 52 weeks/year, multi-year contract provisions

Local in that trip is 55 miles each way with a smaller 34' (35 cubic yard) end dump trailer that is immediately dumped on site (no idling time), returned to first point to hook up to a freshly filled end dump trailer.

3-5 loads per day, depending on time of year (6 months of 3 loads, 6 months of 5)

The loads may be spread over a work day, but each trip can take about 2 hours?

Loads are below max weight, and deadhead (empty trailer) returns

Loads can be driven at 55-65mph as there is no rush (helps to maximize fuel economy)...with a deadhead return, average might be close to 6mpg??? What do you think?

All that is required for hauling is a conventional day cab as you are home every night anyway, but anything will do.

The total miles average 130-140k/year (ie, 4 loads/day average * 6 days/week * 52 weeks * 110 miles roundtrip = estimated 137,280 miles)...no less than 125k/year

I'd like to hear some replies on what an owner-operator's costs would be and what you guys would want to keep for salary ($0.40???) as part of that equation and how much does experience raise that number?

People are all over with numbers, and of course, short, one-time hauls are high, but for accepting a big, dedicated account that is local, what is acceptable, decent, good?

 

I agree that the "0.40" rule makes no sense as it should probably just be per load. A lot of truckers don't even make 130-140k miles a year, so the cpm calculates to a very different salary. Doing per load simplifies everything. The fact that it is regular work and keeps you busy is of benefit, but an additional truck (or rental in a pinch) and/or driver on stand-by is something you can't live without.

You got it all wrong though. If you get the contract, then you can hire a driver to take the loads if you want vacation. Isn't that common sense?? And whether you pay him per hour, per load to drive your truck, or per mile, or bring his own is irrelevant if you have the contract...as long as you don't lose money while you are on vacation, right?

The dump out is immediate...not sitting/idling. The process takes a few minutes as people may have experienced, but is on level ground and the trailer isn't one of the long, hi-side end dumps that get some people in trouble.

Nobody would put up a number for cpm?? whether $1, $1.50, $2, or $10.00?!? So what about per load? Or per hour?

cpm, per hour and per load can all be calculated on this as all the other variables are constant (location, distance, amount of loads, etc, unlike most over the road jobs) ...if somebody threw out just one of the numbers, per hour or per load, I could calculate cpm or vice versa. Think about it.

I see it as 130,000+ miles a year without worrying about being idled by HOS...and local...and consistently employed. Thought it would be worth a look.

Such harsh criticism without much constructive to say...amazing.

 

For instance, if you get paid $170/load...and there are 4 loads avg/year and 6 days/week and 52 weeks/ year, that's 1248 loads for the year

1248 loads * $170/load = $212,160 for the year

at 1248 loads and 110 miles per load, that's 137,280 miles

cpm = $212,160/137,280mile = 155 cpm ($1.55/mile)

whether you get paid $1.55cpm or $170/load, you are getting the same thing.

So what would be a good price "per load" then now that we have established cpm is no good? And again, what is ok, good and great?

 

Cool...thanks BigCam9670.

$280/load * 1248 loads is $349,440
cpm would be $2.55

Diesel might be just under $100,000 at 137k miles...so $250,000 for other expenses and salary.

For full-time, year-round, would that be too much to ask?

To be honest, that sounds more to be in the "great" category for driving 137k and being local...what about "good" and "ok" categories?

Now that diesel is a 'relative' constant at $100k, what would be good or ok take home for doing that type of work?