Can an O/O stay local and still make money?

Everyone's circumstances are different. You are limited by the $1.60 per mile. West Coast rates are different than elsewhere. Some see the speed limits on the West Coast as a limiting factor. I'm not sure what freedoms you have in load selection. Curtain vans limit what kind of freight you can haul, for example higher paying OD freight. It all matters.

I work pretty much off the load boards. If you can develop your own freight, earning potential will be better. I do develop relationship with the brokers I deal with. I get them to call me with the good loads, many times before they hit any of the boards.

I own my tractor and trailer. So, more of the pay goes to me.

I know the freight lanes in my area. Maybe I see a rate that is high, it will probably be to an area that is hard to get out of or the rate is really low.

I try to save as much on expenses as possible. I drive slowly. I shop for the best fuel, usually not at the major truck stops.

I call shippers and receivers to get their hours. I'm respectful, in many cases I load earlier or later than their regular hours, same for the receiver.

 

If I buy my own trailer I'll be @ $1.80 for all miles.

I get a nice fuel discount from my Fleet 1 card, a super discount when I fuel at the yard, national account pricing on Michelin tires, a company discount on parts & repairs if I shop at a store where they have an account. If I get my repairs done at the co. shop I get a killer labor rate and good parts prices. I don't have to look for loads, call customers, worry about billing & collecting or deal with anyone other than my dispatcher. All I have to do is drive and take care of my truck, which I can focus my full attention on because I'm getting all the other stuff covered for me. I believe these are all advantages you don't have running under your own authority.

But you're making all this money running off the load boards. In Texas. Getting good rates to areas that are hard to get out of.

Can you quote some actual numbers for rates & miles that you are actually running for? Can you you give me some actual, meaningful advice? We have a lane to Laredo. Can you find me one of these super dollar loads out next time I'm back there?

 

Truckin around the world

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zcBE8HEAyi4

 

Back when I was still "bedbuggin" I met a young man on the pike,and we chatted while we were fueling,and he had a day cab,he told me what he was making in that darn day cab and home every night, I'm perty sure he was pulling a van.. I'm just curious by nature,so I think I asked him where he was headed in that day cab bc it had a lot of O/O "traits" on that truck...lol ok ok I'm nosey. He said he hustled but never was away from home and off on weekends. So I would think a place like Jersey would be all sorts of opportunities. I'd say get your ducks in a row,and go for it.

 

I have fuel cards through the Landstar and Mercer that give me fuel discounts. I can get cheap tires through Landstar, I belong to the Michelin Advantage Program and Love's has some pretty good deals on tires.

Dealing with people isn't a big deal. Yeah, it does take some time, that is minimal. Where I get hurt is looking for loads while I am running down the road. That is difficult. Many times I won't have a load waiting when I deliver the current load.

I see it as an advantage, searching for and booking my own loads. Your method is consistent, in mine, I can take advantage of the highest paying loads. I am not limited to $1.60 loads. In fact, I rarely book loads that aren't over $2.00, I am usually, in the $3.00 to $4.00 range.

There are advantages to being a company driver, a lease driver, a lease driver with your own equipment and having your own authority. I wouldn't knock any of them. I have done all four and I have done well. I am doing the best with my own authority. Leased with my own equipment wasn't far behind.

The point there, is that if you have a good rate into an area, expect a bad rate out of it. I have seen loads paying $17,000.00 our of Laredo to Alaska. I go to Alaska. I do most of my miles in Texas. Probably 95%

Laredo isn't the best place to get loads out of. It is better than Midland/Odessa, Amarillo or El Paso. Laredo isn't too far from San Antonio, though. The best, posted, rates right now are about $2.25, there are quite a few at that rate. Everyone of them gets me through the house.

I have one regular run from Austin to Beeville that pays me $4.00 per mile, it is only 150 miles, out of my hometown. I can load early and deliver by 1200. This gives me a good chance of loading and unloading again or taking a load in the $1,000 to 1,400 range to deliver first thing the next morning. Even if I have to bounce back home, it is $2.00 mile.

There is nothing really special that I am doing. I look for loads that interest me. That are easy. That pay the most. That go to were I have a good chance of find a good paying load out of. Luck plays a part. When I'm stopped, I am searching on the boards for loads.

I have a 53' trailer, ramps, tarps and I will take OD loads.

 

THAT is why trucking is a DEAD END life... Guys willing to GROSS 40K. Thats 25 or 30 after taxes, health insurance.... 30K a year net is less than my father brought home in 1972 with a $250 a month house payment and his Corvette was $175 a month.

He was a truck driver, home every weekend. Owned a big boat, nice vacation home, and several nice cars. Anyone remember when truck drivers could do that?

 

YES I remember those days , but remember the BUYING power of todays $ is a lot different than 1972 and its nothing to do with trucking.

Supposedly what cost $1.00 in 1972 would cost $5.41 in 2012.
Also, if you were to buy exactly the same products in 2012 and 1972,
they would cost you $1.00 and $0.18 respectively

 

Just because he implied that he only needs to gross $40k/year does not mean he is planning to run for nothing to do it. He meant he isnt going to kill himself out there trying to get rich and enjoy a bit more home life. Cant blame a guy for that.

 

and If you jack rates way up to haul something to make the same profit margins to maintain the lifestyle you had back then then you pay more at the store and lose in the long run. Its ###### if you and ###### if you don't. not saying I haul cheap freight cuz I wont move for under 2 a mile including deadhead and I am power only.

 

1. How do you get fuel cards through Landstar & Mercer when you get your loads off the loadboards?

2. How do you make all this money off the loadboards if the best posted rate right now is $2.25?

3. How do you find loads that are easy that pay the most?

4. How do you go to Alaska and stay in Texas for 95% of your miles?

5. Can you post some actual numbers for how many miles you have run in a given period and the revenue earned in same? Do you even know those numbers?

6. Can you provide some meaningful, direct answers to my questions or do you just want keep using that snow shovel to throw more male bovine excrement?