Finally got my own truck

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A few pages back someone noted that pulling a reefer might increase revenue per mile, especially if OP likes the Florida run. Anything but dry van will enhance your $/mile.

I apologise for not knowing whether OP has a long term commitment to the dry van he is pulling. If he is able to easily and quickly able to transition to reefer that would be ideal. Going into any kind of open deck would require up front costs for dunnage, chains, binders, straps, tarps, and headache rack. That would be a few thousand dollars and a steep learning curve.

Look to reefer for the near or mid term to maximize revenue. For long term start studying the threads in the flatbed forum.

 

Nothing wrong with $2.02 all miles just starting out with a van I think? I have higher expectations than that myself too but only at $2.12 all miles with a flat. Just started my second year. Last year was $1.74 all miles if I remember correctly. I'm at %17 deadhead this and last was %24. I changed up my whole stragity January first this year. Last year I just did everything I was told buy the guy I'm leased on to. I am headed for 99k miles this year total. Last year was 95k miles total but didn't start till middle of February. Also my dad died and took a few weeks for that and 2 more for a trans repair.

You keep up the good work and evaluating your choices and it will start becoming clear soon when you are making constantly better choices.

I think he will be one of the good ones!!!

 

I had a vibration for 2 yrs and 7 yes 7 3axle alignments. Went to MD alignment no more vibrations cost me 235.00 in Huber Heights Ohio. If you got a vibration get it fixed quickly once you damage the case it never comes out. It only take 3000mi to damage a steer depending how bad the alignment is off

 

Everybody likes to blame the Megas but it not just them. So many people doing it. It's absurd to tell you the truth. I see it all the time with deliveries being made to our facility. Sometimes I wonder how the trucks passed d.o.t. It would be so easy to stop. If everybody held out and stopped moving it for cheap. The freight has to get where it's going. Eventually somebody would give in. And I don't even think it is a matter of shippers holding out for rates that low. It's just people doing it for that low.

If have a load going to a customer and if will not fit on one of our trucks, I have a few outside contacts to call. The product is going on one of their trucks regardless, it has to get to the customer.

I'm hiring a driver that ran on his on last year. Pulling containers for a $1.00 a mile from what I gathered. He went bust and almost bankrupt. You are barely covering maintenance and truck replacement at that rate. Much less a wage.

Drivers: please stop pulling cheap freight. Like that has never been said before.

Hang in there BoyWander. From the years of research and reading and experience I have gathered, you didn't take the easiest way to get started, but sounds like you are making it work!! Good luck and I'm not to far behind you from getting started. Maybe we will cross paths.

 

Yes you are right he is in over his head will be a slave to that truck for five years plus the repair bills will be coming like brake, tires and other break downs will add to cost. Might be better to lease on to a company and pull there trailer and use there insurance and lower your cost to get some home life you will burn out from working like you are.

 

At least it is Volvo 780. Almost a camper. Designed to stay out for months at the time. I would not mind if I were single and in my twenties. What's better staying home and shovel #### on a farm somewhere?