Flatbed OO ???

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Calregon, Dec 29, 2017.

  1. Calregon

    Calregon Light Load Member

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    I am just trying to pencil out if I can run my own flatbed. As an OO on the west coast what is the min cpm you would take when leasing on? What are the fixed costs of running a OO flatbed (west coast). What do you think of a well maintained 2012 KW. I have the chance to buy the truck I have been driving. Super clean well maintained solid truck. Vs. Buying/Leasing a new truck with a warranty ??
    Thanks for any help and advice.
     
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  3. Aradrox

    Aradrox Heavy Load Member

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    If your familiar with the truck your driving and it hasn't had any major issues is at a good price and has good results from an oil analysis and Dyno I would go for that.... Others may disagree
     
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Do you drive for Leavitt's?
     
  5. Hurst

    Hurst Registered Member

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    West coast,.. east coast,.. mid west,.. trucking is trucking.

    Figure out your fixed costs. Then decide what your time is worth. Combine the two and then figure out how much you need to clear each week/month in order to survive.

    I prefer percentage. It makes figuring things out easier.

    As for rates,.. I base my rates on time. Time = money. My equipment is paid for. I want to gross at least $1000+ a day. The loads I book reflect that rate. Your mileage may vary.

    Dont short change yourself. Do some research,.. disregard most truckstop counter talk with a grain of salt. No one is going to tell you they are struggling. Before you buy anything,.. you must first know where and how your money will be coming in. Do not put the horse before the cart.

    Hurst
     
  6. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    Well said, as usual from you! I agree on setting a target based on time, too many variables to worry about miles.

    That said, there are also so many different ways of operating that one west coast flatbedder may have vastly different costs than another. I am in the car haul world and my cost per mile is much higher than some of my friends, but I run less than 1,500 miles a week most weeks while they turn 3k or more.

    As for minimum per mile rate to lease on, that also varies dependent on how much you want to pay yourself as the driver, and yes you have to pay yourself first or it won't work. No job will last if you go broke at home! Some other variables that would affect a minimum sign-on rate would be what operating costs are included by the carrier, i.e. base plates, fuel program, trailer rental included, etc.

    My advice to the OP is the same as yours, figure out YOUR costs, not someone elses, and find out what the carrier(s) you are considering leasing on with include in their program.
     
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  7. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    Does it make sense to you, Mr @Calregon? A grand a day. There's a load going 200 miles paying $600. $3/mile! Sounds good, right? To the idiots in the business, absolutely, since they've all been taught that $2/mile is the minimum. But, what are the odds that load will tie you up for the entire day?

    "Hey! We still made $600!"

    You GROSSED $600. And tied up the entire day. Yeah, mileage you're looking at a 3 hour drive. But what happened to the rest of the day? Unproductive. You know how you always hear drivers bellyaching about working for free? That wasn't 3 hours, that's a day gone. And it's even worse if you have to bounce back 200 miles to the starting point.

    "So Six, you guys are saying that 200 mile load should pay a grand?"

    Minimum. +250/tarp if they want a rag on it. +OSOW rates if it's a permitted load. And depends on the location where it's going. We may have to bounce back.

    "So, how would I figure out my rates from the west coast, Six?"

    Short runs, a day rate minimum. Coming to the east, day to load and then total mileage divided by something you can do on your deathbed...say 600 miles a day for example. Then multiply the number of days by $1000.

    If you're planning to go wherever the money leads you, you need minimum 500 hp, 3:55 rears and a 13 speed. MINIMUM. Under performing trucks cost you more money when you're loaded down in the hill country. Do not buy an old mega fleet truck that's full of cattleprods and idiot lights. You want the full gauge package. Transmission and axle temps, pyrometer, boost gauge. You want to know before it blows.

    Load boards? Not at this stage of your career. Too easy to starve to death. Lease on to a carrier that has its own contracts in your area. That way, you're not fooling with brokers all the time.

    Luck in battle.
     
  8. 2CAN

    2CAN Medium Load Member

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    Way too many people don't get the message about short loads and day rates.
     
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  9. Zeviander

    Zeviander Road Train Member

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    If that 2012 has a Paccar MX-13 in it, run far away, very quickly.
     
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  10. REO6205

    REO6205 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    If you're leasing to a company that runs their own company trucks take a real good look at the deal. Very often an OO that's running with company trucks gets the left over lowrate garbage. Talk to some of the OOs that are already there. See how they're doing.
    And, like the other guys have said, know what your costs are going in.
     
  11. nightgunner

    nightgunner Road Train Member

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    I just don't get the race to the bottom...
     
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