Is it possible to make good money hauling containers (intermodal)?

JJ Kid...I get it. Your comfortable and satisfied with coasting. It's good to know what makes you happy. To each their own I always say.

I'm not like that, I have always hustled. I don't coast, I never get complacent. I have always been the kind of guy who looks to maximize his income for the work I am doing.

Being comfortable is the definition of a "rut". People get in so deep, can't see over the sides of the rut to see what else is going on and sometimes get so deep, they don't know how to get out and it envelopes them.

The container business will always be around...and, until people are willing to walk away from it and demand more for their efforts, it will stay a bottom feeder.

Honestly, I give you credit for putting up with it. I tried it, made me mad, I couldn't change it, so I left it behind. The first clue that business is bad is looking at the type of equipment most containers hauler's operate. I'm not saying this is you, but, I am sure you see them. Held together with duct tape, chewing gum and bailing wire. Tires are bald. Brakes are bad. A DOT wet dream.

As truckers, we are all basically doing the same things, have the same trials and tribulations. Their is some work I'd never do, Ice Road trucking is a good example. My life is far too valuable, you could never pay me enough to run those loads. There are other examples, I won't get into it.

But, if the load was basically the same, in fact, better, and paid more, why wouldn't you want to run it? I don't worry about overweight, improperly loaded boxes, all kinds of chassis issues, or creeping through long lines to get into the railyard, find my box, wait to get it loaded, stand in line again at the checkout gate and then get on the road only to be hassled by DOT.

I'd be pissed at myself if I knew that I was heads down doing something for X and there, right next to me, was someone basically doing the exact same thing, only earning a bigger chunk.

You justify it by say things to yourself like "I am comfortable, I don't need nicer things, etc". Your dreams are only as big as you can imagine them to be.

My dreams give me the motivation I need to achieve more. I hope to never be "comfortable". I keep an edge. That is what keeps me sharp and in-tune.

The dream doesn't have to be putting a BMW or Mercedes in your driveway. All new cars are a waste of money. The moment you drive it off the dealer lot it is worth less than $0.80 on the dollar just paid...and, if you financed it to boot, your going to pay 3-4x what it cost new. I can't imagine ever having enough money to be at the point I'd waste it on new cars.

The last car I bought is a mint 2001 Cadillac Eldorado, I paid $2,500, cash. It was well-cared for with 100K mi. It looks and drives like brand new, I'll put 200K mi on it before I get rid of it.

The dream doesn't have to be a fancy car. It could be helping someone else less fortunate.

But, here is the deal. While you are coasting, you're not looking at the bigger picture.

What happens if suddenly, you can't earn a comfortable income anymore? What if you get hurt, in an accident, sick, medical bills, and you can't work ANY job...where are you at then?

Some things in life are completely out of your control. Just food for thought.

 

@'07 KW w/53' Conestoga i saw that your pulling a van, did you sell off the Conestoga?

 

Hi John, how the heck are you?

I did sell it...far too cheap.

I sold the KW too...bought a day cab semi dump, pretty good $ for local work, consistent daytime hours, good stuff, that is, until the Teamsters changed their contract. Demanded even O/O's participate in their "Health and Welfare" programs. That was going to add $800 a week to my expenses, which I'd have been fine with, had they also seen to it that hourly rates got bumped up too...but of course, those leaches only want to choke the easiest of throats. I asked them when they thought rates might go up enough to balance the scales, they said about 3 or 4 years. I said, "OK, I'll check back in with you in 4 years!"

As for the conestoga, the rates just got to the point, the extra work of securing the loads plus the extra fuel of pulling a parachute down the highway wasn't worth it. I'm getting too old and too fat to do all that jumping up and down off a flatbed. I also wanted to stay more local. I'm running in about a 200 mi radius, and charging good rates. Last week, grossed over $6K running 1,775 mi. Yes, I was up and down 294 a dozen times, but, that was mostly hourly work and I charge extra for tolls.

Traded the daycab for a 1996 Mack CL713 Elite with an E-9 and an 18 spd in it...that was fun, a race truck! Liked to suck down the fuel.

Sold that in Feb.

I bought a 1996 Intl Eagle with a 12.7 Det that was brand-new 100K ago. I got it from the original owner, he spent almost $30K on it at that time, rebuilt trans, new clutch, radiator, turbo, few other minor things. I just stuck a bunch of money into tires, brakes, shocks, steering gear box, painted the frame, detailed it. It came out of OK, so, no rust. Needs synchros in the trans, work on the AC. But, the nice part, no ELD's and zero emission controls!

How are you doing? Still hauling ISO tanks over in the hood? LOL

 

Well thank you for sharing for what you think of rail yards and ports . And yes 1.50 for loaded miles only and if there is a backhual it would be half price nothing for empty it average out to 1.50 you do get a rate of $2 to $3 dollars but might not have a load back actually as he explained go for 600 and back haul if there is one would then be 300 so it average outs to 1.50 and if there is a backhual then your average goes up for that day but not every day and 10 to 12 hours a day home every nigh and that home every night is worth another couple thousands a week . And yes againhe did mention his owner operators are averaeging 3300 to 4000 a week gross.it's about 30 miles from where I live one way so 300 miles bobtail a week so yea you are right have to look for parking there . He also mentioned that not to look what I make every day but but to look a week a month a year's average Wich will be 500 to 800 . Day and yes they have their own driver who make around 1200 a week he said they got 26 trucks and afew owner operators. And that they are some" core " brokerage or some thing which means that they are among just a few companies that the, hub group or jb hunt and amazon and some other local companies do contract with and if they turn it down it then goes to even smaller outfits of 8-10 trucks companies . Also means consistent work even in winter not like other companies where winters get really slow i did hear about some guys who would just have 3 or four load a week of 3 to 400 a day in winter . Not with them he said being a "core" . Hmmmm well there is alot of food for thought here is like what you said being local with own authority and pick your own loads not sure how that works at all have to look into it .where do you go and pick up local loads from load boards or go shopping around the local companies ect but yeah .

 

but are you leased on? or your own authority. bcz if your only out 200 miles from here that means your home daily. with dry van you got me beat anyday than a container.

 

I don't mean to keep beating the same drum, but, I can't see how you make a net profit at $1.50 a mile loaded, $0.75 mi for backhauls and nothing empty?

Fuel is up over $3 a gallon again. By the time you pay for it, insurance, maintenance, plates, and a replacement truck, there isn't a lot left...$0.50 a mile? Maybe $0.60 a mile? Probably not even that much. You could never hire a driver to run your truck and make a profit for yourself. Hence when I say, you earn nothing net for what you are doing. You should at least make enough to buy another truck, pay for your personal insurances (health, disability) and retirement. Otherwise, you are simply wasting time...you could be earning the same as a company driver and GETTING all those benefits.

I'm not suggesting you be a company driver. But, the difference between what you average and what you COULD average outside the rail world is staggering.

I have NO issues with load boards, brokers, etc. I have been at this long enough, I generally have opportunities come to me and I pick and choose what I like. The load board is there for when I need a backhaul, if I even need it.

The point is, you don't HAVE to work for peanuts. The guys who are setting you up with this rail work are simply put, taking advantage of you!

If I could give you one piece of advice it would be this....As long as truckers are willing to put up with CRAP rates, guess what, the rates will be CRAP! The rest of us over hear are holding out for something better. Stop hauling for well below what you should be.

 

I think buried in my prior reply was your answer...I have my own authority.

I am home daily.

I can't speak for everywhere in the country, but, around here (Chicago) container work sucks, in many aspects. It is far too low paid to be worth all the hassles and delays you have to deal with.

And yes, dry van freight beats it...really, ANY other freight does...hauling material seasonally beats it, especially if you have your own authority and ability to do something else in the winter.

 

dude.....thats amazing!!! if i can do drt van home daily. esp own authority thats sweet. but for now im stuck in containers. gets me home and it pays well enough

 

I just started intermodal. I'm doing a pick up in Sacramento and a drop off in Oakland for a small mom and pop company . I was told I would be getting $185 a day (only need to do one load, but if I do more, then more $$). Well Friday was my first day and boy let me tell you those Port checkin speakers are the most rude people I've ever dealt with when trying to help a new guy. Sadly I didn't get good training from the the boss - and wasn't able to get my container. Oh well- I'll try again on Monday

 

Do what you need, set a goal for change, do it and don't look back! What I am doing isn't so much "amazing" as it is simply reality. I don't know exactly why, but containers just don't pay well.

Good luck to you! Let us know what happens moving forward.