flatbed vs. dry van

What is a stretch? Is that an extra long trailer? So, $5.00 isn't necessarily a good rate on that one, then.

 

Hey Scotty,

I always like to hear other people's insight. I like that phrase, "semi" - retired. Your tax man probably had a good perception for the obvious, as well as a lot of well earned business sense. Trucking is pretty regulated and high on capital costs, for sure. On the other hand, any business worth getting into has issues, whether its artificial barriers to entry created by the major players, the market or specialized education and the need for loads of cash. I've mostly stuck to my industry of 30 years. I've stayed very small, at that, as a business owner. That's allowed me to make a nice living and work only as much as I want to for the past 10 years or so. At 55, I have one thing that the more youthful don't have and that's business experience and life expeience, like yourself.

The way I see things through my spectacles, barriers to entry make success possible for those of us who plan and learn and strategize before jumping in head first. I'd rather ask stupid questions now, with the possiblity of getting an answer I don't like and sorting out the naysayers from the bright contributors who have good advice and cautionary tales.

Are you driving under your own authority, Scotty? I'd be interested in hearing more about your experiences, thus far, as a confessed new OO. Are you booking your own loads or being dispatched by a back office? What kind of truck did you get and what are ya hauling? What are your thoughts on the choices you made as you entered the industry, hauling freight?

For What its worth, I find some useful information watching some of the truckers on YouTube. I follow a small handful that apparently have good sense and knowledge. For instance, I learned about DAT loadboards and how to place a truck for best loads, by following MakeCents, a small 1 truck oo who got his own authority after driving for several years. If there's one thing I have a lot of, its time to watch this stuff. Much of it is just entertainment, as with most Youtube videos, but there is also good insight to be gleaned from paying attention. Some of it that I find valuable is as simple as just learning what the choices are to consider. Sometimes, I find that if you know the right questions to ask, you're ahead of those who don't know enough to even inquire, if you know what I mean.

Let me know where your 10-20 is (sounding like an old hand, lol). You can PM me if you don't want ot post out loud. However, sometimes people listen in and can offer some good pointers.

 

Ruthless,

You paint a bleak picture. So, are you saying that you can't be successful working the load board freight? That's what it sounds like. I've only been a subscriber for a few days, but there seems to be plenty of freight, and profitable rates offered in the lanes that have lots of loads going out, relative to incoming loads.

There is pessimism, then there is substantiated poor outlook. Everyone has to sort the two out for themselves. Personally, I would rather hear the negative truth, and reassess the situation, than hearing some over indulgent glory stories and take a plunge folllowing those falsehoods as guidance.

Are you suggesting that the loads shown on the load boards aren't really available? That would definitely be cause for thinking there's not the business there appears to be. Nothing worth doing is easy!

I will be mad if I spend $45k on equipment of my hard earned cash and can't make it worth while. However, I will just stomp my feet and move on. The vast majority, not so much. That could wipe them out. Still, throwing good money after bad hasn't been my business history. So, please enlighten me with how you really feel, no disrespect intended.

 

I'll take that as good advise. I wouldn't even buy one of those heavy duty step trailers for heavy haul. I guess they are probably really expensive, but I have no intention of doing anything other than general flat bed in the beginning. I was just curious about how one gets that extra long load done. now I know, thanks to your answer.... a telescoping frame!

 

Would you recommend starting out with a standard flat bed, one with a movable axle or something a bit more to it, to start with. Bear in mind, that I will be working of the load boards until I get some contracts to bridge the gap and build a reputation with my local base for shipping. Is there a particularly in demand area that I should look at, that I might otherwise not be exposed to?