The journey begins - purchased a truck.

I like that, and the price is reasonable too.

Looks well taken care of by the pictures.

 

It will have one - runs coolant line from the engine to heat. No temp control, so watch your taps and your privates when showering

Seems this year isn’t the best to launch . . .

Well, you know it’s much less of a gamble when you can go into it cash heavy and low or zero debt.

I look at the load board daily, but boy - it’s been dismal lately. I won’t run legal freight for what I did when I started, ($2.40 on the LS board), but my regular contacts have been hit and miss this last quarter.

Just LOL.

Rate cutting double dealing business owners!

Hey, if it fits the trailer - roll with it.

Good deal, another steak dinner to collect on!

We’re not the brightest bulbs, but if we shed some light then I guess it’s all good.

 

I'll expand on that question, though others have just covered it.

It's been almost 5 years now. 2015 was a low year for rates in trucking. I ran regular freight on the 53' flatbed and a dedicated contract for about 9 months that year. Generated good revenue - $185k odd, but at a sub-par RPM - $1.67 all miles.

The 53' didn't really come into play that year. Side note, the amount of threads I see on flat trailer choice that deter an extra 5' of length amazes me. It's a deviation from standard. When a shipper REQUIRES 53' of space, or you can put 60' on one - whammo, you just popped your head above the herd. 2016 I found freight and developed relationships to better utilize that.

The stretch trailer came from a failed 'promise', but opened up new possibilities. Increased RPM came with that.

Unfortunately, and this is purely personal - I've become spoiled at the rate I've hauled for so far this year. It comes down to @Old Man 's mantra of 'More $, less miles'. As simple as it sounds, it's essentially where most want to be - but the down side is - that you only expect to remain there. A sugar high, basically.

I've looked at the board all week, and nothing was of interest. A recently acquired agent contact called this afternoon and I agreed to the load, but I still think it should pay more.

On the surface - looks good. $2,000 on the LS board on 109 miles. $18.34/mile. So let's break it down.

14' wide. Steel. 42,000 lbs. Actual routed miles 160. After LS's cut, paying an escort $400 for the day, we're left with $1,195 to the truck. That's $7.46/mile TTT.

140 mile dead head to get it, 160 miles loaded, 100 miles home. 400 miles total. $1,195 divided by 400 miles - $2.98/mile all miles, to the truck. Below the average for the year so far.

$1,195 at this years profit/expense split of 65/35% - $776.75 personal income before taxes.

I left tonight for a headstart, but the last one I knocked off in a 14 hour day. So $776.75 into 14 hours is $55.48/hour.

I guess it's OK - a lot of folks in our area probably earn that in 2 weeks at a regular job, but for some reason I still think it should pay more.

But then again, most folks in our area don't get to risk decapitating idiots and losing everything at their day jobs.

Maybe I need a reality check - what do y'all think?

 

Not a rant at all - a very concise explanation of a lot of experience. Thank you sir.

 

Actually - there's a ton of points in there to reflect on.

A poster on another thread PM'ed me with the comment "I made it through the first 2 pages of your thread, but I ain't got the time". I looked to see a 1,033 message count on the thread, and I kinda get it, but - in the internet age where you actually have access to years of experience, but you can't be bothered absorbing 2% of it before jumping in . . .

It always bothered me that folks wouldn't share honest information. I applaud members who offer real figures - no matter at what level. I understand that some don't want to trade that information, but I became quickly tired of snippets and lunch counter stories. Show me and recite to me figures from months/years/averages/growth etc., without ego. We'll all learn. We should all know - like you say - down to the penny, where we're at.

I saw an email today limiting me to a 1,000 mile exemption. The 3 day pass is gone. Previously this week the CAB5 (?) rule that will affect many LS guys residing in CA. I hear you on CA - the fact you've seen it erode at net profit gradually over the years speaks volumes.

On the 'big number' front - I watched a couple of guys run 14' wides from SD to NV. Started with a $14k price tag on LS's board. Through various forms of mis management, one wound up with $1.50 all miles after DH to and from the job, the other not too much better. $8k to the truck for 2 weeks work and a bunch of miles, well - it's revenue, but it's not exactly profitable, depending on one's definition of that.

Kudos to you for having run a successful operation for many years. Sad to hear that you're considering winding down operations - I wonder where the industry will head as a whole in years to come.

The echo of 'finding good hands' is almost deafening these days. I ran a couple of hours with a guy that spreads lime, he was liming my field - same story - looking for a guy he could trust to run a chicken poop spreader, but nervous.

My mechanic let 2 guys go and headed back into the shop after discovering his charge out to hours paid ratio was at 50% -not the 70% it needs to be to remain profitable. That, and the amount of re-work and warranty/wrecker bills to pay (because he's honorable).

If I could clone myself I'd be into all kinds of things.

I should probably focus more on maximizing myself.