Should I buy a New truck and flatbed??

It’ll cost you about $250k to get fully operational. Think that 250k is the hard part? Ah hell nah. Hiring the team is the hard part. Your 250k investment will sit idle and you’ll still be farming things out.

I would say Lexington to Seattle would be around $6500 to the truck. So, the broker is probably making anywhere from $1000 to $500 per load depending on conditions and lead times.

Coming back to the Midwest your looking at around $5000 to the truck and maybe $5500 or so if you use a broker.

So, the trucking company is going to expect $11,500 per round trip. My guess is you couldn’t do it on your own for less then $10,000

 

So this is your own product? Because that is vastly different then a large majority of what people on here do
if it is, it’s about the one situation I would recommend you do a full maintainer lease instead of buying, that way your not “in” trucking, it’s just a necessary evil to get your stuff moved

 

yes, it is feasible.

no, it would not.

here is a suggestion, contact large carriers with a rfq and see what they come up with.

Honestly $7500 isn’t bad, just took a quick look at a run I had a couple trucks do so picking up in Corbin Kentucky and delivering to anchorage, a little over 4300 miles logged. These were $10,000 loads for the trucks and that’s with a $7500 return all were step deck loads without tarps.

 

2.03/mile round trip, 2 border crossings?

Seems low without some significant other factors going into play but i guess if its reliable that might help?

 

Well it was low for a reason, the driver who worked the company on the load also arranged for five other loads from the same company, two hh loads that paid very well, one month of contracted work between Buffalo and Cleveland and two other loads out west.

 

Heh, exactly, there we go, didnt THINK you were into 2$ freight for the long term

 

Have You considered Leasing a Truck and Trailer, for the needed runs? Leasing a Truck and buying only a Trailer? Keeping the Employees busy in between Loads. This might be an option, if anything to compare the costs, against current costs. That seems more accurate in comparing costs. Leasing takes away the big upfront investment, keeps debt/assets off the books, and also takes the cost of major repairs,(unknowns) out of the equation. Along with being able to get out unscathed. Interrupting your focus on your current Business to start and run a Trucking company, just to maybe save money, seems unreasonable. The upfront investment, along with possible costs and Liability is very high. You’re break even point may take years to hit. Given the cost of equipment these days, it’s always going to cost a lot of money. On the other hand, if you’re interested in diversifying, and running a separate Trucking Company, that also serves your needs. Maybe that’s something you can do. Might just be a big need for your services. I suggest you look into all the regulations, there’s quite a bit to keep up with, as far as record keeping and deadlines to file things. Upfront costs and Liabilities are the main reasons most don’t bother doing their Own Trucking. A separate Trucking Company may also help limit Liability. Definitely don’t want your Main Business exposed to risk. My small opinion is it’s just not worth it, though I have seen a few Companies that run Trucks, delivering their Own product, mainly to cut down on the cost of their raw material. Taking delivery’s to Specific Locations, and back hauling the raw materials. Only doing it for a small amount of the Loads they ship, having just a few Drivers. The rest is Brokered out, mainly because Competition makes it less expensive. You know your Operation, just some thoughts. Anything’s possible, but it also needs to be practical. I only run 1 Truck myself, by no means an expert.

 

Or like Amazon own trailers and use power only guys? Might have been said I didn't catch up yet...