Truck Load Rates Halt 8 Week Slide 2.0

Market is now following the same seasonal pattern as usual. Michigan has became bad, I don't get rates anywhere close to what you have posted.
By noon the load board pretty much dries out. This happens every year though, so I am not stressing out, but it's weird to hear again brokers not wanting to negotiate, some becoming rude and all that stuff.
South is starting to boom already, so I think in a 2-3 weeks things will become hot again.

Speaking of new trucks. Here are all the tools I used to change my N14 turbo on Friday lol. Did it at a TA parking lot in just few hours.

Here is what I would have done if I had to do it all over.
Buy a few years old 780 with a manual transmission and a blown ISX. Put a factory drop in reman N14 or Detroit 12.7 in there and go on the road.
Will be a nice reliable truck for half the cost of a new one.

 

That's funny. All I do is JB Hunt, XPO, Schneider, Coyote, UBER, Convoy, CH Robinson, all luck depending.
I can't remember when was the last time I called on a DAT load and took something from other guys. I book ahead of time, sometimes more than a week. Some of these brokers will post a really well paying load a week or more ahead of time, then it may happen that you secured a nice rate for something that pays way less at the time of the pick up day. These big guys rarely cancel, even if they see that rates are dropping. Sometimes, I need to get out west of Chicago area for many miles to find something worthy. If it is rather far, like this load from MN to Boston area, I try to find something so that I don't have to deadhead there.

My turbo would cost me more than 2 times as yours.
These older trucks are all right, If you have a buddy ( a real friend not to f. you) with a shop. It may be the most cost effective way to go about it. I, however, don't have such a well established trust and faith in those local shops here. I still had rather do all my minor and major fixes there but I can't bring myself to entrust them with 30G for an engine swap or a major overhaul.

 

Might as well order a new Kenworth Joe. Longer you wait the more you put into the old tired ride.

 

Most likely, by the time it is delivered, I'll be running for 1.5 a mile again and thus having a change of heart about the idea. Perhaps, 1.5 for a time being would do some good to cool off the euphoria. It is so crazy with parts and equipment that I would not be even surprised, if someone desperate would want to buy my 4 year old van for more than 25Gs now, which BTW, I would not sell for any less than 50G at this time, because what would I become without it?
But for more than 50Gs, I'd consider.

 

Hell don’t worry about rates my friend. Is what it is. You’ve stacked up enough to throw down 50k I’d think plus sell the old ride. IMO your doing it right. Work double time while rates are good. I don’t see things cooling off much this year.

Maybe go into a new KW for 75k? Can’t beat that. If you need a trailer just holler. I know we don’t know each other but I consider you a friend.

 

I wonder if many brokers truly realize how many drivers like the apps.
My favorite is the Coyote one, fast reliable, does not crash, accurate mies, bidding available.

Apps are much easier though. It does get tiring calling on loads only to find out that pickup appointment is at 11pm, weight is 45k vs 40k posted, the receiver is a DC with horrible wait times e. t. c. Apps eliminate all of that wasted time and frustration.

Last week I went to SC and back, 1700 miles for $4300. Two smaller brokers that don't have an app.

My other truck did :
MI-PA 500 miles $1900 app, but negotiating over a messenger
PA-GA 750 miles $1650 same broker
GA-KY 435 miles $1400 DAT, no app available
KY-TN 350 miles $1400 DAT, no app available
GA-MI 750 miles $2500 DAT, no app available.
With deadhead it was 3k miles

So yeah, while apps are certainly nice to use and I constantly check them, the DAT for me is still the winner, because of the larger broker pool

 

I think eventually it will all be done on apps for those who work a lot on the spot market. As much as we whine about Uber and Convoy, they are steadily growing in market share and I think they'll be setting trends within 5 years on how the rest of the market operates. Brokerages without app access with simply dry up and die.

I still use primarily Convoy for my spot market loads here on the west coast. It's convenient, and they pay fast after delivery. The rates aren't always the best, but I can generally bid up asking prices and get what I want. I just bid an hour ago on a load from Portland OR to Denver. The posted rate was $3.75 per mile and I bid it up to $4.90 and got it within 15 minutes. Some routes just work that way, others not so much.

 

Generally yes, but there are still lots of brokerages who prefer doing business with the carriers they know and you never see their loads on a board unless they are desperate for a truck.
They keep their business quiet, take care of their small town customers and pay fair rate to their carriers.
Not every shipper wants to load some random trucks from a load board.

 

I’m sure it’s temporary but I did notice some softening up in your neck of the woods today Dune.

 

Glad everyone is making money!