Truck Load Rates Halt 8 Week Slide 2.0

On driver retention….I don’t see any reason at all as to why the large carriers are still operating on a long haul OTR business model and having people live in their trucks. With the software available these days and the real time tracking info they could go back to a relay system like many carriers did before deregulation. They have enough trucks and people all over the country that they could probably figure out how to run everyone within a 500 mile radius of their house if they wanted to.

@Midwest Trucker Ill send you a PM.

 

And I just pay myself $800 a week into my personal account because I don’t need much to live. I file as a sole prop so I’m not up to anything sneaky when it comes to Uncle Sam, I just keep truck money separate.

I’ve been running pretty steady. I’m off this week then I’m going to hit it hard again because I plan on taking most of June off.

 

Is most of the work you do brokered work? Are you the negotiator or the carrier you’re leased to?
(Maybe I’m confusing you with someone else/ I had thought that leased to a carrier was your situation? That carrier with those large midwest van rides. Not trying to be all in your business, sometimes I get muddled with who’s who and what they are doing?)




I don’t mostly do brokered work/ or even a large percentage. Always interests me to see what other people are doing and how they are doing it.

 

Outbound is a lot of direct stuff. Inbound is a mix it just depends on where it comes out of. And technically some of that is broker loads but we’re kind of first in line if that makes sense. Usually when we leave out they have an idea of what we’re doing to come back. Like if I empty in Portland I’m fairly certain where I’ll be loading in Tacoma. And when I’m in Phoenix there’s a handful of things I could be doing. As far as negotiating, nothing is forced on us. If I don’t like the rate and they can’t get more then I’ll wait it out.

 

Big storm hammering the Oregon coast right now turning to heavy snow in the higher elevations. They're expecting a couple feet of snow in the Rockies from Utah across the plains this week as the storm moves east. Drive carefully out there guys.

 

Snowing right now in South East Idaho..... and sticking. Ugggh.

 

Got bored and thought some may find this interesting. I burned 4519 gallons of fuel last quarter. My old truck would’ve burned 6079 gallons based on my old averages. That’s about a $6700 savings, or nearly 21 cents per mile.

 

I would say it was well worth the investment. I will be keeping close track on my fuel in the new truck once I start and figure to see some very similar figures.

 

4/11/2022 - the week before the Easter holidays to be remembered.

I could not find anything worth booking today, nor do I see anything better for tomorrow.

I have not seen so poor rates in 2 years. I am not a malcontent by nature but it is hardly a good time anymore. Some lanes pay half what they did 5-6 weeks ago.
Let's wait until after Easter, with the official "rates went down to toilet" statement because the early Spring days are slow but the Covid related shortages freight is gone.
The streak of 20 good months has been interrupted. If it is for longer then I am really glad I was able to utilize the good time but I could have done better.
How much is lumber these days? Maybe it is a good time to build a gazebo.

 

You'll never convince the old iron guys of this but I've heard the same from a lot of folks. The fuel savings from a new truck will almost pay the note on it, as you have shown. If you take out maintenance for the first 2-3 years while most everything is covered under warranty and get that new truck mileage as well you really do pay the note in savings.

Do you track your fuel at cpm? My truck gets about 7.5 running light like I like to. I was upper .40s (cpm) for a long time but since fuel went through the roof I'm at like .54 cpm.

I never looked at any of this until someone told me about the Fuel Gauges app. No, not a KR fan, I just like that app. My def is holding steady at .02 cpm since I know of a place where it's still $2.79/gal.