Flatbed Freight from/To Cali?

In general terms, flatbed freight from the west coast is usually cheap. This is due to supply and demand(more trucks looking for fr8 than loads available). For that same reason, the loads into the west coast usually pay fairly well. Another generalization to keep in mind with freight rates is; The longer the load,the less it pays.

These are general statements and in bo no means are accurate all of the time but I will say that these "rules" will hold true 90 % of the time.

 

Eskimo makes a good point, skateboard freight pays better going in than coming out of Cali. The only possible exception is vegetables/nursery goods. If you can find a load of trees coming out, or bagged onions (don't laugh, throw your straps on and block 'em and you're good to go) those can pay decently, otherwise you could be looking at a long deadhead to get something decent.

 

What about onions sautéed in butter, with a little garlic added to taste.
And while your at it fire up the grill.
I don't know about you guys and gals but were hungry!!!!!
BTW no matter how you cook em trees never taste good!!!!!

 

Hey, stop making me hungry!
But seriously, I remember the first skateboard I ever saw pulling bagged onions, I couldn't believe it. But don't tarp em, the smell will (apparently) never leave the tarps. And if it pays decently, then who cares, a load's a load, esp if it gets your skateboard out of Cali.

 

That isnt necessarily true. When I pulled a drop, I hauled a lot of freight from California (to just about everywhere). For the MOST part they paid pretty well. I have come off the west coast for $3 per mile or more (for multiple LTL loads, where the real money is). I seldom hauled the cheap stuff, I let the other trucks haul it while I waited for better loads. Sometimes that's the trick.

 

I agree completely that you CAN make great money off the coast. You even disclosed how(any niche type hauling will be more financially rewarding), but I was only speaking in generalities as he was asking in regards to TMC. We both know that a company like TMC isn't going to go to the trouble of setting up the types of runs you were talking about. They will more likely just stick with their truckload hauls at a cheaper rate.