What should i ask for these loads

I will say this again. Know your cost of operation. How can you know what to charge if you don't know what your trucks cost? Learn what your bottom rate per mile is and don't go below that. Learn how to negotiate. Brokers generally have enough money in the load to haggle a little. Stick to your guns, if the load doesn't pay what you think it should, simply say "No thanks" and move on.

 

$4 a mile flat rate.......

 

The one's who need a load moved badly....... and you never stated these were broker loads. I figured you were dealing with a shipper directly.

The problem is most guys will scramble for a load in an area and take them for $1.25-$2.25. they feel they have to be "turning to be earning" but if you wait, the $4 load will come about. I can count numerous times that I sat in a freight area for 3 days waiting for a good load, and it came, while I sat there, i spoke with numerous guys who were in and out in a day. That $2 mile load you got took you 1500 miles to make the same amout I just did going 750.

That being said, i was going by the fact that you are running under your own authority and own the trailers and truck. Thus you also have the insurance bills, and repairs bills, and ect ect.... so $4 a mile round trip is good. $2 mile out, and $2 mile back.

 

You need to hire a sales person as you don't have what it takes. The right person will make you multiples of what you pay them. Your previous questions indicated a severe lack of experience for an owner operator, much less a fleet owner. Hauling such cheap freight means you're not paying something which is setting you up for failure.

SHC makes a very good point as well. Keeping the wheels turning doesn't mean running cheap. Do you take the first load offered to you? I'm pretty selective in what and where I'll haul. I know folks leased to Landstar that can't stand to sit empty and will take the first load they can find. They are usually the ones that are always crying they don't make any money.

 

My question is how did you manage to get 6 trucks and presumably your own authority and not know how to get your own direct loads? I was also surprised you kept asking for a flat rate on everything when all you had to do was simple math from what everyone was telling you to get the number. When you go broke in about 3 months from now which is January pm me and I will be glad to give you a job and possible buy your equipment.

 

Have you thought about leasing your fleet on to a larger compay??? I know Landstar, Transcorr and Schneider will take on fleets, just to name a few. Might be a good idea for you right now as you seem to be having troubles and if it keeps up, I can see you failing badly and soon!!!!

 

Something doesn't seem right here. Been at this two years and you don't have a handle on lanes and rates? You state you take something at $1.80 as soon as you see it. But that $1.80 is likely onlt $1.60 or less when you take practicle miles, DH, etc.

And I am sure this sounds good with paid off equipment but it will have to be replaced. Are you making enough to be able to rebuild a motor when one of mama's little money makers goes poof?

Would love to see how you breakdown your cost-per-mile.