Anyone run a day cab?

Yes, 4 of them. In fact I'm down to having only one sleeper truck. How far we go depends on how motivated the driver is or how good the load pays. I've driven from Ohio to Statesville NC in a daycab but I mostly stay local. Depending on what your hauling and were you live determines if you'll make any money. We average around 350 miles a day but I've done WAY more than that when the money's there (830mi). My situation is sort of unique though because I've sold sleeper trucks with 800k miles that the sleeper was NEVER used. I'm not sleeping in a truck, I have a house for that. But I choose to drive as a job not make it a lifestyle, If I had to live in a truck I'd choose another job.

 

Own authority. Was leased to a lumber wholesaler for 25yrs. Had 3 trucks there doing local deliveries with conestogas doing 4-6 stops a day 200-600 miles. Have 2 that pull grain hoppers local and now have 2 that pull 4 axle conestogas hauling steel locally. Got an '02 W900L sleeper truck with only like 400k miles that no one drives because no one sleeps in the truck.

You can make money with a daycab if you live in an area that has lots of local freight.

 

what state are you from?

 

You crack me up "WAY MORE"

 

350 miles a day is a lot for 100 air mile work, thats an easy 12-14 hour on duty day. I know it dont seem like a lot but theres a lot of other work than steering wheel holding.

 

Ran a day cab for a few years when i first started. Used to Run from Ct to Oh and Mi on a regular basis hauling dirty dirt. Stayed in hotels for are time off. But we would run to Mi and back in 2 days so only 1 night out. I would run day cabs now the only reason i buy sleeper trucks is in my area a truck with a sleeper is alot cheaper than a comparable speced daycab plus i like the extra space the sleeper gives.

 

850mi in one day is a LONG day. But very profitable! Lol oh and that wasn't just driving straight. That's 5 big loads picked up and delivered.

Ohio

 

I'm in Illinois & have a day cab...been in/around/through 19 different states in the last 4 years with it....even paid it off 5 months early.

Personally, I couldn't justify buying a sleeper for several reasons. 1) I'm paid by the ton...and that sleeper adds weight to the truck. 2) Idling the truck all night burns as much $$ worth of fuel as a motel room would cost. 3) Staying in a motel, you have a clean, private bathroom & shower right there in the room...don't have to get dressed & walk across a parking lot. 4) There's usually decent restaurants within walking distance of a motel...and a lot of times, the motel will have a deal with a nearby restaurant to offer a discount on food with a room key....beats the snot out of that truck stop slop. 5) In the morning, coffee & donuts...sometimes even pancakes, biscuits & gravy, eggs, sausage, etc...are all included in the price of the room. Truck stop all that is extra. 6) Park the truck & shut it off...no wear & tear on the engine idling all night to keep warm/cool. 7) TV usually has a decent selection of stations that ALWAYS come in crystal clear...truck stop you're limited to whatever channels happen to come in (until someone keys up their ridiculously overpowered CB). 8) Plenty of room to stretch out....desk to complete paperwork, comfortable chair to recline & watch TV, large bed. 9) Most motels have a pool, fitness room, or other healthy recreational opportunities available. 10) Most motels have "business" or "CDL" rates which are considerably lower than their ordinary rate....sometimes as much as 50% off....so you can stay in a pretty nice motel for $65/night.

No matter which way I look at it, I just can't see any justification for sleeping in the truck on a regular basis. Even if I quit my "local" job where I might spend a night or two per month away from home and went back OTR, I just couldn't see myself ever sleeping in a truck. As of now, my day cab is paid for. Sure, I could spend 28 nights in a motel room per month @ roughly $65/night....and spend the same $1800 or so that I'd be making if I bought a new(er) sleeper truck. With a truck payment I'm in debt & have to pay it whether I am on the road or not....motels, I pay as I go. With a truck payment, you depreciate the price of the truck over a few years to reclaim what you spent (and once the truck is fully depreciated, the deduction stops)....motels are a straight deduction of actual expenses in the year you incur them.

Give me a day cab & I'm happy. Ain't got no use for a sleeper truck.