I need help understanding!!!!

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Beethoven, Aug 9, 2012.

  1. Beethoven

    Beethoven Light Load Member

    174
    53
    May 3, 2010
    Cincinnati, OH
    0
    I am on owner operator. I am currently running a cabover with a n14 plus. It costs me on average $1.50 p/m to operate. now granted that is with pulling a container, but how in the world do people pull for these companies that are offering 1.00-1.15 p/m and make any profit.

    I am purchasing a new-to-me truck and looking to get out of containers. Landstar just screwed me over, so I am scrambling looking for a decent company to lease on with.

    All I am finding is this $1.00-1.15 per mile crap. The truck I am buying is a 03 freightliner xl classic, with a 500 Detroit, 13 speed. I can't possibly haul anything for $1.00 a mile and pay off the truck and make any profit. Is there something I am missing?

    I was hoping for hauling a van since that is my experience. I have never pulled a flatbed or tanker.

    Please clue me in!!

    thanks
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. king Q

    king Q Road Train Member

    2,880
    3,032
    Jul 26, 2010
    Johannesburg sa
    0
    If it was easy every one would do it.

    Seriously , even though I am not from the US the same principals apply I think.
    There are a lot who don't make money.
    In ignorance they deplete their savings and consume their assets not factoring in all costs.
    They cant and don't last forever but sometimes just long enough to find better work before sinking.
    Sometimes they go out of business when the real costs of running a truck strike in a flash of reality.
    There are others that may know the cost of running sustainable operation but are forced through circumstance to opt for temporary cash flow over sustainability.
    It is not a given that what you get paid is enough.
    It is not a given that there is enough freight for all the available trucks.
    Supply and demand are the driving factors.
    It is a fallacy that if you have a truck you will make money.
    Not encouraging but true.
     
    Worthken and SL3406 Thank this.
  4. Joetro

    Joetro Road Train Member

    2,416
    2,409
    Aug 23, 2008
    Post Falls, ID
    0
    Sounds to me like you're looking in the wrong places. Where I am, I get 70% of the gross revenue plus FSC. Most of our gross rates are around $1.75 - $2.00. We get 70% of that plus 100% of the FSC, which is around $.50/mi. I'm doing pretty good and I haven't worked all that hard.
     
  5. lonelyswmtrucker

    lonelyswmtrucker Medium Load Member

    612
    248
    Sep 14, 2011
    down the bayou
    0
    not to be nosey but; how did landstar screw u over?
     
  6. Beethoven

    Beethoven Light Load Member

    174
    53
    May 3, 2010
    Cincinnati, OH
    0
    I guess I am looking in the wrong areas. I know that I am not going to get rich driving my truck but I do expect to make a little profit. Who are you running with? I just don't want to get out here and go bankrupt.
     
  7. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

    12,247
    28,120
    May 19, 2011
    0
    You need to start looking at carriers that pay on percentage, not a cheap mileage contract. Pulling a van on average will earn you less than other types of trailers. I have found that the key to making money in this industry is by doing things that the vast majority are not willing to do.
     
    snafu, jbatmick, king Q and 2 others Thank this.
  8. freightrunner

    freightrunner Heavy Load Member

    722
    182
    Mar 25, 2012
    Georgia
    0
    Containers don't pay anything.. Honestly look for something else
     
  9. Autocar

    Autocar Road Train Member

    3,167
    2,358
    Apr 28, 2012
    The Hot Rod Shop Oxford, AL
    0
    I'm interested, too!
     
  10. Wallens05

    Wallens05 Light Load Member

    273
    88
    Aug 4, 2012
    Columbus OH
    0
    You could run reefer and still have the chance to run some "dry" things and reefer puts out more money.
     
  11. Oscar the KW

    Oscar the KW Going Tarpless

    12,247
    28,120
    May 19, 2011
    0
    I was wanting to lease on to Landstar but they said I don't have enough experience,:biggrin_25516: I beg to differ!!!!

    The above is a quote from another thread that he had started. Apparently thats what being screwed over is.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.