Is It Really That Simple ...

This is not a complex industry, but does have complex issues. Thousands of new owner operators fail each year. There are a number of IT people who have gotten into the business in recent years. Some have done well, others have not. If you want to buy a truck it would be very beneficial for you to find a company driving position and learn more about the industry before you start spending money. There is a learning curve to any business. This business is very capital intensive. If you have been in business it should help you in this industry. Many get into trouble due to lack of capital and not understanding the business. If your pockets are deep enough, you may be able to make a go of it without going the company driver route. But, it will sure make your road much easier to make your mistakes on their dime rather than your own.

I have known some very successful high school dropouts, but they are not the norm. I have also known some college graduates who can never seem to find their way. You will never learn how to run a successful business out of a text book or in college. It is one of those career paths that you learn on the job. There is much more to buying a truck and running your authority than most realize. That is probably another reason for so many failures. This is one of the most regulated industries in the nation. It seems that everyone wants to get into our pockets. You can lease to a carrier and pull their freight around or get your own authority. When you run under your own numbers you are the one who is responsible for everything. You will need your own trailer or find loads that are power only. That can be challenging unless you lease your truck to one of the power only carriers.

 

Really......I know it sounds sarcastic but i am impressed. From a keyboard to a chemical suit just like that huh? Ok fine........ good for you if you can really do it.

Allow me to offer some wisdom, don't confuse arrogance with confidence as it will get you hurt & fast. It's fine if you know but deadly if you don't.

Answer this: I'm pulling a load of xyz chemical and I pull in to a t.s. to fuel or whatever...... when i get out i hear a whistle.. it;s coming from the top of my trailer and it seems to be getting louder.......I listen a lil more and yes...it is getting louder!

What's going on? What do i do? What is likely going to happen if I do nothing? ( acronym please )

Why not see if you can honestly answer the questions without looking them up?

 

Yes I can, and thanks. OK I honestly didn't look it up, but if I were to take a guess I would say if you are dealing with chemicals and you hear a whistle, then that sound is due to a leak where air is being forced out due to the chemicals expanding. Kinda like shaking up a soda bottle and barely twisting the cap. I may be wrong as I haven't done any research on this, but if I were to enter that industry I would be sure to prepare myself. I am sure I would mistakes along the way as part of the learning process. A guy who started this industry at the same time as me who I talk to daily doesn't even want to bother learning anything new. He just says he wants to drive the truck and collect his check, yet his miles are low due to his poor planning. My point is that if someone is capable of taking on a challenge without quitting will be more successful than a quitter who just complains but wants more money.

 

You are correct...take a bow. It's called a B.L.E.V.E. ( blevee ) a boiling liquid , expanding vapor explosion will likely occur . The whistle is by design on the safety valve to get your attention. The rising whistle indicates more vapor is escaping at a faster rate. ( pressure is rising in the trailer )

Problem is the trailer and the safety valves are finite and can only accept X psi before failure occurs, usually about 4 bar. The S.O.P. in this case is to isolate, evacuate and cool from a defensive position. You cannot stop what is happening especially if the trailer is insulated which most are. The cooling water if permitted cannot reach the shell. Sometimes water is not permitted.

I have handled catalysts that are self degrading. If allowed to react they will generate their own heat and increase the rate of decomposition.

You are correct again, there is money to be made with proper planning. It's a constant fight though. Nothing comes easy in trucking. Just remember, you don't need more miles, you need to be paid more what you already do. Miles drive the fuel, maint and labor numbers.

Losers quit when they are tired, winners quit when they win.

Good luck

 

Great thanks

 

Just my 2 cents. You can get $2 or $3 or more per mile hauling produce out of Cali. Thats not hard to do. Going to the right place with it or being able to put loads together that pay more than a buck a mile to get back is the trick. Also, produce is seasonal - plan on not doing much out of Cali from December to March. I don't run out there at all in the winter.

 

Let us know how it works out for you. I personally find your above comment insulting to say the least. So because you can drive a computer you think you can put together a multi pick , multi drop , west to east coast reefer run, find a decent paying load to re-position yourself back in an area for more paying reefer freight and do all the driving as well? I think you have no idea what your doing and your comments reflect that. I would readily have you come in my truck for a few weeks and see if you could handle it. I think you wouldn't know what to do and no amount of keyboard managing would help you at all. College or high school don't mean ####, this ain't a school qualified job , this is hands on learning, which your comments reflect you have very minimal of. Come back in a year and te us all how your wonderfully computer business model didn't save you from going broke because you didn't know enough about the industry for any computer to save you.

 

Enhance the calm, taking pot shots at each other is childish.

Ease up folks.

 

in cold weather u can still pick up produce out of cali but down at the border and alot of produce comes out of mexico in yuma,az..nogales,az....but produce is 24/365 in cali