Are we gonna Learn?

It's not a costly model when I have customers ordering at 5:00 AM for same day delivery. I've tried using outside carriers, doesn't work at all, only for some certain customers. I use only independent O/O's for all incoming supplies though, but even then, I have some that are reliable, others are not. Every now and then I'll try letting brokers handle it, but it never seems to end well!

I know $1 a mile freight wouldn't go away, but just giving you guys another perspective as to why some of it exists. I would still make plenty of money just deadheading all trucks home, I make my money selling a product, not trucking. So throwing in a few hundred bucks to get a truck back here is worth it for, just a plus.

 

My grandfather used to say there's no money in trucking unless you're moving your own product. Hate to say it but really it seems true. I just saw a rate sheet for what Con Way Now was charging customers to move freight for on various sized trucks back in 1997 when fuel was around a $1 a gallon. All of a sudden the $3 a mile rates I'm getting don't look so great anymore. I guess that's what the business media has meant for the past decade or so when the cost of everything is rising and yet companies are still cutting costs and "increasing productivity" or something like that....

 

And my grandfather used to say, "trucking is nothing but an expense"! When referring to a manufacturing business.

Or it's fun, when I get to drive!

 

There are industries it makes sense to haul their own product. Especially if it saves product damage.

Marvin windows is one such product that makes sense to me. Product required special handling and such.

You need you trucks back NOW and getting enough to eliminate fuel cost is totally reasonable.

 

.

This is what i do.I run the areas that will give me some ''quality'' of life.What i found out a long time ago is i make more money,more hometime,running short hops as i would running water to water.In many many ways ''long haul'' is just not worth it anymore.600 mile radius is the RATIONAL thing to do...

 

Saving damage, or possible returns as well.

 

Generally speaking private fleets or dedicated capacity has 3 criteria. Time-sensitive, high value, or specialized equipment not readily available in the marketplace.

 

True that. Some folks get emotional when buying a truck,others when driving or looking at a freight rate, getting married,etc. Keeping a cool head and building business connections - easy money.

 

"trucking is an afterthought" and yet here you are perusing a trucking forum... interesting. lol. sorry, I couldn't help it. you're right though, I mean, you own the trucks, you use them how you see fit. Still, I can't help but think that maybe someone working the load boards a bit to find the best rates and still get your trucks back would more than pay for themselves. I mean, wouldn't your statement be the same as me saying, "I'm not in the tire business, when I need tires I just stop at the most convenient place and pay whatever they want. I don't have time to figure out what tires are worth..." I think the only good business is looking at every facet of your business and trying to find ways to lower costs and boost profitability. I suspect you do as well.

 

I find good rates from CHR also, but then they have some bottom feeder rates as well.