Are we gonna Learn?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by 2insane, Jan 30, 2013.

  1. rogueunh

    rogueunh Road Train Member

    1,082
    22,228
    Jan 4, 2011
    0
    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.
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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

  3. rollin coal

    rollin coal Road Train Member

    13,272
    26,747
    Mar 29, 2008
    TN
    0
    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....
     
  4. rogueunh

    rogueunh Road Train Member

    1,082
    22,228
    Jan 4, 2011
    0
    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!
     
  5. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

    7,985
    4,372
    Feb 24, 2012
    0
    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.
     
    rogueunh and aiwiron Thank this.
  6. landstar8891

    landstar8891 Road Train Member

    2,414
    2,310
    Feb 4, 2012
    NY NY
    0
    .

    :biggrin_25514: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...
     
  7. rogueunh

    rogueunh Road Train Member

    1,082
    22,228
    Jan 4, 2011
    0
    Saving damage, or possible returns as well.
     
    MNdriver Thanks this.
  8. old time

    old time Medium Load Member

    304
    334
    Mar 1, 2012
    0
    Generally speaking private fleets or dedicated capacity has 3 criteria. Time-sensitive, high value, or specialized equipment not readily available in the marketplace.
     
  9. DrivingForceBehindYou

    DrivingForceBehindYou Medium Load Member

    546
    184
    Aug 29, 2012
    ChicagolandOfOpportunity
    0
    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.
     
    Last edited: Feb 1, 2013
    dannythetrucker Thanks this.
  10. dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

    2,856
    4,032
    May 26, 2011
    everywhere, man
    0
    "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.
     
    BoyWander Thanks this.
  11. aiwiron

    aiwiron Road Train Member

    5,927
    5,228
    Aug 24, 2011
    Sunny Tampa Florida
    0
    I find good rates from CHR also, but then they have some bottom feeder rates as well.
     
    MNdriver Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

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