O/O what are you charging per mile? Im getting crazy ranges and need some explaining?

Wow, Maddog, I see a few problems with your ideas, I think you need to read some of the replies more and not get so defensive. I get the impression that you are branching out to collect some money for yourself by setting up a trucking company and take the company's loads for yourself, if that's true, I personally would fire you and let you sink.

As for education level, we seem to have more than you do. You don't get the reality of how we operate, assuming that the percentage of a load a driver gets is alright at 40 cents per mile or what ever which shouldn't even be a consideration for you. Your load should be to the truck at least $2200 and for a company to pick it up it should be $2900 - both minimal. Anything less is being cheap.

 

I buy diesel , rest is profit.
If it's empty, I'll do it for free because I like truck

 

Would it work to find one company with a rate that worked for both of you, and have them move all your loads? That seems like it would end up being the most economic/ trouble free way of doing it

 

I think the answer you are looking for is that spot market freight is classic supply and demand. If you offer a load there will be trucks in the area that each have an operating cost they have to meet. Each truck will mot likely be different so youll get different offers to haul the load. There are also many factors contributing to how much it costs each carrier to run. If one driver has a paid off truck and the other just bought a new truck you will see the difference in each rate.

Now lets say you have two different carriers with the same costs to operate and both are looking for $2/mile when they run. They both have inbound freight to your area, one of them recieved $3/mile coming into your area and the other received $2.10/ mile. Going out the truck that was paid $3 migh be able take your frieght at a lower rate then the $2.10/mile inbound driver because he can still maitain a $2/mile average while the other driver will look for something paying higher or only offer above what you would like so he can keep a decent average for all miles.

 

You ask if people quoting $3,500-4,000 on that 1,450 mile load - if they really get that. Of course they do. I did one last year that was embarrassing cheap for me $3,500 on right at 1,500 loaded miles. I justified because it loaded up near me went out 750 miles with 10,000 lbs offloaded and reloaded in the same dock, and then 750 miles back to start point. Had me right back into my good stuff and generated some good revenue. Would never consider $3,500-4,000 on a one way trip to anywhere something worth messing with, would turn load like that down, have done it before - but that's just me. I aim high.

 

mad dog, I gave the non-sugar coated, unadulterated, non-politically correct answer to the questions you asked with the info you provided.

basically, you have 3 grand allowed for shipping, you want to keep as much of it as you can for yourself, so you want to know why everyone wont do it for 1800 on 1450 miles. so you get to pocket an additional 1200 for yourself. again, its because ita cheap rate, and youre trying to get it hauled cheap.

I like to got ahead and get straight to the point and not beat around the bush.

you also are thinking if ya get a truck you can haul it yourself for even less than 1800 and pocket that too.

like I said , follow your plan, come back in 6 months, and let us know how the baby chick experiment worked out.

 

OP.... it sounds like you have fairly steady freight going both ways. Why don't you ask for bids for long term contracts? You won't get $1800, but I'll bet you will likely get something that might save you money over the contract period. If I were in your shoes I'd look to give trucking companies the option to bid each of the one-way's and also bid on the both way. Then see if that will save you money.

 

since the original ? was about the wide swing in price quotes my reply is that is the nature of the spot market the proof is the 30 truck fleet that you call first does not seem to handle it on a full time basis. When I get asked by a shipper about my rate I kinda assume he already has someone and I price it a little high so not to piss in somebodys backyard. Good luck hope my honest opinion was of some help.

 

looks like the 3500 to 4000 is the people that live in your area trying to fill a truck to head out bound and the 1800 was to fill a truck to get some place that paid better. most company's would not normally charge these rates probably more for local companies and less for the bottom feeders. still see freight for 70 cpm sometimes.