Dry Van Trailer

Some shippers are an*l about trailers:




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If you pulling a hopper you have already accepted the monetary setback. How do you survive unless it is harvest.

Best bet, keep the hopper and get a dry van. Easy to learn and then you can go back and work 20 hour days at harvest for $85 an hour.

 

Thank you very much.

I made that comment because as you can guess from my company name, Farm2Fleet, we have pulled a hopper or two. Actually, my business was born loading a hopper in negative wind chill conditions and I thought "I have got to be able to do something different." And years later the only hoppers my trucks pull is during harvest when the rates are high.

 

Knew you were hopper and familiar with KC area. Not sure what kind of supplier base is in KS for GM but there's likely some in MO. Me in your shoes I'd watch freight in the afternoons for that general area with a keen eye for late stuff that must go now, run straight thru, and deliver ASAP. That's your money loads with a van. Don't even roll out of the bed til noon. Set up alerts for LS, watch everyone else ITS etc, including CHR and TQL. Yes those latter two will get asked to cover some sensitive loads that raise your eyebrows and those boys will pay some absolutely fantastic rates to cover it too. I have gotten loads like that from them for way over the top money that we had access to the freight sooner from other sources yet the money was strangely not there until CHR, TQL were called in desperation given open checkbook. Keep an open mind with a van anything is possible when they're under pressure. Anything. Even from CHR's etc.

Try to find a deal on a 53' van no more than 7 years old. That buys you time. There is still a market out there for 10 year plus used vans when that time comes. Most people don't think it matters and really for a lot of freight it doesn't but on some good stuff it does.

 

Only time I've heard of a shipper not loading a trailer over 10 years old is in Cali.

 

The paper mills require a trailer less than 10 years old.

 

A lot of places want air ride, 53', swing doors. Don't ask why. Why did people vote for Obama (they didn't the 2nd time, he stole the election. Trick question! ha!)? Why does the government do half of what it does? Why do I have 10 toes? Just know that a lot of places (read big logistics freight companies) want that and like it or not, you will probably be hauling their freight leased or not. The 10 years old or newer thing comes up every so often, but not nearly as much as the other stuff. Another big one is vented. Get a vented trailer or make sure to have them put in, in the summer I lose some good loads due to this. Which reminds me I STILL haven't put vents in my trailer. I need a kick in the butt. Oh, let me add this. Plan on going into CA? Those communists want aerodynamics and low RR tires so plan on that. I hope they lose soon in court, but we shall see.

 

The 10 year trailer rule at the paper mills is because they have heavy lifts and don't want to deal with a trailer collapsed in the middle. I've seen ones that have. Not pretty. They also require the swing doors. Again because they are stronger if something falls against them.

Contrary to popular opinion there are USUALLY good reasons for the restrictions.