Really need help and advice.

For the 53' flat I financed ($30,119 with 2 boxes - less the $5,119 cash deposit - left $25,000 over 6 years) the payment is less than $400/month.

The 8% revenue I get from the trailer easily covers it.

Is financing your own trailer an option?

 

The Mercer trailer isn't much more than that. There is no way the trailer payment is the issue. I'm not bashing the guy. I'd love to see him succeed, if for no other reason than it serves my best interest. The more successful o/o's we get out here, the better the industry gets. in order for him to achieve any meaningful success, he is gonna have to figure out the true issue and address it. The trailer payment is just an easy excuse, not a real issue.

 

Well, I'm new to owning, flatbed and LS. I'm on a dedicated deal that runs me 3300 miles a week and I go home for a reset.

I bought my own trailer for the increased revenue and control.

The truck is a POS, but it's paid for.

So, I'm no supertrucker either, but so far the bills are being paid - there's will, so there's way.

And they'll take any old Tom, Richard and Harry on the dedicated run, so there's nothing stopping you over here.

 

SOLUTION:have you ever thought about running containers from the ports and rail yards, IT WOULD BE IDEAL FOR some runs pay around $600 a day and you would be home just about every night, no trailer rental,PLUS YOU CAN SEE KIDS N FAMILY EVERY DAY AND OFF EVERY HOLIDAY, its not the best but it is a solution, I agree with the others post, it sounds more like something else is going on besides trailer rental, i know a guy that leases flatbeds for $125 a week, thats super cheap, well whatever you decide wish you da best, BUT WHATEVER YOU DO, MAKE SURE THEM KIDS EAT!

 

600 a month is super cheap? Thanks for reminding me how good I got it at Mercer.


Hey Blair, don't feel bad, I've been doing this almost twenty years and still driving a pos. granted it used to be new, but now it's just a paid in full pos that's made me a whole lot of money. Sent the last check in 07 or was it 06? Going on ten years of no truck payments is a beautiful thing.

 

I dont use flats, im just putting it out there, plus this guy doesnt ask for no credit check, no big deposit and you pay all maintenwnace, he caters to O/O who cant get the RYDER/PENSKE HOOKUP,, WINK WINK,, NUDGE NUDGE, call it crazy if u want but some guys are actually doing, but if works for you at MERCER, cant argue with you bout that, just trying to help out another trucker with his problem, no need for all that

 

Sorry if I offended. I was just having a bit of fun with ya. Kinda like how I pick on sweet dick blair for going with good ol bluestar

 

IMO this kind of thinking cuts two ways. You aspire to something that you don't know all the details of, and it makes you feel like you're own lot is far worse than it is. On the other hand, you have to imagine there has to be something there for the other guy to apparently be doing so well.

The ones that seem to have it going on, more often are like the duck on the lake. You see them floating along peacefully, apparently with ease. What you don't see is that under the calm surface they are paddling like there's no tomorrow to keep afloat. People usually put their best face forward. Rarely do they advertise their struggles or failures. And sometimes when they do share failures, we miss it because it doesn't connect to success. That is, despite the failure possibly leading to the very change that brings success.

Another thing, maybe try to get the whole picture. Ask folks you admire how they make it work. I'm sure there's a few that have found their niche and need a bigger wheelbarrow to haul all the cash to the bank. If you get to know any of these folks, you may learn there's more than meets the eye. Maybe they have other sources of income and don't need to run hard? Maybe they've already retired from a first career where they already met many of the milestones in life that you are still grinding away at? Maybe they have a more frugal lifestyle and don't need as much? Maybe they make a mint hauling sausage, but failed to mention their uncle owns the sausage plant? There's all sorts of things that can give that appearance of success, yet not be something that would fit your own situation necessarily.

I do agree with others you need to look beyond the cost of renting a trailer to find a solution.

 

IMO, you really, really need to talk to some of the trailer sales places. Flats and steps are not THAT expensive; and they have creative financing methods.

You are in a primo location for either of the carriers I mentioned. CRST Malone has a bucket of freight in your general area also. Up to you to go swing the bat.