Is this a worthless thought?

Reading what you're saying, at the end of the day you likely won't make "extra money", but might even generate an "extra headache".

Similar to you, I drove for a manufacturer for 10 years, back in the '80's, that was also a private carrier that hauled its own products, one of the best jobs I ever had. They ran a similar operation, they delivered to their customers from ME to NC, west to OH, and we most always dead-headed home. The idea of possibility obtaining a MC and running back-haul freight was discussed at length and ultimately tossed, reason being was that they were a manufacturer and not a for-hire carrier. They ended up keeping it that way for various reasons that basically came down to cost effectiveness & equipment utilization.

That being said however, consider this, it may be feasible to at least look into the viability of hauling direct with them with your own rig. Particularly useful is that they already know you, and, if you can show that it's cost effective, they may agree to contract with you. Also, it's possible that you deliver enough to the same consignee areas to develop your own contacts with other shippers for a direct back haul, thus being profitable to you.

Getting the rig, the MC#, and a viable contract will likely be easy enough, but, your insurance costs are going to be horrendous for a start up. Do your homework, start with the insurance costs, figure in all the variables, weigh the pros & cons and see if it's viable, but don't get tunnel vision, good luck to you.....

 

It's a worthless thought.

If the option were available and the company wanted to make money coming back. they'd be doing it already. Besides. You can't run your own authority using a truck that already has it's own authority

 

Have you talked to your boss about this? If he doesn't care why should you? Unless he only pays on-way.
Hauling that load coming back puts wear and tear on the equipment, casts more money in fuel and more of the drivers time. Plus there is the liability of damage during the load and unload
Actually that does make me wonder.. Do you only get paid for the one-way trip, or all your miles paid?

Also, you said custom garage doors. Do you mean like hanger doors? At an old job my boss built a house on an airstrip. His plane was hangered in the garage/hanger and the doors he bought came out of WI.

 

Been following this thread, and I'm befuddled. All the above (last 3 or 5) HAVE viable points. Because I pull tanks and drop the asphalt in Newark, Auglaize, or wherever, I always deadhead back to Toledo (sometimes Lima but rarely) and get paid. It's my product they pay for. I need my equipment to retrieve more.
Keep us posted; sorry no answers here, I guess. Just more questions~!

 

Enjoy your job OP and don't make a race out of it .
Private carrier jobs are few and far between and to be coveted .
I currently work for a private carrier that has decided they want to be a trucking company and its a 3 ring circus .
Shut up and stay under the radar .

 

^^^^ I'm so not behind you, Zing. I've got options in my back pocket...and purchasing one of the '379 's is (not) one of them.
ps: do you have any experience with doubles???? Look at @moloko 's thread. I drove 'em for FedEx/LineHaul in '03, and was always told the HEAVY ONE FORWARD re: the pups.... re: the "crack the whip" effect. What sayest you?
If you have any input, go check it out. I'm heading off to work in a bit. It's got me stymied and I HATE when I don't know what I THOUGHT i knew.....
pss: That above post was the best. I'm staying under the radar, as well.

Be safe, bro.

 

Or your boss may see the opportunity to save shipping cost by brokering loads and only paying freight one way and you won't have a job.

Just sayin.

 

Heavy pup leads the pack tom .

 

YES YES YES~!! I WAS RIGHT~!

 

If my company had to stay afloat as a strictly for hire carrier without the backing of the principle business they would be bankrupt next week .