Most Common Mistakes Made By New O/O?

Coming directly from my lawyer uncle who does insurance cases for large carriers and O/Os, this is completely false. They only protect a separate entity from the driver who is involved. That means if you're the driver and owner you are just as exposed whether you incorporate or not.

 

Interesting. I'll have to read into that more. Thanks

 

Whats a secure method to find higher pay for miles

 

Avoid leasing on with a carrier that pays a low, fixed $/mile. If you are going to lease on with a carrier choose a carrier that pays a percentage of the line haul and other revenue TTT (To The Truck). Landstar and Mercer are two of the largest carriers that pay percentage.

Once you are leased on with a percentage carrier YOU are responsible for finding the best paying loads. You aren't dispatched, you initially find loads on their load board. Then you start developing relationships with brokers that handle high revenue freight.

On average reefer pays more than dry van. Flatbed pays more than reefer. Consider pulling anything but dry van and you will enhance your ability to book higher paying freight.

Get out of the "I gots to run me some miles!" mentality. You AREN'T looking for maximum miles. You are looking for maximum revenue with the LEAST amount of miles.

 

Im kinda confused about the rear end gear ratios , so it means the higher the more fuel efficient or is that the other way around?. and my second question is 500 detroit is the same as 500 hp or it is just part of engine number?. 3rd. can the technitian lower the engine power (HP) of the tractor using a computer say from 500 to450 ? thanks

 

A gear en ratio is just that, a gear ratio. What makes one more fuel efficient than another is application. The higher the ratio the stronger the truck will be, but the slower top end will be. A lower number will get you a higher top end, but a weaker truck. So it all depends on what you're doing, and where you're running as to what will be the most efficient for your truck

 

meaning tht in orther to save money lower ratios are better , i can just play downshift on heavy loads.

 

Better if you run legal loads on flat land, sure. If you spend all day in WV or WY, you want a shorter ration (higher number). Those hills can kill your mpg if you have to take em at 25mph. 3.55 is usually heralded as a good middle of the road ratio. I run 3.36 on an 18spd and it's working well so far.

 

That being said, I pull reefers, and I can tell you that my low gear isn't nearly low enough to do something off road. Flatbed, Hoppers whatever. For that id probably look at a 4.11 or so. So it really depends on what you're doing