Need Some Guidance: NO CALLS FROM POSTED LEADS ON LOAD BOARD

I did the big money reefer for 6 yrs and just happened to have a guy want to buy my trailer offered me a decent price and I took it .... started to pull a van again until i bought a new reefer and what,a,difference I think it adds 5 years on my life lol .... no where near the headaches and the total net money is the same if not better and never bought that new reefer. .... my total lumper costs for last year was 75.00 ...... a load of watermelon to giant eagle I avoid the slow loaders /unloaders and average in and out time is around 45 minutes a big difference

 

I bet you bit your tongue this week, rates were incredible in the southeast with produce during the blitz. You're right though, it is a lot of stress.
Having dry and reefer you can go back and forth when you feel like it.

 

I know lol produce can be $$$ at certain times and locals, ... how many loads have you ever had unloaded in 15 minutes without an appointment lol ... tanker hazmat loads ( totes ) usually will be up around 5 per mile esay on easy off ...... but only have room in my driveway for 1 trailer ...... I have had 2 in there before but you really have to want to get that 2nd one in there kinda spot

 

Open deck rates were absurd as well. I probably paid trucks north of 4 bucks a mile average this week. Paid some vans that way too.

 

just hope it lasts a few years lol

 

Optrollopw

 

Not a chance. There is so much money being spent right now by the shippers it's completely insane. The rates are so high that if they stayed this way for longer than 12-18 months a meaningful % of shippers would start building out their own fleets. Something will give one way or the other.

 

While I do agree that things will correct, I don't see shippers building fleets anytime in the near future as I firmly believe that even in today's markets freight costs are still cheaper to outsource. The inability to purchase trucks, the costs of maintenance and meeting all regulatory requirements is not cheap. The cost of finding, hiring and maintaining drivers is also an expense that most people really can't wrap their arms around. The outrageous "have to go at any rate" loads have always existed. Contract rates will go up but not through the roof for companies that truly know their operating costs and what they need to be profitable.

 

Not gonna happen, they will raise prices instead. The rates are really not that high though. I would say they are just about where they should be, we are not becoming millionaires over here