Trucking Company Growth Questions

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Greg323, Feb 13, 2009.

  1. Greg323

    Greg323 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 20, 2009
    montebello,ca
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    I wanted to know how many trucks a year are added to a trucking company on average or how fast is the growth of it..I know times are tuff now but just in general How often do companys add trucks to their fleet? Thanks and God bless
     
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  3. pullingtrucker

    pullingtrucker Road Train Member

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    Dec 21, 2008
    Fostoria, Ohio
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    The answer depends on way to many factors. Just a few factors are...fuel, parts, repairs, taxes, cost of equipment, feight availability (for outbound, but mostly return loads), wether there are experienced drivers available, insurance, and employee wages (not just drivers pay, but also all office workers and shop mechanics) just to name a few.

    My opinion is that there should be no more trucks than what the company can keep rolling with profitable freight at all times. Many companies have failed cause they just flood their ranks with trucks in the hope of getting freight.
     
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  4. Greg323

    Greg323 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 20, 2009
    montebello,ca
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    Yes that makes alot of sense, Thw reason I ask is because a company that I know they have been around for about 2-3 years and they have 26 trucks. To me that sounds good we only have 5 right now 3 of our own trucks and 2 o/o and we have been around for 1 year.
     
  5. pullingtrucker

    pullingtrucker Road Train Member

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    Fostoria, Ohio
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    As long as you can keep all the trucks under your companies name rolling with profitable loads your doing good. If you have enough freight to support 2-3 more trucks, then I would add one more truck and see how that goes for a few months. The last thing you want to do is add 3 trucks to cover the extra freight then find out it was a temporary upturn in freight and have 2 trucks sitting.
     
  6. Greg323

    Greg323 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 20, 2009
    montebello,ca
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    Oh ok I usually get all my freight from load boards I havnt done any direct loads with shippers that much so If I do buy one more truck I will be getting my loads from the load board which is not to bad right now just the rates are down.
     
  7. PharmPhail

    PharmPhail Road Train Member

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    How are you doing so well with loadboards that you are thinking of adding trucks? Just wondering, haven't heard much good about them. Do you typically buy older trucks paid off quick or what?
     
  8. Greg323

    Greg323 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 20, 2009
    montebello,ca
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    Well no I usually buy 03 or 04 but we are doing ok with the loadboards not to bad, Dont get me wrong I do have some customers that I go directly to as well but not enough to buy one more. I usually go off of the load board.
     
  9. MedicineMan

    MedicineMan Road Train Member

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    Woodville, TX
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    I think your full of it myself but you know what they say about opinions
     
    Eskimo6804 Thanks this.
  10. DoubleDear

    DoubleDear Light Load Member

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    Jan 28, 2009
    Harrisburg PA
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    You're Right Medicine Man, I can't see that happening!

    Been there and done it. Had 5 trucks too, many years ago. And rates were alot better. so was the fuel.

    There was no way we could run off of broker loads. We had enough customers to sustain us. And only used the brokers loads to get back on, to take care of the fuel. That was about all they were good for. Some customers paid well enough were we didn't need a back haul.

    There is No way , you can operate a truck, and pay a driver decent, and keep somewhat of a profit, on a Broker Load.
     
  11. 112racing

    112racing Road Train Member

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    Nov 30, 2008
    pocono's, pa
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    seems like he just contradicked himself in his next post
     
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