Salt Lake City area

I know there is an insulation plant Mercer regularly pulls out of a lot. I would talk to the local broker about some decent regional or shorthauls that can be dedicated.

Many of us on here disagree a lot. But one thing we agree on is how bad the freight is in El Paso Tx.

 

Yep. Dedicated account for insulation, but i figure the waiting list is a mile long. At least it is at all the other insulation plants we have dedicated accounts at.

 

I know this is an old topic but I'm going to be moving to Salt Lake City soon and buying a truck within the next year or so. I've heard good things about Mercer but wondering if I'll be able to survive a truck payment and stay out west while being home a day or two over the weekend. I think I'd need to average minimum $1.75 a mile (for all miles) for it to be worth leaving my company and going owner op and anything more than that I'd just save. are there enough consistent loads to CA, OR, WA and back for this to possibly work? anybody have an idea of what the rates are usually for these lanes?

edit - I'm talking about flatbed

 

@PoleCrusher

From what I’ve heard — no.

 

Every weekend might not be realistic. Probably have to settle for every other weekend. However there is a lot of freight moving between salt lake and southern California.

Cant be of much help on this one cause i don't run that far west unless it pays stupid money then i just get what i can to get back east.

 

I have a pre emissions truck, so I couldn't really run out west as much as I would have wanted to (no California). But from what I saw on the board and talked to agents out that way, you probably could if you were flexible with hometime. Every weekend might be a stretch, but every other weekend and you could make that work more than likely.

 

To add to my comment above. I'm in freaking south Florida for gods sake. The worse of the worse flatbed markets and if I can manage to make money here there is no reason someone else can't in another location.

 

I could be more flexible with home time if needed especially while getting used to everything. I just don't want to jump in and find out I'm only able to get like $1.50 a mile and then I think I'd be cutting it too close on profit / expenses and I'd stay a company driver for someone else

 

Honestly i can see you doing 1.50 for the first few months. If you've never owned a truck, there will be a steep learning curve. But if you are still doing 1.50 after a year... you definately need to take a hard look in the mirror and figure out what the problem is.