I see. I didn't realize that. I thought maybe it was a really poor year, based on all the comments. I suppose if a person or carrier bought high priced equipment, or financed new toys and a higher lifestyle, predicated on last years higher earnings, they would be feeling the pinch. I've always found it to be best to sock away money and not to live all the way up to my means. Life is easier that way. Life is a roller coaster and one has to be ready for the drop, that always follows a rise to the top. At 55, I've seen it over and over; people, often smart people, doing exceptionally well. They think it will never end, but it often does. Then they blame something or somebody, but never their own lack of preparation. I'm not saying I know the future, or always do the right thing. Instead of driving a Benz and living in a huge house, etc..., I pay for what I can comfortably afford, usually in cash. I'm driving a 2012 car I I wrote a check for new in 2013. I will drive it until it no longer serves me. Yet, I see young guys, earning a paycheck, driving BMWs and Porches and after I get over the fact that the car is cool and maybe I should have one, I recognize I wouldn't want the payment or sacrifice the cash if I had it. I'd rather buy another investment house to secure my future income stream in retirement when my health slows me down. That's my choice, though. We all have to make em. Also, some people do have families to take care of. That's a different set of responsibilities all together. I decided at a young age, not to have kids.
So, I digress to say that I could't have done everything I have done and made decisions I've made, had I had children. No wife either! Did it twice, probably not again.... maybe!
Thanks for your comment and I hope my narrative didn't boar you to tears.
flatbed vs. dry van
Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by FloridaDudester, Jun 18, 2019.
Page 11 of 16
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There is something about trucking that is calling me and drawing me in! Plus, there will be some good deals on fleet trucks and older ones that are now working, that will be in the market as folks flee for what they believe is greener pastures. I want to capitalize on an undervalued truck and flat bed trailer. Hence, the research is necessary. -
I pondered buying my own truck just to run sticks and bricks within a 250-300 mile radius of here. The idea was to make enough to clear at least more than what I make at my LTL job. All research indicated that it couldn’t be done.FlaSwampRat and stwik Thank this. -
I'm taking all of the answers in. Surely, I wouldn't try to run a truck (maybe a dump truck if I was so inclined) solely intrastate in Florida. Just a crap paying market. As they told me here, Florida pays in sunshine. I heard that when I moved here in 1989 and found it to be somewhat true. I'm looking at either deadheading out of Florida when I take a trip, or taking the best I can find to get to better shipping lanes. I'm going to collect data right up till I pull the trigger, which I could decide against, all together. I certainly don't see running freight for 1.90 average. My time is worth more than 30 cents a mile approximate profit.
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once in a blue moon lol , i had a guy that got lucky with a partial and made more than 7k , 5k ish after expenses -
maybe to get a more realistic idea, use miles and rate numbers that figure in the ups and downs (average over 12 months) with rates and miles:
These are some great starting points for miles and rates:
2250 miles per week
1.75/ mile (all miles)
3000 miles per week is unsustainable beyond a 4 week look ahead. Holidays off (shippers and receivers not working), family issues, the truck maintenance and breakdowns, all the stuff that is out of our control causes those 3000-3500 mile weeks to dwindle quickly.
2250 at 1.75 is a great starting point for a realistic plan.
One more idea to think about with "fleet building" is:
If one truck is "profiting" (after ALL expense and self imposed escrow), $1500 per week, and you are adding a second truck, don't figure on your profit being $3000 for two trucks. Generally the second and third trucks and so on only increase your profits by 50-75%. This is a strange concept to grasp but rest assured it is accurate in many cases.back street slider and Bean Jr. Thank this. -
2250 @ 1.75 all miles? My gosh that's lower than I anticipated by at least a quarter a mile. I saw one explanation on YouTube wh
Bean Jr. Thanks this.
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