flatbed vs. dry van

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.

 

Thanks for the kind, if not unwarranted words of encouragement. I hope my questions will help others, too. I ask what I want answers to, but I expect they are what others wonder or should wonder if they are interested in becoming a carrier or o/o. I am sure I could learn from your experiences. Remember, I have never driven a semi truck or hauled 48,000 lbs of product. I look forward to reading your comments, as well. I do have questions about what places to avoid, driving into.

 

By the way, a light just came on. You may be right about me deciding to simply buy more houses and fix em up, instead of buying a truck. In the last couple of days, I've had to reevaluate my time schedule, do to my needing to care for my parents. It is possible that during the next few months, I will learn enough that I know longer favor getting out and driving a truck to add to my business. I never thought trucking was the best industry, but I view it as a way to get paid for an escape, perhaps. While I can afford to do that, and think I would enjoy it, at least for a while, your prediction may hold water. For what its worth, I enjoyed being called for storm duty when I was adjusting claims. I went to Chicago, Tennessee, North Carolina, Baton Rouge, Louisiana an a couple other places for weeks at a time while I was already doing well in my business (relatively speaking). I'm holding onto that as a sort of good time that I had. I made extra money which I used to pay off my home and it gave me a well desired diversion in my life. I stopped doing that just because I was good not doing it any longer. The company I worked for still calls me after 6 years of not doing that. I never tell them never. I just say, not this year, with no intentions of doing it again... I hate coming off of roofs onto ladders.

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'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.

 

What you're saying about the second and third truck does make sense. Both due to the fact that I would drive the first truck, and second because it is easier to get the best available loads for one truck. At least, that would be my best guess why it would occur.

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

I get it.

 

The other question I'm wondering, is the $1.75 all miles representative for dry van and Flat bed? Flat bed would normally be a bit higher, correct? I plan on hauling a SD or FB from the get go... lower insurance, believe it or not.