Looking at Forward Air

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by mpotts90, Sep 30, 2019.

  1. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Only one question that's important. Are you averaging a minimum of 1.75 a mile to the truck and getting 2200 to 2500 miles in a 5 day work week?
     
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  3. REEFERman450

    REEFERman450 Light Load Member

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    I run a team truck...we average $1.51 all miles. Our average miles so far is 4832/week. We have only been here 2 months and before y'all start laughing or making snide comments..just know I'm happy with my business decisions.
     
  4. loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

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    National Van Rates

    $1.51 is below any market average. Running a team should increase the value of the truck, not decrease it. I get that you're happy now, but with the amount of mileage you'll be putting on the truck, it just takes one major down time to turn things around.
     
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  5. spyder7723

    spyder7723 Road Train Member

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    Company line haul team drivers are being paid 78 cpm with full benefits.
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2019
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  6. Cabinover101

    Cabinover101 Heavy Load Member

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    Does that include the fuel surcharge in your average?
     
  7. Cabinover101

    Cabinover101 Heavy Load Member

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    Those market rates include truck and trailer. These guys! just own the truck, so those rates are within the average. Also those rates are 'outbound' rates, does not include any deadhead. He stated that was their average for all miles including 'deadhead'
     
  8. Long FLD

    Long FLD Road Train Member

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    Can’t compare average rates to someone doing power only.
     
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  9. loudtom

    loudtom Road Train Member

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    It doesn't really get much worse than dry van rates, so I'd say it's a pretty good baseline for comparison. The freight is still being moved in a van, so the person paying for it is probably paying van rates. You can take the cost of owning a trailer, likely 5-10 cpm, and subtract it from the averages. Even if you include deadheading, at the very best you'll be at the average for the worst areas of the country. Then consider that most of these loads are priced around solo drivers, not team. This is a worst case scenario for rates, too. I doubt they're running team exclusively in the worst parts of the country, doing regional short hauls.

    If they diversify into OS/OD, pintle hitch with air brakes, driver assist, etc., or if they're booking loadouts and trying to fill them with freight, then it would be hard to compare averages. But hauling exclusively for one company pulling the same trailers seems like it would be easy to compare.

    $1.50 is probably really close to the break even point, whether you have your own trailer or not. I would be comparing what I net against what I would make as a company team driver for a good line haul company.
     
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  10. Cabinover101

    Cabinover101 Heavy Load Member

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    That's true, but like the other post, subtract the trailer rate, basically 10% if leased to a company from the National or Regional area rates. Another way to calculate is most companies pay about 65% of line haul for tractor only then add 100% of the fuel surcharge. Do the math and let me know what you come up with.
     
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  11. REEFERman450

    REEFERman450 Light Load Member

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    Yes
     
  12. REEFERman450

    REEFERman450 Light Load Member

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    What company is doing this?
     
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