2 Options 1 Decision

Just to complicate things a little more for you.

I had several loads where the shipper or receiver messed up and my detention pay was equal to or more than the linehaul. There is nothing more profitable than sitting under the rack with the engine off and getting paid for it. I had a 23 hour detention at one shipper because the load didn't pass and the batch had to be remade. The shipper signed off on me bobtailing back to the terminal while on the clock for the detention. I would have happily waited at the shipper if necessary because the detention added up to more than the linehaul and no fuel used.

I don't remember too many times waiting for a load more than a few hours in the system. Usually loaded no later than the next day.

I have a good deal with the van company I am currently leased to but I will go back to tanks when I can move to the location I want to. My personal situation requires that I stay in the house we own right now, because of my inlaws and their poor health we can't move. If I were staying in van I would be going F2F or Schneider choice.

 

My fingerprints never show up on boxes anywhere. A tanker, you unload it, or I have to back into places, at night, and wait for hours, just like a box. It's 50/50. If I had a dime for every box I restacked unloaded, D. Trump would call Me Sir.

 

So there is very little difference in the money at the end of the year. Which one would you rather do then? Myself I would do the tank deal, it won't wear out the truck as fast because you are putting on less miles. But then again if we take your $150-$200 and just call it $175 that is $8750 more in a years time with the van figuring 50 weeks. Would either of these have you at home more than the other?

 

Forget miles. Lesson number one for a new owner operator is more money for less miles.

I have two friends doing dry bulk who gross nearly two hundred thousand dollars a year and their trucks never leave the plant except to get fuel every other week. They use about 100 gallons of fuel per week and get 600+ dollars per day, six days per week. These guys are leased and pay only tags and bobtail ins. Miles don't make money. Specialization and good service makes money.

 

Before I comment, I have a question. Have you ever pulled a tank before? It is two different businesses entirely. If you have never pulled one before it might be kind of a culture shock.

 

Life is different everywhere you go. I hauled asphalt, and was home every night. I hauled other things, and was gone weeks. Those 6,000.00 paychecks came in handy.