400 trucks posted and only 352 loads in houston,tx

Ok I keep reading about the cheap freight debate...Wait for better paying loads or haul cheap to better lanes.... And the third option is deadhead out of a bad area. My question is that if fixed costs start eating you alive if you are sitting why isnt it always best to look at available loads see that its all cheap freight so deadhead out right away to better frieght. My point is that if it costs .75/ mile just to move an empty truck you could go 400 miles at a cost of $300. Ill admit Im just estimating per mile costs and Im not sure if that reasonable but I feel better knowing what all my costs are ahead of time so the 400 mile deadhead is as good as a fixed cost while waiting and gambling that Ill get lucky tomorrow is a variable that you have no control over. If you are wrong you sit another day. So you just dont know what that sitting will cost you until that load finally comes. But you know right now your deadhead costs and can factor that into your monthly numbers and know where you stand all the time..

Like I said Im estimating and do not have the experience to say this is better or worse but it seems logical.

 

Good thing I've swapped the FB for a SD.
I just came out of Houston area going to ND for $6.85 per mile. (even w/ landstar cut, I think I'll make enough to DH out)

BTW - If any of you drivers are enroute this weekend, you might've seen me. I'm the one that keeps getting pulled over on the side of the road. Twice in 2 days?!! No tickets, no warnings, no write ups but it seems everyone that I've passed get to go around me with (me sitting on the shoulder) the disco lights behind me. What gives??? Bear in TX thought he "heard" some dragging noise coming under my trailer when I went around him when he had a customer?!? KS bear thought I was over height because the over height lights came up at the toll ticket booth but had to go back and get his measuring stick? If I didn't know better, I'ld say someone was calling to delay me or something by filing false report.

 

Thats kinda how I figure it too.
I'll d/h to a good load , or grab a partial to a good area before I'll sit hopeing for one. I've had partials that pay near what a cheap full load does, and then theres always the chance to put something on with it. JMO

edit; I'm sure glad the s/d is working out for you! I've had a couple & I do better with my flat. Oh-well!
BTW,,,maybe they see those NY plates and figure you must be lost?

 

Bayou's problem is he LIVES in the bad freight area.

 

Yea you'd know better than I. Gave the info to Mark anyway so maybe even tho we can't handle something that big, something we can handle may come from it. 47k is about it for me.

 

I have few friends that was in the same orientation class back when I was over at Mercer. One had a SD and the rest of us had a FB. We kept hearing "Mercer is primarily a FB company" and you'll make more $$ with FB. Then why is that most of the older four digits trucks over there have SD? Now only one of us is still pulling FB and he's still over at Mercer.


SD rates are usually (.07 - .18 pm) higher in rates than FB loads. Loads are usually lighter weight, less tarping (usually not the whole load like FB loads) and it takes less time chaining/tying down a load due to less trips climbing up to the high deck. I could never ratchet anything standing on the ground (5'6" ) but now I can. I can usually haul SD or FB loads. Even some loads that states FB only, once I tell them I have 42' lower deck, I'm in the game. On LS load board, I check: Flat, 48FB, 53FB, SD, SDLP and 53SD. I get hell of a more load search results than I ever did w/ just FB and 48FB. There are many times when the agents do not know what kind of trailer they need for the load and a simple call can make a difference. I haggle for more fuel surcharge, more tarp pay, padding pay, detention or any other accessarials I could get on my side of the pay. I'm out in inclement weather risking my neck or equipment securing or del - I find it insulting when they try to give low ball $$ for extra work require.

Lost?? Who's lost, my RM TND 700 GPS never gets me lost? Walmart app on my phone and credit card in hand, you could never get lost. I whip out my cowboy boot, Carhartt jacket and vest (of course matching belt as well). I could blend in almost everywhere. A trick I've learn when I was down in Ft Benning and other bases I served time in.

 

Bayou...I forgot, are you with L/S or who? Own authority?

edit; I just went to www.mymembersedge.com (transcore/dat) site and there are 860 loads within 300 miles of Beaumont.
Vast majority are short miles but some long miles. There are probably 75-100 flatbed loads for every stepdeck load.
Quite a few DD, RGN, Van or flat. A bunch are LS loads! No I didn't call on any, just looked but if all you are looking at is LS's board, maybe look at another board as well?

No insult intended just trying to help.