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Are we owner operators really stuck around 2 bucks a mile?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by peabody747, Aug 25, 2022.

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exhausted379 Road Train Member

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Terlingua said: ↑

I'm not an O/O, yet, but I have done quite a bit of research on average rates, and the rates post-COVID have been way above previous historical averages from what I can tell. Prior to 2020, spot market rates for dry-van look to have averaged between $1.40-$1.90 per mile. When I make the switch at some point to O/O, which certainly won't be until truck prices come down, my plan is to keep expenses low enough that I can still operate within those rates. At a minimum, that means paying cash for a truck, and making sure it's spec'd to get as much fuel economy out of it as possible.

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If I never see another graph it will be too soon. A few years ago there was a guy that had a company in Tn, and all he did was post one graph after another. I thought he was trying to make himself look smarter than he really was. Turned out my thought was spot on. It doesn't make a particle of difference what rates were at another part in time. Now is what matters. I want good fuel mileage the same as you, but I would much rather get 5 mpg on $5 freight than 10 mpg on $2 freight.

exhausted379, Aug 26, 2022

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Kenworth6969 Road Train Member

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Terlingua said: ↑

I'm not an O/O, yet, but I have done quite a bit of research on average rates, and the rates post-COVID have been way above previous historical averages from what I can tell. Prior to 2020, spot market rates for dry-van look to have averaged between $1.40-$1.90 per mile. When I make the switch at some point to O/O, which certainly won't be until truck prices come down, my plan is to keep expenses low enough that I can still operate within those rates. At a minimum, that means paying cash for a truck, and making sure it's spec'd to get as much fuel economy out of it as possible.

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Historical averages for rates?

What a joke, that means zero.

How about cost of living now?
How about cost to operate?
All that has skyrocketed.

Kenworth6969, Aug 26, 2022

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Kenworth6969 Road Train Member

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Good luck paying off that $200,000 truck
Wifes $20,000 boob and nose job
$2,000 monthly 1 bedroom apartment
$200 weekly grocery bill

With $2 a mile loads.

Kenworth6969, Aug 26, 2022

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Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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Wait.

Nose job?

Dave_in_AZ, Aug 26, 2022

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skallagrime Road Train Member

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Dave_in_AZ said: ↑

Wait.

Nose job?
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Kw is living in the 90s

skallagrime, Aug 26, 2022

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Kenworth6969 Road Train Member

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Dave_in_AZ said: ↑

Wait.

Nose job?
Click to expand...

Kenworth6969, Aug 26, 2022

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Long FLD Road Train Member

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If you’re dating someone who needs their top end rebuilt you’re dating the wrong person. You’re supposed to date the ones who already got all that stuff paid for by their last ex boyfriend.

Long FLD, Aug 26, 2022

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Kenworth6969 Road Train Member

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Long FLD said: ↑

If you’re dating someone who needs their top end rebuilt you’re dating the wrong person. You’re supposed to date the ones who already got all that stuff paid for by their last ex boyfriend.
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A blow up doll would serve better in this current economic climate.

Kenworth6969, Aug 26, 2022

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skallagrime Road Train Member

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Kenworth6969 said: ↑

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Women getting plastic surgery dont understand men, they took her face from a 4 to a 4.5 at best, plenty of 0s and 1s have no problem dating and navigating the world

skallagrime, Aug 26, 2022

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Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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Dino soar said: ↑

The problem is that this business in general it's just not a great thing.

Sure, having your own truck is nice. Picking where and when you want to go is nice. But it is an industry that the rates have not really gone up since the 80s and have not kept up at all with the cost of living. Yet all of the other costs associated with it have gone up.

On top of that, it's a business that what you actually are earning changes because of the economy and truck volume, and aside from the pandemic I don't know if the fluctuation up is really that great. Or if that offsets the downward swing... so if you calculate all that together, I myself think that calculation will not be a great number.

On top of that when you're not working you are working on the truck or even worse you have someone else working on the truck. Or you're washing the truck or cleaning the truck. Or you are doing your billing or you're IFTA or whatever else.

Then of course you are working for brokers and you sign your life away with those agreements. Sure if you go from A to B and have no problems and you get paid, wonderful. But if you have a problem you may have to sit on that load for a week or more. You have very little recourse, virtually nothing, for how much money they will give you. They will give you what they feel like giving you and you will take it.

The last problem is that in trucking your service is not unique enough that you can command a higher revenue than someone else. Actually, it usually works the other way around. You find an account or you find a broker or you have a direct shipper whatever the case is and you're getting paid and you're happy with the amount you're getting paid and then somewhere along the line oh well you know we have to make a change I have a carrier that can do it for Less can you do it for this...

I think if you're willing to work hard you can still make money but it's a rough business in the ways that I described and then some because on top of that you have to deal with unscrupulous repair shops and unscrupulous towing shops and sometimes unreasonable Dot cops. On top of a lack of parking and everything else and of course being away from home even if it is only one or two nights.

I get the guys that are super hardcore in this business but overall I don't think it's really that great. I think you have to really love what you are doing and love the lifestyle and never want to do anything else ever.

In the end, myself, I just don't think it's that great of a business.
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I agree, too much BS. Too much overhead, time involved, for results.

Rideandrepair, Aug 26, 2022

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Rideandrepair Road Train Member

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I like my woman same as my vehicles, all original,

Rideandrepair, Aug 26, 2022

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