Back hauls

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Big"E", Feb 7, 2010.

  1. Big"E"

    Big"E" Bobtail Member

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    Jan 3, 2010
    Springtown, TX
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    I'm in the process of getting my own athority and while I already am set up with a broker haulin refrigerated LTL out of the Dallas/Ft Worth area I am wondering about finding good loads coming back. Load boards don't seem to have the best loads listed and I'm not a big fan of hauling cheap freight. Any advice or recomendations would be appreciated. By the way this broker has freight going all over the place so I'm not opposed to running any where as long as it's a good freight lane and has good rates to and from.
     
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  3. Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    Aug 20, 2009
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    That's an issue for me too. I can find decent freight going to point A, but getting something out of point A returning can be futile. I'm working on point A to point B to point C and so on. For example, I've found decent paying freight from my area to Dallas, but finding something decent coming out of Dallas has been the issue. I'm not interested in LTL, I'm more of a one pick one drop kind of guy. Most load boards list full loads although I've seen some partials listed. Can't say what I'd recommend in your case if you're convinced you want to be an LTL carrier other than to contact larger LTL carriers and see if you can negotiate some loads with them. I don't know how successful that would be as i'm not familiar with that side of our business.
     
  4. stepnfetchit

    stepnfetchit Medium Load Member

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    Jun 23, 2009
    Monett MO
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    I apologize for sticking my nose in here. Not picking on you guys but there is no such thing as a "Back Haul". It costs so much a mile to run your truck no matter where you go. Don't ever tell a broker you're looking for a "Back Haul". They take that as a sure sign you will probably haul a load for less. Been there and done that. Personally I never found Load Boards to have cheaper freight. It all depends on the area you are in. Freight from my area to Texas pays pretty decent but freight out of Texas paid less. It's been that way for the most part ever since I've been doing it except loads out of the valley. There's too many trucks in Laredo, Houston, Dallas-Ft Worth, etc. The trick to it I think is to run to and from certain areas. Work with a few brokers and don't be shy about letting them know you won't haul for less than your set rate.Do a few loads for them,let them see you are dependable,then hit'em up for a pay raise. That's what I did and surprise surprise they started offering me a better rate. Again I just hate the words "Back Haul". My .02. Be safe out there Gears and Good Luck to you both. Rick
     
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  5. Big"E"

    Big"E" Bobtail Member

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    Jan 3, 2010
    Springtown, TX
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    I just call it a back haul do to the fact that I load out every Friday for the guy out of Dallas. I've been running the Southeast pretty regular for him and things just seem to be slow coming back to Texas out of GA, AL, FL, NC, and SC. Maybe it's just me. And at what point do you guys accept a lower paying load over dead heading home?
     
  6. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    Alaska highway
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    If you have access to #### good steady freight out of the same place every week, you'll find a way to get back home to it. The alternative is leave the house and run circles around the country hoping and winging it for decent paying loads, and this probably works okay for some, but for me I
     
  7. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    Alaska highway
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    I'll stay an out and back guy. (tying from a smart phone sucks..........hey it's my backhaul phone...LOL)
     
  8. Working Class Patriot

    Working Class Patriot Road Train Member

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    Wherever and Whenever...
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    NO such thing as a "Back Haul"....
    That's just broker speak for "I'm gonna hose this O/O".....
     
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  9. Winchester Magnum

    Winchester Magnum Road Train Member

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    Alaska highway
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    Reverse front haul.........
     
  10. stepnfetchit

    stepnfetchit Medium Load Member

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    Jun 23, 2009
    Monett MO
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    I rarely had to deadhead back but would have if needed. Bare with me here. Had a friend who ran from SW Missouri to Laredo TX. He got paid almost as much going to Laredo as some guys did going down and back. He thought nothing of dead heading back if decent paying loads weren't available. I ask him about it one time. His reply. "The only thing I can offer is service". He didn't do it every time but like he said they are paying me good to haul their loads, the least I can do is cover the load. I think it depends on the individual and the commitment you feel toward your customer.
     
  11. Big"E"

    Big"E" Bobtail Member

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    Jan 3, 2010
    Springtown, TX
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    I have found decent loads coming back home. Paying in the $1.40 to 1.60 a mile to get me home. Just haven't been able to find great loads yet. I'm gonna stick with it and try to make a decent reputation for myself and see if I can't do a bit better.
     
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