Cargo Van Owners with Authority subject to DOT driving limits?

Well, I wish you luck in this endeavor. Keep us posted on how it goes. Do you have a van already?

 

Bingo you can say that again. I would rather work at Wal-Mart for $9 or $10 an hour and not beat the crap out of my vehicle.

Yes, that's basically what they told me too. Then reality reared it's ugly head. I knew after the first week's settlement this was a crap gig but decided to stick around a few more weeks so see if the checks improved. They didn't.

By the way you're in a good position with a new van for running under your own authority. But you should of got a Ford.:smt065

 

This. I was complimented on my van and cargo space by every shipper I picked up at. I soon learned why after the first few checks. I ran a E250 with a 6-cyl (woopsie) around northern Illinois for about 3 months before I called it on my courier gig. I think my best day was around $650 before costs, and it happened once. Normally around $350 before costs. After fuel, maintenance, taxes, not a whole lot left for me.

 

$350 a day isn't bad compared to what I was making.

 

Reality check.

The truth is that yeah you may get into a situation which pays good but when you have someone who comes in and says "I can do that for a buck a mile", you lost the account.

Van work is bottom feeder stuff, there isn't a thing that is exclusive to a van - meaning that a truck can take it for less than a van can if they are going on that direction.

And what if you have a break down?

You've got the wrong vehicle for the work, it isn't made for this stuff, it is made for an occasional hauling of personal stuff.

Why would you need a mil in liability insurance?

By the way, you ever think that you insurance costs is a little (like a lot) more than it should be, I pay less than half of that for my setup.

 

That isn't entirely true. There are some places a semi or even straight truck can't get into. Also semi O/Os won't bother with one skid that goes two towns down for $150.

I agree he should have got a 3500 or at least a 2500. Even better the Ford version the E350. GM reliability is spotty at best.

 

Actually I have yet to see any place where a straight won't work and a van will. I've been doing this for a while and have hauled all kinds of loads in both a van and straight truck, most of the time the van is a problem because they are not dock high so the forklift has to come out to a van while this may sound alright, a lot of places don't want that.

As for a O/O not picking up an extra $150 or so, it is more likely that they will pass it up but for someone who has three or four loads on on the deck or in the box, another $150 is sometimes welcomed.