Check My Numbers V.2

Well it is about forecasting, using something high that won't be reached consistently is a problem, 8 sometimes may not happen for a month, then what?

Taking the lower number, and using that for fuel budgeting and forecasting seems to be a better solution because when you don't reach that number as an average for the worst case, then you can move the difference onto something more important and have a balanced sheet.

 

I check on here close to every day, don’t know how I missed v. 1…. Anyway… I do the same thing. I’m always trying to figure out how to have my own business so it naturally goes over to being an o/o as well.

I’m not an owner but like @D.Tibbitt and @Siinman mentioned- a day rate might make more sense unless you are dead set on strictly general freight/spot market. The only (major) complication I come up with when I do my own hypothetical expenses is how to figure fuel costs based on day rate instead of mileage.

My own break even seems like it’d be just under $1600/day. Based on 225 working days/yr. Add that to the fact I only work about 200 days a yr as a company driver, and I refuse to live in a truck..,, you can see why it remains strictly in the idea realm lol

 

No doubt about it.

 

I understand your point, I was just saying with my truck I would be putting down 7 as the lowest number to account for everything. My average is 8.5 before I did the stuff to my trailer.

 

That's good, I was just using you to expand my point. fleet average except for HH trucks is about 6, I haven't checked this week but 6 gets us to put money into the fuel bucket to keep trucks rolling.

 

Impossible to give estimate.

Everybody drives differently.
Fuel prices different everywhere.
Mountains vs flat roads.
Traffic stop and go vs middle of nowhere driving.
Fuel economy worse in colder areas driving too.
Weight of freight makes big difference especially in mountains.

Countless variables.

 

I suppose repairs, tolls, taxes, and any other variable costs are impossible to estimate also

 

what do you suggest then, to figure fuel expense. If you’re going to the bank for anything you must have some sort of explainable figure, no? You left out the whole second part of your post where you’d go on to explain how you manage without any earthly idea for fuel expenses

 

If I was planning costs it's better to overestimate than under estimate.

Right now I'd say 6.5 MPG at $4 fuel.

Will most of of time be better than that yes but what about those times I go out west with mountains and higher fuel costs or some other example.

Might as well always plan for more costs than less. Anything extra in your pocket is a bonus.

Fuel costs are really a trip by trip basis.
A light load in texas your mpg and fuel costs wayyyyy less than a heavy load in mountains out west.

 

Repairs especially.
Reliable truck will save you tons of money.