Closing up shop, or thinking about it?

Was he doing that all winter? Pretty sure the guy I'm thinking of was running that all winter.

 

I just logged back in and see this thread took off!

I’ve now added a poll with up to 2 votes can be made and can be viewed without voting.

 

Man that really blows I didn't realize you got hit. When I'm backed into a dock I will not go lay down until someone is in the spot next to me.

 

I’d heard something about that back in the early spring. The less involved I am with government though, the better. I can’t personally say whether that was the case or not.

I’m running this at about $2.30 a rolling mile (50/50 loaded/empty). These folks down here are using it to try and keep their cattle fed and their way of life going, so I’m not looking to take advantage of them, just covering my costs. Broker is in about the same position.

 

I was quoted $62000 by Cartwright in Amarillo a few months ago for a new Timpte. It was a 43x102 with 78” sides and a few options including an electric tarp. Shocked me since my last one I bought new in 2015 was about half that but had fewer options.

 

I intend to stick it out and take my licks through this interesting time.

That said, I'm glad that the "survival" of my household doesn't hinge on the truck income so I can afford to muddle through or sit and observe as I have been doing.. I do admit through the wonders of hindsight that I could/should have waited on pulling the trigger on a brand new trailer since it looks like prices are starting to come back down again and I could have saved $60k.

 

On a more positive note. The guy that has a company about the size of yours @Midwest Trucker just got 2 more new set forward axle Mack's delivered. His yard is right down the road from us. They look sweet. One is lime green everything, frame, hubs it looks pretty sweet. The other is bright orange everything.

He has probably 10 trucks maybe 12 and 20 vans. He does the exact same thing as us. Local 150, no logs, home everyday. He pulls out of all the same places we do. One of his driver's said it's about 40% contract and 60% spot.

 

Looking back, I wish I would've built a drive thru, at least a full bay back in shop to work on my equipment. I'm still doing it (when I feel like it now) on my gravel driveway. I pay for most my repairs. I still wrench on my truck if the weather is fair.
Buildings are very expensive. I've been building a garage. 2x6x10 $14.95, treated was only 30 cents more.

 

Yeah dad built a shop a few years back and only put doors in one end. Gets stifling hot in there to the point you can't do anything. That's the biggest reason I want a doors in both ends. Able to drive through is just a bonus. I need to sit down and actually calculate a decent estimate instead of seat of the pants winging it.

 

Last wilson i bought was in 2020, 41x78x102, manual tarp, no options but 2x5 lights.
$39000, i bought electric tarp and put it on, and 4 vibrators and put them on.
both prices include FET