Disgusted owner in need of help

You would do a lot better if you bought your chains/binders/tarps/tie-downs outright. You don't need to buy them all at once, just some here, some there until you are fully equipt. I can tell you that you are being bent-over and paying two or three times what the equip actually cost. Just about every major city has a "tarp abd strap" shop that sells anything you would need. Shop around.

While 75% might (on some loads) be a good deal, it might not be such a good deal on all loads. And to be honest, them taking 25% is a little steep. They shouldn't need more than 15 to 20%. Investigate different carriers, just because you are LEASE/PURCHASE with CRST, they cannot force you to keep your truck on with them, as long as you are making your payments you are free to go anywhere.
Buy your own trailer if you can, it is like getting a 14% raise. It would pay for itself in the first year.
Again, shop around for bobtail INSURANCE, they cannot MAKE you purchase theirs.

 

May I suggest Landstar

 

He'd have to buy a flat with Landstar, or pull their van and only get 65%.

 

Wow they told you that your paying a driver too much ? How much are you paying the driver ? Might just jump ship and come over and show you how to run this truck. All kidding aside figure out why your paying 500 week for chains and tarps and the use of their trailer ? for that price you can own a very nice new trailer.

 

I would suggest landstar as well. or give me his companies contacts and contracts that he hauls for and Ill lease him on here. I am looking for new contacts guys and owner operators to haul our frieght. Still in the garage right now but sending out about 70 loads a month. But I pay on time and all our customers are doing the same. I am considering running some trucks under our authority but I am tring to figure out a good fair rate and cut my liability to damage to the fright and the accidnts.

 

You can lease a trl. your self.
I know a dealer in Houston that has flatbeds or steps..
Like the other drivers posted you can buy your own tie down cheaper..
Company I'm with gets 25%, but they pay for base plate. Not me paying for it.

Check around for different insurance companies and compare prices.

Like other poster stated look at your weekly settlements and check all the deductions.Make sure the fuel and cash advances match all reciepts you have. Yes driver can sell fuel even off a fuel card.
Check your mpg. and see if it flexs much.

Good luck

 

You might want to consider Landstar. As long as the vehicle is mechanically sound and pass DOT....

Landstar is a good company for "self-motivated" persons and won't work well for those who would rather wait around until someone "tells them what to do".
Pretty much "self-dispatching"; picking loads from what they post on their website.

 

Drive the truck yourself!!!!

 

Got a question for you. What does "over advanced" mean. I'm gonna create a firestorm here and get myself in hot water but so be it. How much are you allowing your driver to draw. I know drivers need money on the road but the people like you I drove for set a limit on cash advances. Do you? Over advanced leads me to believe your driver is taking too many cash advances and CRST knows it,but can't stop it if you don't. I'm not saying that's the whole problem but driver advances will kill your profits. The $500 per week you are paying seems high based on what it's for but you are paying for equipment needed on a flat bed trailer plus their plate and probably some money for fuel taxes and insurance. Every time the driver takes an advance you lose. Plain and simple. That's money from the truck. I know you get a settlement from CRST and those advances are deducted from it. You get a net settlement and after you pay the driver there's nothing left for you. I've seen this happen often. I'm just suggesting here but to be honest with you I would take a close look at that. Again I'm just curious what "over advanced" means.