Does any of this seem reasonable? Cost to run a 3500...

If you have any advice for a newbie im all ears. Havent bought a truck yet. In the early stage of research. I would appreciate any comments

 

Your biggest challenge, by far, is finding GOOD shippers who pay well. Even better if you have a friend in the business, who will help you.

 

Are you partial to any particular manufacturer?

Much Success!

Bill

 

Iv talked with a couple rv ttansporters. 1.30-1.38 a mile. One has no back hauls, the other has und 50%a back hauls.

 

OLD meow,is the way to go

 

($120 / ~35 gallons @ maybe 250 miles per tank) 8 - 12 mpg depending on wind, hills, etc.
Okay, I've done the RV thing. Here's the deal. If you haul an RV 1000 miles, you get $1300. You've spent $500 on fuel , but you have to deadhead back at maybe 365 miles per tank, so it takes you $350 to get another one. You've got $450, so that's not too bad, right? If you're disciplined and don't spend a lot on food, motels, do your maintenance on the truck, you stand to make a little money. Buy a used truck if you haven't already bought a new one. You'll save at least $10k. The 2011 Dodge has 75" from the dash to the back of the cab, so if you take both passenger seats out and put a foam mattress on a piece of plywood, buy a big auxiliary tank for when you find fuel cheaper...cut as many costs as possible, you'll actually make okay money, but there is better out there. If you can, as soon as you can afford it, get two or three load boards you really like, and get your own loads back... Hotshot (3/4 or 1-ton pickup without a trailer) loads are hard to find. If you can get horse trailer, or boat manufacturers in an area to give you steady backhauls, you'll do great.
Sorry if there are a lot of typos. This page doesn't work well with my phone...

 

Granted, sometimes "you gotta do" what "you gotta do" to put food on the table, but putting 2000 miles on your truck to make $400 is a lot of wear and tear. Not to mention travel time of about 4 to 5 days. A person would burn out fast and wind up getting real discouraged after a few hauls. It would me! I'd feel like I'm not getting anywhere (financially).

Much Success!
Bill

 

Sorry to bring back an old post, Bill, can you send me that info please...? I still have to get my count up as well. Thanks in Advance. pm me email please...and I will reply there.

 

I have been hotshotting for a few years now, more then I want to admit. I agree with these stats. It costs more to run these trucks then meets the eye. I have found allot of guys use that overhead Lie-O-meter to calculate mileage. READ MY LIPS, IT LIES. My overhead may say 10.5 mpg and on paper I am doing 8 mpg. I do trip,weekly,monthly and yearly stats on mpg. Last year my yearly mpg was somewhere around 7.8 mpg. yes I have had loads I have gotten 14 mpg running east us287 through tx. But I have also gotten 5.5 mpg running high loads west through Wy. Look at the big pictures. My 4500 Dodge stands up a little bit better. Knock on wood. I have 450,000 miles on it and put under$10,000 in repairs into it so far. Wouldn't have that if I didn't make the mistake of taking it to a Dodge dealer with there so called 5 star factory trained mechanics. My 3500s in the past didn't stand up as well. By the time I would hit the 300,000 make I would have $15,000 in repairs or better. I am convinced under a 4500 is nothing but a reconditioned SUV. These trucks really don't stand up to the abuse we try and feed them. So bottom line is , estimate a bit high, your going to need it in the end.

 

Hi Eastwood,

Should be on its way!