flatbed vs. dry van

Yes, I have. I'm looking at truckers Edge Pro right now. I paid for the subscription just to learn how to use the tool.... not complicated. I've done many millions of dollars in equipment sales and service in my little business over the past 20 years. And yes, I do my own corporate accounting and manage my own rental properties and tenants, my own stock market investments (long term, no stupid day trade bs). Well, I do. I already have one business that does well. I have my own reasons for wanting another challenge. Sure, I feel better when I make more money, but I won't finance myself into a corner. I will have my truck, my trailer and my $13,560 annual insurance paid up front. Then I have a net income of more than enough to support me if I don't do loads. I have no intention of running 1.20 loads, except maybe to exit low paying florida to get to GA, TN, AR, or LA, where loads for now, are quite good from what I am seeing. Now those loads now are $2.00 - $3.00 a mile.

I also know that you won't go broke by underestimating the public. People, including truckers, will buy the best, get deep in dept, and indenture themselves to a life of serving (in this case, a truck). I'm not doing that. I will build a fleet, one at a time, and a small one at that. I will only pay cash, have a good mechanic available and hope to not get plagued by surprise failures. However, I am expecting to have some, and will make sure I have reserve for it. I've made it in an industry where nobody makes it two years, for twenty years as a little quality oriented shop.

The reason I question the load boards viability to run a freight business is that I have as many truckers illustrating and telling that they use the load boards (some exclusively) and they show some of their numbers. I can separate the wheat from the chafe, given enough information. That's what you do in business. Everyone has a story, true or untrue or somewhere in between.

Do you use load boards?

I appreciate that nothing may beat a direct customer contract as that makes total sense. I'm going to ask the question to the masses.

 

no, I haven't. No question, I will need to learn. I've got a retired friend who did flatbed in NYC of all places.
He is going to do some part time driving for me and has volunteered to teach me what he can. I've never driven a semi truck, but I just put a cash bid on one ten minutes ago. I don't take securement lightly. It's quite interesting to watch flat bedders on youtube and educational. I'm an old college grad with a mind for numbers. I can only say that right now, I still have to take the Florida CDL class. I had my CDL back almost 32 years ago and drove a straight truck only (Michigan). Climbing on top of loads doesn't appeal to me, but another flat bedder told me is has only once been on top of a load.

I totally agree, I need to seek training. That's not the big issue, for me. Having always worked for myself, almost right out of college, my world is on the job training. I don't underestimate you guys that do this stuff. you're fast and learned on it, to do it safely and efficiently. Don't worry, I'll learn right after I get my truck, my authority, my trailer, my cdl. Probably in that screwed up order, against my own advice. I'm an eccentric cat, to say the least. I probably make too much money to add trucking to the mix. Way to much to go get experience working for 20% of what I earn in a year.

Admittedly, the items I feel comfortable securing are lumber, steel (rebar, sheets, stock, etc), dry wall, coils. Actually. on the coils I need to study that a bit more, but I've got videos of a trucker doing it. I get that this stuff can kill someone. Why does everyone talk to me like a kid? I'm 55 and own a building, 5 houses and a small, yet good business. My business has zero debt and I owe only on one house.

That said, the safety is a factor, which i will not compromise on. If I get stuck, I'll ask. If I thought I could profit in dry freight, I would. That, and the fact that Progressive wants to charge me more for running a dry van, than the higher risk (IMO) Flatbed.

 

Yes, I'm a bit stubborn, not to be chased away when people are yelling fire, when I don't smell smoke or see fire.

 

Of course. That is a problem...getting stranded out in the middle of nowhere. Atleast, I can try to mitigate that by spending the money doing preventive maintenance. Your point is well taken!