flatbed vs. dry van

I appreciate your approach and vouching for the gentleman who posted. I would talk badly about my own industry for anyone getting in, just because its very hard now and so competitive in a shrinking market. So, I get it. I'm sure trucking has seen some better days, as has just about everything since Amazon and Superstores, in general. We all feel the crunch and eroding profit margins. That's no Joke.

You, ppdct, are the first broker I've run across, since I decided to use my profitable business to let me get started in trucking. I'm not under any disillusion that their aren't a lot of headaches, and I know what the expenses are. Except for the unknown maintenance costs that can be excessive, of course and can ruin one's day or worse.

I will only run part time, when I want to get away on a journey. for a couple weeks. I doubt that I will run more than 26 weeks of the year. Since I'm paying cash for my equipment, just as I've paid cash for my rental homes, I'm not going to have the recurring overhead that almost all of the guys have. My hopes are to generate 4-10k every week that I am working. If I can make half of what I already earn per year, and keep my existing business running with only phone assistance while I'm driving, I'm making over a quarter million net, with no debt! That doesn't include my rental properties that make me enough to retire on, but not comfortably retire on. It's not all about money, but the profit motive, I'm all about, if that makes sense.

Since you are a broker, answer this based on my scenario. My company, Digicor, Inc. I established in 2000 as an S corporation. I've had my DOT number since 2002, still active. However my operating authority will be brand new, under my existing company, rated well with Dunn & Bradstreet. Will I have any problem getting loads off the load board, given that information and of course my commercial insurance credentials?

For instance, would you be someone who I would submit my information to and work with? I'm totally comfortable starting a conversation to that end. I recognize you don't broker Florida loads and can understand why. I don't plan on hauling much in Florida, unless I get into some lanes that one of my friends wants to take with a truck I purchase, which I highly doubt. There is no point in running for 1.35 a mile, unless its to pay my fuel out into the southern states with good loads listed. Let me know if you can help more or want to PM offline.

Thanks

 

I understand you , I think. I agree, its not the same thing, selling copiers and running a small office equipment service business, as it is to be successful in trucking. If someone came to me and said I should do what you're doing, in the copier business. I'd say good luck! You had better have a customer base like I have to start, or plan on cold calling your ### of and live off of hardware sales while you build your contract base. I make nearly 80% of my revenue in my business off of my customers from the past 20 years, in service and in house rental recurring revenue. So, I do indeed understand, me being a wanna be newbie in this industry. I respect truckers, which is why I am joining the flock, so to speak. I will flounder, and I will get frustrated. I know it. I know me. Nothing is easy, especially not these days. The big get bigger and the small get smaller. In my own industry, I am one of the last little guys I know..... a spot on the spot of the ### of the fly that's on a spot. I'm not all gung ho, really. If you knew me, you would see, that I'm just wanting to learn, but I do get a little offended (unrightly so) when people say, nah, this can't be done. Nah, you need to go drive for a company. Hogwash! That's required for guys with no money and recommended for anybody else. I bought expensive snow skiis before I ever set foot on a ski hill. Fortunately, I liked it. But I knew what it was and was excited. I fell a ton. It sucked and hurt because I was 202 lbs of linebacker by the time I was 16.

Will I succeed at trucking? I am determined to try. As I've gotten older, I realize, I don't have to be King or even on the royal court. I just want to own what I have and gain some rents along the way, if that makes sense. To be honest, I've never been a good manager of people, in my mind. I've been a better performer, and built a good (to me) business that real successful business people would scoff at, because I haven't developed it. I choose to work less because I can. I am the king of thrift, but not cheap. I can squeeze blood out of a nickel. I expect I can make those crummy $1.00 rates and make a profit if I'm out and need to get home with my tail tucked between my legs. Business is business. Most people fail, in my observation, because they get the fundamentals all wrong. Pay Uncle Sam First, always. Pay your help second, pay yourself last.

As you said, there is money in trucking! There is money in a lot of things. There is money in the copier industry.. Still billions and its a shrinking industry. If you're only a fly, you only need a flies portion to do very well. I may only be a fly, but I'll continue to be very successful for a fly.

Taking what you said and I'm hearing from others, the trucking industry is not in a great way today. Is that a concern for the longevity of the industry? Personally, I can't imagine the alternative. Even if Amazon, uber, Prime or whoever has the customer contracts takes over, they still have to pay what the market will bare or truckers go out of business. Sad as that may be, it ultimately creates an equilibrium in the system. The time to buy in to any idea is often when its down, having come from the peak of its game. Think about it? It's a viscious cycle, as is business, as is real estate, as is the stock market. I truly am not arguing your points... It's tough. It's never consistent and most people in this life fail. The 80-20 rule works in most facets of existence. You can win, and maybe are winning your game.

I'm here to support positive thinking. I'm not being mouthy with you, no more than you are being contrary to what I believe is still a good opportunity, given the right situation. You guys are in the trenches. I just want the best ideas, but I guess I'm a stubborn fellow to be fair.

I am taking a lot of time off to take care of my folks. When this is over, I am looking forward to taking my truck (that I will buy soon) with my newly gained CDL (I'll take the class by fall, I hope)) and I'll find a crummy load out of florida to the nearest place that has good loads and I'll try to plan a few days in advance, otherwise I will wing it. I have my health, my strength and a good mind to keep me safe as I learn. The thing is, if I only covered my insurance, fuel and maintenance, with a paid for truck and trailer, I still can keep my current customers happy remotely. I still earn more than 80+ percent of Americans. If I fail, its because I don't like it, can't deal with the challenges and dishonest people (I deal with those now too), or I see another opportunity that shines brighter. Right now, I want to escape from where I am and have the time and road to myself. That's where my head is. Don't worry, I've no plans to disrupt trucking, lol. I just want a place at the table of my own creation.

Maybe I'll run some google adwords. Why not, I have an account with them open? I'll advertise LTL flatbed. I found before that some people pay full load prices for on time freight from someone they "know". So, keep the good word coming. I probably learn more from you than you know.

By the way, I'm no executive. Sure, I own a small business, but I wear shorts and flip flops to work these days. I earn less than any "executive" I know. Their are always crossovers in business, but they won't make you successful without having what it takes in a given business. We can agree on that. I only mentioned my DOT since 2002, as its one reason I am doing this through my existing business. It gives the appearance of tenure, that's all. I never drove a semi in my life. I had a little NPR box truck with lift gate. It's not relavent. The driving is the easy part. I am going to research flat bed more, though. I do not want to get on top of loads. My balance has never been good and I really don't want to carry a ladder.

 

Very good. I didn't realise those rules. I sure do appreciate your answer though.
Thanks