Help with buying a used truck and a couple of questions...

Well. First congrats on working on your first big step.


The FMCSA website has been graphically upgraded. When it comes to the mc# dot# process.

Follow the steps carefully, if you don't have all the required info. It will give you a reference number to continue where you left off.

Take your time, use a computer not a laptop on batteries. Start a notebook of your progress and write down all the info you enter and any numbers they give you.

Once you've gotten threw that. Come back and post your progress, and any questions.

 

im thinking a small 16 foot box truck full of belongings from a 1-2 bedroom apartment you might fall below the weights that require #'s i think its 10,001lbs before you need dot mc #'s mc is only needed for interstate travel (commercial work crossing state lines) some states you need a dot # for intrastate (staying in the same state) some you do not.

 

your going to need drivers files med cards drug and alcohol testing polices in place log books repair logs annual truck inspections ect

i believe most 16 foot cube vans and box trucks are intentionally rated to fall below dot requirements. if i was you id try to find a good truck with a light empty weight to be able to take as much of a load as possible while staying under 10k and save the fillings till you move up to a bigger truck. your be under a much smaller microscope and have a lot less hoops to jump threw. i don't think filling for #'s would be worth it for a 16 foot box truck moving household goods. you get up to a 24 foot truck and its probably going to be unavoidable.

 

digizure,a small tip for you.
When you buy that older used boxtruck,buy one with a little extra hp.(not too much,don't go crazy)
Why?
Well,a in my part off the world people also buy straight trucks to do moving work but they use the option off pulling a trailer behind it.
No need to allready buy a trailer but if you find your boxtruck getting to small,that option will give you the possebility to double your floorspace.
This way you are covered if your bussiness grows without have to overinvest.

I would get a DOT number.
That way if you find loads you can bring back for others ,you might earn a little extra.

 

i do agree with much of what daf said. i like the idea of a trailer for extra space if needed, the trailer would certainly put you into dot territory.

ooida is good for answering a lot of your authority related questions. i spoke with them quite a bit with my questions when setting up my authority they can also take care of your alcohol and drug testing policy.

i also agree with getting a higher hp engine. i used to work for a company that had a couple little izusu npr box trucks. they had the 4cyl diesels in them. great trucks for putting around town but suffered greatly on the interstate. a strong headwind and you couldn't maintain the speed limit on flat ground.

 

Hi.

We have bought a couple of trucks from Penske. Used them for several years. I think Penske is a good option. Check Ryder also.
You haven't mentioned workers comp. Make sure you check with your state to insure that you are complying with rules for Household Goods.
Getting a dot # requires a lot and is an added expense. If it is not necessary at this time for your company think about waiting to get one.
The important thing to remember is to have qualified drivers, make sure they are safe drivers, (get driving records) and keep your truck clean and maintained properly.
good luck