Hopper, Dump O/O's & Drivers

Guess not. Who is AR? Hopper outfit?

 

Lastkidpicked,i got my start purty much just like WH did,except i was a dairyfarmer when i bought my truck,purchased it(and a dump trailer) for the purpose of hauling sand for bedding the cows but had a lot of local farmers wanting me to haul their corn/beans to market and at the time not many farmers had large bins and fewer still had their own rigs so harvest time i stayed super busy,but like WH said,everything kinda changed when farmers started buying their own trucks. Before getting my authority,i leased on with a cousin and pulled a flat local/regional hauling air conditioners back and forth to GA/SC but the mega carriers moved in,rates went down the drain,and i decided to just try and haul more for brokers/merchandisers during harvest time since thats when they have more trouble finding trucks and would actually use someone with a higher MC number like mine.

Wheathauler,how's the wheat looking out there? You staying fairly busy?

 

It's been bone dry, wheat doesn't look very good. There's not much going on and what is moving is cheap. One quote I got was $1.20 a loaded mile from a merchandiser who usually has good rates.

 

I guess I'm gonna have to hire on as a company driver with one of the mega carriers. ( what am I saying ! ) I haven't made any money with my hopper in quite some time. The rates are absolute garbage, and the empty miles necessary to put loads together are becoming a huge problem. I believe that I am a "get it done" girl; and I absolutely hate a whiner, ( I really don't hate anyone ), but I am starting to become one !

 

I see absolutely no shame in becoming a company driver.

As long as you're still earning and still working an honest job, then you're still "getting it done".

Sorry to hear it's been rough for you.

 

Great post my friend! Pure class.



LittleMissCabover,i would have to second what Mr.Lastkidpicked just said. Stay in touch with us whatever you decide,ok?

 

Thank you Dairyman. I appreciate your posts as well.

Many of us have been in the same situation as LittleMissCabover. We all know there is honor and respect in getting out of a bad deal and moving into a better one.

Problem is, it doesn't seem like it at the time.

 

Beings this thread is such a good one and a lot of experienced guys pulling hoppers can you guys tell me all the good load boards out there that you find good loads that keep you hopper guys busy? I know right now things are very slow and the rates are terrible.. Just trying to see what is out there and what load boards you use or like the most..

 

Aren't you on some other threads as a dispatcher? In hoppers it's more about who you know than load boards. Most of the load boards have cheap freight on them but some are good.

 

No I'm not any other threads as a dispatcher, reason I'm asking this question here as I thought you guys who been at the hopper business many years would or could answer my question? I have Hopper loads and just thought there maybe a board for mainly hopper loads that you guys go to?