How many years should I work with my company before buying my own truck

Just my opinion as a 2 year company driver ,which doesn't mean much. I would think the best deal would be to get some decent contracts hauling directly for a few reputable manufacturers,just like a company drivers company does. You get a set rate whenever you show up, but you take care of your own expenses. I wouldn't trust a broker farther than I can spit.Maybe an occasional load to get me back to where I need to be? The other thing another board member alluded to is that I would try to stay in an area I'm familiar with (which could be the same route all the way across the country or a region?).....,with customers,services,and routes I'm familiar with. I don't know for sure, but I'd guess that's exactly what most companies with ten or fewer trucks do?? I'd guess this kind of arrangement would make bookkeeping and any misunderstanding easier to deal with as well?

 

I use brokers through load boards and have no problems,
None of my loads have been less then $1.75 pm and the average is $2.00 pm.
But I'm a skateboarder so my loads vary. Steel pays the best right now whereas lumber sucks. Most loads (lumber) leaving WA and OR are running below $1.70 pm but the demand is low. I would imagine when the economy goes back up and another building boom occurs, the rates will increase to keep up with demand.

 

i will suggest takiing a truckers bus. course.

the one comes to mind is TruckerU search that

 

Do you have trouble getting fuel surcharges? Everybody seems to be complaining about that.What's up with all the stories about o/o's going broke and running for free? Do you think you're getting better paying loads because they know they can't get away with paying you less or are you talking to strangers?

 

I have dealt with dump truck brokers (first trucking biz) and dispatch services, from that point, there is only one way to go from there.

Some of the loads outline the load details including tarp pay, FSC ect...

To use the boards or even if you go direct, you need to know your cpm. If a load pays $2.50 pm from L.A. to Denver, that looks good but what if your back haul is $1.70 pm? Averaging it out comes to $2.10. Then you have to account for deadhead miles and fuel. So the actual may be $1.60 or less TTT. It all depends on the bottom line.

As far as talking to strangers, after you do business with them a while (provided you do it professionally) they'll remember you and even call you with available loads too.

 

You got into UPS driving truck ? Why would you go anywhere else?


DO NOT BUY YOUR OWN TRUCK!

 

When dealing with brokers on one time moves, a fuel surcharge is irrelevant. For example; broker XYZ pays Ron Mars Trucking $2.50 per mileflat rate to haul a load from point A to point B. If a different broker paid the same carrier $1.75 linehaul and .75 fuel surcharge to haul the same load, what is the difference?

The fuel surcharge is really only useful for recurring/regularly scheduled loads on long term contract. For example; Ron Mars Trucking hauls directly for Manufacturer ABC for a load that ships every monday. The two parties have a one year contract for said load. The contract would have a base linehaul rate and a supplemental fuel surcharge chart. This protects the carrier from loss of profits due to rising fuel costs and when fuel goes down, it protects the shipper from overpaying. This fuel surcharge makes it MUCH easier for both parties involved as they only have to negotiate the contract one time for the one year term. Without a fuel surcharge, the carrier would have to go to the shipper to renegotiate a new rate everytime fuel spiked upward(could be a weekly thing nowadays).

 

You explained it a heck of lot better than I did.

 

Well, when I hear all of these small owner/ops running their own authority complaining that brokers aren't paying surcharges, it just makes me shake my head. Apparently you and I think alike(at least on this issue...lol). Why does it matter if they pay surcharge or not? If the rate isn't sufficient, then don't haul the load.

 

Yeah, if you don't like the rate either negotiate or hang up the phone and call around. It's really a "No Brainer"