How often do you move a $200-$300 load?

Those are called load outs. You can load the trailer and use it for a few weeks to make money before delivering. Brokers will get those for a flat rate $700-$1,000 then broker them out as "load outs" to schlubs for $150-$300. They're risky. Can you imagine damaging a brand new trailer? Some dumb ### knocking a hole in the wall with loader forks or something.

Power only's that have customer freight in the trailer can be risky too. Never know what sort of equipment you will come upon. Could be a rolling DOT violation. I always charge round trip rates on these kind of moves at a minimum. So $4.50 a mile generally. But again there are a lot of schlubs in this business that will go anywhere for $2 a mile. I'm always amazed how many of them will do that with power only. You think Florida is a deadhole when you have a trailer? There's lots of "Florida's" out there when you're in a bobtail tractor. You better pass on those loads if they don't pay for the bobtail trip back to home.

 

Could you insist upon a statement in the rate confirmation such as "Trailer will be road-worthy prior to arrival of the carrier. Any defects found will be repaired prior to carrier departing with the trailer, and demurrage will be paid to the carrier at a rate of $100 per hour for all time beginning when the defect is reported until such time as the repair is complete." ? Seems like if that were common, it would light a fire under these companies back sides to make sure their trailers were up to snuff prior to trying to send them out on the road...and brokers would be inclined to put a little more effort into stressing the importance to their customers for maintaining roadworthy equipment.

 

You could do that but it's doubtful many brokers will agree to something protecting you in such a manner. I never do. But I will only book power only loads that are on the customer's equipment like Amazon. Or the big diesel generators. Equipment from these kind of companies is usually newer and maintained. Or on mega-carrier trailers JB Hunt, Covenant, etc those are safe bets.

One kind of power only move I avoid is the broken down owner operator who has a stressed out broker trying to repower the load. There's too many guys out here running junk that isn't roadworthy. I'm not wasting time with that.

I broke this rule one time and ended up coming upon a 53' dry van with a load of paper roll stock that had one functioning brake, a bunch of busted lights, looked like it had been to hell and back again 3 or 4 times, and leaned crazily to one side. It was from a Chicago based carrier. I took the load because I was desperate and needed the money. They agreed to $1,500 on a 100 miles. It sure was fun riding over Monteagle Mountain at 5 mph so I didn't need the brakes lol. Never again.

 

Brick is the cheapest #### you can haul

 

I don't know. I have been quoted ridiculous rates for hauling salt and tarps required. Funny, I've never hauled it.

 

Never, we run team and so little money is not worth our time

 

I had a broker that couldn't believe I wanted $1,000 for a 276 mile tarped load that picked up Friday and deliver Monday. I'm deadheading home for the weekend (4hrs). I won't support cheap freight. He was only willing to pay $450.