I Got my CDL just to move my family across 4 states - I have questions

Fantastic post, thank you very much. You bring up some good points.

I did not tell Either that I have no experience, because by the time I actually move, I'll have experience.

Everybody needs to start somewhere...

The reps I am working with from each company do know that my major move is next year, but between now and then, I've suggested that I may rent a couple of time for some one-off hotshot runs or local deliveries. They also know that this activity is a new component of my business.

I will rent from them shortly after I pass my skills test. I'll rent a single axle daycab and a 28 footer my first time out, and book a small local load. Then I may do that again.

Both Penske and Ryder have daily and weekly rates on the rate sheets provided to me by the representatives who setup my accounts.

Penske seems to require you provide to them proof of your own insurance policy with them listed as an additional loss payee.

I have a quote from Progressive that meets Penske's insurance requirements. Progressive's insurance work out to be about $672.23/month, or $22/day. This is for Damage and liability. It costs $6888 upfront to get this rate. There is no pre-term cancellation fee. All unearned premium gets refunded.

Ryder offers damage and liability insurance, by the day or the week. Ryder's insurance costs $72/day, a little less if you do a week at a time...

I'd prefer to pay Ryder's premium in exchange for not going through the hassle of setting up Progressive just to rent from Penske.

Penske charges a credit card, Ryder checks your business credit, and extends a line. I have been credit-approved at Ryder.

I have already discussed driving in a convoy with my wife. She won't do it. She's the boss.

I'll have to read the paperwork carefully to determine if my 11-year old passenger is excluded for age, or the exclusion of passengers entirely. This will flush out during my first rental.

I'm hiring a team of temporary laborers at both ends to help with the loadin/loadout, and Ryder may be able to get a trailer with a liftgate. There are also companies that just rent trailers, and they can get a liftgate. Either Ryder or Penski will rent a tractor, but neither will rent just a trailer. Weird, not sure why...

I'm extremely appreciative of your post and points, as I mentioned and asked for in the OP, "Am I missing anything?", you certainly contributed...

I've always kindof been off the beaten path, and sometime just simply enjoy the challenge involved with accomplishing something most would have considered impossible or impractical.

Yes, the whole thing IS impractical, but I believe it's possible. And somehow it seems worthwhile to me.

 

Good points.

In light of that, I'll need to clearly NOT "do a couple of loads:, and keep the money out of it.

That would make me a private carrier not subject to needing an Authority: Get Authority to Operate (MC Number)

Regarding needing a DOT number:

1. Illinois does not require a DOT number
2. Click "Do I Need a DOT Number" and answer "No" to the next 2 questions: Do I Need a USDOT Number?

So to recap:
1. Don't do anything for money - no commerce
2. Find out if rental company will rent out to a Private carrier, or someone with no Authority
3. If the rental company provides the insurance, it's not me who is getting a commercial insurance policy.

Could you clarify, though, the part about not needing a CDL for a modified Tractor-turned RV pulling a 53-foot trailer? This would be a combination vehicle, and might weigh over 15 tons. In some states it seems you would need a CDL, other states are different. Seems like a GVW thing... See Our 2017 Big Guide to RV Driver License Requirements - Never Idle Journal

I appreciate your input, and I'll be the first to admit when I'm wrong, so I'll let you know if the rental company will rent to a Private carrier with no Authority.

 

What do you mean by "fuel and trip permits"?

 

Again, good point.

When I used every bit of ABF -UPack's 28footer during my move from Virginia to Chicago in 2010, I used a crapload of ratchet tiedowns and built slices and layers that were securely fastened as I loaded the trailer.

As you know, those trailers get shuffled around a bit, and probably drop and hooked a few times till they reach their destination, which was a yard for storage for 30 days, THEN it was finally brought to the house.

I have to admit, nothing was broken or shifted significantly. It took 3 days to pack by myself, but this time I'm hiring some labor.

It came with a ramp, and I already had a handtruck, but it was still work, so the liftgate would be nice, but if I don't get the liftgate, I'll have a crew of 4, 2 on the ground, 2 in the truck, and we'll just bust it out...