It is better to Deadhead than take cheap freight

So you have 1200mi for 2200.00 bucks . You gotta pay taxes on the DH plus you burnt fuel and you used hrs on your 70 without generating any revenue from the 400mi.

I personally would of done a short run in the bad area to help pay for the DH later fuel ifta as well. To me its the only way to turn a bad lane into a decent lane.

In Pa i get decent rate in terrible out. So i find a shorty say 300mi for 1000 or 1200. Makes that next load that pays 1.80 little better. Now if i find a same day deliver and back it up with load out even better.

 

My fair wage presumption, based on equipment investment, its cost and also other blue collar professions and their wages and wealth gathered throughout their career, is that an owner operator should be able to clear 90 - 100K a year with an effort of 100K all miles a year. So it requires the gross to be somewhere in 200-230 a year or 17 -20K a month. That's why taking anything less than $900-1000 a day is defeating the purpose of owning a truck and trailer that can be of value over 200K. The only cheap loads that are excusable are those that take you directly to your terminal but even that is not always.

 

I think 200 full driving days a year is a little low to be clearing 100k after expenses. But I also think that all your other numbers are close to right for a successful O/O. To be a successful O/O you're going to need to provide excellent service and avoid numerous mistakes that would cut into your profit margin.

Making 100k a year isn't some trivial thing. The median household income in the US is 59k. Yes you should be able to make 100k a year as a successful small business owner... But that successful part is mandatory IMO.

 

Every business model is different. My friend has new Freightliner home every night no weekends unless he choises grossed 186.000 last yr cleared 82000. He averages 650 a day sometimes 800day. It varies. His loads avg 8000# he is lucky to spend 450 in fuel each week after discounts.
So really you can make 650 a day and be successful. 3 Harleys 39 roadster New Chevy PU and a New Barn to park his truck and toys pretty much proves you can do it atleast he has anyways

 

Having a bunch of toys doesn't prove anything.

 

And toys normally come with payments... No thanks.

 

Gunner, What load board do you use?

 

DAT Trucker's edge

 

What are you suggesting that they just run back empty and get nothing? Its not fair however we all understand why they do it.If they don't someone else will.

 

The rates get around $400 to $500, I will stay home or deadhead,not worth the time and wear on truck after deducting fuel and 20% to my company.I have done that before and it caused me to miss a good paying load.