O/O with authority looking for power only moves for next 90 days

To the point, I started hauling cars and started with a three car trailer and a dually. After running like a bat outta hell and encountering every possible scenario you can living in a Ford driver seat, Ive managed to make some ground! My days of sleeping in a pickup are OVER! I wont do it another day! My financials are as follows... Ive got a decent maintenance fund of about 7500. I have a few grand set aside for a bigger car trailer (hopefully a six car or better), BUT not enough. Have a truck deal lined up and financing will run about 1200/ month for a VNL780 with 475k. My current set up needs a $3900 tranny in it. Its not worth putting that money into something I don't want to drive. I need a change of pace. My family is cool with it and my ole lady hasn't started riding everyone else... yet. I can go get that Volvo now, still have my maintenance fund, still have my nest egg for another car trailer minus my truck down payment (hauling cars is what I really want to do), BUT.... I cant turn enough with that 3 car trailer by my calculations to justify hitching it to that much truck. Id like to get into some power only moves over the next 45 to 90 days with the larger truck where I can net at least 2000 to 2300 per week. I have my own authority not one point on my cdl and live in the Detroit area and will run as far as OKC-Dallas, Lower Jersey- Philly down to the Charlotte-South Carolina area and the Chicago-Midwest area. Ive been told I can accomplish my goals and stay local as well. That'd be AWESOME! Im open to whatever suggestions from rail cans to grocery store moves to what ever. I know pulling cars but not a lot about much else in trucking which is why Im kinda excited about trying something new as long as it pays. Just a real hard working family guy in a bit of a situation in search of some real world advice. Can you guys... and gals help me out?

 

Sorry, I'm in Houston. We have about a million cars to transport. I don't ride a parking lot. Never could get used to a car being over my cab.

 

What kind of equiptment you have

 

you getting rid of your dually ????

 

Yes I am. have a buyer for the truck. Ive been selling the parts and spares and have much left for a 7.3 Stroke

 

rats good luck in getting your next truck

 

#1 suggestion - Don't buy the Volvo.
Parts and labor are always expensive and sometimes you'll be sitting at shop waiting for part to be shipped in. I've owned six different trucks, 1.5 yrs. ago I bought an '09 VN780, really clean, low miles at 420k, cummins 450, bought a drivetrain warr. I only 'upgraded' because of Califukya emission ###### standards. Well last summer the clutch goes out with no warning. I never use a clutch except at lights, and to back up. The bill included tow across Dallas to Bruckners, 3 days at motel, also had them replace the air safety valve that was leaking, its behind the battery box, total came out to near $4,600..... not to mention lost $$ downtime. Last month another air leak. They said one of air tanks cracked at a weld, they wouldn't attempt to reweld it as they said it'd just crack again. Included an oil chg and air cleaner, ttl cost $1,950.... Also, lots of other odd repairs, things that I NEVER had break or wear out on any of the other trucks I've owned, 3 freightshakers, an international, one kenworth. I will Never buy another volvo nor recommend it to anyone. Yes, it is the best riding truck of em all, best sleeper layout I think, I drive really slow to get nearly 6.9 mpg avg, which includes my idle time, but which is with a thermoking Tripac apu. I haul a 53' reefer btw.

I'd go with a kenworth if/when I can again. Maybe a freightshaker if the mpg was near 9-10 mpg, but I hate the look of the cascadias.

Owning a big truck is a tough money-making proposition nowadays. I've been independent for many years. I do it all, find loads, drive it, billing, bill collector. I used to run 3 trucks in the '90's, but got rid of them due to the headaches of finding good drivers. I sometimes still look at lease companies, since you will get more loads that way, but for less money usually, and more hassles too.

Go to some load boards and look at the power-only loads, and for different states, and work the phone. I'm sure you'll find something. If I was younger and starting out again, btw I grew up in Detroit, I'd look at getting into one of the local union type outfits as a driver only, better pay for sure, and no trk repair surprises. Also consider over-size hauling, and the steel haulers. That used to pay, probably still does. Good luck.

 

Didnt those guys on shipping wars show you how to do everything?...

 

Buy a 5500 or 6500 series dually with a bunk on it and keep hauling cars, get it with a 5.9 or 8.3 cummins or the small cat, be much farther ahead and still should be able to haul a 6 car trailer, just my .02

 

That's an interesting take on things. You like that setup better than a single axle? Whats fuel economy like with that and why do you say its better than an semi setup?