Opinions on hiring for a 6 month tradeshow circuit haul

If I am reading this correctly then they are charging $1.20/mile on fuel, $.085/mile IFTA, base plates at $7,000 per year, replacing the tires twice, changing the oil every 3,000 miles and charging you $2.70/mile. Now the mileage should be off as you would have a mileage rate then a labor rate. BUUUT, this is way off.

While it was a while ago, I coordinated many trade shows. When at Sprint we hired the whole thing out. At other companies we used contract labor.

I would not suggest employing someone yourself but rather go with your gut of using an O/O or contracting with a company that does trade shows. I am not sure at the end of the day that you would save that much but you will have the additional work required of running a one man trucking company.

 

For what you are talking about you could get a driver/labor for $5,000 per month. But what happens when that driver decides he is done? You now have a truck and trailer sitting with no one to drive it. And the process of hiring someone is not an over night thing. Just the pre-employment drug test alone could take 4-5 days to get results.

And imagine the leverage that a driver would have over you knowing this.

Maybe not the worst case senerio but just one of many scenarios you need to consider.

 

There are driver leasing co's that can fill the seat. Ryder, Penske, Nat'l Lease etc. might have a truck that would fit the criteria.

 

Actually ryder can do the whole ticket from tractor to driver..... a bit expensive but fully deductable and will always have a backup driver / unit.

Plus you can fuel at Ryder locations, discounted.

 

you pay to paint my truck black and i will do it for $20k a month. and i'm reliable.

thats going to be your biggest hurdle with an owner operator.

 

depending on detil i may go cheaper, contact me.

 

If I am not mistaken--both Ryder an Penske--do driver leasing--as for the truck wrap--I am guessing since the lease is so short Ryder isn't interested in doing it--like they do on a long term? But--is it truly necessary? I know you want it to look like going down the road--but your wagon is really the centerpiece--and--is it necessary to keep unit connected at show(I am guessing the trailer is part of the sho--not just transport)If so--consider saving the money and just drop the trailer for the event--besides it leaves you some extra space to work with
Just my $.02