Running with JCT, Part Deux

I have a fuel question. When getting fuel do you go with the cheapest at the pump price, since ifta is paid, or do you find it with the lowest price after subtracting state tax?

 

I always grapple with this question: when coming out of Richmond Washington and going to Pryor Oklahoma... Is it better to take the back route down through Utah and Colorado to get to the 40 and over, or better to take the Rand McNally suggested 80-25-70-35 drop down through Kansas. Even if weather were not a factor.

 

You answered your own question. "...since ifta is paid..." no need to worry about it. Lowest pump price is what you want. If you paid ifta it would be more complex.

TA

 

We deal strictly with posted cash price.

The only other factor we consider is the 11-14 points per gallon at the Loves, or the 15¢ rebate (received on EFS card, not at time of purchase) & 1 point per gallon at PFJ. A lot of times you can find better deals at independent fuel stops.

 

Also this is a long haul company. If you want to see 3k miles or more on a check you have to run on recaps. If you are doing 34 resets all the time you might not get enough trips completed within the pay period.

I came from a short haul company that delivered to mom and pop docks that weren't open on the weekends, so I always did a 34 over the weekend. Running on recaps and learning how to set them up properly was the growing pains I went thru the 1st month with this company.

I try to log total on duty time including driving to 9h45min a day. I find that I can keep moving if I log no more than that a day. #### happens in the freight business so we know that perfect scenario isn't always going to happen.

 

Exactly. Spent time experimenting with hours and found recap running turns the best. The system seeems to match you with loads that are usually easily done with your returning hours.

I like running 500ish miles per day, or about 9hrs logged. That makes for easy running days. The hard part is getting my hrs set up to return somewhat evenly but once it's in it flows nicely.

Just did an involuntary reset in Laredodildo TX and am running back to back 680ish days to make on time for this load. And that's the problem; you get a fresh 70 and you tend to get hammered with a rush-rush load.

It seems assbackwards but if you slow down you go faster.

TA

 

Every time I go to Laredo it's an involuntary reset. I only accept a load going there when I need a fresh 70. Last load I delivered there left my trailer full of blood and looking like a murder scene. I bet those blue beacon boys had fun spraying that out.

 

You're letting the load dictate your running speed. Now if your sweet spot is 63-70 mph, you can do that in a shift.

 

OK Drivers, NEW RUBBER here and I submitted my info to the JCT Gods to see if they approve. I have worked OTR with a CR E company and was burred....(hint now im a black sheep). Im an IC as a Oil Field Hand and have been in Business on my own for 10 years, driving for 2-3 in there when crap is slow. Today the oil industry is dead so I am going to work on building this. I have read this entire feed, yes i found it a goof read...lol.

So, I am looking forward to getting back on the road and putting some arse time in the seat.
One thing I am looking for is updated information as to how you as a driver and I/C track your business and make the most profit. I see at imes you will fuel up even when you "don't need it" and looking for this to be explained more.

Thanks guys and keep it safe!

 

You will ALWAYS need it. Would you rather buy fuel today at $2.00 a gallon or tomorrow at $2.25?

Example: I don't need fuel on this trip. 260 miles to go and I have over 1/2 tank. I just topped at $2.05 for 90 gallons. Where I'm going fuel is $2.30 and I'll need it somewhere on the way out which would mean over paying by $0.25 gallon. Four times a week and that's $100 in the ####ter for no good reason.

Guys that fuel for the trip or the paycheck are adding $1 to this week while subtracting $2 from next. 1 - 2 = -1. Makes no sense.

I check evert fuel stop on my route in and possible stops I could hit on the way out to see what makes the most sense. I don't do 50 here 50 there bs. That is a waste of my time (IMO)

TA