I’ve considered doing the RV thing as a lower entry investment option into the industry. However I’m concerned about the long EMPTY drives back to get the next load. I’ve heard of some drivers getting backhauls (cars and misc loads) back toward their next RV pick up. Speaking with the RV companies, they are telling me that running under their numbers (required) eliminates the option of getting these back hauls. However when I speak to some of the drivers, they talk about getting back hauls all the time. How are you getting away with this? I have an idea, but I’d like some input before I assume... Thx in advance.
If you're leased to a company, you're not supposed to haul for anyone else. That's what a lease is. You are leased to that company. I wont say that some shady companies dont do it, but if they get caught........
About 15 years ago I ask a guy who had 2 campers on a gooseneck trailer “ do you make any money carrying 2 trailers” he said “ my wife starts looking for me a load out of where I am dropping off at as soon as I get loaded” I had seen guys pulling campers and figured carrying 2 would pay more ( he said it payed 1.5 more ) but the key was his wife. Now I did not understand how having your own numbers worked as I had always worked for someone and never for myself. I did not know the right questions to ask. So I leased to someone just starting out as a low cost option to get into the industry. I already had a truck and could get a trailer easy enough. Being leased to someone you could learn but since he was starting out and didn’t know what he was doing I couldn’t make any money. All there freight came off the load board. I am not saying don’t leased to someone, just not to anyone just starting out. If you lease to someone find someone who has their own freight and has been in business a long time. Also try a do some homework on the industry. I have seen you asking questions on different segments of this Truckers Report that is very good because depending on your location different opportunities exist.
If you haul with a pick up and single pull , chances are great that you will go back empty often. If you haul with a haul and tow , pick up with a low boy or a semi with a low boy , chances are great that you will get a back haul. I drive a haul and tow and rarely drive empty .
Thanks for the input. I am considering a haul and tow, or a shipshe trailer. My concern is just the empty miles. A thousand miles out = 1000 miles back, so I don’t want to eat up profits while empty.
I have asked a TON of questions, here and other places. My plan/hopes are to get a feel for the industry as a whole then “specialize” out on my own. I’ve worked for a large corporation for almost 25 years. Im ready to do things my way for a while.
I get automobile backhauls 90% of the time . I could be 100% but will NOT haul cheap loads !! Driven empty back from Washington more than once because rates were too low . Again - will NOT haul cheap !!
