Small Fleet Owner Seeking Advice

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by FAST123, Mar 27, 2013.

  1. FAST123

    FAST123 Light Load Member

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    Jun 13, 2012
    Easton,PA
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    Hello All,
    I am new to this site our company runs a small fleet in Southeastern Pennsylvania (7 trucks) and we need help or advice as to retaining drivers, unfortunetly the qualified amount of drivers is shrinking by the day with the increased regulation EOBR requriements and just over all work ethic its becoming harder and harder to stay in business. We like to think we pay decent .38 CPM to start up to .43 CPM depending on years exp and how hard the driver runs. We are having trouble finding guys that can do 2500 miles per let alone asking to do 3,000 per week. It seems like many drivers just dont care about the fact that we as as company have to pay insurance,trailer, truck payments etc. We are looking for a solution to perhaps have the drivers get their "skin" in the game and at the same time make more money we would like to OUTLINE our thoughts and get some feed back if this something that would work:

    Company provides truck and trailer
    Driver pays for fuel & Tolls and is paid percentage of the load/gross or a standard rate per mile
    Spilt trailer cost
    We would provide maintience on the truck


    Obivously they are pros and cons. We do not know how good or bad this idea is, all we can say is we are brainstorming and looking for feedback!
     
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  3. MNdriver

    MNdriver Road Train Member

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  4. tractorfleet3

    tractorfleet3 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 18, 2013
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    I'm a fleet owner too. Staffing will be an on going issue. Company drivers don't really care about your costs/issues. I don't see drives wanting to assume trailer and diesel expense, especially diesel in the North East area which is high. With only 7 tractors in my opinion stick to per mile pay and be selective on the drivers you bring on......really if you have drivers who can't do 2500 miles then those drivers are not the ones you want. The drivers will make you or break you at this point. I'm having the same issues staffing. Good luck.
     
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  5. FAST123

    FAST123 Light Load Member

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    Jun 13, 2012
    Easton,PA
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    It would be 1099 of course because the drive is truly independent thanks for your reply
     
  6. FAST123

    FAST123 Light Load Member

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    Jun 13, 2012
    Easton,PA
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    Tractor fleet- do you think it would be feasable if we provided the fuel cards? Honestly I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel start go dark with trucking lol thanks for your reply
     
  7. tractorfleet3

    tractorfleet3 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 18, 2013
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    Even with fuel cards (you should have fuel cards already though). I have a thread in here for fleet owners. I think if you take the route of splitting trailer, diesel, tolls, etc....you'll be heading the wrong direction. Essentially you competing with everyone else who don't put those risks to the driver. Making your hiring a lot more difficult. Well unless you paid extremely well which I doubt. Are you booking your own loads thru the boards or do you have direct clients?
     
  8. Winkjr

    Winkjr Road Train Member

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    Oct 18, 2011
    Marlton NJ
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    I don't think he's truly independent if its not his truck.
     
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  9. FAST123

    FAST123 Light Load Member

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    Jun 13, 2012
    Easton,PA
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    Tractorfleet- We do have our own fuel cards, basically the way cacluclated the math after the fuel, diesel, trailer the driver would net $1600-$1800 per week. We use both load boards and direct freight I would say its 50/50 between load boards and direct freight.
     
  10. tractorfleet3

    tractorfleet3 Bobtail Member

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    Mar 18, 2013
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    ok...what are you averaging all miles running this way?
     
  11. FAST123

    FAST123 Light Load Member

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    Jun 13, 2012
    Easton,PA
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    AVERAGE 2850 MILES this is average for the last 30 days
     
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