Stepping Out With My Own Numbers

Motor issues?

 

Having some recently but I have fingers crossed the code stays away now. It is mostly the truck itself; air system, ABS, lights, these things keep coming back and it's really on my nerves. Peterbilt is no help. I've taken it to Volvo, Freightliner, and International for service. Those guys figured out my problems, went to Peterbilt for parts, and fixed my truck.

There are some things coming on the motor though and they're things I don't feel like dealing with. I'm not going to spend almost 10k on the motor and have to run this thing another year to get some return on that money.

The new truck payment is only 400 dollars more than I pay now, it will be new, and I'm estimating a 30% increase in fuel economy. It is custom spec'd by me for maximum MPG.

I have a Cummins in the Peterbilt and have no complaints. The issues coming are a result of the previous owners and how it was driven. I met the guy that had it before me, a lease operator, and he bragged how you could make it scream up hills at 1800 rpm and how he drove 70-80 everywhere he went. It shows in the ECM data. Average MPG was 5.8 when I got it, since I've had it it's at 8.3 although the IFTA is 7.7-7.8, the ECM is always off by some. Given its history it's held up well.

 

I think that trying to fix every single code that pops out like that out of the blue and not seeing any physical symptoms could be an endless waste of money. As long as the machine is running smooth...The jump in your mpg is awsome...If I were an IFTA controller, I'd put a check on you

 

@Misesian great thread...It's awesome how you've been posting your progress...
I'm trying to test the preplanning with my drivers... I'm finding loads for 4 trucks and I think I could do better if I preplan 3 or 4 loads ahead. I've heard from different Truckers that it's not the best idea. Especially as @DUNE-T says "when the market is hot!!!"
But what I'm finding hard is to search for the best option inside the pool of data in DAT (I also use this load board). It can take me hours looking for loads that pay what I'm expecting and also that match the time windows of pickup & delivery.
I haven't concluded yet if it's better to preplan or not. I'm going to start with a couple of my Drivers that are up to the test and see if we can increase our revenue and make it easier for them to know where they're headed in advance.
Do you use a process to look for your loads? Do you have extra tools besides DAT that help you with the preplan?

 

My strategy for the preplanning part is that I'm always aiming to be empty in the morning. If I'm emptying out in the afternoon or evening, you're almost guaranteed to not roll until the next day. You could catch someone late in the day who can't find a truck and put the screws to them but I'm more focused on consistency.

As far as rates, I run the same lanes a lot and don't get outside of that. I spend a lot of time in OH, PA, NJ, MD, and VA. I also pull a reefer. Reefer rates have been really good lately and getting good paying loads isn't an issue. Most of the longer haul rates are too low. I will do one if I'm setting myself up for good money afterwards. Midwest to Northeast is good, southeast to Northeast is good. If you don't want to bounce around in a small area like I do you could do one short haul to get money on the truck then grab the longer haul out so your drivers get miles and it's not as cheap.

 

Looking good this month. Monday I'll have 14825 in revenue at 2.36 a mile all miles. I have a couple leads already out of there back East out of MN. Loads to PA paying 3300-3600, NC at 4K, Dallas area paying 3k, and a VA paying 3200. Told the guy I'd call him again Monday unless he calls me first and wants to book one tomorrow. I'd rather wait and see what all hits the board. MN is hurting for trucks right now, WI is the same way, lots of money over there right now. If I can keep up the pace until close to the end of the month this could will be a big month for me.

 

With drivers...preplanning is unavoidable imo. Waiting till last moment could be a risk. I ended up deadheading out of Omaha, NE yesterday simply because nobody wanted to pay more than 850 to go back to Chicago. I would have gotten 800 but they would not budge a cent more. So did not I. And by 2pm all loads were gone. But I found another one out of Pleasant Praire WI going to WV for 2400 and I decided to deadhead not to waste time. I should have taken that 800 stupid pet food load. Anyway, I did this to myself and was not very pleased but I am not going to curse myself like I would have, if It had been done by a dispatch. Ha Ha!

 

That rate back wasn't bad, depending what you got going in. Even if the freight is on the cheap side I'll still take one, some revenue is better than none. I get some really good rates on the lanes that pay, do something short to get some good money on the truck, then take the cheaper load out, and grab a money load right back. You come out further ahead by taking the cheaper run with revenue than filling in that space with empty miles and no revenue. That's why I don't agree with the "don't haul cheap freight" slogan. Empty miles cost money too.

 

If you're pulling a plate van, there's a broker called Wolf Direct out of Chicago that has some decent rates. I pulled one for them last month that could go on a reefer and it was a healthy rate. They call me every once in a while when they have one that can go on a reefer but almost everything they have is plate van only, dry freight.

 

The broker I talked to yesterday called me back and got me one of the Philly loads paying 3550. Means I'm booked up until mid day Wednesday and I like hitting that area over there.