Why does "backhaul" refer to cheap freight?

Sounds great SHC, but I'm pulling a van right now. And I'm not leased to Landstar or Farm2Fleet either. these joker broker's are trying to get freight hauled serious as a heart attack for 0.90-1.10 out of Jacksonville and Savannah. 1.20 or so PA and WV. That's 70% or more of the loadboard loads. I think if I keep pulling van until spring I'm going to model myself after Rollin' a little and try to stay within a 150 mile radius of Chicago, keep my truck posted where I know I'll get calls with decent offers. That was my plan after getting back from Savannah anyways but then I got a good rate to PA. probably should have just DH back to Columbus in hindsight or not taken the load, stayed in that radius.

I guess my only other option is to bite the bullet and pay a shop to sandblast and paint my stepdeck. I really wanted to do it myself to save money and make sure it was done right, but I don't think I'll see any good painting weather before spring in IL.

@ Rollin'. I'm sure you're right the best thing money-wise would be to stick with a stepdeck or van or whatever. Like I said I was really just starting to learn the lanes and work the loadboards with step when I switched to van. But I'm in this game for the longhaul. I stuck my neck out in the beginning and went down to TX to haul drilling mud to rigs. And while that idea failed miserably I learned quite a bit about oil business trucking. I have some experience with livestock, and also intermodal Chicago railyards. It may seem silly, but at this stage of the game when I don't have a mortgage or much in the way of expenses I figure it's a good opportunity to feel out some different opportunities and educate myself through trial and error. I guess I don't get to come on TTR and proclaim myself a master, or even a success. But I can live with that, I think it will all pay off in the long run.

 

Rumor has it, you don't really need a broker? Any truth to this?

 

No.. Just time and people/sales skills. Direct is good but brokers also bring value.