Worth it?

When you said 35% you mean for your truck only like you are paid 65% of the line haul (company gets 35%) for your tractor only? And if you bought your own trailer you would then get 75% (company gets 25%) of the line haul for your truck and trailer? ..
Have to make sure you are comparing Apples to Apples when people start throwing percentage numbers around

 

I’m like you. Percentages don’t mean a thing. What’s important is how much money I get at the end of the day.

 

I have thought about this, I get 65% do alot of drop/hook.
But I could run without drop/hook, did for 3 months just for tryout.
But everyone says, that 10% will pay for a trailer in 2-3 years.
It would, if all 10%went to trailer pay, what about insurance for that trailer?
Upkeep? Granted, new trailer..but what if?

 

No.
If you change company and don't need the trailer, finding parking is a pain until you sell it.

 

Well what does that 10% pay for if you don't have a trailer?
trailer insurance is pretty cheap, maintenance, nit bad under most operations.
The way I look at it I would know my trailer, and not be hooking on one that needed work to get to the first load.

 

Should I mention a DOT officer in arkansas put me OOS with a brand new trailer, flatbed, with papertag, on the way to first load, due to brakes being “wore slam out”
I called little rock and explained, they threw the ticket out later.
Proof, DOT can do whatever the officer wants

 

Company you’re currently with takes 35% of the linehaul? I have to admit that’s a bit high. Most companies will take around 25%. It’s also not a problem to find a company that only takes 25% and provides all the trailers for free. Prime is an example. As long as you can find a company paying more than 35% and gives you a free trailer to use I see no point in buying a trailer of your own. I just wish I would’ve figured that out a few years ago. I could’ve saved myself a lot of headache because of the trailer I have now. Of course I had a need for a trailer because I was operating under my own operating authority and I needed a trailer. Ironically, it appears I may not need a trailer any longer. Just do yourself a favor and ask yourself very honestly, do you really need a trailer of your own? If you’re only trying to get an extra 10% you don’t need a new trailer, you need a new carrier.

 

Yeah, did I see Warren stickers? I thought they were pretty decent? Never really checked into them, just know they did the loading at Waterloo John Deere

 

For 10% I hope its a reefer, otherwise that's a bit steep. Reefer average is 10%, van and flat in the 5-7% range.

Here's some basic overall numbers with zero down from my own experience, numbers will vary. A basic dry van will run you about $750 month, same with a basic 48 combo flat. A new reefer will run you in the $1700 range. Everyone's insurance will vary greatly, but expect the van should be in the $250/month full coverage range, reefer $350.

Even if you break even, at the end of 5 years you have an asset paid for. That van will still be worth $20k or so, reefer in the mid $40's. You're paying for that trailer one way or another, might as well own it after 5 years. With the van you're looking at a minimum of two sets of tires and basic PM's in that 5 years if you take care of it. Reefer expense will of course be higher.

Some carriers have great drop and hook that may make it worth it if you're able to keep moving, Dave at Landstar swears by it there. Take into account what you gross on average per month, and figure what that 10% is worth to you.

You have experience with your carrier, so it should be pretty simple to look at the numbers and decide. If you were new to the carrier, Id say test it out first before making the commitment. If you're grossing $200k year, that's $20k and more than half that van or flat paid for, paid off in two years if you were committed. Then it all goes in your pocket, except the maintenance.

Thats my opinion and $.02 worth.