3, 4, or 5 skids

[DannyD]

This maybe belongs in the recruiters section, & I'll definately be asking my company, but wanted to ask drivers their thoughts on it too. Would a box truck that could carry up to 5 skids be any advantage in getting freight? I mean financially. I realize there's times when a 2 skid van is going to miss out on something that a 3+ skid vehicle can take.

I'm asking because I've run some numbers. Figuring a 2000 mile week it would cost about $185 more per week to run a box truck @11 MPG over my van @17 MPG. That's if the rates don't go up for 3+ skid loads.

So if the rates don't go up for C loads, it's costing me about $800/month more to run a box truck than cargo van. If I could negate some of that w/ more freight/less sitting/more comfort (sleeper in there) it could be do-able.

What makes me ask this is that more people don't drive box trucks. There must be a reason for it. I'm wondering if one of the reasons is there really isn't that much more freight in the 3-5 skids range to justify it.

So other than poor gas milage on a box truck, what are the drawbacks of one? Part of me is thinking if I'm going to only get 11MPG I might as well go w/ a straight truck & get a better rate. Another part of me is thinking a box truck could be a good way to go because of some advantages of a van yet I could carry more freight.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanx.

 

[moose]

Hey D D
Here is my C C...
If you are going to Log , Solo , get a 33,000 rated truck.
No R ,
No TG.
no Tag.
Yes nice sleeper.
many good buy's out there ,
& you can negotiate the sell price.

it will cost just about the same to run as a BOX Truck (you can tell us what you mean by that)
& you can get loaded more.
a class A CDL with HazMat & Canada will help too.

 

[DannyD]

ok, I missed an important point. There's no log as this is under 10K gvw. Payload is about 3K. Supposedly it can carry 5,000, but 3,000 legally.

I do get what you're saying on the ST though. I was thinking if I'm going to get 11MPG, I might as well get a bigger truck. Except then I'd be limited in miles as I'd have to log. So w/ this I wouldn't be limited in miles.

So I was wondering if there was enough freight in the 3-5 skid range, that weighs under 3000 pounds, to justify this. It wouldn't have to totally make up for the $185/week, as there'd be some comforts in this that my van doesn't have. But if there was zero, or a very limited amount of freight in the range I'm thinking of, then yea I'd just go to a ST.

I appreciate your input. Sorry I didn't articulate my thoughts very well. I realize there's a reason more people don't have box trucks. Just kind of trying to figure out what they are.

 

[highway star]

I'm a bit skeptical of the claimed hauling capacity. It's big enough to haul up to 5 skids, and has a weight capacity that's about the same as a regular van? Get that thing on a scale yourself before you make a decision.

 

[DannyD]

Good idea on the scale thing. I didn't take it to a scale, but I looked it up on Google. The GVWR is 9600 pounds w/ a payload of 4147. Factoring in for a bed, fridge, generator, & a few other things, 3000 would seem about right.

I still wonder if there'd be enough of that intermediate freight to justify it though.

 

[guido4475]

Hey D D
Here is my C C...
If you are going to Log , Solo , get a 33,000 rated truck.
No R ,
No TG.
no Tag.
Yes nice sleeper.
many good buy's out there ,
& you can negotiate the sell price.

it will cost just about the same to run as a BOX Truck (you can tell us what you mean by that)
& you can get loaded more.
a class A CDL with HazMat & Canada will help too.

Are you serious? Where are you getting your figures from, as far as you saying it costs the same to operate a box truck(which I think you are meaning a cube truck-15' ford e-350 type) versus a 33k straight truck.Think about the cost of apportioned plates,ins, tolls, fuel taxes, repair labor rates,fuel mileage,tires,etc.
There is absolutely no way.

 

[Dakota]

If you put 5000 on a box truck you really lose your steering control and it is downright scary
3000 is the max to be safe
My last job I would haul 2 skids of paper 2500 each
Illegal, yes but it was local. The transmission would only last about 50K

 

[transporter]

a cube truck is better than asprinter and way better than a cargo van. The main reason is freight height

 

[Dakota]

a cube truck is better than asprinter and way better than a cargo van. The main reason is freight height

Question is, do you get enough of that odd sized freight to justify the cut in fuel mileage. 11 mpg compared to 16 to 22 for a cargo van or sprinter

 

[moose]

Are you serious? Where are you getting your figures from, as far as you saying it costs the same to operate a box truck(which I think you are meaning a cube truck-15' ford e-350 type) versus a 33k straight truck.Think about the cost of apportioned plates,ins, tolls, fuel taxes, repair labor rates,fuel mileage,tires,etc.
There is absolutely no way.

First of all , please let me apologize for answering a question that was not asked , i have miss read the originate post.
as to your questions ,
all i'm trying to do here is give another point and options as to how to run an expediter truck.
as you all know , what work for one ,might not work for another .
as to your question ,
apportioned plates : in the state of Minnesota for for 33K = 394:95 for the year , just about the same as annual tags .
Insurance : at 242 a month for a 33K , all it take is one load .
tolls : most places toll by the Axle anyway.
fuel taxes : here you make a good point , lots of saving if you run a big truck versas a 10k, as those taxes are being payed for in full by the IRS !
Repairs labor : you are correct , hourly rates higher for big trucks.
fuel millage : yes sir it will take more to run a big truck , yet some are getting 11,12 its up to the owner, keep in mind that rates cover most of the increase , and many O/O will make money over the increase in fuel consumption.
Tires : i actually don't know , and never thought about it , don't think it will play into , many out there getting great tire life with a bigger tire, hardly play into the per mile rate.
Got2Go...

 

[chefdennis]

the OP never really defined "Box truck"...i was going to try and answer when the post was 1st put up..but didn't because of that fact.

So are you talking a 10,000 gvw cube van, a 26,000 st or a 33,000 lb st???

If you are looking at a cube van with a 10,000 gvw, weight wise you might get 4500 lbs payload that could be 2 skids or 5.

As was asked, how often are you going to be offered those bigger loads? Talk to the sprinter drivers, most of them are running the same 2 skids that a cv is running not too many 3 skid loads...

Now think about this from the shippers stand point...if he has 4 -5 skids, he is calling for a dock high straight truck in most cases.....

Now would i tell you not to get a cube, nope..i will be going bigger in one way or the other but staying at 10,000 lbs gvw...but i will be doing it for comfort..i have a 48 in sleep in and extended cv now with a frig and microwave an tv and twinsize bed...i want more room for a 22 in tv bigger frig and a butane range..i want more comfort..so i am looking at a 16 foot inside length Cube van....

it all depends on what you want...but i wouldn't tell you to go to a cube thinking that you will be automatically be getting more freight cause most of it will be the same as you would get for a cv...just ask the ST drivers that are hauling CV loads...

 

[transporter]

dakota i do see more freight because i have a cube. I can haul 6 48 by 40 skids but the real benifit is my height. for me it is worth the fuel economy loss.

 

[Dakota]

dakota i do see more freight because i have a cube. I can haul 6 48 by 40 skids but the real benifit is my height. for me it is worth the fuel economy loss.

Cool, I'll bet that a unicell type cube van or at least one with an air deflector on the roof would get 1 to 2 mpg then a normal cube with the nice wall behind you

 

[transporter]

unfortunately i am pushing a wall no aerodynamics. i asked the dealer about a add on he said heard different rusults from no benefit to a 1 mpg gain. But i have a plan to increase my fuel economy. I am going to put a tow chain on Ateam's truck.

 

[DannyD]

ok, some good answers..

Sorry I wasn't more specific. Yes I was referring to say a 14 foot cube van under 10K GVW.

so I'm getting this for comfort & there's not going to be more runs or anything. I'll take a lot of B runs & just get 11MPG rather than 18. I'm fine w/ that. If I want bigger runs, get a straight truck (still a good possibility) but even then I may end up getting a lot of B loads in it.

Right now I have an E-250. Nice van. Love it to drive. Don't care to sit in it for to long.

I had asked some straight truck Q's in some previous posts. Like about carrying a motorcycle. One thing I had forgotten to mention is I also want to take my bowlex along. The thing on that is in a ST the bowflex would be in the freight area & there'd be that wall between the tv/stereo & the bowflex. Kinda quirky I know, but to me at least a lil bit important. I also wanna put a rocker/reclyner in there. Gotta be comfy when I watch the football games.

I am going bigger for sure. I'm not buying anything tomorrow. Still deciding between a ST & Cube Van. Each one has advantages. Just trying to figure what would work best.

Thanx a ton of the responses/ideas. Gave me a lil something to think about here.

 

[Moot]

Get that thing on a scale yourself before you make a decision.

Danny, after you get it weighed you must take into account all the stuff you add. I've got an 04 Chevy extended van, 9600 GVWR. I don't recall what it weighed in at fresh from the factory, but right now I'm at about 6800#

I have a 1/2 thick composite plank floor (house fascia) which I estimate to add an extra 60# more than had I gone with plywood. I have 2 rows of E-track on the floor, E-track on both walls, insulation, a bed, 2 12 volt coolers, 4 straps, 10' tow chain, 20' tow strap, 4 E-track pocket holder thingies, roof fan, 2 deep cycle batteries, tools, folding chair, several varying lengths of 2 x 4's, clothes, rug, 2 pillows, 3 flashlights, jumper cables, laptop, c.b., 4 speakers for the stereo, Garmin, compass, a partridge in a pear tree, etc. etc. etc.

The point is: THIS STUFF ADDS WEIGHT! Suddenly your 4000# cargo capacity is reduced significantly.

 

[LDB]

Two important words. Dock High. That may affect your number of offers more than anything else. I'd run numbers carefully to compare a 77cpm cube van and a $1.10/$1.20cpm ST. Now, ir you switch gears to an Aerocell where 14-16mpg is both feasible and likely that will repaint the picture again. Do a ton of homework and when you believe you've done plenty do that much more. Good luck.

 

[DannyD]

Danny, after you get it weighed you must take into account all the stuff you add. I've got an 04 Chevy extended van, 9600 GVWR. I don't recall what it weighed in at fresh from the factory, but right now I'm at about 6800#

I have a 1/2 thick composite plank floor (house fascia) which I estimate to add an extra 60# more than had I gone with plywood. I have 2 rows of E-track on the floor, E-track on both walls, insulation, a bed, 2 12 volt coolers, 4 straps, 10' tow chain, 20' tow strap, 4 E-track pocket holder thingies, roof fan, 2 deep cycle batteries, tools, folding chair, several varying lengths of 2 x 4's, clothes, rug, 2 pillows, 3 flashlights, jumper cables, laptop, c.b., 4 speakers for the stereo, Garmin, compass, a partridge in a pear tree, etc. etc. etc.

The point is: THIS STUFF ADDS WEIGHT! Suddenly your 4000# cargo capacity is reduced significantly.

dang, I didn't know patridges weighed that much. Thanx for the heads up.

 

[DannyD]

Hi Leo,

I actually am doing a lot of homework. That's what these Q's are for. To give me ideas, stuff to think about that I'm missing, etc. So far a lot of good info. A ST owner PM'd me after one of the posts & we talked. He was telling me about 2 runs/week & his mega payment not being covered. Also mentioned were 2 skid runs where van rates were paid. Things like that. Either take van rates or sit longer.

Mind ya, it wasn't all gloomy, there were some good things too. But those kinds of things add to the equation when figuring this all out.

The responses in this & other posts have given me some things to consider. So for that I'm appreciative.

I guess what I'm doing is starting out w/ the premise of I love to drive. Don't care to sit. Sitting is part of the job. So what can make the sitting more enjoyable? Once I get that figured out, I'll have no problems staying out a few weeks at a time rather than be a homing pigeon.

What I do have going for me is time. I'm in no hurry. I also don't have a lot of expenses to worry about. While I need to make a few $$ along the way, it's not a top priority.

 

[Jefferson3000]

Hey Danny. Good to see you back. Still in Flint?

Only the customer base of your carrier can determine freight opportunities. Freight forwarder/cartage company and you could kick some serious tail and be home at night most days. Most stuff is fairly light. I did great before everything slowed. Doing things differently now though, and I'm running out of state with a 46K GVW straight truck now.

Definitely ask the carrier and look at what other drivers with a carrier are running.