A sign of success
- Thread starter moose
- Start date
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
Or.......heavily in debt.
When I was a kid and I saw someone with a nice truck I would tell my dad they must have a lot of money and he would always respond with "or a lot of debt". Of course I didn't understand that then like I do now.
moose
Veteran Expediter
Or.......heavily in debt.
some people just cannot see the sun...
I'm with Dreamer on this one.
Moose.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
That van isn't getting a higher pate because it costs more to operate. So it may not be that much more profitable. Plus all that sleeper and extras take away frow cargo space and means loads can't be as heavy. So they could be missing out on some things.
arrbsthw
Expert Expediter
late4dinner
Seasoned Expediter
Comfort is one of the more important things, not the most for some but right up there. The ability to rest without needing to make up the bed and being able to stand up without getting out of the van is priceless.
late4dinner
Seasoned Expediter
It takes two very special people. The teams that I know best, stay out for 3 to 4 weeks then one of them goes home for a week or so. Then switch around so they both get some time apart. At least the wife and husband teams know each other before they go out with each other. What I don't understand is how two people who are not related can spend 24/7 in any kind of truck without getting on each others nerves.
butterfly610
Veteran Expediter
If they are husband and wife, stay out for months at a time, and didn't have a lot of bills, why wouldn't they be successful just because they cut down their load opportunity a bit? That van might be one of their only bills. Some of them have 72 inch sleepers, the same as a regular big truck, so I think a husband and wife who get along could stay in it together. I think one important thing is to get out of the truck or van sometimes. I know that we tend to have a different "driving" relationship then our regular one at times, and sometimes getting out and walking around town or doing something rekindles the regular one...lol. I'm lucky we get along so good. Some people say they would kill each other doing this job.
dhalltoyo
Veteran Expediter
Yes, husband and wife teams are the only ones I have personally spoken with that we able to stay a team for longer than 6 - 12 months.
Money maker?
Well, if it has a custom manufactured sleeper with all the goodies installed...it could not even legally load 2000lbs of cargo.
Think not? Go back and read the post of the guy who bought two of these vans, loaded up their personal items, fueled the vans, drove them across the scale, got a weight ticket and showed up for orientation.
The carrier had a minimum 2000lb cargo requirement and the vans were not even close to meeting that requirement. Needless to say, they were turned away by the carrier.
He drove his $90,000 investment (both vans) to a nearby dealer that sells a lot of these vans, took a huge loss and sold the vans. I saw them both parked at the dealer.
Therefore, two aspects come to mind:
First, with that set up...how many are operating illegally?
Second, with that set up...how many are exceeding the manufacturer's engineering parameters?
Considering the high incidence of transmission failures... question two has already been answered and by default, that also answers question one.
Money maker?
Well, if it has a custom manufactured sleeper with all the goodies installed...it could not even legally load 2000lbs of cargo.
Think not? Go back and read the post of the guy who bought two of these vans, loaded up their personal items, fueled the vans, drove them across the scale, got a weight ticket and showed up for orientation.
The carrier had a minimum 2000lb cargo requirement and the vans were not even close to meeting that requirement. Needless to say, they were turned away by the carrier.
He drove his $90,000 investment (both vans) to a nearby dealer that sells a lot of these vans, took a huge loss and sold the vans. I saw them both parked at the dealer.
Therefore, two aspects come to mind:
First, with that set up...how many are operating illegally?
Second, with that set up...how many are exceeding the manufacturer's engineering parameters?
Considering the high incidence of transmission failures... question two has already been answered and by default, that also answers question one.
D Team Brothers
Expert Expediter
I guess all the answers are correct; overload van and cargo is limited so keep van light/ team would be difficult so only allow solos/ upscaled vans are expensive, but comfort is very important to some/ what seems outragous to some is just practical to others/ some go broke while others are better business people (and luckier). I just wish everyone luck at what ever they attempt.
Money maker?
Well, if it has a custom manufactured sleeper with all the goodies installed...it could not even legally load 2000lbs of cargo.
Think not? Go back and read the post of the guy who bought two of these vans, loaded up their personal items, fueled the vans, drove them across the scale, got a weight ticket and showed up for orientation.
The carrier had a minimum 2000lb cargo requirement and the vans were not even close to meeting that requirement. Needless to say, they were turned away by the carrier.
He drove his $90,000 investment (both vans) to a nearby dealer that sells a lot of these vans, took a huge loss and sold the vans. I saw them both parked at the dealer.
============================================
Bingo.....the Rev figured it out
That is why I made the debt comment.
Well, if it has a custom manufactured sleeper with all the goodies installed...it could not even legally load 2000lbs of cargo.
Think not? Go back and read the post of the guy who bought two of these vans, loaded up their personal items, fueled the vans, drove them across the scale, got a weight ticket and showed up for orientation.
The carrier had a minimum 2000lb cargo requirement and the vans were not even close to meeting that requirement. Needless to say, they were turned away by the carrier.
He drove his $90,000 investment (both vans) to a nearby dealer that sells a lot of these vans, took a huge loss and sold the vans. I saw them both parked at the dealer.
============================================
Bingo.....the Rev figured it out
That is why I made the debt comment.
dhalltoyo
Veteran Expediter
Davekc,
I read that sad story about the guy who wasted $90,000 so when I was considering a Sprinter, just before I ordered the new truck, I went to dealer and drove one across the scale myself.
No way could I have legally loaded 2000lbs in it.
Comfort is an issue, but you have to be able to LEGALLY and SAFELY transport the cargo.
Trust me, I am all about comfort! I agree it is important when staying on-the-road for any length of time, but buying a truck that can't be legally placed into a fleet does not seem to be a wise decision. The solar panels are a great idea, but not on a 2500 Sprinter with a manufacturer's sleeper package. Why? Because the weight of the sleeper package alone already makes it impossible to legally place it into a carrier's fleet. The solar panels only add extra weight.
I read that sad story about the guy who wasted $90,000 so when I was considering a Sprinter, just before I ordered the new truck, I went to dealer and drove one across the scale myself.
No way could I have legally loaded 2000lbs in it.
Comfort is an issue, but you have to be able to LEGALLY and SAFELY transport the cargo.
Trust me, I am all about comfort! I agree it is important when staying on-the-road for any length of time, but buying a truck that can't be legally placed into a fleet does not seem to be a wise decision. The solar panels are a great idea, but not on a 2500 Sprinter with a manufacturer's sleeper package. Why? Because the weight of the sleeper package alone already makes it impossible to legally place it into a carrier's fleet. The solar panels only add extra weight.
arkjarhead
Veteran Expediter
If I had to guess I would say that is pretty much a small RV that can handle 1-2 skids of light freight. You know the drill. As long as the truck pays for itself were happy kind of thing. More power to them is all I can say.