Cargo Van Revenue

[klippencott]

I'm new to expediting and I need some advice. I own a 2004 Sprinter 2500 which is the smallest of the Sprinter series in the US. It has the 8 1/2 foot cargo bed and the regular roof (not the extra high one). If I remember correctly it will haul a payload of 4750 lbs and two full skids. I've talked to a couple of advertisers on this site and both seemed to discourage me from signing on with my van. They want me to buy a truck. My Sprinter only has 21k miles on it and it is paid for.

My first question, what kind of yearly revenue can I expect assuming I stay out for 2 weeks at a time? I have installed a fold down bunk in the van.

Next question, about how much net income can I expect to make a year? 20k, 40k, 60k I just need an education guess from someone driving everyday.

Last question, what companies should I stay away from?

 

[teacel]

Welcome to EO

Many new members come on the site and really don't know what why or where, and that is okay. We (older over the hill gang) are here to point you in the right direction, so don't be offended!

First thing you may want to do is read the captions under all the different forums, so you know where to post and get the proper help. Take this post of yours; I would have posted it in the Newbie forum, not the Truck forum. No big deal!

There are over 50,000 posts and replies so just about ever question you can think of, has been ask and answered one way or another. The best help any of us can give you right now is to take as much time as needed and read all the archives and you will be amazed at what you can learn.

Getting to you money questions, there is no right or wrong answer. A van can make as much as $100K per year or as little as 10K. How hard will you run, how long will you stay out, are you in the right place or not. To many variables, to say what one can make in a van.

Ya! The advertisers are going to try and sell you a truck, which is their objective.

As for the best company to go with, that is of your choice. Why! What may be good for me may not be good for you.

You will learn as well reading the old posts what companies to stay away from.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Well said Tony!

 

[LDB]

The first thing I'd do is look at work cycles. By that I mean taking your 2 weeks out plus days at home and figuring out how many cycles you can do in a year. Let's presume you work 14 and then take 4 off. You use part of 1 getting home, have 2 full days home, and use part of 1 getting back to the zone. If you live somewhere like Texas that isn't going to work well because it will take more time getting in and out so 14 working isn't enough. We'll presume TN, KY, OH, MI, IN or somewhere more convenient for discussion.

OK, so 14 working and 4 off is 18 days. In a year you can do 20 cycles for 360 days and have 5 extra days off somewhere in there. You'll get some great runs and you'll have zero mile days so let's say you average 250 miles per available day. In 20 cycles of 14 available that gives you 280 available times 250 is 70,000 paid miles. If you are with a per mile company we'll say you get 77cpm plus fsc. The base pay is $53,900 and we'll use 10cpm overall as van fsc for another $7000 for a total gross of $60,900. If my fsc number for vans is way off someone will tell us I'm sure.

To run those 70,000 paid miles plus miles home and back to the zone plus deadhead probably means running about 120,000 miles per year total. I don't run a van so I can only guesstimate expenses however based on a spreadsheet for vans I've seen I guesstimate it costs 29cpm to run a Sprinter not counting payment for the van and based on 20mpg and $3.20 fuel. That would be $34,800 plus payment out of the $60,900 leaving $26,100 net before payment.

If you ran 21/4 instead of 14/4 you'd run 14 cycles with 294 days out plus 15 extra days to split between revenue and home. For 294 days at 250 miles you'd have $56595 plus $5659 fuel for a total gross of $62,254. You'd also run somewhat less miles since you would be going home fewer cycles so your total operating costs would be somewhat less. That might net around $29,000 before payment.

All of these are broad guesstimates but you can use the theory and put in whatever numbers you want to use. Good luck.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[davekc]

I've talked to a couple of advertisers on this site and both seemed to discourage me from signing on with my van
===================================================================
That will answer some of your questions with regards to some of the companies. I applaud the ones that have discouraged you because they may be over saturated with equipment, or don't have a consistent base of freight to keep you moving.

Really take the time to research and find if this is going to work for you and that you have realistic expectations.
As mentioned in alot of threads, go to some local truckstops and talk to current drivers.
With that information, then start to approach the respective recruiters with your questions.

Hope that helps along with the information provided in the above posts. Some good information.

Davekc
owner
21 years

 

[geo]

also what you may want to look at is your local area
there are many small companies that work out or near the airport
in many large cities and med size city's and your van would be perfect of local work as you get load and off to del and back
for example i drive for egl in hampton roads va area and there are about 4 or 5 local comanpies that we use to help us out when we run out of trucks and they are using pickup truck with custom cover and minivans and regular van
ford's etc doing ok

so most important question to ask yourself what is in my local area

 

[vipra]

Hiya, I'm also in a Sprinter, but I have the longest length and the high roof. I never take time off, and I did 100,000 miles last year (loaded and empty). I'm guessing that you'll make about $50,000/yr (gross) with your smaller dimensions and hometime every two weeks. It's good that you've got your Sprinter paid off, so now your only expenses will be fuel and maintenance.
Vipra

 

[terryandrene]

klippencott:

"If I remember correctly it will haul a payload of 4750 lbs and two full skids."

To clarify, for those folks that might be eavesdropping, The 140" wheelbase Sprinter's legal and safe cargo capacity is 3615#. That assumes a driver and full tank of fuel included in the base model. That 3615# figure does not allow for a co-driver, any personal gear or equipment nor any of the safety or securement accessories you will add to the van.

You may safely carry 307# more than the Sprinter's high roof, longer wheel base cousin. The smaller 118" wheel base has a capacity of 3950# but it's interior dimensions make it unpracticle for the expediting we do.