cargo vs straight truck

[shaw8999]

We have an cargo van thats getting up there in age runs good has 600,000 original miles. We run for a expedite company.
My question should we upgrade to a straight truck? Does straight trucks keep busy compared to a cargo van? Do u sit extended periods waiting on loads with a straight truck. Just want your comments. Thanks

 

[xiggi]

Some answers depends on who you run for. Everyone sits but from my observations there is more loads for Sprinters than vans and more loads doe straights than sprinters.

 

[bluejaybee]

Here we go with another Van vs. Straight truck question. I have a straight truck. I sit at times. But do I sit more than vans? I haven't a clue. My personal belief is that the only true answer would have to come from an owner who has at least one of each. He would be more qualified to answer your question from a statistic standpoint than anyone else. Right now there appears to be loads for both out there.

 

[cheri1122]

I don't think even an owner of both could provide a "true" answer - so much depends on the driver. IE: where the sitting is done, [take a load to the middle of nowhere, like SD, you're probably gonna sit - or deadhead out.]
A driver who is not knowledgeable, motivated, or disciplined enough is gonna sit, whether in a van or a straight.
The general consensus is that all things being equal, vans often sit more, simply because there are more of them in any given area.
Vans are easier to deal with, making it a more attractive choice for those who want to do it the easy way - but the successful van owners are true professionals, which aint easy at all.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

I don't think even an owner of both could provide a "true" answer - so much depends on the driver. IE: where the sitting is done, [take a load to the middle of nowhere, like SD, you're probably gonna sit - or deadhead out.]
A driver who is not knowledgeable, motivated, or disciplined enough is gonna sit, whether in a van or a straight.
The general consensus is that all things being equal, vans often sit more, simply because there are more of them in any given area.
Vans are easier to deal with, making it a more attractive choice for those who want to do it the easy way - but the successful van owners are true professionals, which aint easy at all.

Well it is nice to be recognized as a professional...*LOL*

CVing is work to be successful...it is just not pedal to the metal and go go go....

 

[transporter]

thanks cheri now you got the sd freight master's head swelling again

 

[cheri1122]

So, if he gets to be unsufferable, [and Juju is too busy weeding to take care of it], all you gotta do is repost the photo of his exquisitely awful sartorial choices, eh?
I never thought the shorts were noteworthy, but paired with a red plaid shirt? Words can't convey the horror, lol

 

[OntarioVanMan]

So, if he gets to be unsufferable, [and Juju is too busy weeding to take care of it], all you gotta do is repost the photo of his exquisitely awful sartorial choices, eh?
I never thought the shorts were noteworthy, but paired with a red plaid shirt? Words can't convey the horror, lol

sartorial? there is always next year...

 

[Dakota]

So, if he gets to be unsufferable, [and Juju is too busy weeding to take care of it], all you gotta do is repost the photo of his exquisitely awful sartorial choices, eh?
I never thought the shorts were noteworthy, but paired with a red plaid shirt? Words can't convey the horror, lol

I thought he looked very stylish, but I am a guy what do I know

 

[guido4475]

I have had both s/t and a cargo van, with this being my first cargo van since I have been doing this since 89.I can honestly say, that when all expenses are taken out and everything,I bring home more in a van than a s/t.I can take a week off each month and still have money left over easily to pay the bills and get stupid with chrome or whatever for the van.The stress level has plummeted as well.Along with my blood pressure.Both are going to have periods of sitting, no matter what.But the freedom in a van is so much more greater in so many aspects.The only downfall I see to a van is the sleeper.But I can make do.But, this is all just my opinion, also.

 

[transporter]

hoosiers are not known for their since of fashion

 

[TJ959]

I drove both a strait and a sprinter. My main reason for going from a strait to a sprinter was wait time and deadhead. It just costs more to deadhead, relocate, or even just sit and wait in a D truck. I don't think it would have been an issue if I had been a team but as a single driver the loads were a little harder to come by and farther apart. I tried changing carriers but the result was the same. It was just better "for me" to find a good profitable fit for my Sprinter than my D truck. I had the Sprinter set up so that it was real comfortable but I sure did miss the sleeper on the Freightliner.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

hoosiers are not known for their since of fashion

words of wisdom..coming from Mr. Green Jeans....

 

[highway star]

C'mon 959, you need to get back out here. You know you do...

 

[Dakota]

hoosiers are not known for their since of fashion

Neither are Kentuckians

 

[Dakota]

Straight trucks can make more money, but we have more expenses, everything is more expensive
PM's are higher priced
Fuel mileage is half that of a van
truck payment or initial investment is alot higher
Insurance is higher due to the higher price of these trucks
You really have to keep the wheels moving to make a profit
as others have said a van gives you more freedom and taking a week off doesn't hurt the pocket book quite as much.
But when it's going good a straight truck can make you alot of money. I think it is really your choice and what you can live with. Do you want that motor home feel sleeper or can you make due on a cot. Do you want to be able to park anywhere or have to be selective where you park.

 

[TJ959]

Hi Star.. I have given a lot of thought to an encore appearance in the expediting world and I'm still on the fence. I almost made it to Expo but I had a wedding that I couldn't miss. Still, my family would like me to stay out of it and I have lost 20 pounds just by not being on the road. Buuuuut the road does call.

 

[cheri1122]

Hi Star.. I have given a lot of thought to an encore appearance in the expediting world and I'm still on the fence. I almost made it to Expo but I had a wedding that I couldn't miss. Still, my family would like me to stay out of it and I have lost 20 pounds just by not being on the road. Buuuuut the road does call.

Maybe you could negotiate a semi return, like just going on the road for a month, then home for 2 weeks.....
PS I miss your old sigline "I'm not nowhere, but you can see it from here" It always made me smile.

 

[spacer]

I'm still considering my options, while I drive a TT rig for a local/regional outfit. One thing that weighs heavily on my mind is the fact that I won't run team (I'm already married, thanks) until my wife is ready to retire from her current career.
Also, I get real grumbly when I drive through a DOT chicken coop. I guess it's just an anti-authoritarian streak in me.

I don't mind keeping logs, and the like, but c'mon... if I've cleared one scale, it's just a waste of time and fuel to pull in to every frickin' one I come across. I figured a van or sprinter would take some of that heartburn out of my life. (while adding some of its own, of course).