Decisions,Decisions??

[BigWheeler]

Hey,new to the sight and getting ready to hook up w/ Fed-Ex CC Fleet owner and just wanted to know the % of t-val freight run in month on a C unit truck compared to D unit with a dry box. Both are white glove and will be run by my wife and I, but which will be more profitable the D unit dry box or C unit Reefer?

 

[TeamCaffee]

Your question is a hard one to reply to. First thing I would do is ask the owner for the past settlement sheets on those trucks to see how they have actually made. Anything any one would reply to the above questions would be pure speculation on our parts.

You could also ask a recruiter to help you with the typical figures on those types of trucks.

 

[BigWheeler]

Thank you that is a great place to start. I just want to make sure I will not loose more freight oppotunities by choosing a C unit, over D, altough the C is t-val. I hope I am presenting the question right.

 

[greg334]

what are your goals?

Is it to learn to make money later on or make money now?

T-Val means nothing if there isn't anything to haul. Just because they sell the service, does not mean that there is a lot of work to justify a move with one or another owner.

I would recommend that first find out what you really want out of this and then look around.

 

[BigWheeler]

Both, the end result is always what is most profitable and what
is being utilized the most. I have experience in big rigs t/l not expedited so the more info I can get to help me choose the best o/o to run for, will be much apreciated for us. I want to make the most money I can by using every opportunity that is available to me right now.

 

[FIS53]

Well when it's good the more options you present for dispatch to utilize means you have a better chance of getting a job or a better paying job as you're equipped to do so. Today that is not necessarily the case as everything is down. I agree with checkout the past trip records for such vehicles to assess the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Now for the first part of what I said my s/t has a tailgate lift which is used little for the number of jobs but it also makes it desirable for a couple of customers as they utilize it. Nice thing about having it is that for the odd job where it was not requested, but had to be used to unload, we got a surcharge for doing so, making the job more profitable. So even if not taking the reefer see what equipment in the D would help you handle a greater variety of loads. Check cost versus income generated by having such. (blankets, dollies, pallet truck, load bars and decking capability etc).
Rob

 

[mypie]

We drive a D TVal S/T. The majority of the loads that we take are C TVal. We are not slow. We have been keeping running. We rarely take a surface expedite load, unless it relocates us to a better express center.

I disagree with getting the records from the trucks. Not that it wouldn't be a good starting point, it would be. The reason I disagree with it is you cannot say that the previous drivers were as dedicated as you might be. Afterall, they are no longer driving the truck for a reason.

As a primarily TVal truck, we see customers everyday that say "Come Back" because there aren't enough trucks in the area to service their account.

Nonetheless, there is a good value in the learning experience to be gained from first working the surface expedite arena for a while.

I know there are those that will disagree with me, but this is how I see it from the cab of my truck.

 

[BigWheeler]

I just want to thank everyone for the info, it was definitely informative. We have jumped in and will be expediteing starting in September. In a D-unit for Fed-Ex CC. Having networking information and first hand knowledge from teams that are doing this everday is definitely a blessing,so again thank you for the info that helped guide us. Hope to meet you all on the road.

Frank & Kim

 

[davekc]

We drive a D TVal S/T. The majority of the loads that we take are C TVal. We are not slow. We have been keeping running. We rarely take a surface expedite load, unless it relocates us to a better express center.
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What is the point in talking about it if he buys a TVAL truck and can't put it on?
It makes about as much sense as advertising a BR unit at the expo and then telling people it is by invitation only that you can put one on. Mind as well tell them they will make millions, but is only for a certain few in Memphis.

 

[x06col]

Dave, seems they are not buying the machine, it's a slip seat. If you are getting a lot of "come backs" there mypie, might be time to consider going for it. And for the original poster, checking history on equipment that has been "managed" by other drivers IS totally worthless. Jump in, go for it, and in about 6-12 months you'll know where to go if you are paying ANY attention at all.

 

[TeamCaffee]

I just want to thank everyone for the info, it was definitely informative. We have jumped in and will be expediteing starting in September. In a D-unit for Fed-Ex CC. Having networking information and first hand knowledge from teams that are doing this everday is definitely a blessing,so again thank you for the info that helped guide us. Hope to meet you all on the road.

Frank & Kim

Good LUCK!! You guys have done your homework and now the rest is up to you. Do not forget once you are out on the road there is still a wealth of information to be had on EO.