Expedite With Tractor and Pup Trailer?

zorry · Feb 24, 2013

In the 90's I had one pallet on a roadway pup( pup was fully loaded) that was $1600+ COD from Chicago area to Dallas area.
Just because it's Custom Critical doesn't mean they can't be hauling larger LTL shipments for Fedex Frt.
It doesn't matter to me if it's an expedite shipment or a freight/LTL shipment.
Just show me the $$$.

Doggie Daddy · Feb 24, 2013

Moot said:
Is the freight running regional or just the driver and tractor?

It's the freight, as I believe this program is geared more to solo driver operation.

jjoerger · Feb 24, 2013

Hmmm. A single drive axle toterhome with a 28 foot pup

.
I wonder if they will pay tractor FSC?

Moot · Feb 24, 2013

Doggie Daddy said:
It's the freight, as I believe this program is geared more to solo driver operation.

The idea I pitched to the Con-Way dude was also geared toward the solo driver, but not so much as a regional operation. A solo could latch on to a NY to CA load and swap enroute without breaking a seal and crossdocking. As HOS keep changing and carriers find it difficult to recruit teams, a solo in a tractor with a pup could be the way to go.

zorry · Feb 24, 2013

As the hours of service change I think it will be harder to recruit OTR drivers but easier to recruit regional drivers.

Tennesseahawk · Feb 24, 2013

Moot said:
The idea I pitched to the Con-Way dude was also geared toward the solo driver, but not so much as a regional operation. A solo could latch on to a NY to CA load and swap enroute without breaking a seal and crossdocking. As HOS keep changing and carriers find it difficult to recruit teams, a solo in a tractor with a pup could be the way to go.

The problem with that is that expediting companies, other than FXCC, do not tend to want surpluses of company owned assets. Yes, 53'ers are assets, but necessary ones. 28'ers are a gamble that requires hundreds available, in order to work.

Moot · Feb 24, 2013

Tennesseahawk said:
The problem with that is that expediting companies, other than FXCC, do not tend to want surpluses of company owned assets. Yes, 53'ers are assets, but necessary ones. 28'ers are a gamble that requires hundreds available, in order to work.

I agree, but federal regulations may someday make this a viable option. I have always liked your idea (going back a few years) of pulling a 28' or 32' trailer instead of a D unit, especially if the carrier payed a premium for more than 24', but less than 53' and related weight.

Tennesseahawk · Feb 24, 2013

Moot said:
I agree, but federal regulations may someday make this a viable option. I have always liked your idea (going back a few years) of pulling a 28' or 32' trailer instead of a D unit, especially if the carrier payed a premium for more than 24', but less than 53' and related weight.

IMO, there is plenty of room to capitalize on that niche.

x06col · Feb 25, 2013

Tennesseahawk said:
IMO, there is plenty of room to capitalize on that niche.

I did with a 30' straight truck. If folks want more capacity.......I don't understand why they don't get it. A straight with a heavy steerable lift axle will allow you to CARRY well over 30K.

Tennesseahawk · Feb 25, 2013

x06col said:
I did with a 30' straight truck. If folks want more capacity.......I don't understand why they don't get it. A straight with a heavy steerable lift axle will allow you to CARRY well over 30K.

As much as I'd love to have a fleet of Argosy straights, I don't see it working, unless I hit the lottery. Most I find are overpriced, and I need something that's ready to go. Having a tractor and pup is like plug-n-play. I can use an older tractor to get things started, and get an 8 yr old trailer. Once the trailer hits 10, I can swap it out; and when I make a few bucks, I upgrade the tractor. Economically, at the moment, the pup is the only solution for me.

Glad you chimed in tho. I was hoping you'd give your opinion.

Tennesseahawk · Feb 25, 2013

uggh.........

littlejoe · Feb 25, 2013

layoutshooter said:
I guess I am used to a much higher level of security. My concern is swapping teams in route. Every swap is a security risk. Once loaded and hooked to a tractor it should ALWAYS remain on that tractor barring an emergency or breakdown. It was not allowed on our shipments when I worked with the government. Too big a security risk.

The rest would be the same as you say.

And that covers what? A whole 2.5 to 5% out of 100% of the freight hauled. Secured freight is few and far between in the expiditing industry, so why worry

Joe

layoutshooter · Feb 25, 2013

littlejoe said:
And that covers what? A whole 2.5 to 5% out of 100% of the freight hauled. Secured freight is few and far between in the expiditing industry, so why worry

Joe

90% of my work is secured freight. I am not sure where you get the idea that there is not much of it. I am not worried either. I was just discussing it. I am going to stay in my "D" unit anyway. I am not interested in anything else.

littlejoe · Feb 25, 2013

layoutshooter said:
90% of my work is secured freight. I am not sure where you get the idea that there is not much of it. I am not worried either. I was just discussing it. I am going to stay in my "D" unit anyway. I am not interested in anything else.

True. True.

Joe

x06col · Feb 25, 2013

littlejoe said:
And that covers what? A whole 2.5 to 5% out of 100% of the freight hauled. Secured freight is few and far between in the expiditing industry, so why worry

Joe

Ah well, like many, me tink there are a number of things about freight, types of freight, destinations of freight and did I mention freight that you and many other "expediters" absolutely, positively do not understand about your chosen career path. A lot like the anal, up tight, tink inside the box West Point Graduate whom ditches a brilliant career, but, can't understand why he has to.

Just noticed there are a grand of you vewing here, some of you may wanna find a new nitchie.

Moot · Feb 26, 2013

Tennesseahawk said:
Having a tractor and pup is like plug-n-play. I can use an older tractor to get things started, and get an 8 yr old trailer.

The nice thing about a tractor over a straight truck; if the expediting thing goes south, you can put a tractor on just about anywhere. If you don't need airride, a decent pup should be easy to find.

The extra 4' can sometimes come in handy when 24' just won't do! US Special delivery, loaded up and truckin'.
.

mugurpe · Feb 28, 2013

Let's flip this around, what's the advantage of a class B sleeper straight truck over a tractor and pup trailer?

jjoerger · Feb 28, 2013

Better fuel mileage, lower operating costs and driving the speed limit in CA instead of the truck speed limit.

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paullud · Feb 28, 2013

mugurpe said:
Let's flip this around, what's the advantage of a class B sleeper straight truck over a tractor and pup trailer?

Lower operating costs, lower maintenance costs, usually a larger sleeper, easier to drive, more parking options, and I know I haven't listed everything.

str8trk · Feb 28, 2013

paullud said:
Lower operating costs, lower maintenance costs, usually a larger sleeper, easier to drive, more parking options, and I know I haven't listed everything.

Larger driver pool to draw from, lower tolls expenses, air-ride pups aren't all that common