expediting

tsymo

Seasoned Expediter
Heres the deal, I sold out of my business and am relocating to florida, I am 43 (monday) and I have the opportunity to start a new career and came across a site that lets people bid on jobs moving any and every type of tangible item across the USA, I am buying a 1 ton dodge dually crew cab truck with the cummins diesel and 6 speed, is it a wise decision to get in to running loads and doing this for a living? This all started when I was looking for someone to move my boat south.
The truck has a hidden B&W gooseneck

Any info would be great


Thanks

Symo
 
Last edited:

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
... is it a wise decision to get in to running loads and doing this for a living? This all started when I was looking for someone to move my boat south.

What were you charged for having your boat hauled south? I assume you went with the lowest bidder. Can you live with those rates?
 

tsymo

Seasoned Expediter
I havent moved it yet, I have been in the service business for 25+ years in the flooring business and know you get what you pay for, the question I have is that after looking into having it shipped, and knowing I may purchased a dually 4x4 truck and I have the chance to start a new career is expediting worth the run?

Thanks
 

tsymo

Seasoned Expediter
Also since this is all new to me it would seem that you cannot go from California to Minnesota then to Florida for $1000, but it also seems possible to plan your trip getting smaller $$ items along the way to make a $1000 trip more like a $3000, am I dreaming that proper planning can allow you to be competitive and profitable at the same time?
With my trade I also would not have to rely soley on this but my thinking is that a) I can move my own boat and save some $$, b) I can use the truck to move my boat in FL instead of dry storage which is $350-$600 month, c) I could use the truck for flooring should I do any of that

So all in all it may work, just want to be sure before I write the check for the truck
 

BillChaffey

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
US Navy
It would seem to me , if your going to try expediting in a Dually your going to need at least a Tandem, dual wheel tractor. Probably 18,000 lbs. or more, which may require Logging. I don't see much work for what you can fit in the bed or the back seat. I see a lot of Duallies in Truck Stops through out Tennessee pulling trailers with Electrical transformers, occasional car or other Freight.
P.S. Happy Birthday.
 

tsymo

Seasoned Expediter
I guess I didnt state that, no I wouldnt just drive the truck, it is set up for a 5th wheel, I would either pull a enclosed trailer or move boats on occasion
 

BillChaffey

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
US Navy
All most all Flat bed trailers are set up as "Goose Neck" not 5th wheel. Although the Attachment to change over is readily available. I have both in my Ford F250 Super Duty.
 

Jack_Berry

Moderator Emeritus
I guess I didnt state that, no I wouldnt just drive the truck, it is set up for a 5th wheel, I would either pull a enclosed trailer or move boats on occasion

best thing to do is to call several expediting companies. discuss your plan to use a 5th wheel dual wheel pick up with a trailer and ask them how that fits with their fleet.

you should also contact travel trailer companies and talk to their transporters. compare the rates and determine which will work for you.

 

tsymo

Seasoned Expediter
the truck I am looking at has a B&W hidden gooseneck, is this what you are talking about? do you expedite for a living with your truck?
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
tsymo, the field you are looking to get into is more what I would call the "hot shot" business; dual wheel pickup trucks pulling a tandem flat bed trailer. Cargo ranges from cars, utility trailers, small camper trailers, pipe and just about any fairly light weight cargo that will fit on an open top trailer. You can also use a dually to pull boats and RV trailers.

Most expediting, as people on this site think of it involves an enclosed vehicle such as a cargo van, straight truck with weather tight box or tractor trailer. And the general definition of expedite is the exclusive use of a vehicle for transporting time sensitive freight.

Check out some hot shot forums. You should be able to find more information specific to what you have in mind.
 

tsymo

Seasoned Expediter
Thanks Moot,

I will do that, just trying to get out of the cold weather here in Minnesota and find a way to make some $
 

tsymo

Seasoned Expediter
UShip is one site I had been on but in the great web found several others, any info on that site or others?
 

tsymo

Seasoned Expediter
Originally from Minnetonka but have a place in Princeton on 30 acres, just bought a place in Florida so if you know anyone looking for a place in Mn its for sale, low down contract for deed terms
 

Jack_Berry

Moderator Emeritus
Originally from Minnetonka but have a place in Princeton on 30 acres, just bought a place in Florida so if you know anyone looking for a place in Mn its for sale, low down contract for deed terms


ahhhh longing for mn now that winter is arriving in wi.:D:D
not a true cheesehead fyi. i'm a flatlander.

do you expedite for a living with your truck?

yes. for the carrier listed in the sig line.
 

moose

Veteran Expediter
I Have tried that , and there is no money to be ,made !
at least not that i could fined .
i do not know what you can houl under 10,000 lbs , but if you go over then :
you will have to comply with DOT REg.
for example :
* log book
*DOT#
*cargo insurance
*IFTA tag
*DOT approved sleeper !!!
*hwy & fuel taxes reports.

to outfit you truck so you can make "some"money , you will have to install :
*External fuel tank.
*25K fifth wheel
*bumper hitch
*Engine modifications for fuel economy : Edge programmer,K&N full intake Air cleaner , Full 4" Muffler .
*full wide mudflap
*triangle /fire extinguisher
& on& on ...
and you will not have enough money for the hotels .
or any truck payments.

you will do that , or you will go broke !

commercial trailers Del. is a Directional industry ,
that's include :Travel trailers , Boats , Cargo vans ,Ext. they all on the same boards .
that say , every load you take is a one way load and you will DeadHead back , or get a back load that will cover about half of the cost of fuel .

this is a very crowded industry , with an extremely high turnover rate ,
unfortunately ,i have tons of experience in that field ,
feal free to PM me with a contact info. so i can get you more info.



Moose.
 

MSinger

Expert Expediter
Since the gvwr of a Ram 3500 dually is 11,500# you couldn't even legally carry an envelope for hire without logging, dot #'s, blah, blah,blah.









I Have tried that , and there is no money to be ,made !
at least not that i could fined .
i do not know what you can houl under 10,000 lbs , but if you go over then :
you will have to comply with DOT REg.
for example :
* log book
*DOT#
*cargo insurance
*IFTA tag
*DOT approved sleeper !!!
*hwy & fuel taxes reports.

to outfit you truck so you can make "some"money , you will have to install :
*External fuel tank.
*25K fifth wheel
*bumper hitch
*Engine modifications for fuel economy : Edge programmer,K&N full intake Air cleaner , Full 4" Muffler .
*full wide mudflap
*triangle /fire extinguisher
& on& on ...
and you will not have enough money for the hotels .
or any truck payments.

you will do that , or you will go broke !

commercial trailers Del. is a Directional industry ,
that's include :Travel trailers , Boats , Cargo vans ,Ext. they all on the same boards .
that say , every load you take is a one way load and you will DeadHead back , or get a back load that will cover about half of the cost of fuel .

this is a very crowded industry , with an extremely high turnover rate ,
unfortunately ,i have tons of experience in that field ,
feal free to PM me with a contact info. so i can get you more info.



Moose.
 

louixo

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
It all depends on how much money you need to make, and how often you want to work. There are trucks like yours hauling 5th wheels and motor homes., out there. There are companies dispatching nationwide. Google hauling/pulling 5th wheel homes, and also hotshot companies, and see what comes up. Maybe you can find yourself a niche for your needs. I looked into the travel trailer side years ago, but it didn`t pay enough for me to consider. As far as expediting in the kind of rig you mention, I really doubt it.
 
Top