fuel surcharge....

[SThomas1]

what is the "average" fuel surcharge for a b-unit these days? i have talked with a couple drivers at truckstops and the say about $.O6 - $.09. is this about right? also can someone please explain to me why an owner feels they should get the surcharge in a 60/40 split with the driver paying fuel/tolls? i dont get it. if i'm paying for the fuel that can reduce my cost from $2.20 per gallon to $1.70ish. i sure would love to only pay that much for fuel. thanks so much and drive safe.
sam

 

[LDB]

I drive a D unit and have gotten .1205 cpm fsc for all paid miles this year. I have heard a B unit is about half that so I'd figure about .06cpm for all miles. Some runs will be higher and some will be lower or none just as mine were. Overall that's my average and what I'd look for in a D unit.

Why would an owner get a split on fsc? GREED! The side paying the fuel should get the entire fsc with no exception. Hand load/unload fee should ALL go to the driver regardless of split, unless the owner is going to rush right over and help with the labor. Detention should be split per the agreement because not only is the driver held up from making money but so is the owner. Those are the only fair way to divide things as far as I'm concerned. YMMV.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[rode2rouen]

Last month I contacted a Company which had already approved me looking to hook up with an owner to drive their "D" unit.

I was stunned that the majority of the owners I spoke with were adamant about keeping the fuel surcharge even though they were offering a "traditional" 60/40 split!! One guy was offering a 50/50 split and he'd pay tolls but keep the surcharge.........DUH!!

Also surprising was the number of rookie "Owners". Not to mention the owners who have had some disparaging remarks directed at them on these forums. One in particular wouldn't take NO for an answer!!

Needless to say I will continue driving for the outfit I've worked for since last October. I get an hourly rate based on miles and waiting time and they pay EVERYTHING plus per diem. It's not the "be my own boss" expediting gig I eventually want, but I don't have to worry about bending over without looking behind me first!

YMMV

Rex

 

[LDB]

Maybe I'm missing something, which wouldn't be the first time, but I read fuel surcharge as being all about fuel and whoever buys the fuel should get the fuel surcharge money.

As to the split the 60/40 seems fair to me and has been the standard. I suppose if there was a plum run that was say Monday morning pickup in Nashville with Wed morning delivery in Boston and reload and return to Nashville so the driver would be home every weekend then perhaps a 50/50 split due to the plum job but even then the entire fsc should go to the person buying the fuel.

Leo
truck 4958

Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[terryandrene]

Gotta agree with Leo on the GREED issue. The very owners that are holding a portion of the fuel surcharge are probably the first to complain if they think a carrier is keeping a portion of the FSC.

Perhaps an owner who keeps some of the FSC would step forward and offer a justification for doing so.

 

[davekc]

Perhaps an owner who keeps some of the FSC would step forward and offer a justification for doing so.

I had thought about it at one time.( I am guilty as charged) Reason being was the cost of new equipment and adding generators. The latter is only a driver benefit.
The owner generally sees very little return on it from a investment stand point.
Less idle time on the engine, small amount of taxes, and a little maybe on resale, and that is about it. Counting the roof A/C you are around $10,000. That is not counting scheduled maintenance and repairs. Some owners charge a weekly fee or rentals on these. I don't.
With the cost of fuel, you have to pass 100 percent of the surcharge to drivers who are paying for the fuel.
If fuel dropped considerably or a great rise in rates, I might rethink my position.
For a one or two truck operation, a $10,000 to $20,000 non return investment, may be more than some are willing to fund.
And that doesn't include the initial truck price.
Not sure whether it is greed or survival.
Just my penny in the pond

Davekc
owner
20 years