I'm a total noob, need help!

poondog · Jun 17, 2011

Let me start by introducing myself, I'm Larry. I'm getting ready to take early retirement from a state job, and am thinking about trying expediting, but don't really know where to start.
I can afford to buy a new truck of some type, probably a van or sprinter. I live in the Reno area and would like to run the western states, however most of the ads for trucks seem to be mid-west or east coast. What companies run the west?

So where do I go from here?

Turtle · Jun 17, 2011

poondog said:
So where do I go from here?

East of the Mississippi River, mostly. There's a reason why most of the ads are for the Midwest and east coast, it's because that's where most of the manufacturing is located.

zack100 · Jun 19, 2011

Listen to Turtle, he's been in the game for awhile.

I'm sure your research will show a great deal of expediting companies are HQ'd in Michigan, Ohio - for good reason. The industry (from my little bit of knowledge) revolves around the auto industry and other manufacturing.

Also research the lifestyle, to do that one has to find where sprinter/van expediters tend to congregate. My little bit of experience takes me to the Flyin J, Pilot, TA and Petro. Meet them, ask questions, listen and talk with them, see how they live ....... it'll open your eyes to a unique lifestyle.

As far as straight trucks expediting out west ........ something else to research.

Slacktide · Jun 19, 2011

Hey Zack the members are looking for you in the First load ever thread you started... I think they have an "over under" on where your first load took you.

Monty · Jun 19, 2011

I only have two thoughts on possible carriers, Ryder and CEVA Logistics .... not much expediting happens out your way ...

Ever thought of moving to Tenneesee, where there are trees and stuff!

cheri1122 · Jun 19, 2011

Notanewbie said:
I only have two thoughts on possible carriers, Ryder and CEVA Logistics .... not much expediting happens out your way ...

Ever thought of moving to Tenneesee, where there are trees and stuff!

Trees are nice, but Tn is full of hills, too - all things considered, I'd rather run the flatlands, myself. [Reminds me: ever see those front lawns in Pa that are nearly vertical? How the blue blazes do people cut the grass?!]
And where you live matters only when you want to go home.....

EnglishLady · Jun 19, 2011

zack100 said:
Also research the lifestyle .........

So true Zack ..... anyone can drive a CV but not everyone can take the lifestyle.

As my other half says ...

Its not a job, its a life style

Dakota · Jun 19, 2011

Do you research here, drive for someone the first year or buy a nice used van to start off with, why spend 30 to 50 grand on something you may not like.

poondog · Jun 21, 2011

Notanewbie said:
I only have two thoughts on possible carriers, Ryder and CEVA Logistics .... not much expediting happens out your way ...

That's surprising, I would have thought the west coast, particularly California, would have a lot of freight to move.

paullud · Jun 21, 2011

poondog said:
That's surprising, I would have thought the west coast, particularly California, would have a lot of freight to move.

CA may have some LTL freight getting moved but not expedited freight. A straight truck could work well out there if you drove for yourself.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

purgoose10 · Jun 21, 2011

The only one I know that runs CA and WA is Fed Ex. That's straights and tractors don't know about C/Vans.

poondog · Jun 29, 2011

Anyone heard of Golden State Overnight? They are advertising for owner operators (cargo vans/PU with shell) in Reno.

Camper · Jun 29, 2011

poondog said:
That's surprising, I would have thought the west coast, particularly California, would have a lot of freight to move.

There's a lot of activity in the LA Area and to a lesser extent, the San Diego and Phoenix areas. Within that triangle, you can actually carve out a nice niche for yourself.

Posted with my Droid EO Forum App

xmudman · Jun 29, 2011

cheri1122 said:
Trees are nice, but Tn is full of hills, too - all things considered, I'd rather run the flatlands, myself. [Reminds me: ever see those front lawns in Pa that are nearly vertical? How the blue blazes do people cut the grass?!]
And where you live matters only when you want to go home.....

We tie a rope to the mower and stand on the flat area at the top of the hill, lowering the mower then pulling it up to do the next pass. Gotta watch your feets though!