info please

[aquitted]

hello I have been looking into getting into expediting i am a class a driver but looking to solo in a class 8 D unit i have plenty of experience driving all 48 but no expediting experience im used to driving long hours with little sleep and i love driving at night I dont like stopping until i have reached my destination what i would like to know is I have been told the average for a solo D unit is$ 9 to $11k a month would this be an accurate figure for a newbie like me? also how many miles do you run that month so i can calculate fuel cost. just trying to see how much is left after truck payment, ins, fuel, food and everything else also would like to know MPG for class 8 D unit. my plan is to stay out 8 weeks then take 10 days off. one last thing I have a H.D. fatboy I wonder if a carrier would allow me to put it in the back of the truck so I can ride on layover days. thanks
BILLY

 

[mxzane933]

hello I have been looking into getting into expediting i am a class a driver but looking to solo in a class 8 D unit i have plenty of experience driving all 48 but no expediting experience im used to driving long hours with little sleep and i love driving at night I dont like stopping until i have reached my destination what i would like to know is I have been told the average for a solo D unit is$ 9 to $11k a month would this be an accurate figure for a newbie like me? also how many miles do you run that month so i can calculate fuel cost. just trying to see how much is left after truck payment, ins, fuel, food and everything else also would like to know MPG for class 8 D unit. my plan is to stay out 8 weeks then take 10 days off. one last thing I have a H.D. fatboy I wonder if a carrier would allow me to put it in the back of the truck so I can ride on layover days. thanks
BILLY

When i get a sprinter. Im taking my mx bike with me

Sent from my DROID BIONIC using EO Forums

 

[Rocketman]

hello I have been looking into getting into expediting i am a class a driver but looking to solo in a class 8 D unit i have plenty of experience driving all 48 but no expediting experience im used to driving long hours with little sleep and i love driving at night I dont like stopping until i have reached my destination what i would like to know is I have been told the average for a solo D unit is$ 9 to $11k a month would this be an accurate figure for a newbie like me? also how many miles do you run that month so i can calculate fuel cost. just trying to see how much is left after truck payment, ins, fuel, food and everything else also would like to know MPG for class 8 D unit. my plan is to stay out 8 weeks then take 10 days off. one last thing I have a H.D. fatboy I wonder if a carrier would allow me to put it in the back of the truck so I can ride on layover days. thanks
BILLY

Those numbers are realistic, depending on the carrier. I would use $8k just to be safe. I would use $1.30/mile for all miles (loaded, empty, personal....everything) as a revenue number. 9mpg would be a good number to use for fuel.

The bike can and has been done. It will be up to the carrier though. You will need to put some thought into loading/unloading it too. A lift great might work...thats a big bike, will it fit on a liftgate?

The other thing you'll need to look at with a D unit especially a class 8 D unit is payload. My class 8 D unit would just barely scale 10k of payload and it was pretty plain truck. I consider 10k to be minimum capacity for a solo straight truck. In other words, if you want the bike on the truck, you might consider a liftgate and tandems or a lift axle.

 

[cheri1122]

Acquitted: 2 things jump out at me in your post. First, income projections that are 'average' assume an average workload, and I don't know many expediters who take 10 days off every 8 weeks. That would have a significant impact on income, as the average time off is probably half what you're figuring - at least for most of us. [I drive a D unit, solo, and rarely take more than 2-3 days every 8 weeks.]
Second, putting the bike in the truck is doable, but [you knew there'd be a 'but', right?] our customers pay for exclusive use of the truck, and may actually expect to use the entire space they pay for. Others don't like seeing anything else in the box with their freight - maybe they're concerned about your stuff breaking loose & damaging their stuff - whatever their reasons, it can be a problem for some shippers. [It can be a problem for you too, when some African honeybee of a forklift driver slams the skids into your stuff - and don't think they won't, sigh.]
It's your truck, and your decision, of course, I'm just adding a couple factors for your consideration.

 

[chefdennis]

There use to be pictures on this forum of a guys ST with a door on both sides of the box at the every ft on each side, he had a ramp that attached that let him drive in and roll down. He also had a wall inside the box to completely seperate the bike from the rest of the box....

Income info, I can't help with...

 

[aquitted]

Rocketman I was planning on stretching a semi and putting a box on it with a liftgate ok so i shouldnt take 10 days off after 8 wks thanks for the suggestion. Could you give me some kind of estimate on either fuel or mileage for a month? also having trouble getting a quote for ins without a vin# can you give me an idea on what that runs and does the o/o pay cargo ins or the carrier? BTW isnt a class 8 D unit basically a stretched semi w/ a box on it or am I confused?

 

[cheri1122]

Rocketman I was planning on stretching a semi and putting a box on it with a liftgate ok so i shouldnt take 10 days off after 8 wks thanks for the suggestion.

I didn't say that - the whole point of being self employed is to make your own decisions about when to work, and when to take off. I just wanted to point out that that's more taking off [and consequently less working] than the 'average' is figured on.
Could you give me some kind of estimate on either fuel or mileage for a month?

Rocketman's 9mpg is a good assumption. It varies according to weight, engine/transmission specs, geography, and most of all, the foot on the fuel pedal. Mileage for a month varies too, but an average would be 8-10,000 miles.

also having trouble getting a quote for ins without a vin# can you give me an idea on what that runs and does the o/o pay cargo ins or the carrier? BTW isnt a class 8 D unit basically a stretched semi w/ a box on it or am I confused?

 

[Jefferson3000]

The bike can and has been done. It will be up to the carrier though. You will need to put some thought into loading/unloading it too. A lift great might work...thats a big bike, will it fit on a liftgate?

The other thing you'll need to look at with a D unit especially a class 8 D unit is payload. My class 8 D unit would just barely scale 10k of payload and it was pretty plain truck. I consider 10k to be minimum capacity for a solo straight truck. In other words, if you want the bike on the truck, you might consider a liftgate and tandems or a lift axle.

Don't even bother looking at Class 8 trucks if they have less than 3 axles.

 

[aquitted]

So would it be safe to say that around half of your income is going to fuel?

 

[Rocketman]

It shouldnt be. One third would be a better estimate. I always considered total cost of operation to be around 50% of the revenue.

As for hometime. I always use 3 weeks out and 1 week at home for a target. Has always worked out fine for me. Your 8.weeks vs 10.days seems plenty to me. Its your decision. Another suggestion for starting out would be to set a target...loaded miles or gross revenue that you need to see in that period. Stay out until you get to your number.

 

[cheri1122]

One third [of gross] is what I allocate for fuel, and I'm nowhere near as careful about conserving it as it's possible to be: slowing down, minimizing deadhead, etc.
I'm curious about Jefferson's comment regarding the need for 3 axles, though, because I have only 2 and can haul 13,500 [rarely go over 10k, though]. Why would a 3rd be such an improvement?

 

[greg334]

I think that if you have any experience with tractor work, stick to that.

The bike thing, I guess but think a small drom box on a long wb tractor would so fine.

 

[bluejaybee]

I'm curious about Jefferson's comment regarding the need for 3 axles, though, because I have only 2 and can haul 13,500 [rarely go over 10k, though]. Why would a 3rd be such an improvement?

I too am curious about the reason for that comment about 3 axles. He know something we don't?

 

[shadow7663]

I too am curious about the reason for that comment about 3 axles. He know something we don't?

Just a guess but I am assuming he meant you really don't need a class 8 truck unless your going to have tandem axles in the back to carry more weight. If your in a 33k truck a class 7 truck should suit you just fine.

 

[x06col]

A third is necessary with a class eight simply because of the extra weight the truck presents because it is a heavier class eight, and, by the time you add a liftgate and the weight of the bike, i'd think the extra capacity would be a no brainer. Regardless of the bike issue, many of you with the cookie cutter toy trucks still don't realize how much freight is out there in the 15k-25k weight range that you are missing simply becaus you don't have the capacity or, your dispatch staff is laying down and making it easy on themselves by automatically placing over 12k on a semi. It is a la, la world out there, and you don't know what opportunity you are missing because you have not been exposed to other views of the industry. Additionally to the op, if/when you buy a truck, field one with the largest cube you can find.....extra high door openings, 102 wide, etc. If your capacity is adequate and the dispatch crew is worth their salt, over "cookie cutter" dimentional freight can be quite rewarding.

One third [of gross] is what I allocate for fuel, and I'm nowhere near as careful about conserving it as it's possible to be: slowing down, minimizing deadhead, etc.
I'm curious about Jefferson's comment regarding the need for 3 axles, though, because I have only 2 and can haul 13,500 [rarely go over 10k, though]. Why would a 3rd be such an improvement?

 

[greg334]

Buy col sir many don't want to take the risk or are happy with the cookie cutter freight. There is a lot of specialized stuff out there too that can be picked up and make great money if one wants to take the time to learn and take a risk.

 

[aquitted]

I do plan on having 2 rear axles the reason i plan on using class8 instead of 7 is the engine in a semi is good for 1million mile before needing to be rebuilt and the freightliner class 7 with the mercedes engine is good for around 600,000 miles and is basically a disposable engine and cant be rebuilt. the engines in the class 8 are made for pulling 80,000LBS so carrying half that will be very little strain on the unit. I do have semi expierence but I believe my job will be a little more enjoyable in a straight truck. especially when in chicago boston and nyc. btw bike weighs 700lbs just toying around with the idea of taking it with me sue could be fun in the right place and the right weather

 

[layoutshooter]

A third is necessary with a class eight simply because of the extra weight the truck presents because it is a heavier class eight, and, by the time you add a liftgate and the weight of the bike, i'd think the extra capacity would be a no brainer. Regardless of the bike issue, many of you with the cookie cutter toy trucks still don't realize how much freight is out there in the 15k-25k weight range that you are missing simply becaus you don't have the capacity or, your dispatch staff is laying down and making it easy on themselves by automatically placing over 12k on a semi. It is a la, la world out there, and you don't know what opportunity you are missing because you have not been exposed to other views of the industry. Additionally to the op, if/when you buy a truck, field one with the largest cube you can find.....extra high door openings, 102 wide, etc. If your capacity is adequate and the dispatch crew is worth their salt, over "cookie cutter" dimentional freight can be quite rewarding.

I almost always turn down freight in the higher weight ranges. Why? In the majority of the offers I see in those weight ranges the rates are very low when compared to my 'normal loads'. I could chose to accept those loads and beat my truck up for a dollar or so less per mile, it just did not seem to make much sense. I just thought it was a better business decision to take a load that weighs 800lbs, run my reefer for it and make $2.50 or so per mile rather than put on 12,000lbs, for $1.50 per mile.

 

[x06col]

Ya, well, sounds like a Carrier issue to me rather than a druther issue. I guess tho you can continue being "bored" after you deliver for a while. I really can't help what your Carrier is offering you to run your truck......you'll have to sort that out. However, there may be a day when a bukfity looks pretty good to get out of Orlando back to the big buks. And, "beat your truck up"? Id suggest you are prolly harming that class 8 more by idiling around kinda empty than working it a bit.

I almost always turn down freight in the higher weight ranges. Why? In the majority of the offers I see in those weight ranges the rates are very low when compared to my 'normal loads'. I could chose to accept those loads and beat my truck up for a dollar or so less per mile, it just did not seem to make much sense. I just thought it was a better business decision to take a load that weighs 800lbs, run my reefer for it and make $2.50 or so per mile rather than put on 12,000lbs, for $1.50 per mile.

 

[layoutshooter]

Sounds like a Carrier issue to me rather than a druther issue. I guess tho you can continue being "bored" after you deliver for a while. I really can't help what your Carrier is offering you to run your truck......you'll have to sort that out. However, there may be a day when a bukfity looks pretty good to get out of Orlando back to the big buks.

We normally do quite well out of this area. For the most part Florida is very good to us. In fact, this years, the area as accounted for a very large percentage of our business.

I am bored if I set for 10 minutes. I bore easy. We have had a few offers, they did not suit our business plan. $1.50 is good for a relocation run. It breaks even, no more.

Every truck/business is different. What is a good load for one, sucks for another.

The other problem with most of those heavy loads is the freight tends to be dirty and stinky. Kinda like stale grease. Strong odors in my box are bad for my business. It can takes weeks for that stink to go away. I have not found a way to get rid of it. Some shippers will turn away trucks that stink. Those are my main customers.