After months of anxiously waiting for our Class 8, D Unit--it is now at the dealer ready for "delivery". It's been a year since we sold our last truck--we took some time off from expediting. We have been following posts on the escalating fuel prices and the fact that freight was slower than average for the "slow time". We would like to hear from others on the "reality" of being able to make a living out there now as a team.
NEW TRUCK HAS ARRIVED!
- Thread starter vtrover
- Start date
Can you make a living?
Yes
Will you make a ton of money?
Not likely.
Alot will depend on the carrier you are with and what kind of truck payments you are going to have.
If you paid cash or are financing a small amount, you will be fine.
Many have financed to their limit and between high fuel,operating costs and slow freight, things are taking a toll on many.
Trucking encountered a record number of bancruptcies last month and I see little to change it this month. All of those costs are climbing yet rates are still stagnant. Fuel surcharges help, but it really only covers a small percentage of additional expense.
Davekc
owner
20 years
Yes
Will you make a ton of money?
Not likely.
Alot will depend on the carrier you are with and what kind of truck payments you are going to have.
If you paid cash or are financing a small amount, you will be fine.
Many have financed to their limit and between high fuel,operating costs and slow freight, things are taking a toll on many.
Trucking encountered a record number of bancruptcies last month and I see little to change it this month. All of those costs are climbing yet rates are still stagnant. Fuel surcharges help, but it really only covers a small percentage of additional expense.
Davekc
owner
20 years
I don't want to be the bearer of bad news to you at this point but it's getting harder and harder to turn a decent profit. I resisted purchasing anew truck several years ago and am glad that I did. However if you have a decent carrier and are willing to stay in service for long stretches you will make money, how much,thats a real tough question at this time. Lately it seems that the 40% advance I get on shipments is eaten up by fuel and daily road expenses.
In addition to the hellacious fuel costs competition in the expediting industry for what freight is available just continues to increase. Good luck and keep us posted.
In addition to the hellacious fuel costs competition in the expediting industry for what freight is available just continues to increase. Good luck and keep us posted.
raceman
Veteran Expediter
I am not sure how much this will help your decision but I will give you some of my experience.
Due to a truck nearing what I and Freightliner figure is close to needing a engine rebuild I moved my truck to a little company closer to home. I also wanted to be able to have more control over my own time and home time. Along with those things it was clear the everyday expediting which was very much dependant on automotive freight was slowing down and could get very slow. In fact it did.
The bottom line is I run with a company that hauls very little automotive freight and I do much better doing this than I ever did running truck in what I call over the road expediting. It is less miles for more money and home almost every day. I normally have one big long run a week and the rest are short trips and if I choose I come home after I drop.
I wish I could say I knew this and did it because that was the case but the bottom line is it has just worked out that way. What I have found is that these little runs just pay out more money and there is in fact very little if any deadhead. The trips almost always have a return load of some sort and if not they will find me something. It may be lower pay for a return but it is always there.
Now having said all that, I think depedning on your luck and what you actually do with the truck, you should do ok. Like DaveKC said ok not rich. I found expediting OTR to be very good as a team and then very good as solos during August to November. I never saw it as being a get rich program but I just love what it offers and allows me to do without dragging 53 feet behind.
I am not sure I would tell anyone who is already tight on money to get a new truck and do this. I will tell anyone who is comfortable and basically only needs to pay for the truck and earn some cash, this is a pretty cool way to go. I really feel it is a bad move for anyone that is tight on money to buy a truck and expect to pay for the truck and all involved with that and make a great living.
Other than that I say the water is fine. Come on in. Just be sure you know how to swim
Raceman
Owner Two Straight Truck.
Part time driver of one of my trucks and local TT.
2 years OTR Expediting
1 yr local Expediting
Line Haul TT 2mon.
OTR Straight Truck Plt to Plt off and on 5 years.
Based in Cincy Ohio
Father of 4 children
Grandfather of 1 boy
3 years without full use of my mind
Due to a truck nearing what I and Freightliner figure is close to needing a engine rebuild I moved my truck to a little company closer to home. I also wanted to be able to have more control over my own time and home time. Along with those things it was clear the everyday expediting which was very much dependant on automotive freight was slowing down and could get very slow. In fact it did.
The bottom line is I run with a company that hauls very little automotive freight and I do much better doing this than I ever did running truck in what I call over the road expediting. It is less miles for more money and home almost every day. I normally have one big long run a week and the rest are short trips and if I choose I come home after I drop.
I wish I could say I knew this and did it because that was the case but the bottom line is it has just worked out that way. What I have found is that these little runs just pay out more money and there is in fact very little if any deadhead. The trips almost always have a return load of some sort and if not they will find me something. It may be lower pay for a return but it is always there.
Now having said all that, I think depedning on your luck and what you actually do with the truck, you should do ok. Like DaveKC said ok not rich. I found expediting OTR to be very good as a team and then very good as solos during August to November. I never saw it as being a get rich program but I just love what it offers and allows me to do without dragging 53 feet behind.
I am not sure I would tell anyone who is already tight on money to get a new truck and do this. I will tell anyone who is comfortable and basically only needs to pay for the truck and earn some cash, this is a pretty cool way to go. I really feel it is a bad move for anyone that is tight on money to buy a truck and expect to pay for the truck and all involved with that and make a great living.
Other than that I say the water is fine. Come on in. Just be sure you know how to swim
Raceman
Owner Two Straight Truck.
Part time driver of one of my trucks and local TT.
2 years OTR Expediting
1 yr local Expediting
Line Haul TT 2mon.
OTR Straight Truck Plt to Plt off and on 5 years.
Based in Cincy Ohio
Father of 4 children
Grandfather of 1 boy
3 years without full use of my mind
Best wishes on your truck and re-entry ito the biz. Please share some photos with the group.
Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com
Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
A billion Chinese can't be wrong, eat rice.
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.
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Lawrence,
Expediters Online.com
Deja Moo: The feeling that you've heard this bull before.
If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.
A billion Chinese can't be wrong, eat rice.
Talk sense to a fool and he calls you foolish.
-----------------------------------------
Thanks For Visiting EO!
[p]
http://www.expeditersonline.com/hotnews/sterling_eo_forum.jpg
Please Help Us Get The Word
Out About Expediters Online.com!
-----------------------------------------
Broompilot
Veteran Expediter
Things are going to change and if you can endure the future storm the rainbow on the other side will be beautiful. The economy has never been like it is now, sinking dollar, people spending like there is a guranteed raise tommorow, lowest savings in US history. But you all know the economy keeps on moving forward at least for now.
Do not take these good times as a guarantee, I am not predicting doom just caution because if things go S many are on the edge or so close that a slight breeze would wreck there finances. Planning and budgeting would be a wise thing to do. I am now holding back $100 of every load just for my truck account does not matter if its a 400 mile load or a 1,200 the same $100 is being pulled. Truck account = unexpedted $1,000 or more reapir bill and replacement of the truck, remember UNEXPEDTED not tires brakes etc..
Do not take these good times as a guarantee, I am not predicting doom just caution because if things go S many are on the edge or so close that a slight breeze would wreck there finances. Planning and budgeting would be a wise thing to do. I am now holding back $100 of every load just for my truck account does not matter if its a 400 mile load or a 1,200 the same $100 is being pulled. Truck account = unexpedted $1,000 or more reapir bill and replacement of the truck, remember UNEXPEDTED not tires brakes etc..