Newbie needs advice

[1stariel]

Hello to everyone!

I have been a lurker/learner on this board for about 10 months now, and it's time for me to come forth and ask for advice

My husband and I are part of the "boomer midlife career changers". In Jan 2006, he obtained a CDL A and drove OTR for 11 months with US Xpress Direct, 53' dry van, and I traveled with his as a "rider/passenger". In preparing to "go on the road" while he was with his trainer, I had dreams of traveling the highways and doing video's and completing all my orginial songs I had begun so many years ago...dreams of seeing this beautiful country. I purchased a satellite laptop, digital video camera, wireless internet...wrote a "Household Manual" for my 20 yr old daughter and her fiance' as they lived in our house and took care of the cats and homefront, told everyone "goodbye" and after his training and he was administered his own truck, I met him in Nashville and off we went thru 46 states in ALL kinds of weather. The first time I saw New York City at 3am, it took my breath away...beautiful!

Well, needless to say, the "dream" turned into a nightmare...most of the time...LOL We were in so many predicaments and dealing with that big a### 53' trailer, not to mention the reality of hauling freight to NYC or downtown Boston AND having a little airhead sitting in a cubicle somewhere out in LaLa land calling the shots...didn't take me long to realize that it's NOT paid tourism x( We jumped in and learned all we could, and needless to say my songs are still unfinished It wasn't all bad out there though, we saw beautiful country and sunsets, sunrises, rainbows and cities.

In Jan my husband's mom passed away and left an old 1860's homeplace to him. We gladly left all the aggrevations to "flip this house".
We are longing for the road again, but THIS TIME, in smaller truck, expedite. I have spent tons and tons of hours reading and researching, and I absolutely know that we can do good as O/O.

Okay, I know for certain that there are good people on this board who are out there doing it...Terry & Rene, Greg, TeamCaffie, and I need some sound truth. We want to purchase the 2007 Dodge Sprinter with the Midway Specialty sleeper. Is it feasible that we can make a "middle class boomer" income with this unit. We could BOTH drive and realize that most loads with the cargo, or at least what I've seen, is 200-400 miles. We could do 2 of those a day with no DOT restrictions..i.e. logs, weight stations...is this feasible???
Is there enough freight out there for a couple like us to run and stay busy, pay our Sprinter payment, insurance, etc. and have some left?

I would greatly appreciate ANY advice, instruction, mentoring...whatever you that are doing it have time to offer.

Blessings and prayers for your safety out there...

Terri
:*

 

[LDB]

I've looked at that vehicle and even as a solo it looks too small for long term comfort. If I recall correctly it has a 30" wide bunk about 66" long plus a small amount of other space. Are you going to sleep in shifts or is one of you going to sleep in the cargo area? You're limited to 2 skids in that setup. Your possibilities will be exponentially greater in a D unit. You'll have to deal with logs and less maneuverability but it won't be nearly as bad as the t/t. You'll have a sleeper with enough bed space for both of you without a solid bulkhead wall between you too. Good luck.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
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Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
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[terryandrene]

I don't think that the stars and planets are properly aligned for van owners to break into expedite at this time, not if you aspire to a "middle class boomer income". I've been in contact with a couple of teams in vans and they are down in revenue this year at a rate about comparable to the van solos, myself included. Many of the carriers that are doing well for vans have pretty much reached their limit of van sign-ons.

With the right carrier and a good work ethic, a van team could expect to average about $70,000. At about $50K for the Sprinter, you might give another consideration to adding a few dollars and investing in a small (C) straight truck. A team in a C will average in the neighborhood of $140,000, they'll have far greater creature comforts and plenty of room for a laptop, camera and song book.

 

[Moot]

The problem with the Sprinter sleeper packages is you are isolated from the cargo area. This isn't a bad thing when there is freight on board. But when sitting a day or two between loads you lose about 10' of living area.

Both Rlent and Turtle run solo in fully insulated, wide open Sprinters which allows them the whole cargo area to live in between loads.

Ontario Van Man runs team in a Sprinter, but I'm not sure of his setup.

Packmule runs team in a beautiful cube van. He made the transition from a D unit and likes it.

I agree with Leo and Terry, if you want comfort and greater earning potential, then a C or D unit is the way to go for a team.

 

[rmctt2]

Too bad they do make adjustable living areas for Sprinters ?
I would hate to have the whole Van open with all the E-track showing, must not be too comfortable !
I have my 2007 comming in by end of Oct, looking forward to it !
RMCTT2

 

[TeamCaffee]

Wow you guys have really followed our path till you got to the Sprinter!

Bob also drove for USX for 4 years and I rode with him. No way was I going to drive in NYC or Boston. Heck I got scared just trying to help him out with navigation! We also then got off the road when we really figured out that I just didn't have what it takes to drive the big truck! Then we found expediting. We knew we wanted to live on the road and we bought a D truck. So easy to drive, so easy to park and when you get lost as we constantly do so easy to get your self back on track.

With USX we had a freightliner with the small sleeper. We bought this D truck with a 96" sleeper and we love it. I love now being part of the team and Bob not having to do all of the driving. I would highly suggest you look at a D truck.

We did think of a Van at one time but quickly figured out for us the money was not there and after living on the road in a big truck the van would be to small.

If you have any questions just PM us and we can tell you how we made the transition to the D truck.

 

[fuzzface]

I was told by a recruiter, that the sprinter would classify as a C unit as long as it didn't have a sleeper in it. He told me I could make more per mile as long as I had 12' of cargo space. Is this true or am I being BS?

Larry

 

[LDB]

That probably depends on which company. Since you didn't say which one my answer will be generic to all of them. It also probably depends on how much weight they call a C load. It also probably depends on your willingness to overload your van. I believe most companies will pay the higher level to any given vehicle if it's carrying the load. The question is where the cutoff is and what the ability of the vehicle is. In a tandem D unit with a 24' box a guy could probably haul 18-20k. If he pulled 15k in 10 floor spots he should get paid E rate because of the weight. I don't know van expectations so I don't know if 3 spots automatically becomes a C load or not. If it does then I presume any time you have 3 skids you get C pay. Most companies that I know of consider 2500 pounds or less a B load and some say 3000. Even at 2500 that's awfully heavy and probably overloading the van so it's all a matter of definitions and classifications. If you tell which company said that somebody may be with them and able to give you an answer specific to them.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
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Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[fuzzface]

Leo,

It was Diamond Delivery Service. If I'm not mistaken they haul a lot of automotive freight.

 

[greg334]

1stariel
WOW, my name is mentioned with a few of the EO greats – can’t get over that, thanks.

I honestly think that you would be better in carefully first talking to some companies to select a couple of companies and then to a bunch of drivers to see how they are doing out there before making any decisions. It may seem that the wonderful Sprinter is the solution for a number of carriers but it is not always the case for newbies in some situations. The joy of passing a scale or not having to deal with logs may be only an advantage if you are running consistently and there is no way to predict how you will run. This business is really about how you leverage your opportunities with your equipment and most of all luck – being in the right place at the right time.

 

[1stariel]

Thank you all so much for your thoughts and advice!! Now I'll have to say I'm more confused than ever..LOL..I felt I could rely on the good people of this forum for the truth, and you all delivered!

Today, I spent alot of time on the phone with a couple of recruiters and Freightliner/Dodge salesmen :+ and my head feels like I've been underwater all day...I wonder why..LOL

We have a couple of BIG decisions to make..I'm not afraid to take a leap of faith, just wanna make sure we take that leap in the right direction. Thank goodness, we are financially sound at the moment, but we need to make our decision before we get in the "rocky" stage..don't even wanna go there! One thing we do know for sure, the "trucking bug" has bitten, and although we had our ups and downs out there, (we were sooo green we DO work well together and enjoy the lifestyle and challenges, so that's what we're gonna do! I believe our experience in that big a### semi will make us REALLY appreciate and enjoy expediting.

One more question... does anyone here run under their own authority, or have done so before? Again, I have spent countless of hours reading up on this too, and although there is soooo much involved, I know there are lots of T/T's, but how about expedite? (If that makes any sense).

Thanks again for your replies..give me lots to think about. Keep them coming..we need all the help, advice and suggestions ya'll may have.

Blessings to everyone, and stay safe out there!
:7

 

[LDB]

There are people running under their own authority and doing quite well. I know of one guy in particular I got to visit with quite a while. He runs a D unit and hauls for a few of the major carriers. He spends his down time checking and rechecking the load boards, carrier partner websites and emails ad infinitum. I spend my down time with the forum, ham radio, radio websites, Sherlock Holmes and napping. He stays busy but has no free time. He begrudgingly sleeps because he can't be searching for loads. He makes good money. He has HIGH expenses for insurance. He makes runs he never gets paid for because the customer is a deadbeat and there's no carrier to see to it he's paid regardless of what the customer does. In other words, just like everything else in this business and in life in general, it's a compromise and there are trade offs.

The next time you go to the fridge for a glass of milk look at the gallon jug and get out your largest and smallest drinking glasses from the cabinet. Figure the jug to be the overall pool of potential expedite jobs. Your biggest glass, hopefully about a 32oz, is what the D unit can be offered. The smallest, hopefully about the size of those bathroom Dixie cups at 3-4 ounces, is what the Sprinter can be offered. I would encourage you to consider the D unit over a van.

When you are new, especially, you need a larger pool of potential work to draw from. Those words of real estate wisdom, location location location, are important in a D and imperative in a van. You can get away with positioning errors in a D unit better than in a van since the potential freight pool is much larger. You can learn a company's freight zones and operations just as well in a fleet owner's truck as in your own, at less expense and risk for that matter. Think long and hard about getting into this business in a Sprinter. That cup is awfully small.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB
OOIDA Life Member 677319, JOIN NOW
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
EO Forum Moderator
----------
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[terryandrene]

1stariel

Check this OOIDA article related to working with brokers under your own authority:

http://www.ooida.com/Swimming_sharks/broker_guide.htm

 

[Crazynuff]

I'm surprised no one commented on the ability to do 2 200-400 mile runs a day . Please advise her what the odds are of this happening .

 

[terryandrene]

Craz is right. One run in two days occurs more often in expediting than two runs in one day. One of the most difficult things that drop and hook T/T drivers find with cargo van expediting is the waiting for a run offer. You might compare us to the small town ambulance driver waiting for a call; somedays he's busy with multiple calls and other days no one needs an ambulance. When he works, though, he's getting premium pay for a premium service. Sometimes we vanners feel like the Maytag repairman; no one needs us for days. The larger trucks are in a different situation and they are more often busy 4 or 5 days a week, on average.

You might consider a day or two off later in October and investing in a 3-4 hour drive to Charlotte where the next free expedite workshop will be held. Check the link below.


http://www.expeditersonline.com/sub/workshops/charlotte.html

 

[ATeam]

Driving a fleet owner's truck as a way to get started in expediting is also an option to consider.

 

[arkjarhead]

I wish they would put on these confrences in Memphis,TN.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Thanks for the intro Moot.

Terry has it bout right..

Vans are at the bottom of the food chain to understand this is important to the vanner.
However the Sprinter has created a new species to the chain. We cannibalize off the C's & D's more then the vans. There is a growing market somewhat for Sprinters at least my carrier keeps us rolling. As shippers become aware of our capabilities. To be able to handle 3-6 auto containers at a smaller cost and get it there most of the time quicker then a C or D. And no scales or logs to get in the way. Shippers also don't have to repackage to get that skid into a 48" opening.
Some carriers do not pay a premium for a sprinter, some do.
In Terrys' case Fedex is already higher paid on average compared to most so a Sprinter investment is a touchy deal for him. Most carriers don't pay what they do however and thats sad.
Many a time we've unloaded and pulled into a J and there will be 2-3 vans and we get out before them just because it's 3 skids or 55" tall. In that case our investment pays off.
I am finding that regular maintainace is NOT as expensive as some make it sound.
Thats enough for now, Breakfast is ready.

 

[RLENT]

I believe Midway made (or makes) a sliding/adjustable partition for a Sprinter. If it wasn't Midway (I don't see it on their website) it might have been available through Inlad Truck Equipment.

Basically this partition would go as far forward as the rear of the side sliding door - and then would adjust further rearward. It did not provide an airtight seal - there was a bit of a gap around the edges of the partition.

 

[AnneM]

TerryandRene

I will expect to see you two in Charlotte!!!

Hope all is well!!