part time trucker

[ffsoapy]

I am not currently a truck driver, nor do I want to be a full time one, or own a trucking co in the future. However, I do currently have a business which will require me to get a cdl and a truck. I am looking at getting a used straight box 33k gvw vehicle with a lift gate.

I make consistent routes in the mid atlantic region and would be willing to drive a bit out of the way to make a couple extra bucks during an already scheduled delivery (truck is not full on way out and empty on way back). If the rates for extra delivery dont give me an extra $20 per hour (net) for the extra drive time, its probably not worth it.

I do not want to invest a great deal of time in locating loads to fill my extra space (trucking is not my core business). It also seems like the extra insurance I would be required to pay for hauling other's cargo might only offset the extra revenue I generate from hauling the loads, since I will probably not do it that frequently.

I would be interested in the occasional 'urgent' type load- if the pay were right I might drop what I am doing to take it. I dont think I have time to market this type of service myself in the local area.

I may also bring on an employee in the future(its just me right now doing sales, manufacturing, r&d, and delivery of my current product line). So I would have additional flexibility and desire in responding to the urgent situations.

Any suggestions on how to better utilize the assests of a cdl and a big truck would be appreciated. From what I have read so far, it seems like I would need to partner with a good broker or two. Is there any potential to do spot hauling for a carrier?

Feel free to tell me I am stupid for even thinking this, or if it would never work.

 

[RichM]

There are no stupid questions,but I don't think your plan is doable. First of all to haul someone else's cargo you will need operating authority as a carrier. I am going to assume your truck will say "Private Carrier not for Hire". Now if you had an agreement with a carrier and they brokered the load to you ,you could operate under their authority and insurance umbrella.
However most of the expediting companies want and require full time leased owners devoting 100% of their time to them.
If you run the same routes every month into the same areas and you had your own authority you could possibly contact shippers in advance and say "I will be passing through on such and such a date and if you have need of me ,call me".
Another obstacle in expediting is that most shippers paying expediting rates want only their cargo carried. One other thing that might work and here again you need your own authority is the various load boards found on the internet and at truck stops.You could also contact trucking comapnies in the area you are going through,give them your destination and ask "If you are in a bind can I help you".
Good luck,If Columbus didn't pose what he thought might be a stupid question we would really be croweded in Europe.;-)

 

[geo]

do you live near a big city
that has a big airport

 

[ffsoapy]

yes and I cold pass by a few cities with big airports during my 'route.'

 

[x06col]

What will your route be?? Might be able to help.

 

[ffsoapy]

typically go from weirton wv to south jersey thru philly every 4-6 weeks. If I had consistent decent payig other loads, I could ramp up to every 2-3 weeks.

Also there are a number of different ways that I could go, so that I could hit different areas such as balt, dc, or scranton- depends on how much the pay would be to go out of my way

As I pick up more customers for my core business, the frequency and variety of my travels will increase

will also need hazmat for moving my product

 

[X1_SRH]

Soapy - it sounds like what you desire to do is more of an LTL type thing and not really expedited. Most Expedite loads are not booked more than 5 or 6 hours in advance - so there is really no time to plan on adding them to your route.
An LTL carrier may have some dedicated type freight that can easily be added to your route without much of a problem by you or the carrier. You would definitely need to operate under your own authority though because you would need to carry cargo insurance - the cost may offset any benefit that you may gain from this plan. Best of Luck - X

 

[ffsoapy]

x- thats kind of what i was thinking on all points. I appreciate the independant confirmation of my thinking.

If I had a part time employee w/cdl and my own authority could it make senes to attempt to go after expedite loads when I am not on route? I would only have to pay the driver per trip, and the truck will not be utilized a tremendous amount of time when not on my route.

 

[terryandrene]

FF. If you have no use for your truck when not taking your stuff to S Jersey you may have an alternate method.

Consider signing on with one of the expedite carriers advertised herein with your employee as a full time driver. Once a month, take yourself out of service for personal reason, cover your expedite signage and have your driver do your personal delivery in your not-for-hire truck.