Real Answers

[TerryMDay]

I'm a veteran truckers. I've been trucking since 1997.

Okay, so I've not been in the business since 2008. I was recently doing some research for a business proposal to present to an investor. My original plan was to incorporate and start a 1 truck trucking company. The numbers look great, the freight is there, but the investment is high and the risk factor due to CSA and more strict regulations has gone up.

I've discovered more than a few things have changed since I drove last. Most recently the CSA.

Okay, so I discovered Expedited Freight with Sprinter Vans.

I call Panther (one of the very few companies recruiting Sprinters) and the numbers they give me look horrible.

After all the fuel expenses, costs of insurance, tags, workmans comp, truck payment I'm looking at $3300 a month for a net before I even get to oil changes, tires, tolls, and misc expenses.. Not to mention paying myself.

If they don't produce the miles they say they can...

I called a few other companies who said they don't recruit vans and haven't seen van owners making a living in a long time.

Am I worrying too much or is there money to be made is this specialty niche?

If so, who would be the best company to call?

 

[Dakota]

Wait for Load1 to accept Vans/Sprinters

 

[jjoerger]

Are you going to be a team or a solo?

 

[TerryMDay]

Are you going to be a team or a solo?

Solo Driver

 

[jjoerger]

Solo Driver

You would be doing very well to net $3300 after expenses.

 

[Turtle]

Okay, so I discovered Expedited Freight with Sprinter Vans.

If it looks too good to be true, it usually is. Further investigation, like calling Panther and getting some numbers, will reveal the true nature of the matter.

I call Panther (one of the very few companies recruiting Sprinters) and the numbers they give me look horrible.

Beauty is skin deep, but ugly goes to the bone. The numbers are correct.

After all the fuel expenses, costs of insurance, tags, workmans comp, truck payment I'm looking at $3300 a month for a net before I even get to oil changes, tires, tolls, and misc expenses.. Not to mention paying myself.

That's about right, give or take. Some (a few) months will be better, some (most) will be worse. The net net, after everything net, the net you pay yourself will be in the $500 a week range, maybe less (though of late it's not even that good).

Am I worrying too much or is there money to be made is this specialty niche?

You're not worrying too much. There is money to be made, but not anywhere near the kind of money you can make in a straight truck or a tractor. The expediting industry is simply too saturated with cargo vans and Sprinters. People were saying that 3 and 5 years ago, and it was true then, and it's far worse now.

If so, who would be the best company to call?

It doesn't matter. The industry is saturated. Over-saturated, actually. You will not consistently get the kind of miles you are looking for at any carrier. Not in a van. The two hardest things for someone coming to expediting from general trucking to deal with is the dramatically reduced revenue, and the extended periods of sitting. Expediting in a cargo van requires either a second income, or very modest financial needs. You will not "make money" in a van, meaning, if you have outside expenses like a mortgage or rent and the associated expenses like utilities and stuff, you'd better have a second income from somewhere.


"You would be doing very well to net $3300 after expenses."

Extraordinarily well.

 

[BillChaffey]

"There is money to be made, but not any where the kind of money you can make in a Straight truck or Tractor"
I so hope your correct. Even though most Vanners say they do better solo then a straight truck solo.
Because I'm getting pretty close to pulling the string on a straight truck as a solo.

 

[Turtle]

Because of the HOS, the net result is about a wash between a solo straight and a solo van. You'll get more loads in a straight truck (which is the only real difference), and at higher revenue, but there's also higher costs (and more DOT hassle) in a straight than in a van. The real money, relatively speaking, is in a straight truck team.

Straight truck teams look at straight truck solos and say, "Can't touch this," and then do a little baggy pants dance. Then it's Hammer Time.

 

[Dakota]

Because of the HOS, the net result is about a wash between a solo straight and a solo van. You'll get more loads in a straight truck (which is the only real difference), and at higher revenue, but there's also higher costs (and more DOT hassle) in a straight than in a van. The real money, relatively speaking, is in a straight truck team.

Straight truck teams look at straight truck solos and say, "Can't touch this," and then do a little baggy pants dance. Then it's Hammer Time.

Thanks Turtle, now I have that song and those pants stuck in my head
Maybe OVM will wear Hammer pants next year at the Expo

 

[jjoerger]

Because of the HOS, the net result is about a wash between a solo straight and a solo van. You'll get more loads in a straight truck (which is the only real difference), and at higher revenue, but there's also higher costs (and more DOT hassle) in a straight than in a van. The real money, relatively speaking, is in a straight truck team.

Straight truck teams look at straight truck solos and say, "Can't touch this," and then do a little baggy pants dance. Then it's Hammer Time.

You mean like that straight through 3216 mile run we did last month from Calexico, CA to Long Island, NY.

 

[Turtle]

Exactly.

 

[TerryMDay]

My numbers are exactly what everyone is saying here. If you can live off of $500 a week, you never care to go home.then this is the business for you.

On the flip-side, if you want a job with little risk, this is also it.

I have quite a bit of experience in the Trucking industry. But Expedite... Everything I know about Expedite I've learned in the last 24 hours.

I almost prefer the 0 risk factor to dealing with CSA, DOT, and all the stacks of regulation.

I'm currently "retired". But I wanted to got back to work.

I originally did a month worth of research into getting my ICC/USDOT authority in order when I ran across Expedite.

I know it isn't much money, but you also don't have to worry about getting shut down because of a bad audit by DOT.

It is not near the financial investment or risk that is involved in conventional trucking ventures.

On top of that, I buy a new truck, It only depreciates $15k in a year and I can sell it without losing any money. Or trade it in and go into regular trucking.

I think I may give it a try for a year. There is literally nothing to loose.

Atleast that is the way I am leaning right now...

I bet a have a hundred more questions... but so far your answers have been in line with what Panther and Bolt Express have told me.

 

[Brisco]

On top of that, I buy a new truck, It only depreciates $15k in a year and I can sell it without losing any money. Or trade it in and go into regular trucking.

I think I may give it a try for a year. There is literally nothing to loose.

At least that is the way I am leaning right now...

Be careful...........


Your "New" truck will depreciate $15K the minute you drive it off the lot and the day a "state title" is issued for it. It then becomes a "Used" truck.

Buying "New" and possibly putting 100K miles on it in 1 years time, will depreciate that truck a hell of a lot more than $15K. You'll either end up owning it over time, or giving it away at an unbelievable low price to someone that won't mind buying a 100K mile 1 year old vehicle.

 

[Dakota]

Be careful...........


Your "New" truck will depreciate $15K the minute you drive it off the lot and the day a "state title" is issued for it. It then becomes a "Used" truck.

Buying "New" and possibly putting 100K miles on it in 1 years time, will depreciate that truck a hell of a lot more than $15K. You'll either end up owning it over time, or giving it away at an unbelievable low price to someone that won't mind buying a 100K mile 1 year old vehicle.

It's not hard to put 100K a year on a truck either, miles go on really fast

 

[TerryMDay]

Be careful...........


Your "New" truck will depreciate $15K the minute you drive it off the lot and the day a "state title" is issued for it. It then becomes a "Used" truck.

Buying "New" and possibly putting 100K miles on it in 1 years time, will depreciate that truck a hell of a lot more than $15K. You'll either end up owning it over time, or giving it away at an unbelievable low price to someone that won't mind buying a 100K mile 1 year old vehicle.

Considering all the talk I've been hearing from various members, getting 100k a year in a Sprinter would be similar to hitting the lottery the first and only time you've every played.

I'm not writing off Expedite in a Sprinter, but I certainly am giving it a closer look. I'm not overly interested in getting shafted because I don't have a clue.

One of the reasons I am looking at a Van is because CSA, FMCSA, and DOT are cracking down. Things are getting so regulated that a few mistakes could cause you to loose everything.

I originally planned to get my own authority and run a tractor trailer. I thought a Sprinter would be less stressful, fun, and maybe make a couple of dollars along the way.

 

[Dakota]

Considering all the talk I've been hearing from various members, getting 100k a year in a Sprinter would be similar to hitting the lottery the first and only time you've every played.

Talk to Anne at Bolt today. She gave me the number of a guy who hasn't worked since May and claims to have made such good money at Bolt in 4 months that he was taking the summer off...

Then I read over on the Bolt Express board a few various complaints.

Checked with Panther (guy named Brian), but read some disturbing complaints about getting settlements. He was also not really a people person and seemed irritated (he was either having a bad day or was simply not a people person) that I wanted to know what they paid, how many miles were normal, etc. I guess perhaps a person is just supposed to call up and join without asking questions.

I'm not writing off Expedite in a Sprinter, but I certainly am giving it a closer look. I'm not overly interested in getting shafted because I don't have a clue.

Things people are saying aren't adding up with things I am hearing from recruiters... Recruiters wouldn't lie to me would they????? Say it isn't so.

Talked to another guy who was running straight trucks and didn't seemed concerned about running hot trucks with bad log books. Did a lot of complaining about foreigners buying $2000 vans, bidding 50 cents a mile, and stealing all the business from Americans.....

One of the reasons I am looking at a Van is because CSA, FMCSA, and DOT are cracking down. Things are getting so regulated that a few mistakes could cause you to loose everything.

I originally planned to get my own authority and run a tractor trailer. I thought a Sprinter would be less stressful, fun, and maybe make a couple of dollars along the way.

There are a few on here with Bolt, also check with ChefDennis, he was on with Bolt in the past...From what I hear Anne is a straight shooter

I also hear that Panther micro manages you and calls you constantly while under load, if you stop for a break...some people like this, some don't

 

[Turtle]

Talked to another guy who was running straight trucks and didn't seemed concerned about running hot trucks with bad log books. Did a lot of complaining about foreigners buying $2000 vans, bidding 50 cents a mile, and stealing all the business from Americans.....

Probably the same type of guy with the disturbing complaints about getting or not getting Panther settlements. Panther pays on time, absolutely. Once in a while something weird will happen on a a load and there's some off-the-wall charge you're supposed to get paid for, and it might now and again get missed at settlement, but they will correct the error the next week.

Getting 100,000 loaded miles in a year in a Sprinter is just not gonna happen. 5, 6 years ago, yeah, it happened a lot, but not today. Still, adding in deadhead, driving the van 100,000 a year is not very far off the mark at all, especially if you go home a lot. I average a little over 80,000 miles a year on my Sprinter, and the first year I drove 102,000 miles. But I don't go home a lot (stay out 3, 5, 6 months at a time), and keep deadhead to a minimum. SO if you go home a lot or if you like to chase freight, 100,000 or close to it is easy.

I also hear that Panther micro manages you and calls you constantly while under load, if you stop for a break...some people like this, some don't

I don't doubt that you've heard that, but it's not really true. "Constantly" or even 'a few times' while under load is an exaggeration. Most loads I don't hear a peep out of them from pickup to delivery. As long as the computer thinks you are on-time or early based on the 47 MPH dispatch speed, they pretty much leave you alone. If you fall behind, at 47 MPH, even though you know you're not gonna be late, and even though those with common sense knows you're not gonna be late, the computer rulz and dispatch will baby-sit the livin' pee out of you.

The reason is, if they don't bug you and instead just assume things will be OK, and you do in fact end up late for whatever reason, you get a service failure on your record, but they likely get fired. Seen it happen to lots of them.

 

[Jefferson3000]

I'm a veteran truckers. I've been trucking since 1997.

Okay, so I've not been in the business since 2008. I was recently doing some research for a business proposal to present to an investor. My original plan was to incorporate and start a 1 truck trucking company. The numbers look great, the freight is there, but the investment is high and the risk factor due to CSA and more strict regulations has gone up.

I've discovered more than a few things have changed since I drove last. Most recently the CSA.

Okay, so I discovered Expedited Freight with Sprinter Vans.

I call Panther (one of the very few companies recruiting Sprinters) and the numbers they give me look horrible.

After all the fuel expenses, costs of insurance, tags, workmans comp, truck payment I'm looking at $3300 a month for a net before I even get to oil changes, tires, tolls, and misc expenses.. Not to mention paying myself.

If they don't produce the miles they say they can...

I called a few other companies who said they don't recruit vans and haven't seen van owners making a living in a long time.

Am I worrying too much or is there money to be made is this specialty niche?

If so, who would be the best company to call?

Don't worry about someone else. If your numbers say that it's a bad deal, then follow that. If even after the rosiness that many recruiters paint, if the numbers don't look good, just know this: That's the BEST you will see in this market.

Rewards in this climate, as with any market, are based on relevance, not investment. If you have the equipment and service that the market is wanting, then you will have great reward. If not, then it's just pouring money down a rat hole.

 

[Brisco]

Considering all the talk I've been hearing from various members, getting 100k a year in a Sprinter would be similar to hitting the lottery the first and only time you've every played.

No, no one here is getting 100K loaded miles a year in a Sprinter, but they are putting 100K miles on their vehicles a year easily.

I got a feeling you have not factored in the 30-40% deadhead miles you are going to be putting on that new vehicle as a new Expeditor just getting started.

Yes, there is a chance that you will put 100K miles on that truck within a year. My bet, it will happen. Hell, I've put 160K miles on a truck within a year before. And that was running just 9-10 months total for that year.(not as an Expeditor) 100K miles a year for a CV and Sprinter is probably a good average.

 

[TerryMDay]

Again, I don't like the numbers.

I'm used to trucking numbers.

Yes, the expenses are high, but the revenue is high as well.

It is not uncommon pay yourself $2500 a month and still have $60k in corporate account after taxes and expenses. Not to mention a $50 a day per Diem on top of your salary.

That's with taking a month off around Christmas and coming home for a couple of days every 4-6 weeks.

With Expedite, it appears that the numbers as so tight you would never afford to get out of the truck or take time off from the road.

I appreciate all the information, but Expedite sounds too shaky.

I'm a little gun shy of putting my life into the hands of a company and dispatcher again. My last two experiences were not good. I guess I shouldn't name the companies.

Again, I think I'm just better off getting my authority and going into conventional trucking where the money is good and I control my own life.

The numbers are tolerable so long as the miles average out, but are any of these expedite companies going to guarantee they will reimburse me for promised miles if they don't produce? No.