Relocating to Houston, just wondering!

[porkchop1981]

Hey yall,

I did a search for "Houston" but didn't come up with much other then people posting where their locations are.
I'm currently living up in Virginia and have found a good place to buy used cargo vans. Most are 99-01 and have between 105k and 180k miles. The prices seem to be anywhere from 2k-6k.
I'm thinking about getting a van and making it into a expeditor type van.....but I'm curious...........

I plan on moving to Houston in Feb or March 2010. I'm wondering if anyone knows any info about Tx, mainly Houston but also the DFW area. I haven't done much calling being the holidays if the big carriers would take on a van with that type of miles, but my mind says no, and for good reason. Just basically wondering if anyone could lend some advice on the Houston area and if there is a local or otr market for vans from that area. I've searched through Craigslist and have about 5 places to call next week, but I'm sure being CL that only 2 ads will actually lead to any info (cl sucks for anything these days)

Before the hate replies start. I do have background in hotshotting and otr. I know the difference, and what to expect. I'm also not buying a van to pay the morgage or to become rich, simply thought of getting something that could be put to work IF and WHEN the chance comes about.
I have a great insurance company on the hook for when I need them and have done loads of research and kept notes over the years being on the road. I'm in no hurry to jump into things, but was hoping to at least work a van when I move down that way.

I've thought about newspapers, candy, dhl type stuff to deliver but must not being looking in the right places, or simply there aren't needs for contracted vans now!?

I know this post was long, but thanks for sticking it out, your ideas and input is gladly welcomed!

Chop

 

[transporter]

if you do decide to get into expediting houston is a decent place for outbound freight you might want to get something bigger than a cargo van.

 

[porkchop1981]

Is it possible to find out bound loads that would allow me to dh back to houston? I'm assuming that would pretty much eat up any profit I make on a load?

Chop

 

[guido4475]

I havent had much luckgetting freight out of Houston in a s/t, and in a cargo van,I havent been there yet with a van.

As far as where to buy a van, I wouldnt buy one from anyone else but Ryder.They give a 30-day warranty nationwide on what they sell, and give you complete maintenance history, detailed, on each vehicle they sell, since new.They encourage you to bring it to a mechanic of your choice to look it over, and will in most cases, make it right if anything is wrong. I cant say enough good about Ryder, and and more than pleased with mine.So far, I have put over 40,000 miles on mine, with no problems.I did go over mine in the begining, and did a few things to it because I can tend to be anal about things at times, but that is just me.Go to ryderused trucks .com, or something like that, and seee what they have. I dealt with Nancy in Oak Creek, Wi, and will deal with no one else.

 

[porkchop1981]

I know they have a sales center here in Manassas and I think one in Richmond. I've been sitting here doing some researching about Houston area companies and came across "CourierBoard" and found about 8 companies local, so I'll call each of them on Monday.
I'm pretty sure the smaller more local companies won't fuss about mileage as long as the van is presentable and reliable, but do panther and the other ones from this site take on vans with higher mileage?

Chop

 

[guido4475]

I dont think mileage is as big of an issue as the model year is, for the bigger carriers.I bought a 2003 with 180,000 on it, because I wanted the 7.3 diesel engine, which is the last year they offered it in a Ford van.Only 1 carrier has not hired me because of it.

 

[porkchop1981]

Sounds good. I think my game plan is to search and eliminate the local companies first, then move to the otr based companies. I'd like to work fairly local for the first 6 months or so incase I have trouble with the van, once I trust it I would be ok venturing out further from home.

Thanks again for the info! Yell at me (i suppose) if I'm totatlly in the wrong ball park!

 

[Turtle]

Most of the bigger carriers, like Panther, want a vehicle less than 5 years old when it's brought on. After that, as long as it runs well enough and isn't costing them money for service failures or lots of swaps due to mechanical failures, it won't matter (unless it looks like crap). You can do local courier stuff if you sign on with a local courier, but don't count on it with an expedite carrier. You're first load may take you to Dallas, and the next one might take you to Detroit. Ya never know.

If you get a used van, the first thing you need to do is take it to a really good mechanic and have them go over it with a fine tooth comb to ensure it's road worthy for expediting, that way you won't have to waste 6 months building confidence in it. My first van, I paid $5000 cash for it, then sunk another $3000 into it for road-worthy maintenance, like stuff that wears out, I had it preemptively replaced right up front (pumps, hoses, bearings, u-joints, whatever was necessary).

As for Houston being a good place, honestly, if you do expediting with any large carrier, and most small ones, where you live is irrelevant, as you won't be there very often anyway. I know one guy who lives in Miami, one who lives in Portland, OR, and one guy who even lives in middle of nowhere Bison, SD. But at least with Houston you will probably get a load within a few hundred miles of there, every now and then. Just don't expect one every week, or even every month. I've been to Houston three times this year, and Dallas maybe half a dozen times. On the other hand, last year I was there so often and spent so much time criss-crossing the state I felt like I lived in Texas.

 

[porkchop1981]

Thanks for the info turtle. I do have a awsome mechanic that will be with me when looking for a van, so that is no biggie. I was hoping to find a local courier to houston and I have dug up about 8 and will be calling on Monday. I was hoping to stay local being that my brother is relocating to and wanted to split the rent with him on a place, but......if the local stuff doesn't work out then I'll start calling the otr companies on here. I'm planing on making myself a nice livable sleeper (just enough to sleep,lol), but my only big concern speaking of that is a generator or idling a van. It can't be good to idle a gas engine all night, and .....hard to rig a gen on a van (or so I think)

I'm going to rest my eyes tonight (or this moring) , so I will catch up with you guys later!

Thanks again,

Chop

 

[Turtle]

For heat the most cost effective and efficient method is an Espar heater. It's between $1500 and $2000 up front depending on the model you get, but in the long run it's by far the most cost effective method of keeping warm. They have models for gas or diesel. As for a generator, it depends on the van. A Sprinter and there's no real good way or place to locate a generator, but on, say, a Ford E-350, you can mount it right under the van. If I had a Ford I've have an Espar heater for the winter, and a generator for AC in the summer, as well as to keep the house battery bank charged up when the house bank isn't being charged by the alternator while driving.

 

[FIS53]

When looking into those courier companies see if any are doing direct drives for the maintenance end of business. The ones who distribute bearings, power transmission, belts and electric motors and pumps. These are the guys with the nice paying runs at all hours if the oil refineries or others need something fixed right away. These are the ones with some runs going out of town (not across country, but maybe out of state) and you dh back. Normally these runs do pay enough to cover the dh.

There might be a company who specializes in this end of the courier business and most if not all will be hot shot or direct calls. These pay the best even on local runs. You do less calls per day than regular courier but it usually comes out with half decent pay and less hard wear on the van as more highway miles.
Rob

 

[porkchop1981]

Rob,

Thanks for the insight. I do remember seeing lots of dully's hauling oil rig stuff and fuel plant stuff when I lived there and would run through there. I've made a good size list of who to be calling, so I'll update after I make some headway.

Chop

 

[Dabus1952]

I really dont know much about Texas other than thats where all my X s live. What I do know there are many people on this forum with a wealth of Information. When I first read your post, I thought maybe one or two may know something. The oil rig courrier taught me something I never gave a 2nd thought too,. I think these guys should get a pat on there back. By the way I have no Ex s in Texas been with same women 30 years now Married 28 of them. Good Luck to you and you endeavor.

 

[aileron]

I really dont know much about Texas other than thats where all my X s live. What I do know there are many people on this forum with a wealth of Information. When I first read your post, I thought maybe one or two may know something. The oil rig courrier taught me something I never gave a 2nd thought too,. I think these guys should get a pat on there back. By the way I have no Ex s in Texas been with same women 30 years now Married 28 of them. Good Luck to you and you endeavor.

How many women have you accumulated in 30 years? lol

 

[porkchop1981]

Hey guys,

I posted in the Driver for hire section for cargo van. I did a search too and read the ups and downs.

Coming into this new year so far, how is freight for vans? Could I expect to make between $400-$600 a week after fuel? If that is realistic I'd really like to jump in a van and go. I'm a hard running normally but not having to log and to be little and get around would be nice for a change...

What yall think?

Chop

 

[Dabus1952]

How many women have you accumulated in 30 years? lol

Shoot couldnt handle more than ! thats only one headache lol

 

[transporter]

porkchop i am one of the few optimistic on here for next year. it is hard to say for a cargo van. but honestly $600 every week after fuel i think only the experienced o/o with the right company and the olo doing all the right things will achieve that goal.

 

[aileron]

I am in a cargo van, and for 2009 there were few weeks that I netted $600. There were some that I only grossed $200, some I grossed $300, though. Works allright if you don't have truck payments and car payments and credit cards. If you have all that, then look elsewhere for work.

 

[porkchop1981]

I don't have any other those bills. No wife, kids, morgage, car payments......only my cell phone at this time!!! Thats why I was trying my hand at expediting! I'd love to own a van or straight truck someday and figured with no bills would I still make enough to survive on the road and save a little towards buying, or if i would just survive.

Thanks for everyones feedback.

 

[guido4475]

It sounds like to me a cargo van may be a good fit for your needs, based on what you want.The fact that you have virtually no debt is a big help.There is a strong possibility for you to make decent money out here, as far as I'm concerned.After finally finding the rightcompany to lease on to,There were months that I averaged well over $1,100 per week,after all expenses,ins,fuel, etc.I trusted them and took every load offered to me also,and of course, prayer helps also.I came from a s/t to a van and love it, wishing I would of done it earlier in my career as an o/o.The only drawback is the lack of room when waiting for a load to pop up.As far as a generator goes, Ontario Van Man has a Honda generator that is the perfect one for a van, it is like a suitcase with a handle on the top, and is Quiet.That will be in my plans sometime this upcoming year, to get one like that.