Ridiculously NEWBIE....be gentle.

Bonniegeen · Jan 10, 2006

Alright, My experience with 'trucking' is with my Daddy when I was growing up. All long haul and long trips. With expediting its as an engineer in a factory environment, suppliers to auto industry and JIT delivery. We paid a FORTUNE in expediting costs at times.
My husband bought a food distribution business in September and uses the van, all deliveries small and local. With the business came a box truck; not sure of dimensions (about 12' x 18'). I have been seriously thinking of getting into trucking, starting with expediting smaller loads. I have quite a few questions..some really stupid, but in asking around and making calls, haven't received straight, reliable answers. Here we go:

1. Do I need a CDL? Is that based on hauled weight or axles or what?
2. In Ohio, what licensing do I need? (the DOT site is SO confusing)
3. Has anyone heard of Zone? They're recruiting in our area for O/O.
4. They say they give 62% of job payment to the truck...is that good?
5. They say the truck averages $1.02 per mile. So is that round trip even if I d/h back? Or just loaded mile?
6. I tried to ask some of these questions on the phone but I don't even know enough to ask the right questions.
7. Is it typical to have to d/h on the return trip or are loads pretty plentiful. I would normally run the MI/IN/OH area, with some Chicago or Pennsylvania, Kentucky, if needed. I'm looking at day trips, 2 days at most.

I sure would appreciate any answers or points to a comprehensive resource for "O/O expediting for dummies". I really want to do this. I love to drive and have my Daddy's sense of direction, and have a truck free and clear. I would want to contract with someone that would get the loads.

RichM · Jan 10, 2006

Will try to answer some of your questions.
1. A CDL is required if the total Gross Weight of the vehicle is over 26,000 pounds. That means empty and allowable cargo weight.However many companies require you to have a CDL irregardless of the GVW.
2. I would imagine in Ohio you will need a commercial license registration and your carrier should have operating authority and a DOT number.
3. Never heard of Zone
4. 62% of the gross revenue would generally be for a one way loaded trip.Coming back home empty will most likely be on your dime.
5.Backhaul or return freight pretty much depends on your carrier's ability to locate a load back to your area.You may have to wait a day or two.
If possible try to do as much research about Zone as possible such as ,insurance costs,communication costs etc.Also most companies would proably prefer you to remain available on a 24/7 basis as most expediting loads are from some type of crisis. Carriers have very little predictable loads.

Does your vehicle have any type of sleeping arrangement,this is important as Motel costs can drain revenue. Is it a gas or diesel engine and what make and year is it? Many carries have a age limitation on vehicles within their fleet.
Finally,I am not putting Zone down but there are many quality carriers that advertise on EO.

Bonniegeen · Jan 10, 2006

Thank you for your prompt reply.

Its a gas vehicle with a new(er) engine. No bunk (sleeper).

Yes, its (Zone) a 24/7 on-call service, but in my location (NW Ohio)all the automakers are within 5 hours...ok, not all....but Dearborn, Lake Orion, Pontiac, Chicago, Louisville, Toyota. I'm probably being optimistic in thinking there would be enough available runs to those places that I wouldn't get stuck doing overnight work....and if I did, I'd make due in the truck (sleeping).

greg334 · Jan 10, 2006

OK I hope this will also help you. From what I gathered by your brief description of you box truck, it sounds like my E350 dually, which was 12,000 GVW. If this is correct here is my answers to your questions.

1. Do I need a CDL? Is that based on hauled weight or axles or what?

Yes â€“ most likely you will need a class b because if I am not mistaken the class c is for 10K and below in Ohio as it is in Michigan. You will also need to log and you will also need a sleeper.

2. In Ohio, what licensing do I need? (the DOT site is SO confusing)

Again I assume that you are talking about your drivers license, this would be the CDL. I would go to the Ohio DMV and ask for the CDL study guide.

3. Has anyone heard of Zone? They're recruiting in our area for O/O.

Nope, never heard of them, but there are hundreds of expediting companies, EO only has a handful of them. You should also check them out.

4. They say they give 62% of job payment to the truck...is that good?

That is better than what I get; 57.5%. I would highly recommend that you get a copy of the contract and read it, ask questions and if there is no mention of other fees and how they are passed on to you, get them. If you doubt anything, get a lawyer to review everything, the money spent on a lawyer may help you a lot more later on.

5. They say the truck averages $1.02 per mile. So is that round trip even if I d/h back? Or just loaded mile?

I would say that is only loaded mile, DH is your responsibility.

6. I tried to ask some of these questions on the phone but I don't even know enough to ask the right questions.

Ask what you are worried about, good companies will help you. Also read this site, everything you can, even the funny â€˜discussionsâ€™ that go on. You will learn a lot.

7. Is it typical to have to d/h on the return trip or are loads pretty plentiful. I would normally run the MI/IN/OH area, with some Chicago or Pennsylvania, Kentucky, if needed. I'm looking at day trips, 2 days at most.

First - yea DH is common, I do it somewhat but this is a policy of mine. I still make more money than I did before. Even though the tri-state area is somewhat automotive based, it is changing. GM and Ford are closing more plants, Delpi and Vistion are also realigning their production and shifting to non-union/overseas sources, so some of that work will go away. Second if you have something that can haul 5000 lbs, there is a lot of freight that you will most likely haul.

Hope this helps.

Bonniegeen · Jan 10, 2006

You guys are GREAT!! Thank you! I just happened upon this site, and thank GOD I did.

I found out a few things;

On the title it says - "Cut-Away VN G-30" and its a '93 GMC/Chevy. the engine is new, has 500 miles on it. New tires within last 500 also. Hubby thinks its 8' x 20'...is there such a thing? Don't know the GVW, but he drove it in the distribution job he had before he bought the business and didn't have a CDL. He thinks the limit here in Ohio is 15k.

No sleeper, but I'd work it out somehow. I've never seen the inside, maybe a plank of plywood strategically placed between the seats? I don't know. I'm just really excited. This seems almost doable!!
I will check out Zone thoroughly. I asked them to have a driver call me, but haven't heard anything yet. And if there are other reputable companies out there, I may better go with them.
I appreciate all of your advice and help. I know I am sounding like a ditzy 'girl', I really am rather intelligent and level headed, but my Dad is probably in heaven shaking his head, saying, "Girl, what are you thinkin'?" He drove for over 35 years.
Thanks again.:*

RichM · Jan 10, 2006

8 feet by 20 proably means the box is 8 feet wide and 20 feet long. Sounds a bit too much for a GMC van. You might want to do the actual measurements. Also Sure don't want to kill your enthusiam but most of the larger carriers will not put on a vehicle that is 13 years old.
You should proably make sure the Zone folks know this before you put any investment into the unit,show them the receipts for the new engine and tires and get a official DOT inspection done.

Good luck,we all like to see and hear positive enthusiam for our industry.

bryan · Jan 11, 2006

HI
In 1995 I had a van leased on with Zone.I didn't drive it so I don't know a lot about them.What I do remember from back then is they were doing strictly Ford freight.Alot of dedicated work from one Ford plant to another or from a supplier to a Ford plant.
Settlements were usually on time and they paid you what they owed you.Our driver didn't make alot of money but he was home twice through the week and off most weekends.Also at that time Zone trucks had priority at the docks so no waiting to get loaded and unloaded.Hope that helps? Wish I could remember more about them.

Bonniegeen · Jan 11, 2006

Thanks Bryan, I appreciate it. I've learned a lot the past few days, just trying to digest it all.

And don't you guys (and ladies) worry about bashing my enthusiasm, better I hear the bummers now than after I've taken that leap, right? Like I said before, I didn't even know enough to ask the right questions 2 days ago...now at least I'm better informed.
I'll keep Zone in mind...I don't like the thought of not making much, but our perceptions on that could be totally different. I'm just looking to pay the bills, and have a bit of spending cash left over. I'd be comfy netting about 1 to 2k per month, not in it to get rich or retire early. I'm just getting really sick of boring, lifeless jobs. I get bored easily.
Thanks again.
Bonnie