straigt trucks/cube vans

[tomar]

getting ready to jump into expediting, got my CDL, looking for a truck. I was supposed to start with a van that I currently use for my business, but talked to my father and he wants to continue in this business(powerwashing, got accounts with auto dealers) so i have to look for another truck and I've been thinking about straight truck or if possible cube van. My question is; are there any trucks under CDL (less than 26000 lb) that are being used in expediting, I found a great deal (it's 1999 Freigtliner FL70 24') but I like to be sure that expedite companies are actually signing those trucks, and what about cube vans like 16-18 ft bodies and 12000-18000lb is anyone using those and how you get paid van rate or straight truck rate or is there any other rate for those
thx in advance for any info

 

[ATeam]

An easy way to obtain carrier truck requirement and usage info is to contact recruiters with the carriers that interest you. Numerous carriers are listed on the EO home page. Clicking on them takes you to a pre-application form. You do not need to complete all fields, just your basic contact info. Use the message box at the bottom to ask your truck questions. Best to get your truck requirement info straight from the carriers themselves.

 

[RichM]

Many of the carriers have an age limitation on trucks that are just coming aboard. Your FL 70 would be a good choice but being a 1999 might hurt you.Also you didn't mention if the FL 70 had a sleeper,this is almost a must as motel bills would really impact your revenue.

 

[X1_SRH]

Any vehicle with a GVW of over 10,000 pounds is required to keep a log book and is subject to DOT hours of service regulations. If you do not have a sleeper on your truck, the DOT can request that you show motel receipts that coincide with your off duty time as shown in your logs.

Cube vans over 10,000 GVW are not a good choice for this business based on the above reasons.

A simple rule of thumb - if you need to keep a log book, your truck had better be dock high - or you won't be in the business for very long. Any truck that is not dock high is basically a cargo van, and to make a cargo van profitable you need to have as few restrictions (like HOS regulations)as possible.

I hope this helps,

Scott

 

[tomar]

thx for your help
no this tuck doesn't have a sleeper, but I don't think I will need one (at least not for a while)since I'm thinking mostly about local exediting for know, I know there is some companies in Metro Detroit
that do a lot of local deliveries, eventually I will probably go into expediting all over the country, but as of know I must stay close to Michigan.
the reason I asked about cube vans is that I happend to see few of those and I know they do expediting but they are probably making enough just to survive
once again thank you for your help