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The C-Unit is making a come back.

Bruno

Bruno

Veteran Expediter
Fleet Owner
US Marines
Today I got a call at our office about repairing a roof on an Expedite truck for a new truck owner. I told the caller to send them on in and we would help them out. I walked in our shop and the truck that was in the bay at the shop took me back to when I started in 1995. It was a newer truck, but it took me back to my Roberts Express days. The truck was a 2007 Freightliner M2 with a 60 inch sleeper and 16 foot box with 136,000 miles on the truck. Thinking back to what I paid for my first truck in 1995, which was $47,500.00 for a brand new Freightliner FL 60. My truck didn't even have air ride or air brakes. This new truck owner got a great used truck for $34,000 and it will be a money marker for him and his wife.

It got me thinking why did people quit buying C-units as 70% of the freight we transport are C- loads less than 5000 lbs. Now this truck could legally transport 16,000 lbs as the GVW was 33,000 lbs. This truck will be a great stepping stone for this husband/wife team without hurting there wallet each month. It got me wanting to know if there is anyone selling a new truck without a sleeper and a box for less than $40,000.00. I ran in a C-unit for many years and made very good money before buying my first D unit in late 1998. With the cost of new trucks over $100,000.00, I have always thought there was a market for the return of a lower cost expedite truck.

Will that happen with the credit crunch? I don't know, but it seems like an old friend may be making a comeback. :)
 
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zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
We thought about a C. The 130 in sleeper looked inviting.
We decided the ability to do D loads was worth the sacrifice in comfort.
Quality teams want that comfort from the owner. The lost productivity is easier to cope with if you only get 20 or 40 percent. Also you don't have that payment.
I enjoy the shortage of Ds. Keep buying those Cs.
 
Monty

Monty

Expert Expediter
If had not been determined avoid log books, I would have bought a "C" .... they make perfect sense.
 
redytrk

redytrk

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
I got my first "C" twenty years ago. I went with a C because I could grandfather my class c cdl and not have to re-test. (Also a recruiter said that C freight was the most asked for by customers)

Roberts, then FECC kept us as busy as we could have asked for. For the last 5 years my team partner has stayed home taking care of her mother and other things. Running single with the new HOS has been tough. If there was a big truck payment, I don`t think I could continue.

For the future I think a van would be best for a solo. Maybe thats why there is such a glut of vans.

The 2007 truck Bruno mentioned has only 137K on it. I wonder why? Been parked or what?
 
OntarioVanMan

OntarioVanMan

Retired Expediter
Owner/Operator
Bruno said:
Today I got a call at our office about repairing a roof on an Expedite truck for a new truck owner. I told the caller to send them on in and we would help them out. I walked in our shop and the truck that was in the bay at the shop took me back to when I started in 1995. It was a newer truck, but it took me back to my Roberts Express days. The truck was a 2007 Freightliner M2 with a 60 inch sleeper and 16 foot box with 136,000 miles on the truck. Thinking back to what I paid for my first truck in 1995, which was $47,500.00 for a brand new Freightliner FL 60. My truck didn't even have air ride or air brakes. This new truck owner got a great used truck for $34,000 and it will be a money marker for him and his wife.

It got me thinking why did people quit buying C-units as 70% of the freight we transport are C- loads less than 5000 lbs. Now this truck could legally transport 16,000 lbs as the GVW was 33,000 lbs. This truck will be a great stepping stone for this husband/wife team without hurting there wallet each month. It got me wanting to know if there is anyone selling a new truck without a sleeper and a box for less than $40,000.00. I ran in a C-unit for many years and made very good money before buying my first D unit in late 1998. With the cost of new trucks over $100,000.00, I have always thought there was a market for the return of a lower cost expedite truck.

Will that happen with the credit crunch? I don't know, but it seems like an old friend may be making a comeback. :)
Click to expand...

It makes perfect economic sense these days....can the surface rates now support a 100K truck..? and still leave room for a decent take home pay?....
 
Doggie Daddy

Doggie Daddy

Veteran Expediter
I dont get where people think a C unit is automatically going to cost less than a D unit to own and operate.:confused:

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Bruno

Bruno

Veteran Expediter
Fleet Owner
US Marines
Doggie Daddy said:
I dont get where people think a C unit is automatically going to cost less than a D unit to own and operate.:confused:

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Click to expand...

When I bought my C-unit back in 1995 a D-Unit was starting out at $69,500.00 so you tell me Doggie Daddy. C-units don't have longer frames and that is six feet of box that doesn't have to be built. Unless your building a nice truck like Glean and Janice Rice had or the Madsen's, the cost would be cheaper to build a C-unit
 
zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
DD mentioned cost of operation.
When a similiar sec'd D gets 500-1000 miles of D revenue over a weekend,and that C sits til Monday it can make a big differance.
We recently went 2200 miles with a 500lb part that was fortunately twenty feet long. Mon am delivery.
It helped make a fantastic month.
 
LDB

LDB

Veteran Expediter
Retired Expediter
In general more is better whether it's more weight capability, more cargo length/width/height, more extras like bars/straps/pads/dollies or whatever. That said, the operating cost is going to go up to some degree when these other things go up. The entry fee is likely the big jump though. Bottom line, there is no right or wrong answer. It's up to the individual to determine what's the correct choice for themselves.
 
mrgoodtude

mrgoodtude

Not a Member
LDB said:
In general more is better whether it's more weight capability, more cargo length/width/height, more extras like bars/straps/pads/dollies or whatever. That said, the operating cost is going to go up to some degree when these other things go up. The entry fee is likely the big jump though. Bottom line, there is no right or wrong answer. It's up to the individual to determine what's the correct choice for themselves.
Click to expand...

We have operated CR and DR units, in the end (of year) the revenue was, well the same.
Can't speak for surface units but would probably lay money on the D if I had no reefer..
 
Doggie Daddy

Doggie Daddy

Veteran Expediter
Bruno said:
so you tell me Doggie Daddy. C-units don't have longer frames and that is six feet of box that doesn't have to be built.
Click to expand...

But other than 6' of cargo box and 12' of frame rails, there is no difference.

Operating costs are gonna be the same, and the D unit still will get more load opps....IMHO.


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zorry

zorry

Veteran Expediter
The cost difference between a 16' and 22' body is minimal when cost out over the life of the truck.
Add an axle( lift or real tandem). That cost and the related operating cost should be small when comparing C and D rates.
The ability to haul C and D loads is where the D wins.
I never saw a C load I didn't like (at a D rate.)
 
jelliott

jelliott

Veteran Expediter
Motor Carrier Executive
US Army
45 or 48ft trailers are cheaper to buy than 53ft trailers. Probably a good reason the 53 is so much more popular.
 
Bruno

Bruno

Veteran Expediter
Fleet Owner
US Marines
I didn't say I was going to go out and buy a C unit I just said they are making a come back. Since some carriers are let people come on with trucks that 26,000 lbs and under without air brakes or having a CDL, I can see a C unit being in demand.
 
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