The ultimate noob question

[pwrwagn]

For the last year, I was planning on hotshot driving with a pickup, and then that didn't really work out and won't fit with my plans.

I've stumbled across an opportunity to get into courier / expediting, and now the more I read, the more confused I get.

Can someone make the definitive, accurate, comprhensive list of what the DOT and FMCSA requirements are for an under 10,000 gvw rig? Or point me to one? I'd be an O/O, not leased to anyone.

 

[21cExp]

For the last year, I was planning on hotshot driving with a pickup, and then that didn't really work out and won't fit with my plans.

I've stumbled across an opportunity to get into courier / expediting, and now the more I read, the more confused I get.

Can someone make the definitive, accurate, comprhensive list of what the DOT and FMCSA requirements are for an under 10,000 gvw rig? Or point me to one? I'd be an O/O, not leased to anyone.

Nope, no one can make that list, really.

There aren't any req's for vehicles under 10,001lbs. That's one of the main reasons so many get into Sprinters & American cargo vans for trying out expediting in a bad economy. No special CDL needed, no DOT #.

I will add, though, that if you're serious about becoming a driver and expediting in a van, be serious about it. Do it right, get set up right, drive legal and safe, and run it like a real business. Or you'll be contributing to the desire by some to regulate the CV world of expediting into an overabundance of rules and regulations and requirements, whether justified or not.

Edit: I should further add, though, that to the limits of my knowledge, if you are planning on NOT being leased to anyone it will mean you're going to be trying to get your own loads, right? In which case you'll have to look into getting your own authority and gaining access to load boards, etc. That is a separate issue than the vehicle being under 10,001 GVW. Perhaps others here with far more experience and knowledge in that will chime in to help address those needs.

Good luck man, let us know what you learn and what you end up doing.

 

[pwrwagn]

Well, what's going on, is that where I"m moving to, there's multiple contract courier services... where you're a non-leased owner. And, they have everything from the urgent envelope for 5 miles that has to be there ASAP to the overnight cargo van load that's 120 to 600 miles away.

As far as doing it right... of course. Been shopping for liability, cargo, and vehicle insurance, checking out the state side of doing business and will probably get authority from both federal and some intrastate, and do a mix of local courier and some longer, heavier stuff. Not gonna get rich, but it should be better than greeting at Walmart or stocking the shelves.

 

[runrunner]

For the last year, I was planning on hotshot driving with a pickup, and then that didn't really work out and won't fit with my plans.

I've stumbled across an opportunity to get into courier / expediting, and now the more I read, the more confused I get.

Can someone make the definitive, accurate, comprhensive list of what the DOT and FMCSA requirements are for an under 10,000 gvw rig? Or point me to one? I'd be an O/O, not leased to anyone.

Like was said being an O/O not leased to anyone is not the way to go. Going with a local courier may be ok if you live near a major city,other wise sign on with a carrier that you hear mentioned here. Trying to do Expedited Freight on your own is a lose lose deal unless you have some experience you haven't mentioned.

 

[pwrwagn]

Like was said being an O/O not leased to anyone is not the way to go. Going with a local courier may be ok if you live near a major city,other wise sign on with a carrier that you hear mentioned here. Trying to do Expedited Freight on your own is a lose lose deal unless you have some experience you haven't mentioned.

Yes, I will be in one of top metropolitan areas of the country. I'm mostly trying to figure out just how diversified I can be, to take advantage of any additional opportunities I find, and what it costs to be ready for those. The insurance doesn't seem to be too bad in price and I'd want it anyway, for doing courier work, so apparently, the demands would not be all that high. At least one of the companies insists on state and dot authority. Probably to ensure you're properly insured, etc.



I do understand the leasing part, if you want to do wide regional or nationwide expediting. It's just too small, and you have to have the marketing muscle of a large company, to succeed.

 

[BobWolf]

Ive been in this with a strait truck for a few years and a van for one year so here is my advice. Keep asking questions we are here to help, but please respect the fact we come from experiance so dont get youre undies in a knot if you get answers you dont want to hear.

The first thing I ask all wanabees and newbies is the most important two part question......
1 Are you married and/or do you have a family 2 Do you want to keep it that way? The trucking / freight business is the most brutal predator when it comes to relationships it will viciously kill and devour a happy marrage and crap out the remains for you to cleanup and deal with. Ive seen it too many times
If you do get into the freight business and I practice what I preach be extremely vigilant on your relationship and have the guts to dump everything as you may have to chose the relationship or the business. My woman already knows I will flush everything in this business for her. Hopefuly Ive made this point clear

Second I recomend to all newbies with no experiance is run with a local delivery company. Why? Easy, you are home nightly while you learn how to deal with shippers, receivers, carriers, fleet owners, and the DOT Creeper Cops they are all different animals. If you have never done this before you have allot to learn and being away from home, broke, most likely bored if stuck in a poor freight area like or having to bite the bullet and deadhead two hundred miles for a load from Lewiston Maine to JFK airport N.Y.C. then run it to Rochester NY and at best break even for that job. Another advantage running for a local carrier is the money is usualy more steady and regular runs.

Plan on getting your own authority. I am pro own authority I have had mine for five years now and it has both its pros and cons. It will probably cost you arround a grand when its all said and done for authority and starting your insurances. Its good to have in your pocket you dont have to reley on the carriers authority being in good standing, the pay is usualy better, Its a good backup in case things fall through with your carrier also, I find other carriers are more likely to respect me more than a company driver.

CHECK OUT CARRIERS, FLEET OWNERS, LOAD BROKERS, CUSTOMERS, CO-DIRVERS!!!! AND DONT WORK CHEAP I cant stress this enough this board is loaded with I got ripped off postings by _______________ inc. Thats one of the toughest part of this business because even if it dosent put you out of business ot takes at least six weeks to get back to making a profit. that leads to the next issue.

Have at least two to three months expenses in the bank in a savings account. This is not spending, living, working, walking cash or routien maintenance cash. Its in an EMERGENCY savings account just sitting there for the breakdown, wrecker, slow or no payer, no freight season, its an emergency cash sorce. Trust me it spends quick and its tough to replace when you use it I am rebuilding mine again.

Be flexable and creative especialy if you persue your own custmers. Do the jobs that most carries can't or wont do as long as its legal and dosent violate your ethecs. This allows you to demand a beter paycheck as you deliver a better service.

As for vehicles under 10,000 lbs. There are verry few unenforced if no regs for vanners. HOWEVER, D.O.T. can and will inspect your vehicle as they would a truck if they think somthing is up or you get pulled over for somthing and youre under load. Some states will shake you down if you weigh more than 8,000 lbs. Ive been shaken down in an unmarked van as a secondary part of a stop when I had a tempoary inspection sticker instead of the shop issued sticker so run legal. I was legal the white sticker from DMV stood out instead of the blue anual sticker

PUT YOURSELF FIRST Dont run illeagal, tired, drive dangerously, overload your vehical, and dont run cheap. If you are tired, burned out, or dont feel well park and take care of yourself. Try to eat right and exersize and a good Chiropractor is a good idea as we spend too much time sitting and i cramped positions this takes a toll on the body.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have questions
Bob Wolf

 

[intransit]

Great responses everyone...wow vanning seems like a great opportunity in that there aren't any regulations, compared to driving 18 wheels!

 

[Turtle]

Yes, it does seem like a great opportunity. That's why there's a bazillion cargo vans out where when half that amount would work better. So do keep in mind the increased competition of the van.

 

[Mailer]

Yes, it does seem like a great opportunity. That's why there's a bazillion cargo vans out where when half that amount would work better. So do keep in mind the increased competition of the van.

Bazillion.....? Turtle, by chance, do you know the actual expedite CV/Sprinters out there? I'm always wondering how many are out there. Thanks.

 

[Moot]

Bazillion.....? Turtle, by chance, do you know the actual expedite CV/Sprinters out there? I'm always wondering how many are out there. Thanks.

Excellent question! I'll venture a guess. Nothing factual, just based on my own experiences and observation in hopes that others will add their thoughts and observations.

My last couple of years with Con-Way Now, the number of vans was about 200 and holding. The total fleet size when sold to Panther was about 600 units. I'm guessing Panther currently has about 350- 400 vans/Sprinters. Let's call it 400 and denote vans/Sprinters as U10k units (under 10,000 pounds). So from that, I estimate FedEx Custom Critical to be at about 250-300 U10k units. Let's call that total 300. Tri State 200, Bolt 150, E-1 100 and Load One 100.

That total comes to 1250 U10k units. To include all the other small carriers with U10k units let's multiply by 2 and then subtract 300. That leaves in my estimation, about 2200 U10k units involved in nationwide expedite as most of us have come to define expedite. Am I in the ballpark? Am I even on the right planet?

 

[paullud]

That total comes to 1250 U10k units. To include all the other small carriers with U10k units let's multiply by 2 and then subtract 300. That leaves in my estimation, about 2200 U10k units involved in nationwide expedite as most of us have come to define expedite. Am I in the ballpark? Am I even on the right planet?

I was going to say 38 but 2200 might be closer.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using EO Forums mobile app

 

[roadeyes]

I was going to say 38 but 2200 might be closer.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using EO Forums mobile app

Actually you are probably right. In reality there is only about 38, however according to Sylectus there are 2200.
:-/

 

[Moot]

In reality there is only about 38, however according to Sylectus there are 2200.
:-/

What larger carriers fall under the Sylectus count? How many Sylectus members lease vans/Sprinters that are also leased to other carriers?

 

[scottm4211]

What larger carriers fall under the Sylectus count? How many Sylectus members lease vans/Sprinters that are also leased to other carriers?

Slow down. I need time to figure out what planet you're on.

 

[TruckingSurv]

Anybody have a guess on straights industry wide? As long as guesstimates are being done it might be good for newbies (myself included) to have some idea of the amount of trucks in all the classes of expedite.

TS

 

[Mailer]

Excellent question! I'll venture a guess. Nothing factual, just based on my own experiences and observation in hopes that others will add their thoughts and observations.

My last couple of years with Con-Way Now, the number of vans was about 200 and holding. The total fleet size when sold to Panther was about 600 units. I'm guessing Panther currently has about 350- 400 vans/Sprinters. Let's call it 400 and denote vans/Sprinters as U10k units (under 10,000 pounds). So from that, I estimate FedEx Custom Critical to be at about 250-300 U10k units. Let's call that total 300. Tri State 200, Bolt 150, E-1 100 and Load One 100.

That total comes to 1250 U10k units. To include all the other small carriers with U10k units let's multiply by 2 and then subtract 300. That leaves in my estimation, about 2200 U10k units involved in nationwide expedite as most of us have come to define expedite. Am I in the ballpark? Am I even on the right planet?

Wow Moot, thanks! 2200? I always thought it was much more larger than than. Well, if that is the case, we can say expeditors are rare breed as compared to other type of jobs.
Now, if we can just find another numbers.... the daily average available loads for CV/Sprinters. If those numbers are too small, then may be we should discourage the newbies from coming in??? I'm still waiting for turtle to crunch those numbers, lol.

 

[Murraycroexp]

There's no load tracking on Sylectus for connect level users. That info would have to come from the companies and not Sylectus. Which means you won't get it.

 

[Moot]

Wow Moot, thanks! 2200? I always thought it was much more larger than than.

Could be much more. That was just my guess and an explanation of how I arrived at that number.

Now, if we can just find another numbers.... the daily average available loads for CV/Sprinters.

Until a year or so ago, I was able to track pro numbers on Panther's website without limit. I am now limited to tracking only 5 pros per day. Back then, Panther was booking an average of 600 to 650 loads a day, all vehicle sizes. At that time I estimated the number of cargo van/Sprinter loads to be in the 225 to 250 per day range.

I have no idea what the number of loads they are currently booking per day are and so my above numbers are pretty much useless. I'm back in the dark where I belong. Information and knowledge are powerful and dangerous things. Way too powerful and dangerous to share with a partner like me. Ignirince is blist.

 

[Turtle]

I know back before the recession hit (you know, right before Obama first took office), I know Panther was booking 800-900 loads a day during the week, and about half that on the weekends. That 800 number was always my measuring stick for how things were going in a given week.

As for the 2200, I dunno. I've seen that many just at the J in Laredo before. <snort>

 

[Mailer]

Could be much more. That was just my guess and an explanation of how I arrived at that number.

Until a year or so ago, I was able to track pro numbers on Panther's website without limit. I am now limited to tracking only 5 pros per day. Back then, Panther was booking an average of 600 to 650 loads a day, all vehicle sizes. At that time I estimated the number of cargo van/Sprinter loads to be in the 225 to 250 per day range.

I have no idea what the number of loads they are currently booking per day are and so my above numbers are pretty much useless. I'm back in the dark where I belong. Information and knowledge are powerful and dangerous things. Way too powerful and dangerous to share with a partner like me. Ignirince is blist.

Hahaha Moot, great sense of humor Thank you Moot and Turtle for those numbers. Your given numbers may not be exact, but I think they are close enough to give an estimate. If I use Moot numbers, there is 1 load for each van/sprinter every 8 days Is this crazy or what?