Truck Vs Cargo Van
- Thread starter Eagleye71
- Start date
Jack Jackson
Expert Expediter
The advantages are a lot less paperwork, a lot less cost to deadhead home(so you get to be home more), you get to spend more nights in motels ,and less cost up front if you're buying your own truck.
Less Paperwork = No Logs or Green coming in.
Less cost to Deadhead = More Deadhead.
More time in motels = Less work and more out of pocket.
Less cost to buy = Don't have any payments or bills before you start driving a van and you wont be disappointed in the revenue you earn.
BUT: Dont let me or any one else tell you what you will like or not like. My wife and I loved being able to park like a car, go places trucks were prohibited, like parks and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unfortunatly the revenue wasn't there for us. I hope some more people respond with their positives. I know that the good recruiters will have the average dollar figures for you.
Less Paperwork = No Logs or Green coming in.
Less cost to Deadhead = More Deadhead.
More time in motels = Less work and more out of pocket.
Less cost to buy = Don't have any payments or bills before you start driving a van and you wont be disappointed in the revenue you earn.
BUT: Dont let me or any one else tell you what you will like or not like. My wife and I loved being able to park like a car, go places trucks were prohibited, like parks and the Blue Ridge Parkway. Unfortunatly the revenue wasn't there for us. I hope some more people respond with their positives. I know that the good recruiters will have the average dollar figures for you.
The above are some very good points. Vans do well when the economy is humming along, however they are the first to take a hit when things go south. Most companies efforts go into straight trucks and tractor trailers as they are the most difficult to find and retain. The more you can haul ect the more your value is to them.
It is like alot of other business, what you put in is what you will get out. Read alot of the posts on here as you will find there are many successful van operators.
Terry on here can give you more insight into the van world than I. I am more experienced with TT and straight trucks.
Like Jack above said, expect more deadhead, sitting ect. but less capital, and no logging. I think Terry said he averaged 1.19 for loaded miles but I am not sure what his average is for all miles.
Davekc
It is like alot of other business, what you put in is what you will get out. Read alot of the posts on here as you will find there are many successful van operators.
Terry on here can give you more insight into the van world than I. I am more experienced with TT and straight trucks.
Like Jack above said, expect more deadhead, sitting ect. but less capital, and no logging. I think Terry said he averaged 1.19 for loaded miles but I am not sure what his average is for all miles.
Davekc
Ok; here's truth in advertising. From 1 Jan 04 until 4 Aug 04 (USCG birthday) my van, operating as a team only 5/8 of the year, has averaged $1.19 per loaded mile. We've driven 32413 loaded miles and 60423 total miles thereby averaging $.64 all miles.
If Rene' and I were operating in an average way for an average company, we would give the impression that vans have an excessive deadhead requirement. This is not the case. we choose to deadhead home from most anywhere in the country because it suits us. During the above time frame we have DH from Montana to home in St Louis, from Yuma, AZ to Orlando, FL, from New England to home, twice. We also DH to New England often 'cause that's where we have family we like to visit. Next week we'll be DH to Woodhaven, MI because we choose to attend the Expedite EXPO and hope to meet many of you in person. So, let's not compare our total miles avg pay with that of the typical van. I estimate a typical van would have about 30% deadhead; if that was our rate, we would have a total-miles revenue of +/- $.83.
All of the above is available to us because we are independant contractors and enjoy benefits not available to employees. That is partially the lure to this segment of the trucking industry.. Do your homework, invest in a truck that suits your lifestyle and pocketbook and you can earn a respectable living, either in a van or larger truck. As noted in first response above, this business is consistently cyclical in nature; therefore, you've got to prepare for the slow periods while you are enjoying the good times.
D truck or van? No one can tell you what's right for you.
If Rene' and I were operating in an average way for an average company, we would give the impression that vans have an excessive deadhead requirement. This is not the case. we choose to deadhead home from most anywhere in the country because it suits us. During the above time frame we have DH from Montana to home in St Louis, from Yuma, AZ to Orlando, FL, from New England to home, twice. We also DH to New England often 'cause that's where we have family we like to visit. Next week we'll be DH to Woodhaven, MI because we choose to attend the Expedite EXPO and hope to meet many of you in person. So, let's not compare our total miles avg pay with that of the typical van. I estimate a typical van would have about 30% deadhead; if that was our rate, we would have a total-miles revenue of +/- $.83.
All of the above is available to us because we are independant contractors and enjoy benefits not available to employees. That is partially the lure to this segment of the trucking industry.. Do your homework, invest in a truck that suits your lifestyle and pocketbook and you can earn a respectable living, either in a van or larger truck. As noted in first response above, this business is consistently cyclical in nature; therefore, you've got to prepare for the slow periods while you are enjoying the good times.
D truck or van? No one can tell you what's right for you.
