Who is making ends meet at 70 cpm?

[alwaysontime]

In all honesty, who is making ends meet in a cargo van at 70 cpm line-haul with standard fuel surcharge? Is it mathematically possible to turn a profit at these numbers once you factor in the amount of time that you spend on the road waiting for loads and available to run loads?

I am not trying to bash any companies here but who is making ends meet right now? I remember when I was making .77 cents a mile line-haul on top of a 20-60 cpm fuel surcharge a year and a half back. I used to make more money off the fsc when fuel was over 4 dollars a gallon. It is really hard to make a decent living in a cargo van with the rates that we are getting right now. Does anyone else share the same feelings as me?

 

[geo]

i drive a sprinter van and i would not get out of bed for that

 

[BULLRUSH]

Who do you drive for!!! unless your driving atlease 400 mile everyday at 70cpm your going to go broke PERIOD 95% of Cargo van freight i haul is over a $1.00 a mile. You must haul that auto cheap crap directly to the plant... forget that!!!

 

[alwaysontime]

Who do you drive for bull? I don't know of many carriers who are paying leased on contractors a dollar a mile.

 

[fastman_1]

I could make a Profit at 70 cpm, but I don't have to, My carriers customers I get a buck a mile +fsc on broker loads it's 80-1.00 a mile +fsc

 

[alwaysontime]

I could make a Profit at 70 cpm, but I don't have to, My carriers customers I get a buck a mile +fsc on broker loads it's 80-1.00 a mile +fsc

Are you working for C&M Transport? I thought you were retired?

 

[fastman_1]

Nope I'm leased to Premier Expedited out of Youngstown OhioRight now...and retirement didn't last to long, I was off the road working in operations for a company that closed it doors. so I'm back out here again.

 

[alwaysontime]

Cool. I wish there were more companies out there who paid a dollar a mile. I think a buck a mile is "fair" and that one can make a reasonable living on that provided the miles are consistent. I'm sorry your company went belly up, but it's good to see you back out here old chap.

 

[fastman_1]

Good to be back.

 

[fastrod]

Who do you drive for!!!

Panther. It is their new van rate.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

In all honesty, who is making ends meet in a cargo van at 70 cpm line-haul with standard fuel surcharge? Is it mathematically possible to turn a profit at these numbers once you factor in the amount of time that you spend on the road waiting for loads and available to run loads?

I am not trying to bash any companies here but who is making ends meet right now? I remember when I was making .77 cents a mile line-haul on top of a 20-60 cpm fuel surcharge a year and a half back. I used to make more money off the fsc when fuel was over 4 dollars a gallon. It is really hard to make a decent living in a cargo van with the rates that we are getting right now. Does anyone else share the same feelings as me?

I absolutely agree....to run load at .70 unless the FSC is large will run someone onto the ground after awhile...

This week at E-1 .70 plus the FSC is flat rated at .09 this week...That is a lowly .79 a mile...

I feel for our C/V division..

 

[guido4475]

I absolutely agree....to run load at .70 unless the FSC is large will run someone onto the ground after awhile...

This week at E-1 .70 plus the FSC is flat rated at .09 this week...That is a lowly .79 a mile...

I feel for our C/V division..

Yes, OVM, .70 will run someone operating a Sprinter in the ground for awile,but not a standard cargo van.I am not trying to bash you or other Sprinter guys out there,But with the high cost of maintenance and ownership of a Sprinter, that extra $$ is needed, I feel, to make what a regular cargo van makes.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Yes, OVM, .70 will run someone operating a Sprinter in the ground for awile,but not a standard cargo van.I am not trying to bash you or other Sprinter guys out there,But with the high cost of maintenance and ownership of a Sprinter, that extra $$ is needed, I feel, to make what a regular cargo van makes.

Yes...most of us that have survived that own a sprinter have "learned" how to survive ..I could because of my knowledge of the industry and my van...when and where to save a buck....

These 07/08's are very expensive to operate at this time...combined with lower MPG's and it is a losing proposition for an entry level beginner never mind an ole pro...

Being successful is in the individuals own mind. Yours and I's definition will be different because of our different "needs".

There will be those who can make a go of it at .70 and there will be those who can not.
It is just the way it is....
We adjust to our enviroment, be it good or bad.

 

[guido4475]

Yes, I understand what you are saying, and agree. The cost of ownership and repairs are the only thing keeping me from purchasing one.It really is an awesome van, ride, quietness, fuel mileage,room, etc.I really think that the american automakers are missing the boat on not having something like this out on the market already.

 

[chefdennis]

As Fast said, isn't $.70 a mile the "fixed contracted rate" for new signees at Panther?? And as OVM and Guido mentioned, we all have different wants and needs, and while i certainly can make money at $.70 mile, i don't make a habit of taking those runs......

 

[OntarioVanMan]

As Fast said, isn't $.70 a mile the "fixed contracted rate" for new signees at Panther?? And as OVM and Guido mentioned, we all have different wants and needs, and while i certainly can make money at $.70 mile, i don't make a habit of taking those runs......

Yes..that is what I've heard....BUT again Panther does not have the flat rate FSC like E-1....the monthly average FSC @ Panther is between 12-14 cents a mile...which brings it in up to .82-84 per mile....

 

[alwaysontime]

I can go back to work for a fleet owner and make anywhere from 60 to 65 cents per mile with my cut of the line haul and the fuel surcharge. That is not bad considering there is no maintenance to pay for and no insurance to pay for. I could actually make some decent money working for someone else.

You gotta figure that if the E-1 guys are making 79 cpm and the Panther O/O's are making 82 cpm, then I can make 60-65 cpm and do quite well. Where does the other excess 20 cpm go any how? Tires, van payments, oil changes, brakes, repairs?

 

[guido4475]

Based on .20 x 2,000 loaded miles a week, it sure doesnt leave much for the cargo van fleet owner after everything is said and done.

 

[iceroadtrucker]

If you were in mexico maybe the mexicans could do it.

NOW HONESTLY I FEEL SORRY FOR YA GUYS.

BUT THEN AGAIN TRACTORS GOT THERE OWN PROBLEMS AS WELL.

THAT IS A TRUE STATEMENT.

 

[guido4475]

Now, see, Mr Ice Road Trucker, that is the way I feel also, only for the semi guys.Even though step-deck and expedite semi freight should pay alot more than standard freight.But it is when I look at the ads for like England,Hunt,etc, proudly stating pay of .85-.95 cpm I just shake my head in disbelief.