What are going transport rates?

[Bernie]

I have been asked to pick up a truck (Ford, sorry) and a 53' fifth wheel toy hauler with living quarters and deliver it. I will be using his truck, his fuel, his food, etc. I will have no expenses other than my time.



What is a going per mile rate for a transport like that?

 

[mrtrombley]

Bernie, the carrier I have worked for in the past is now charging about $. 67 to $. 73 per mile. But their drivers have to buy fuel and pay for all their own expenses. I believe around $. 35 per mile would be good in your situation. Plus, the carrier drivers are covered for insurance.



Just be carefull. If doing it for a friend, accept a "donation" for your time. If doing it like a business, you have certain responsibilities, such as the insurance and DOT requirements.



I don't want to complicate it for you. But, if you have an accident or some other situation, you could be held responsible.

 

[telliott]

i would write up a liability waver and have them sign, just to relieve you of some of the responsibility. I have done some livestock transport and charge a lot more. typically i can get $1. 50 to $2. 50 a loaded mile depending on the distance. I charge more for shorter distances. However, that is using my own truck, trailer, and paying all of my own expenses.

 

[AABEN]

Yes get it in writing so you cover your self!! . 35 Sounds good but make sure you have a ride home. Make sure he has insurance on it before you move it !! Make sure by having it in the truck. So if you are stoped and ask you can show it and registration papers for every thing. ==Good luck

 

[mrtrombley]

In addition to reg & ins papers, make sure you have a written paper from owner giving you permission to drive the rig. It should have beginning & ending dates-not open ended.



As I said, be carefull with a written agreement to deliver the rig as this makes you liable, as in a business contract.

 

[HBarlow]

I've never heard of a 53' fifthwheel toy box. It is more likely to be a 43'er and that is a very large fifth wheel, the largest I've ever seen.

Since you will be driving someone else's truck make sure his auto policy and trailer policy will extend liability, comp, and collion insurance when his vehicle is driven and his trailer is towed by someone else. If not, better make sure your own insurance will cover you.

It should be simple to calculate a rate. What wages are you willing to work for? And what will meals and lodging cost you if the roundtrip will require more than one workday? Don't forget the cost of return transportation.

Estimate the roundtrip distance, the average speed you expect to travel, and number of hours to complete the trip then calculate roundtrip driving hours. You should also be paid for pick up and delivery, repair or maintenance time, etc.

 

[GOlsen]

In addition to reg & ins papers, make sure you have a written paper from owner giving you permission to drive the rig. It should have beginning & ending dates-not open ended.

As I said, be carefull with a written agreement to deliver the rig as this makes you liable, as in a business contract.

I agree. Make sure that tags/reg and insurance is up to date, and have him sign something that just says that he's letting you drive it for him as a friend.

 

[MMeier]

Bernie, the carrier I have worked for in the past is now charging about $. 67 to $. 73 per mile. But their drivers have to buy fuel and pay for all their own expenses. I believe around $. 35 per mile would be good in your situation. Plus, the carrier drivers are covered for insurance.

Why even bother ?? Am I missing something here??

 

[jelag]

I think that if you cross state lines with that trailer and drive past a set of scales, a commercial officer might roll out and stop you... . I can't see, how driving a truck that is not yours... . and trying to say your doing this for a friend wouldn't find you in a lot of hot water...

Your driving a vehicle designed for commercial use... I see you needing all that goes with it... .

I own a few trucks... . I'd never ask someone to do that for us... . BTW if this truck has the company name and DOT # on the side... you really need to follow the rules...

 

[HBarlow]

Why even bother ?? Am I missing something here??

I wondered also but figured I'd just let it pass.

 

[HBarlow]

I think that if you cross state lines with that trailer and drive past a set of scales, a commercial officer might roll out and stop you... . I can't see, how driving a truck that is not yours... . and trying to say your doing this for a friend wouldn't find you in a lot of hot water...

Your driving a vehicle designed for commercial use... I see you needing all that goes with it... .

I own a few trucks... . I'd never ask someone to do that for us... . BTW if this truck has the company name and DOT # on the side... you really need to follow the rules...

I agree with Jim. If you do this move you will be hauling for hire and if you get noticed the penalties will be much more severe than you may realize.

While transporting RVs I had the pleasure of speaking with a couple of DOT officers and scale operators. Anyone who thinks they are stupid or easily fooled by shenanigans such as pretending you borrowed the truck and trailer is... ... ... . well, stupid or makes you easily fooled. Dealing with game players on the highways is what they do for a living, everyday. Any excuse or clever story someone can dream up to explain how they are not really illegal has been tried before, maybe including yesterday and the day before.

 

[mrtrombley]

Bernie, sounds like this is getting a little out of hand here. I'll bet you meant 35' not 53' ?? Right. If this guy is a good friend, I would try to work something out if you want to do him a favor. Otherwise, forget it, too many problems.

 

[Bernie]

To answer all of the questions I got:



-I meant 53'. It is a fifth wheel (or goose neck, can't remember which). It is a two car enclosed trailer, with living quarters in the front portion. I was told 53', and I guess that sounds about correcnt to me. I figure 20' for each car, and the last 13' for the living quarters.



-Yes, I am hauling for a friend I race with. And yes, he will be compensating me for my time. No, this is not how I make my living.



-He has the vehicle insured.



-No, I do not have a CDL. I have the test scheduled, but it can't be until I get back.



-I figure the truck / trailer will be under 26k, so I don't think I need a CDL.

8k truck

5k cars

1k cargo

10k trailer



-Thanks for the input from everyone. Lts to think about. Any more thoughts on the rates?

 

[HBarlow]

That's not the trailer you described in your original post. It's probably not a fifth wheel and it's certainly not a toyhauler.

An enclosed trailer that large is not a recreational trailer and will probably catch the attention of any DOT trooper or scale operator if you go sailing down an interstate and pass a scale. It is clearly built for the purpose of transporting cars or heavy cargo and will probably be expected to stop at scales.

You can't "figure" the truck and trailer are under 26k and buzz on past the scales. It's not a question of how much it weighs but what it's total loaded weight capacity is. DOT looks at GVWR not scale weight for non-CDL drivers.

If it has triple axles, which I'll bet it does, it is a 20,000 lb. GVWR trailer pulled by a truck with approximately a GVWR of 9,900 lbs. In round numbers that is a 30,000 lb. combination! It requires a CDL to pull nationwide if you're pulling it for compensation or if the trailer is used for any commercial activity.

It will also require all the professional driver equipment. Logbook, fire extinguisher, reflective triangles, commercial inspection stickers, medical card, $1M single limit commercial liability, etc.

 

[MMeier]

That's not the trailer you described in your original post. It's probably not a fifth wheel and it's certainly not a toyhauler.



An enclosed trailer that large is not a recreational trailer and will probably catch the attention of any DOT trooper or scale operator if you go sailing down an interstate and pass a scale. It is clearly built for the purpose of transporting cars or heavy cargo and will probably be expected to stop at scales.



You can't "figure" the truck and trailer are under 26k and buzz on past the scales. It's not a question of how much it weighs but what it's total loaded weight capacity is. DOT looks at GVWR not scale weight for non-CDL drivers.



If it has triple axles, which I'll bet it does, it is a 20,000 lb. GVWR trailer pulled by a truck with approximately a GVWR of 9,900 lbs. In round numbers that is a 30,000 lb. combination! It requires a CDL to pull nationwide if you're pulling it for compensation or if the trailer is used for any commercial activity.



It will also require all the professional driver equipment. Logbook, fire extinguisher, reflective triangles, commercial inspection stickers, medical card, $1M single limit commercial liability, etc.

Yeah, what he said !!! But then, if Bernie has nothing to lose... . house, vehicles, land, bank accounts and such... I say go for it, whats he got to lose ??!!