Trucking jobs with my CTD ...

[MAshley]

I’m not totally sure where to post this Q on TDR but here goes...



I have been out of work for a really long time... about a year + too long in my book. I love to work ... . I’m not here to say woes me ETC. I’m still walking the great earth, I have my health ETC Still have my CTD in the driveway. . again I’m not complaining just giving you a perspective.



So I have a Class A lic, and a CTD 3500 Dully pickup... I’m basically looking to see if I can make some money. I talked to the people over at Horizon moving RV which seems like a fun gig, but before I commit to them or anyone else I’m hoping to see Ideas, recommendations ETC of what others in this great United States are doing and have experienced.



Again I’m not afraid of working hard, Don't do drugs... and love my country



Thanks

David Ashley

253 two 50 two 949

 

[mrtrombley]

David, IMO Horizon is one of the better companies to haul for. On the other hand, you would have a very hard time making enough money to live on. You would work long hours, sleep in your truck, put a lot of miles on your truck and be away from home for long periods.

There are guys there that seem to make money. In order to do it they have been there for a while, know where to go with one load so that they can connect to the next load, etc. I do believe that money can be made, but you have to really know the system. And you do need money in your account to live off on the road as well as pay for permits (most will be reimbursed).

It will cost some money to sign on, you have to have all the right equipment, you will need extra insurance (over your own) which you can get for about $40/mo. You will really need a computer with countrywide internet access, that way you can grab your own loads as they come on the boards. But a good relationship with your dispatcher will go a long way for you. And you have to wash the trailers before or at delivery, again you do get paid for it a small amount, it's just time consuming and a real pain in the neck. I never quite understood that as the dealer has to detail the RV anyway.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed delivering trailers, I just didn't see it as a moneymaker especially while running the tires off the truck. It is more better suited for someone that has retirement income to help support themselves and just want to do some traveling.

Anyway, hope this helps. Good luck with whatever you do.

 

[GAmes]

It is more better suited for someone that has retirement income to help support themselves and just want to do some traveling.

That is me, I get a retirement check and drive to stay busy. I would hate to try to make a living transporting trailers. I can honestly say that I make more money than I spend, but if I had a house or truck payment a lot more time on the road would be required.



If you can stand a ball & chain controller who insists on over the top log book accuracy and daily check-ins, JETT is a better money maker than Horizon. I don't work for JETT, but in addition to Harvey Barlow I have talked to a lot of their drivers. He has worked for both JETT and Horizon and might agree with me, might not.

 

[Barry]

Where do you live?

 

[HBarlow]

David,

As Gary said above, I worked for Horizon Transport, JET Transport (Jayco), and another small family-owned and operated transport company. JET pays best of all in the industry but the Logs/Safety supervisor takes all the fun out of it. He goes well beyond just ensuring drivers are in compliance, he loves harshly exercising power and authority over drivers and has NO people/leadership skills whatsoever.

Horizon is an excellent company to work for as far as RV transport companies go.

For an old guy like me or Gary Ames above with military pensions transporting is fun and extra money. For a man trying to make a living, the money is just not there.

The factor that ensures you will never make any real money with Horizon or the other transport companies is you will rarely ever get a back haul. You can earn a good paycheck for making the front haul but then you'll have to turn around and run empty and unpaid back to the terminal from wherever you delivered.

RV transporters are simply selling the value of their truck one mile at a time, one dollar at a time. You can run hard for three years and think you're making a little money but then you realize you have put 400,000 miles on what was a new or near new truck and you've got no money to replace it.

If you want to drive for a living, apply to one of the big trucking companies. They probably don't pay much but at least you'll be wearing out there truck, not your own.

 

[NIsaacs]

I would also like to add... . there is no such thing as a back haul. That is what is wrong with the trucking industry. I am NOT blaming this issue on any trucker. It just is what it is... . a back haul for you is a primary haul for someone else and visa versa. Also, triples hurt the industry, you are now pulling that third trailer for nothing... ...



Nick

 

[MAshley]

Barry



I live up in the Seattle WA area. .



Nisaacs

I agree backhaul to one person is a regular haul for someone else. I think the term Back Haul has been created where a company has a customer they haul for that pays the bills. Say for instance a RV manufacture. But because you have a great relationship "that pays the bills" you need to retrun again to take another load for your great customer... . Now comes the back Haul, Can I find a load someone wants shipped NOW that takes me close BACK to where I want to go ... Even if it only covers Fuel im Happy . . Thus the Back Haul ... . Or im completly wrong and dont' have a clue LOL



But seriously if Horizon does try and find loads back to a loction that makes life a lot easier on the Owner operator.





I guess I have the info im looking for . . Good companies but unless you find your own loads back your kind of not really making $



David

 

[NIsaacs]

Yes, you are exactly right. If you drop a load, say in Snowflake where I live, then agree to take a back haul back to Washington state for the price of fuel you have created a back haul. However I may have been dealing with the customer that needed that load hauled as my primary haul and could not get the price up enough to consider it as a primary. see... ... ... . ?



Lol, we do it all the time, shoot ourself in the foot. I am guilty of this too... ... .



Nick

 

[GAmes]

... ... ..... unless you find your own loads back your kind of not really making $

One small detail you aren't aware of there. Once you lease to a company you are not allowed to "find your own loads" and just hook up. You are required to contract the load to whoever you are leased to.

 

[HBarlow]

Gary's comment above is valid. RV transport companies will not allow you to do any private hauling while leased to them because the good companies like Horizon, JET Transport, etc. provide the operating authority you must have to haul commercially and provide commercial liability insurance coverage while loaded as well as cargo insurance for the trailer you are pulling. They also require you to turn in your driver's log sheets, permits, and toll receipts. It is possible but usually difficult to conceal a private haul. The companies know all the tricks.