Feasibility of pulling for profit with a tow built 2500.

[Darkbloodmon]

I asked a similar question in my states 4x4 forum about the current feasibility of the transport industry for new drivers and or local hauling ventures. For anyone currently in the RV transport, Hotshot, local hualing (dump trailers, etc), or a CDL class 8 driver : what's the honest temperature of the industry? Is it hyper competitive? Is it not sustainable? Is it booming? Is it viable to enter as a power only driver or worth getting a CDL and driving for a company? etc.

The question I asked in my local 4x4 forum derailed a bit in the capabilities/reliability of my 03 2500 compared to new trucks and that conversation is fine and all but not what I'm getting at. So to start off with context; I'm a single unattached bachelor with a low cost of living looking to get into transport as a power only driver. My truck is an 03 2500 6MT with extensive engine and drivetrain work just done or nearing completion. I don't mind capping and tagging for my GCWR at 20Klbs. I'm not getting a 3500, nor am I swapping a dually axle. Truck is paid off and I'm working with what I have. Period. I live right outside of Charlotte, NC. There are two RV dealerships with 10mins of me and a landfill. A lot of residential properties going up around me, and a new middle school will be finishing construction across from my neighborhood in the next year or so. Also a lumber mill about 25min out and a nursery supplying commercial mulch loads 5mins out. I'm prepared albeit a few remaining pieces of equipment and tools for full on road work.

I was doing research on RV transport and calling companies for their driver load out requirements, the two I've gotten ahold of thus far(Wave, Synergy) had no exceptions for older trucks 05 and 08 and up. I've still yet to contact majority of the other bigger company names but I anticipate this will be a similar answer I get. I assume there is a financial insurance incentive for these larger companies to lease drivers with newer trucks. I doubt its all about appearances. But I digress and ask if there are any "decent" smaller companies willing to lease on a driver with an older truck?

I've yet to do some research into dump trailer loads (demolition, roofing, trees, etc) as a local operation I could run solo. But I'm interested and its on my list after digging more into RV transport. If anyone has any input that would be great.

I don't have the capital for my own authority and wouldn't be interested unless I get some experience in the industry and a better understanding of it. I live in a HOA with pretty strict regulations so buying and keeping a trailer at my residence isn't an option, I'd like to stay running or moving most of the time if I do get a trailer.

Is hotshot feasible with a 2500 with a goose neck? I've heard mixed things about GCWR and DOT officers. Some people have said it doesn't matter and they don't care as long as your tagged, tired and safe for your weight. Others have said it does matter and to suck it up and get a dually.

I'm not looking to get rich, just pay off some student loans, help parents with bills and my sisters'
tuition and potentially go back for a masters. Advice and discussion appreciated.

 

[NIsaacs]

Watch some of this guys video's, he has some real good info for Hotshot. He also hires owner/operators.

 

[Timd32]

If/when you go the DOT route, its not as scary or expensive as you might think to have the US DOT number and MC it's super streamlined now and really all that most folks want is safe Rigs on the road, not a bunch of POS unsafe overloaded junk. I want the highways safe for everyone, including the drivers of marginal rigs some have no idea the risks.

But first stop save your self a ton of time and money and join OOIDA, yes even for a 2500, that's all I have and it's needed for my exact business needs, we have different wants and needs but it really was not that hard, they just save you so much time and are affordable for the services that are included in membership.

Anyone remember that giant thread about the guy hauling RV's, as crazy as it was you probably could call him and get some real life insight on the negatives, I don't recall his name but he seemed like a very nice person outside of that thread, miss guided at time, but overall had very similar goals what you posted above.

HOA's suck, maybe consider moving, put that on your list of goals with your new business.

Good luck in your adventure.

 

[Tuesdak]

Hauling RV’s: do something else… You are looking at 50% deadhead (unpaid no RV towing) miles. Backhauls were a joke. Retired folks that have other income and don’t care about using up their pickup are keeping the pay low. Hook and tow where you put a RV on the flatbed and tow another… You don’t hear about that.

Sleeping in your truck, RV, etc. Bluntly for RV hauling they ain’t paying you to stay in a hotel.

Your wheels may be turning, but, it may not be profitable. You have fixed per day cost like commercial insurance rolling or not. Then you have CPM for fuel, oil, filters, tires, repairs.

 

[bcbender]

Hauling RV’s: do something else…

I wasn't going to say it, but that is exactly what the guy in Greensboro NC told me when I bought my 60 gal aux tank from him. He was running a 05 3500 twice a week from Indiana to Charleston SC. He said he was going to do something else cause he was having trouble breaking even. and that insurance was so expensive he was subbing through a larger company for coverage so probably paying a royalty back?. I may look into tho in a few years when I retire to get paid one way to visit my family out west...

 

[Darkbloodmon]

Hauling RV’s: do something else… You are looking at 50% deadhead (unpaid no RV towing) miles. Backhauls were a joke. Retired folks that have other income and don’t care about using up their pickup are keeping the pay low. Hook and tow where you put a RV on the flatbed and tow another… You don’t hear about that.

Sleeping in your truck, RV, etc. Bluntly for RV hauling they ain’t paying you to stay in a hotel.

Your wheels may be turning, but, it may not be profitable. You have fixed per day cost like commercial insurance rolling or not. Then you have CPM for fuel, oil, filters, tires, repairs.

Any experience or advise for local hualing? I'm still reading and watching up on the dump trailer business.

 

[Timd32]

Have you checked out Uship for what their carrier rules are?

 

[Darkbloodmon]

Have you checked out Uship for what their carrier rules are?

No I haven't, first time hearing of them, looking over their site now.

 

[SnoKing]

If you have a CDL go get a truck driving job. Some companies even have signing bonuses now, as there is a real shortage of drivers.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

If you have a CDL go get a truck driving job. Some companies even have signing bonuses now, as there is a real shortage of drivers.

Don't have one, but its an option on the table just need to read up on it in its current state.

 

[AEdelheit]

Another approach if you want to keep the weight down but still work for yourself would be to talk with local compact tractor dealerships, they often outsource deliveries and need people with a compact setup to get into tight spots. Cant help you with legal and insurance requirements for that and don't even know how many places like that there are in your area but have seen people stay busy doing it in the past.

 

[GAmes]

I've been transporting trailers since 2003. Notice I said trailers, not RVs. The company I lease to doesn't just haul RVs, and with a little planning a person could be hooked to a paying trailer for a lot more than 50% of the time. If I had to make a living (house payment, raise kids, etc) I wouldn't be doing it. I enjoy the driving and the challenge of keeping a 24 year old pickup dependable enough to go on a cross country trip with no warning. The company I lease to pays the cargo insurance so insuring the truck, plus fuel and maintenance are my expenses. "Retired folks that have other income and don’t care about using up their pickup are keeping the pay low" is a falsehood. Very few transport drivers are "retired folks" Any job that requires no real investment that virtually anyone can do will have low pay. OTOH expenses are low too. Fuel and maintenance come to about 30 cents a mile for me. Yours could be higher if you don't have the capability to do your own maintenance. IMO it is about what you want to do and how much you feel your time is worth. When I am offered a job I calculate my expenses including dead head miles/time. If the profit exceeds $250 a day (pre-tax) and I don't have a fishing trip or other activity planned I take a drive.

 

[Tuesdak]

@GAmes I am talking about RV transport exclusively for the retired folks being a good amount of the drivers. Our RV broker orientation class was half retired folks. Our broker did not allow us to lease with other companies and they didn’t have many backhauls. However you know what it takes to make it work.

@Darkbloodmon look up GAmes posts on a similar question for what it takes.

We later hauled auto parts, tires, batteries, etc. for a local broker on a delivery route. 550 miles a day plus unloading. At least tires roll down the trailer ramp.

UShip is cheap freight with a bunch of flaky shippers who, as their first time, don’t have a clue. Your schedule??? Unload this that was put on with a fork lift, err um how? Damage, oops: did you forget pictures when you picked it up? Maybe it gets you fuel on a empty backhaul.

With the employee shortage IMO work for someone else that provides benefits and doesn’t wear your truck out while you learn the ropes.

 

[GAmes]

We have two segments of the company I lease to. One of them is virtually nothing except RVs out of IN. Because they do have a lot of dead head miles their mileage pay is higher than the segment I work. Hardly anyone in either segment is retired with another income. I am also prohibited from hauling for anyone except the company I lease to. They do all the paperwork.

 

[SnoKing]

@GAmes

With the employee shortage IMO work for someone else that provides benefits and doesn’t wear your truck out while you learn the ropes.

^^^^ This is the best route! ^^^^

 

[GAmes]

As I said, it's all about what you want to do. If a full time job is what you are looking for a CDL will open a lot of doors. All the trucking companies are hiring. My preference is a no forced dispatch job. I work when I want to, I fish and travel when I want to.

 

[Darkbloodmon]

With the employee shortage IMO work for someone else that provides benefits and doesn’t wear your truck out while you learn the ropes.

noted!

 

[Darkbloodmon]

if you don't have the capability to do your own maintenance.

More than capable... I've gone through nearly everything in my driveway except for an engine rebuild.

 

[DHayden]

From Truckers to RV haulers you need to be honest with yourself and what you want/what you know/how disciplined you are. A person who drives a semi or has a paid for pickup hauling RV's that is not good with money will be BROKE. A person who BUYS a semi or a Truck to be an owner operator who is not good with money will be BANKRUPT.

 

[gsbrockman]

Watch some of this guys video's, he has some real good info for Hotshot. He also hires owner/operators.

This guy (Tow Piglet) is a TOTAL buffoon and idiot. All he does is make videos to simply hear himself talk.

Personally......I’d rather slash my wrists with a rusty, disposable utility knife than listen to his opine.