Indiana Transport Co.

[NIsaacs]

Talked to a couple of drivers for this company in Tucumcari, NM. this past week. One was driving a early 4th gen Dodge dually, the other a F-450. They both had 26' tag trailers with one slide and were on their way to LA via Phoenix with 14 dealer stops to show these new models. The Dodge guy was retired and pulled for this company for 6 years, mostly in the east. They have 900 trucks with no forced dispatch. The Dodge guy's final delivery point was Longmont, Colorado with the Ford dropping in Houston, Texas. I checked the miles from Elkhart, Indiana to LA to Longmont, it is about 3300 miles, that guy was going to get paid $3500 I have no clue how many days this show and tell was going to take.

Nick

 

[GAmes]

With all those stops it is likely more than that. More than likely the Dodge guy was telling you what his pay would be after fuel expenses, or possibly all expenses. Regardless, I've never made a secret of the fact there isn't a lot of money in transporting. Lots of deadhead miles (with no pay usually) and sometimes a low per mile rate. It definitely isn't geared to be a full time job to pay a mortgage, raise kids, etc. With the right dispatcher, the right company and a bit of luck a driver who doesn't mind being out for two or three weeks at a time and no agenda of where he wants to travel can stay hooked to a trailer (read being paid) for a high % of miles driven. A few years ago I scored an amazing string that kept me on the road for a month. 16,000 miles, almost 14,000 paid. Now that I'm winding down the percentage isn't that high, but 60% is fairly easily attained if I pick & choose. The key is leasing to a company that pulls more than just new RV trailers from the factories. We pull boats, specialty trailers, used trailers, owned trailers, cargo trailers, anything with a hitch. I do it mostly to stay busy, since doing nothing equals dying when you are retired. It funds my fishing trips, RV travels, even paid for my new 5er in less than a year. White line fever isn't in everyone's blood, but I like it.

 

[Bob4x4]

Are the newer trucks higher cost per mile?

 

[BIGNASTY]

Are the newer trucks higher cost per mile?

They would have to be if one is to calculate the use of the DEF alone has to make it more expensive if only a little bit. The Business has a 5500 truck its DOWN TIME should be figured in also along with all the repair for the afterburner exhaust components that are eventually going to need replacement.

 

[GAmes]

Higher cost per mile or pay per mile? Pay is the same no matter what you drive. We had a driver with a single rear axle class 8 tractor for awhile. Cost per mile depends on the driver and the truck. There is no disputing that a computer controlled injection system gives better mileage than my mechanical 12 valve. I make up for it by driving a little slower and good driving habits. Maintenance costs are lower for me because the 12 valve is user friendly and I can do repairs myself.

 

[Killgore]

Looking at this several years ago I found that the average rate was $1.10 per loaded mile and it appeared to be a good way to wear out both equipment and self. There are reportedly 1,200 campers a day produced in the Elkhart area so there is no shortage of loads.

 

[GAmes]

Looking at this several years ago I found that the average rate was $1.10 per loaded mile and it appeared to be a good way to wear out both equipment and self. There are reportedly 1,200 campers a day produced in the Elkhart area so there is no shortage of loads.

The rates are higher now, but the rate doesn't determine how much money is made. That does seem to be the common perception though, even among truck drivers. It is the bottom line that counts, not the top line. No doubt there are a lot of miles on the TV, but the majority is highway miles. Take care of the truck, it will take care of you.

 

[Killgore]

You're right I'm sure. I've hauled around here for $2.00/mile and lost money out the gazoo when I was asked to do the impossible going across soft ground, slippery mud, and hauling campers with four flappers on the ground. I finally cultivated a big smile and a fast goodbye when I recognized I was possibly going to tear something up. The insurance premium alone is too formidable for me. The only way I could ever make any money, even when I was a gypsy trucker, was catching an occasional back-haul.

 

[GAmes]

The beauty of leasing to a transport company is that they carry the cargo insurance, you only have to insure your truck. Not that more expensive than normal insurance. They also find the loads, comply with the myriad of FMCSA regs (drug testing, record keeping, etc). They take 15-20% of the mileage rate and give 100% of the fuel surcharge that the shipper pays. The biggest plus to me is I only work when I want to, so it is like a part time job with my hours determined by me.

 

[Killgore]

That sounds pretty inviting. If I was younger I might be tempted to look into it, but I've just about run out of miles.

 

[GAmes]

Younger than what? I'll be 70 in June.

 

[Killgore]

74 in October.

 

[GAmes]

74 in October.

Good for you. Hope you (and I ) have many more. I think I'll be over the fever by then.

 

[Killgore]

Hah! I'm not sure that you ever get over the fever. The miles get longer and the days get shorter, but the excitement of going is still there. Somebody on here sometime past posted the 300 mile/3 o'clock rule and I have to confess that I now try and abide by it. That won't get it if you're commercial, so I'll just stay on the porch and watch the big dogs have the fun.

 

[GAmes]

That is pretty much my wife's rule when we travel with the RV. She claims if you stop too late it doesn't allow time to cook a meal and relax. We rarely get on the road the following day before 9:00. She won't go with me when I'm working.

 

[Killgore]

There's something about kicking back after a day in the saddle, reflecting on the day's events, and enjoying time with someone that you really care about and who really cares about you. We became full-timers a year ago, never looking back, and our lives have been a laugh a minute ever since.

 

[GAmes]

We full timed for several years after I retired from the Army. My wife got tired of being confined to a trailer so we gave it up. She stays here, I keep driving.

 

[Killgore]

If you would give her some additional acres to bush-hog and fence to string, I'd be willing to bet she'd go back on the road. LOL

 

[NIsaacs]

I do it mostly to stay busy, since doing nothing equals dying when you are retired. White line fever isn't in everyone's blood, but I like it.

I totally agree and is why I do what I do. People die on the couch, not for me. Poor pay is normal for me, I don't want a job

Having been away from commercial hauling for 20+ years I am afraid of POE's, due to rule changes that I have no clue about, so I drove 200 miles out of my way this last trip to avoid them, so I could sleep, Lol

Nick