Thinking about towing/hauling for a living. Any advice/tips?

[DBabbitt]

I've been considering a career change and have heard about guys running 3500's towing anything from cars to boats to new trailers making great money. Anything over 42k/yr would be an improvement for me right now. I have an 04. 5 3500 DRW CTD/48RE and an 8. 5 x 24' enclosed car hauler. I have seen lots of guys lately hauling 3 cars on steel open ramp 5ers behind duallys so I've been wondering if that's where the money is in the trucking world right now.

I'm interested to hear from anyone who hauls for a living and what kind of gig they've got. Also interested in general advice, info or tips about the business like insurance rates, how $$ much per mile, companies who are hireing, best kind of load to haul for the money and so on. Thanks.

 

[R C Cola]

Towing for $

:-{} See the thread listed as this title by me and a host of other members. Lots of info. Freight no good with one exception (oilfield, some of our fellow members can tell you about this). Pulling RV's better but not good, lots of deadhead miles and high start up costs. (about $ 3000) I can now tell you with some authority why many companies insist you have a new truck (less than 5 years old) With the RV's you will not make enough to have any profit and make necessary repairs on the truck and then replace it when it is wore out. I presently pull RV's out of Oregon and the average length of run for 2 weeks is 200 miles paid. With return trip washing pick-up and deliver time that equals one per day turnaround. . 84 X 200 = $ 168 minus fuel - $45 = $123 for about 16 hours of work = $ 7. 68 per hour. The oldest most experienced driver we have in our office says he uses this job for a tax write off for his other investments. Drivers pulling from Indiana do better at $ 1. 00 per mile but deadhead is still high about 40 % 2000 miles out paid + 400 (60 % of 4000) miles back paid = $ 2400 for 4000 miles = 60 cents/mile less fuel

@ 20mpg avg and $2. 25/gal. $ 2400- 450 fuel = $1950 = just under 50 cents/mile round trip. 50 X 65 mph = $ 32. 50/hr less tires and truck maint.

My next move is to cars which pays both ways because there are always cars to move no matter where you are . Do a search, some of the members on here pull R V's and seem to be content. You do have a bed (when loaded) and the fuel miliage for your rig is good. Hope this real world info helps you decide. Best of luck R C Oo.

 

[RollOver_Pete]

Im sure most drivers have heard stories about the infamous " Eastbound Banning Scales". My advice..... turn around, go back, save yourself while you still have a chance Oo. On the positive side, there is money to be made. Its who you choose to work for and do they pay on time? You have to stretch every gallon and every dollar as far as possible. And insist on a fuel surcharge! Why turn a wheel if you cant make a good living? Thanks to growing operating costs, thousands have lost their jobs, businesses and rigs... . Why? They ran scared and pulled for peanuts instead of doing their homework. Why buy fuel and chrome when you cant cover your operating expenses.

 

[Okie-Go]

Dont get in it. I was forced to haul stuff after some cutbacks at my job. I had a choice, give up the truck or take to the road. People want stuff hauled cheap or for just fuel. I have learned it takes a 1. 25 to 1. 50 a mile to make money. I haul a lot of tractors, If I drive a ways to get the load this eats profit. Coming home empty eats profit. After about 3-4 days of sleeping in the truck you need a room and a hot shower depending on the weather and temperature of where you are at. After 3k it is time for an oil change, you know what that costs even doing youself like I do. I know people that paid 10k for a tractor that don'e even run. They will haggle over a hunderd dollars to haul it 1800 miles. I just tell them I can't haggle with the cashier at the fuel stop, I have to pay the posted price. People say they don't have time to do their own hauling or don't own a trailer. I think the truth is they know what it cost's to run a rig and just don't want to as they expect to get it done for nothing. When they buy stuff on ebay or an internet auction they know how far it is to get the things back home. They money you do manage to make is spent on bill, upkeep and maintenance. One of these days that money is gone and the truck is old and worn out. Then you won't have either one.

 

[GAmes]

Anything over 42k/yr

Are you talking $42K gross or $42k a year after paying for fuel, maintenance, insurance, tolls, permits, etc, etc?? The first is easy, the second IMO not likely. I just got home from 3 weeks on the road. I drove my truck 9730 miles and grossed just under $5k. Out of that take $1575 fuel, two oil changes, a fuel filter change, non reimbursed permits, meals, and other normal expenses. This trip I cleared almost a thousand a week... ... but... ... . I didn't have to buy any tires, transmissions or other parts that wear out quickly when you drive over 3000 miles a week. Get the picture? I do it because I like it and I receive a retirement check from the Army that pays my bills. If I had to feed a family and make a house payment on my transporter income I would have to either drive more or find a different job.

 

[FordCummins]

If you are serious about doing this, be ready to do it NON STOP. The old saying goes, "if your wheels arent turning, you aint earning"

 

[KBalzuweit]

Don't get into it. Been doing it for 2 years. Its slow now, I have been having a hard time getting a load the last month. (RV hauling)



Here is an example:



80000 paid miles $80000

fuel -$25000

maint tires -$3500 hopeing for no major repair!

net =$51500 but you have put a 160,000 miles on the truck



Still have to account for tolls, hotels, food, and how much have you de-valued.

 

[kah68]

If I were going to do it commercially, I would by a used F. L. 60 If you are going with a 1 ton make it a Stick, 4:10's if you're pulling heavy. Try to find a specialized market to haul. My truck is company owned so its easy for me to charge what I need to make money. If it's special hauling you can make money!

 

[wtfd6]

i only do it occasionally. but my loads usually pay on the average of $2 per mile. with a cost of approximately $. 33 per mile plus tolls, i do ok. where are you located. i haul for a company near the indiana/ohio border. they are kind of seasonal. but they always have stuff this time of year. could always use another truck. mark

 

[dodgerep]

I operate Dodgerep Transport, and would love to talk to you. First of all, I would not lease my truck to anyone, and secondly, before you go applying to any transport companies, please call me, I almost sold out, and now I make a bout 50 CPM than any company driver. Visit www.dodgerep.com