What does it take to haul RV's commercially?

[RVTRKN]

I will have my new C&C in two months and want to haul RV's for money in the winter time when my buisness will slow down. What will it take per license and to get the buisness (adds, contacts, type of license)?

 

[Grizzly]

For starters you need to be bonded, have business insurance, you need a commercial drivers license and all the right contacts.

 

[Ragain]

Get a CDL first. Just starting out you might consider running under someone who aleady has Authority. (Horizon, Quality, Bennett/Barrett etc. ) Then you can see if that is what works for you and consider applying for your own authority.

 

[RVTRKN]

For starters you need to be bonded, have business insurance, you need a commercial drivers license and all the right contacts.

Get a CDL first. Just starting out you might consider running under someone who aleady has Authority. (Horizon, Quality, Bennett/Barrett etc. ) Then you can see if that is what works for you and consider applying for your own authority.

I will be bonded and have a contracters lic. with insurance and will have a CDL by that time but what does "authority" mean. Where would I start as far as the contacts are concerned?

 

[Oasis-3]

Authority

Authority is your own MC-ICC number and DOT number.

Dot number = free

MC-ICC number = $400 I think that is what I paid may be $800 I can not rember. I know it's alot of papper work.



Good Luck

Cliff

 

[Grizzly]

I will be bonded and have a contractors lic. with insurance and will have a CDL by that time but what does "authority" mean. Where would I start as far as the contacts are concerned?

By contacts I was referring to the manufactures you want to haul for.

 

[R C Cola]

Authority and License

Cost of these maybe too much (full yrs expense) for using only 6 months

 

[Stoops]

From what I've heard, pulling trailers pays $1. 00/loaded mile. I don't see how you can make decent money at that rate if you have to dead-head back. Am I missing something?

 

[MMeier]

Talked to guy running for Horizon the other day in OKC at the J, towing his vehicle behind unit... . whole whopping $. 82 per mile!!! Came out and saw a '07 Ram with really sweet sleeper conversion driving I believe for Quality... something like $. 98 a mile. And I won't hop into my truck for less then $2/ mile, might be hanging that up too soon if I don't find something on a regular basis. Just have to find one of these cheapies to haul my trailers out for me if I do!

 

[MPerez]

I've been looking at doing this sort of thing as well. Here is a link I found that helps you see what you need if you're going to be an independant.

http://xj.cdevco.net/auto/trucking/forhire.html

From what I've seen, those that are driving for themselves and find their own work make more than those who lease on with someone like Horizon or Bennet. Of course it's more work to find your own customers, so it really is going to depend upon your point of view and skills in prospecting customers.

There is a good forum for "hot shot" haulers - which seems to be sort of what you'd be doing (not exactly, they usually have their own trailers and haul 'stuff' on them instead of hauling RV's) But they have a ton of information on getting started and what it REALLY takes to make it past the first year.

Here is the primary forum I've been reading:

http://www.hotshothauling.com

 

[R C Cola]

Missing Something ?

Stoops ... . No you are not missing anything. Hard way to go most don't make it past that first year or if they do they realize they do not have enough money when the time comes to replace the truck they have wore out. Maybe that is the reason most of the companies require that you have a fairly new truck to start with. They know full well replacement money will not be available in most cases, when the time comes. I know many drivers who have been at this for some years and 99 % do not really need the money. Most are retirees with one or two monthly checks coming in and want to stay busy and get out from underfoot of the wife. Oo.

 

[RVTRKN]

WOW! I think I'm going to faint. MPerez I think I have enough info to get started. Thankyou.

 

[Grizzly]

WOW! I think I'm going to faint. MPerez I think I have enough info to get started. Thankyou.

It is a bit overwhelming. Thanks MPerez, good information.

 

[RVTRKN]

Well I now have my CDL with all indoresments (air, comb, tank, haz, dbl's) and I'm now ready to move on to the next phase. I'll keep every one informed when I start hauling

 

[Grizzly]

Well I now have my CDL with all indoresments (air, comb, tank, haz, dbl's) and I'm now ready to move on to the next phase. I'll keep every one informed when I start hauling

Good luck to you. I hope you do well.

 

[MMeier]

Well I now have my CDL with all indoresments (air, comb, tank, haz, dbl's) and I'm now ready to move on to the next phase. I'll keep every one informed when I start hauling

Did you apply for your authority and numbers yet?

 

[GAmes]

Well I now have my CDL with all indoresments (air, comb, tank, haz, dbl's) ... .....

Wow, talk about overkill. To pull RVs you only need a CDL for the larger ones (in my case the ones over 15,500 GVWR), and at times the larger ones are too big for a one ton anyway. If I had seen the first post I would have suggested leasing to a company to get your feet wet, so to speak.



The RV transport is really pretty slow right now, both because of the season and I'm sure the price of fuel. Since you have the C & C and the CDL my opinion is you will make more money hotshotting.

 

[RVTRKN]

Wow, talk about overkill. To pull RVs you only need a CDL for the larger ones (in my case the ones over 15,500 GVWR), and at times the larger ones are too big for a one ton anyway. If I had seen the first post I would have suggested leasing to a company to get your feet wet, so to speak.



The RV transport is really pretty slow right now, both because of the season and I'm sure the price of fuel. Since you have the C & C and the CDL my opinion is you will make more money hotshotting.

Ya, I know, but I found a co. that only charged $1300. 00 and even guarantied I would pass. It was only a few hundred difference so I went all the way. I may haul for a long haul co. just to get the feel of it but I will buy two trailers, one for hauling cars and a flat bed that I have info on now.



I am going to the NASCAR race in Phoenix for now and will get back to my dream of towing, hotshot or whatever I can get paid for when I get back.

 

[jimnance]

You can't make money at $1. 00/mile unless all miles are paid for, including deadhead.



Some rough figures:



$. 32/mi for fuel

$. 05-$. 10/mi for insurance - depend on miles run

$. 15/mi - Equipment cost/ financing

$. 05/mi - Equipment repairs/Maintenance

$. 40/mi - Your Labor

$. 10/mi - Meals, Lodging, Misc. Expenses



$1. 07 - $1. 12 per mile if all miles are paid. Few companies will pay for deadhead miles. If they do, it is usually a nominal fee. Assuming 40% of miles deadhead, you are pushing $2. 00/mile. I'm not sure how high the deadhead miles percentage would be. I'm assuming 80% of the time the return trip would be empty.

 

[RVTRKN]

Wow, talk about overkill. To pull RVs you only need a CDL for the larger ones (in my case the ones over 15,500 GVWR), and at times the larger ones are too big for a one ton anyway. If I had seen the first post I would have suggested leasing to a company to get your feet wet, so to speak.



The RV transport is really pretty slow right now, both because of the season and I'm sure the price of fuel. Since you have the C & C and the CDL my opinion is you will make more money hotshotting.

As you can see the name of this thread, I don't know what it takes, besides what I've read here. How do you lease to another co. and what do they pay for or pay per mile?