RV Transporters Speak Up! [Archive] - Auto Expeditor Forums

littlejoe

12-20-2009, 10:59 AM

Well living in the general area of Elkhart , Indiana I will break down the good, the bad, and the ugly.

THE GOOD
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R.A.D. Transport:

If you have a 48 or 53 foot wedge or flat with a center rail... These guys will keep you hopping with freight and good rates too (and a load of cars as a backhaul is a bonus!!!!) Kind of a family based business ... Honest , friendly and if you got a problem you can go to Bob or Joe and usually get it resolved

Gateway Transport:

Don't know much about this company other than they are out of the Angola, Indiana area. Owner seems friendly

Classic Transport:

One of the two larger companies (Quality being the other) in the Elkhart ,Indiana area that move a major amount of the T/T and 5th wheels

Starfleet Transport:

Set up similar to R.A.D but more corporate based and more hoops to jump thru , but still an OK company

THE BAD
---------

Quality Drive Away:

5 terminals X mixed freight X 20 to 30 people thinking they run the place = a clusterf**k of a place to work !! (TRUST ME I WORKED FOR THEM!!) Also they hand freight over to canadian haulers before they offer it to the company based employees..... WILL NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL!!!

U.S.R.V. Transport :

What can I say about this company , Oh the REAL OWNER , BILL, used to own Park Model Transport (now defunct because of a very lousy D.O.T. RATING) They promise you gold and pay you in copper

Ps- ^ I worked for Park Model Transport ALSO^

Bennett Truck Transport:

Bunch of wise ass Indiana hillbillies working in the Bristol , Indiana based office that love to make drivers so upset that they leave to go to better companies (Recently , I fould out tho that one of the big wigs (one of the "higher- ups") was one of my dad's old bosses , and he said he would remedy this situation )

THE UGLY
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I am not even gonna bothere to seperate these 3:

Hoosier, RV Transport, Horizon, Transports:

1) 1 way freight (except if you got a single axle truck and trailer)
2) minimal freight (i've seen guys sit for 3 days waiting for a load)
3) you have to buy a stone guard or they wont hire you to protect a lousy cheaply built travel trailer and they demand you to get all of the equipment either thru dually depot (kinda pricey ) or through DAN'S SERVICE CENTER (better bring a 25,000 limit credit card to this place ...they are PRICEY!!!!!! )

The opinions of these companies are mine, and mine alone. If you disagree with my commments about any of them , Welll this is AMERICA , and you are also entitled to you opinion

Thanks for your time ,

Joe

(littlejoe)

haulin rv

12-20-2009, 06:37 PM

I'll add.

Starfleets parent company is going through BK.

Classic doesn't pay the best but I will say they are by far the easiest to haul for and get along with.

Myself during my 5 years of hauling rv's never heard much good about RAD. I called them at one time and was unimpressed with the answers I got and how they seemed to handle recruiting.

My honest opinion now that I have jumped the fence to greener pastures is I'd recommend staying out of RV hauling unless your retired and bored. Its a great way to get payed to travel, but if you want to make a living you have to run the wheels off a truck. Example I put 285,000 on a new truck in just over 18 months.

ra57.2008

12-21-2009, 06:43 PM

Hauling rv. You are right there i did it for three years and clocked 385000. on my dodge one ton. But i made good money while it lasted. Great job if you like to drive and see the country and get paid to do it. I's a great simi retirement job.

ColoradoRVHauler

12-28-2009, 02:50 PM

Ive made a decent living doing this going on 2 years now. Ive worked about 8 months each year and have put in my pocket after expenses 40k or so. Ive always made 40-50k as a truck driver so this fits right in. It would take 52-55k in big trucking to take home 40k because of income tax. In the end taking home 40k as a driver is above avg pay.

If I hit it harder I could make 50k easy.

But I do run hard. Thats what makes it fun..

I have worked for Star Fleet and now work for Indiana Transport. Both of these companies pay 10 cents higher then the rest.

I done a ton of backhauls for Star. It will take a while before Indy gets us many backhauls as it takes a while to get established. Either way, is cool. If they got em I'll haul em..

I have found that if one runs and maintans the truck just like big truck truckin the money is about the same at the end of the year.

The only way to make good money in this biz is to keep the wheels rolling everyday. I set a goal of 750 miles each day. Some days I do 700 and some I do 800. I avg 750 a day though.

My pay has avg'd 23 cents a mile in my pocket for every mile thr truck runs. Thats 172.50. I dont pay any taxes as I have tons of writeoffs.. This is after all my expenses and truck maintance and repairs.. I have almost zero stress compared to big truckin and thats worth the 10 cents I lose per mile living in a pickup.

Whats cool about this is I can do my 750 everyday and put 172.50 in my pocket everyday. Big truckin has bad days. So you might make 300 today but only make 100 tomorrow, so in the end you still made 350-400 doing either job. For 1200 miles of big trucking I make about 400. For about 1700 miles of rv hauling I also make 400. The miles are way easier in rv hauling and the stress level is much reduced too. For me its worth the extra 500 miles. But this is me. I trucked for over 20 years and am sick of being a big trucker. Ive learned that lil truckin is lots of fun..

With big truckin, your told when you get time off. In rv hauling I tell when I want time off. With big trucking you get 1 day off for every week out. But let me tell you even if you were out a month, they are on your back to get back out there after 3 days off and tend to make you fight for that 4th day off.

Here I take 7-10 off when I come home. I may only be out 2-3 weeks. I still take 7-10 off. I really love that part!

So after 2 years of this, the pay is very similar, but the home time is way better. I will haul rvs forever at this point. I love the hell out of it!

Carey

ra57.2008

12-28-2009, 06:09 PM

Hi Carey, I run for 3 years made real good money too then the bottom fell out i was grossing 100k works out to about 50k home and no tax because of write offs. Thinking about going back into it. What are the going rate now? I checked with Jet and they just dropped there rate to .99 and .05 mile for east coast runs. And .10 a mile for running more than 7K.

Rick

ColoradoRVHauler

12-28-2009, 07:52 PM

Our lowest is 1.02 for small trailers. I think the highest is 1.08. They are workin real hard to get us to 1.07 for the small ones and like 1.13 for the big ones. They got something they are working on to help us.

The reason the rates are low this year is last winter when things went to hell they lowered our standard pay about 10 cents. So now even with a fuel surcharge we are about 10 cents low from where things used to be.

Why did they do this? Because there was a huge overglut of trucks and they could get away with it. I bet if the current truck shortage continues we will get that dime back in 2010 sometime.

If the freight doesnt equal the available trucks then the base pay rate will stay where its at now.

Everyone in shipping has lowered the rates to take advantage of the overglut of trucks. I know my flatbed bud has lost about 50 cents a mile in his fleet. Its killing him. His dad started the biz back in the 40's and hes just trying to hang on right now. So far is is making it, but just by the skin on his teeth. He has 30 OTR shiney trucks and trailers.

So yep us rv haulers have it bad, but so does everyone else.

I say cream floats to the top and those that are savy will make it. It can still be done right now. You just got to be always thinking and be super savy.

If you have experience and want to come back, be sure and at least talk to the guys at Indiana Transport. They are good guys.. They take good care of us guys. They need another 200 trucks. We are at 75 right now. we have tons of biz available as soon as we get more trucks. BIG need for haul and tow and semi trucks with low deck trailers too.

Carey

ra57.2008

12-28-2009, 09:01 PM

Hi CAREY, I have a dodge 3500, with 386K on it and i quite driving march 2007, bought unit nov. 2004 with 9 miles on it. And i drive 6miles a day to and from work. So as you can see i like to drive to make money. When i quite we had more drivers than freight, loads were down to $.78 a mile and fuel at 3.50. So i went back to a real job to pay the bills. But i really do miss running. I also have 98 fl 120 century class single axle with three car big tex with trailer package to haul trailers. What do they pay for multi loads?

Rick

ColoradoRVHauler

12-28-2009, 10:00 PM

I dont really know what the rates are. Call em and check. I know its around 2 bucks {just guessing}if you can haul 3 small ones and more if you can haul 4 small ones.

I know they need 6-8 low deck semis and a bunch of tow and hauls.

The company is now one month old. They are looking for the best drivers in the industry and they will make you feel like you are the best both in respect and pay.

Call em with what you have and see if they can make it work.

Tell them Carey sent ya.

ColoradoRVHauler

12-28-2009, 10:09 PM

I dont get paid for reffering people either. I have reffered prolly 3 or 4 drivers so far. All of us initial drivers are helping to get this awesome force of an rv hauling company off of the ground.

We dont bicker with eachother. We help eachother. We got work for 300 trucks. We wont quit till we get 300 trucks to make sure our force in the industry becomes highly respected and successsful.

Carey

ColoradoRVHauler

12-28-2009, 11:18 PM

Here is a good article written at rv business today.

Despite its worst sales year since 1982, those in the recreational-vehicle industry say they have reasons to be optimistic.

RV experts say 2009 will be remembered as the year the industry bottomed out during this recession, and they’re looking forward to the recovery in 2010, according to South Bend (Ind.) Tribune).

The past two years have been brutal for the RV industry, which took hit after hit in 2008 as companies in the Elkhart area slashed thousands of jobs.

Elkhart County, where roughly 60% of the nation’s RVs are made, saw unemployment shoot to nearly 19% in March.

Then in the summer the storm showed signs of breaking.

Dometic Inc. announced plans to hire 350 workers by 2012. Monaco RV LLC recalled 200 employees. Keystone RV Co. announced it was hiring 200 workers and ended up adding more than 300. Dutchmen Manufacturing Inc. announced it would add 50 jobs. Jayco recalled more than 200 workers.

Elkhart County’s unemployment rate declined to 14.5% in November, when Heartland Recreational Vehicles LLC announced it would hire 400 workers. Keystone announced the following week that it was hiring another 100 people.

And those aren’t inflated numbers, said Mark Bowersox, director of the Recreation Vehicle Indiana Council.

If anything, Bowersox said, they’re low estimates.

“From what I’m being told, these (hiring) announcements are conservative,” he said. “They want to make sure the orders they’re getting now are sustainable before they continue to hire more and more of their work force back.”

Discretionary, luxury purchases, such as RVs, are the first things people cut back on during a recession, Bowersox said. They’re also the first things people start buying again after they feel more secure financially, he added.

One major concern that remains for the industry, Bowersox said, is whether the supply chain can keep up with growing production after the recession caused some companies to close and others to shrink.

He said many RV manufacturers are facing 10- to 12-week backlogs.

But “resiliency has been a hallmark of the RV industry,” Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) President Richard Coon remarked in his address at the association’s national trade show earlier this month in Louisville, Ky. “We have withstood trying, difficult times before.”

High gas prices in the 1970s led RV shipments to fall 82% from 583,000 in 1972 to 107,000 in 1980.

From there, the industry grew steadily for 26 years, peaking at 390,000 shipments in 2006.

Annual shipments fell to 353,400 in 2007 and 237,000 in 2008.

They’re expected to bottom out this year at 159,500, according to projections from industry expert Richard Curtin of the University of Michigan.

The encouraging trend in this year’s numbers is RV shipments picked up in fall — usually a slow time in the industry — to post year-over-year sales increases in August, September and October.

Curtin predicts RV shipments will climb to 203,500 units in 2010.

And the increased shipments are not the result of government incentives, such as those that have boosted home and auto sales, noted Kyle Hannon, vice president of public policy and media relations for the Greater Elkhart Chamber of Commerce.

“This industry is truly responding to what people want,” Hannon said.

Towable RVs are pulling the weight of the industry, as buyers look for models that are more fuel efficient and less expensive than motor homes, experts say.

This trend repeats the pattern of other post-recession rebounds in the RV industry, said Dorinda Heiden-Guss, president of the Economic Development Corp. of Elkhart County.

“Historically, the towables are the first to recover out of any recessionary period,” she said.

Bowersox said motorhome sales composed nearly 40% of the RV market a few years ago. Now they account for around 10% of sales, he said.

The nation’s demographics, with millions of Baby Boomers on the brink of retirement, also work in the industry’s favor, said Bob Martin, executive vice president of Keystone RV in Goshen.

“Even when things were slow for us, campgrounds were still full,” Martin said. “It’s not a lifestyle that people just give up.”

Baby Boomers are important to the industry, but they’re not the only demographic buying RVs, Bowersox said.

“RV owners continue to get younger,” he said. “It used to be a retiree pastime. Now it’s a family with a couple of kids.”

haulin rv

12-29-2009, 11:47 AM

What kind of units are the getting in?? Big 5ers or TT? I told a guy here by me that has hauled on and off for a few years, so maybe he'll give them a call.

ra57.2008

12-29-2009, 05:35 PM

Hi CAREY, Can you tell me how many companies do they haul for the last one only had one, not good to have all eggs in one basket. Know what i mean! Can you post their number so i can call them? Thanks Rick.

haulin rv

12-29-2009, 06:43 PM

http://www.indianatransport.com/

ColoradoRVHauler

12-29-2009, 10:36 PM

We have 4 companies we will be hauling for once they have enough trucks at this point.

Right now we are hauling Heartland RV and when we get more trucks we will take on the others. The others are solid and will come when we have the proper number of trucks to service them.

Its all the big names. Im not going to be the one who tells everything about the company. I will leave that to them. I can say we have investment from some people in high places.

We need 100+ trucks for Heartland and a 100 for another company and 50 each for the other 2 companies. I feel by then we will need several more hundred for new biz around the corner.

Heartland is solid into large expensive retirement 5ers. Most require a CDL lic to pull them. Heartland is growing fast in bumper pulls. They have come out with 3 new brands this month. They are the standard size, 22-32 feet. Heartland is now considered a full line rv factory. Starting in 2010 they are offering from the small tear drop style to hybrids, to stick and tin to smooth sided tag trailers, to lightweight 5ers starting at 24 feet all the way to 40 foot Cyclones and 100k custom painted 40 foot Landmarks. I haul many 24-30 foot Sundance and Greystone models too. They weigh 7-10k.

I have even hauled some 18 foot 2500lb tags to canada at the full rate. If you have a single tire truck they will load you accordingly. If you have a cdl with a dually, of course they like you to haul the big ones.

One thing about our company is most all of us have cdls and duallies, so the lightweight models are an even spread with the heavy ones.

To give you an idea, my last trip out I hauled a 26 foot tag to Salt Lake. A 28 foot tag to Salt Lake. A 26 Tag to Des Moines. A 29 foot Tag to Columbus. And a 35.5 hi profile 12000lb 5er to Denver.

I am leaving new years day and have one going to Reno to start my next trip out. I didnt ask the size. I never ask. I only talk about the city. the trailer size is just something I could care a less about. They more than take care of me for having this attitude. They give me a nice even mix. I have learned I dont need to worry about size. They are pros at keeping the sizes even betweeen us.

Yes since I never ask I prolly get more big ones. Thats ok, somebodies got to haul em. lol.

Heartland also builds 3 lightweight tag models. many of those end up on semis and haul and tows.

We are no.1 with Heartland. We will also be no.1 with another company. Those will be all Tag bumper pulls.. {I think}

Indy has a new fresh approach with the factories. They all like it. Indy will take on more work as they grow. The factories are ready for a new efficient force in the rv hauling industry. I will leave it at that.

I feel Indy will become a heavy hitter rv hauling company almost overnight. The foundation of the company just bleeds success.

I prefer pulling 5ers and get the same fuel mpg as pulling bumper pulls. In the summer I am in the 11-11.5 mpg range with 35 foot 5ers. I get the same with 28-30 foot bumper pulls. In the winter I fall to 9-9.5mpg with about all the models. And yes a windy day with a 35 foot 5ers will drag me down to 8 mpg. I slow down when Im empty in the winter to make up for the loss when Im loaded. I avg 12 in winter overall and 13-5 pushing 14 in summer overall. I idle my truck anytime its cold. My sleep takes precidence over everything else. At all costs I sleep comfortable. I know I kill my mpg numbers on my own cause I idle tons in winter.

I only run I-80 and I-94. All I do are Reno, Nv, Colorado, Oregon Washington, Idaho and Canada. So my winter fuel mpg drops severlly from idling and running in wicked weather.

I do a few short runs as fill ins that are mostly less than 500 miles. Other than that my avg haul is 1500 to 23-2400 miles. I do many all the way to the ocean on the oregon coast. Those are 2400 mile runs. I do many to reno too. Those are 2200 mile runs. Im considered the Northwest large expensive 5er go to guy. I love the Northwest runs!

I went to Texas once in the last year and went to Phoenix once in the last year. I have prolly delivered 10-15 Colorados and all the rest were north of I-80. I cant stand heat. I love cold weather. I know Im weird but thats me.

Good luck to ya and I will help you any way I can. My cell is 719-429-0768. If I dont answer leave a message..

Carey

ColoradoRVHauler

12-29-2009, 11:39 PM

What kind of units are the getting in?? Big 5ers or TT? I told a guy here by me that has hauled on and off for a few years, so maybe he'll give them a call.

Thanks Haulin!

ra57.2008

12-30-2009, 06:05 PM

Thanks Carey, I'll give them a call to see whats up and what they have to offer.

Thanks Rick.

ra57.2008

01-04-2010, 10:02 PM

Well CAREY,I called Phil today don't sound to bad. I also turned a buddy of mine on to them and he called also. He's thinking about it. I would still like to hold out till march or april. Before i sign on with anybody. But you never know what can happen,I may sign up at any time.

Thanks for the info. Rick

ColoradoRVHauler

01-08-2010, 12:56 AM

Cool. Good Luck. They are nice guys to work for. All the other stuff about the company is similiar to the others. Our rates arent good right now but neither is anyone elses. Its not there fault. The factories are taking advantage of everthing they can get. But thats the way all shipping is at this point.

Carey

haulin rv

01-08-2010, 08:16 AM

I saw a few Starfleet trucks the other day hauling Jayco's and a F450 from Horizon (he was heading into a tire shop I was leaving). Its nice to see things pick up. There are times I miss rv's (like when loading and unloading in the snow and 10 degree weather), it was always nice to just hook and go.

ColoradoRVHauler

01-08-2010, 08:36 AM

Yeah Star aint goin know where. At least I dont think. They have shrunk to a much smaller company though. I didnt know anyone since all my guys left.

Yeah its not what you know, its who you know. I knew good with the old guys. Had to follow my gut.

I will never have nothing bad to say about Star. I loved working there.

brett72

01-15-2010, 04:52 PM

Carey, I was considering Horizon, but after reading several forums, people don't like them. What do you know about them? Also I am looking to get started to fill in my employment gap, but everything I hear is that you can't make money? Any help is appreciated.
Brett

haulin rv

01-15-2010, 09:01 PM

Horizon was at one time the guys to pull for, but as time has progressed and leadership has changed at the company it seems they have gone down hill.

I am guessing you are new at this?? Give us some more info on things like your experience and what you'll be towing with and then we could point you in the right direction.

Some companies take newbies, some 2500's,some only 3500's and so on.

brett72

01-16-2010, 12:14 AM

I am new. For the last 15 years I have been a heavy equipment operator. During the last 12 years I also drove a tractor trailer lowboy moving the equipment from site to site. This amounts to a minimum of 17,000 miles. Over the last ten years I have owned boats and have towed them approximately 6,000 miles. I am approved to start with Horizon, and am going to purchase a Dodge Ram 3500 4x4 Diesel. I was going to schedule my orientation with Horizon, but after reading several posts, it seem there are quite a few unhappy people. Since I am investing a considerable amount of money to get started, I would like to have work available. I don't want to be sitting around waiting for loads as many have with Horizon.

haulin rv

01-16-2010, 08:19 AM

Well hopefully your not buying new.

Make sure you have done the math several times and make sure you can make what you need doing this. Do all your calculations based on no backhauls, they are rare and should be considered more like a bonus than income. As far as companies since you have tractor trailer experience and cdl it shouldn't be much of an issue to get in with a company of your choice as long as the have units and are hiring.

Its a tough way to make money but it can be enjoyable. I did it for almost 6 years and drove about a million miles so I hope your ready to be on the road! Best of luck to you.

ColoradoRVHauler

01-16-2010, 10:29 AM

I have never worked for Horizon. Ive heard the same. The last thing I like are a bunch of rules so I found one with hardly any.

DONT buy a new truck. You need to plan to have it paid off in 3 years. By then it will have more than 1/2 a million miles on it. Buy one that is pre emission. Be sure to put the biggest aux fuel tank that is legal. You will pay all your food costs from fuel savings.

IRS gives you 3 years for deprectiation. IRS gives 5 years on heavy trucks. So be sure to take this into account when financing a truck.

I done 2 trips from Elkhart to Denver tis week. I hold enough fuel I can make it all the way to Denver to buy fuel. I paid 2.71 in Laporte and get a 6 dollar discount for around 100 gallons. That brings my fuel price down to 2.66.

When I unloaded in denver I used gas buddy.com and found fuel for 2.57. I then found fuel for 2.62 on the second trip.

Natl avg fuel price is 2.90. I tend to always pay .25 cents less by careful fueling. It wont take you long to learn where the cheaper states to buy fuel.

My 1st trip paid 1.06 for a 40 foot toyhauler. Total pay to me was 1166.00 I got 8mpg avg out. I paid 361 in fuel out bound. I had wind and cold weather back. I got 13.8 empty on the return. I also idle my truck often and that reduces my fuel avg. So I paid 209 for the return trip. Total fuel cost was 570. so 1166 minus 570 is 596 dollars for my pay for a 3 and 1/2 day trip.

I take out 6 cents a mile for misc. This includes repairs maintance or whatever pops up. So minus 132 from 596 and I made 464 as my pay for the trip. This does not include my food or truck payment costs.

Yeah I had a tough trip. High winds combined with a 40 foot 14000+lb toy hauler took more than avg of my profit.

Next trip I pulled a lightweight 26 foot travel trailer. My pay was 1.02 for 1105 miles. Pay was 1127. I got 11 mpg outbound. I paid 264 for fuel outbound. I expect to get 15 going back(home now). so I will pay 193 for fuel. Total fuel cost will be 457. 1127 minus 457 is 670.

670 minus 6 cents for all miles for misc is 132. so my pay was 538.

538 plus 464 is 1000.00 my pay for 7 days work.

This is pretty avg for winter runs. Everything is against us. Cold, wind, idleing to stay warm takes its toll. I did have a worse than avg trip in there too.

In warmer weather I get an avg of 10-11 loaded and 17-18 empty. So my pay goes up sustancially. Instead of 1000 profit my pay would be 1100.00avg to a high of 1200

Im installing a generator and am going to try that for a while instead of idleing my truck. Maybe my pay will come up a bit. Its been a cold winter this year.

So lets say you work 3 weeks and make 1000 dollars avg per week after all costs. If your truck payment is 1000 dollars you now have made 2000 dollars for 21 days work. You will have around 1000 dollars saved from your 6 cents for all miles repair fund. Most guys use this for there truck payment. Try not to do that. If you can save this repair money then no matter what happens to the truck you will always have plenty of money to repair it. Repairs will be a non issue.

Lets say Im a paid truck driver. Avg take home pay is 750 a week after taxes. So my pay would be 2250 for 21 days work. In trucking one has good weeks and bad weeks.I drove 20 years and my avg pay take home after taxes has always been in the 750 a week range.

Right now I make 2000 take home for 21 days work. I lost 250 cause I drive a pick up instead of a semi. Oh freakin well. 8 months out of the year I make 2300 for 21 days work, which is 50 dollars more than driving a semi. Its a total no brainer for me what to do..... Haul rvs.

Next week we get a raise for the fuel surcharge. It will prolly be 3-4 cents. So that will help.

You will never pay taxes in this biz. Too many write offs.

You can not afford to sit in this biz. be sure to find a company that treats everyone the same and has no senority. It also helps to find a company that pays the same for all drivers.

This was why I never worked for Horizon. Most guys who work there say its a no biggie. I like to take off 2-3 weeks several times a year. With horizon I would lose my spot. I decided this would be in my best interest.

Buy a used truck with less then 100k on it. something in the 2006 or 2007 range would be perfect.

I paid 25k for mine. It is an ST 4x4 work truck bought from a lease return from a power company. It had 28k miles on it. It has a cd player, cruise, tilt, ac and cold weather pack with sno plow prep. It has no other options. It even has roll up windows and manual locks. For me this is the perfect truck to pound down the highway. Less options to break.

I cant say what would be best for you. But your truck purchase cost and fuel is your biggest expense. Budget accordingly and you will make what any over the road truck driver makes for a living.

Good Luck to ya!

Carey

ColoradoRVHauler

01-16-2010, 10:44 AM

To add I made 22.5 cents a mile for all miles this week. 4400 miles divided by 1000 is 22.5 cents a mile. This was a bad week and they dont get much worse than this. Gotta take the bad with the good in shipping. Mother nature cant be controlled(yet) and we take the hit good or bad for that. Thats Truckin!

8 months out of the year I make around 25 cents a mile for all miles loaded or empty. 4400 miles divided by 1100 pay. Yes sometimes in good conditions its even better. Fuel prices and surchages can up this to as high as 30 cents a mile for all miles. Per mile pay is highly varibale.

I avg my per mile pay to 23 cents a mile for all miles. Over the course of a year I avg .23 cents a mile for every mile the truck moves loaded or empty.

Backhauls are bonuses and that how they are looked at. Some months you get 1 or 2, some months none. Dont factor backhauls in. Horizon has some back hauls, but many dont pay well at all. Just toss out backhauls and youll be fine.

As a semi driver I would make around 33 cents a mile. but drive less miles, and end up with the same pay.

The no stress and ease of work more than makes up for the loss of per mile pay comparred to semi truckin.

It takes the right person to enjoy rv hauling. There is no other form of hauling that requires the amount of driven miles to make a living.

I always have loved the hustle and my favorite part of being on the road is driving. I hate sitting and waiting for loads. Drives me nuts! There is little sitting in this biz and for me thats what I love about it.

Ive spent over 20 years in trucking. truckers think they are the king of the road... I say nope. The kings of the road are rv haulers.

Out of all of shipping they drive hands down the most miles per year. And do it in a pick up to boot.

Carey

Brisco

01-16-2010, 11:58 AM

And another thing with Careys figures that he didn't include is that he runs his butt off the whole time he's out on the road. In other words, he's a dadgum workhorse when he's out there.:D He will drive his full 11 hours to the T, and he also takes his 10 hour DOT breaks to the T. If Carey comes off the road at 4:25PM because he just hit his 11 hour max driving time for that day, he will have that truck rolling again at 2:25AM after his 10 hour break.

When I was out there I wasn't that hardcore. I'm sort of a wuss I guess. Sure, I put in my full 11 hour driving time each and every day, but I did it in more of a scheduled/routined way. My truck would be on the road by 6-7AM and off the road by 6-7PM at the latest. It didn't matter if I had an event free day and did 625 miles that day, or if it was a day from hell(road construction-big city traffic back ups-accidents back ups-etc) and I was only able to turn 475 miles that day, my truck was off the road by dark, period.

I am also a wuss when it comes to my off time. I have to have my comforts and security when I'm on the road. I did the $30-$40 a night Motel 6 or Super 8 hotel room every night. I cannot do the "Truck Stop" living a lot of guys do. I will not sleep in a truck stop, I will not shower in a truck stop, I will not eat in a truck stop unless it's absolutely necessary, I will not pop my asss down on truck stop toilet seat, etc. Only thing I use truck stops for is for fuel and that's because they're the easiest to get in and out of with a trailer behind you, and to use "Comdata" to pay for the fuel.

Was my figures for income as high as Careys? Nope. They were a little higher than half of what he makes, not by much though. But, my "other" expenses (hotel-better eating-comfort) were worth the money for me personally. I don't have a mortgage, rug rats, that "wife" thing, child support crap, etc. I live an almost debt free life, so my income needs are not that great.

Hauling RV's across the country is a great experience, fun to do, and is probably the easiest "OTR" job there is, but think twice about it you have a high income life you have to support. (mortage-3 kids-2 car payments-wife who loves to keep up with her best friend who's husband is making $100K a year-etc) You just will not make it pulling "singles" at $1-$1.20 a mile one way. Even with my low income needs, I will not get back out there pulling singles again, period.

As far as Horizon, be leary. Horizon has gone way down hill within the last 2-3 years. Ever since "Dad" passed away, "Son" has run that company in the ground. I remember 2 1/2 years ago when I was with Quality. I was talking with a driver from Horizon outside the Super 8 there in Goshen. Fuel was at $3.15 a gallon if I remember correctly. I had a 30ft tag going to Beaumont Texas on my truck that was paying me $1.18 a mile. He had a 32ft 5th wheel going up into Canada on his truck paying .98 cents a mile. He was nice a older gentleman who was retired with a pension income. I flat out told him he was getting screwed by Horizon. He said he'd had 2-3 like this over the last couple of months and this was probably his last one to do for Horizon, especially after hearing the rate difference. Also said I wasn't the first to tell him my opinion about what Horizon was paying for rates. That Super 8 in Goshen mainly houses Quality, Horizon, and Star Fleet drivers, so he had talk to many other drivers before me and didn't get offended when I told him he was being screwed royally by going into Canada for .98 cents a mile when fuel was well over $3.00 a gallon then.

My advice, don't set up orientation with Horizon just yet. I have a thread here that lists just about all of the Transport Companies out there. Call around, see this difference in rates, and then make a choice on who you want to drive for, OK.

brett72

01-16-2010, 12:15 PM

I must say, I have posted in other forums on other subjects and have never got this much advice. It is greatly appreciated and hopefully one day I see you guys on the road.

haulin rv

01-16-2010, 04:35 PM

brett72

01-16-2010, 04:45 PM

Interesting truck. You would need a football field to turn it around. I'm not too worried about a truck, just being able to find a company that would keep me busy. You don't know who to trust. Recruiters are sales people and that's their job. They don't care if there isn't enough work for you, their job is to make sure there is never a shortage of drivers.

ColoradoRVHauler

01-16-2010, 05:24 PM

Hell try my company. Indiana Transport. Just google that. You can run your butt off if youd like. Everyone is on the same playing field seniority wise. We have plenty of work with several factories. We need more trucks to fully take advantage of all the work that we have available to us. Call phil there and tell them I sent ya, Carey Kuhn. Our dispatchers are also the owners of the company. They have lots of exp and dispatch you on a custom to the person basis.

Yeah Brisco is right about me. I run my butt off and take my time off at home. I dont stay in motels very often. I never sleep at truck stops. Wal mart only for me.

You can do this however you like. You can run hard or you can run pretty hard and stay in motels at night. There is nothing wrong with neither and I can tell you my boss will not fault you either way. He just appreciates having you there reguardless how hard you work.

Quality, Classic and Hoosier transit will keep you busy too. They pay a bit less though.

Youll need to dedicate 2-3 months to this to see if you like it and if the company fits you.

Good luck in your choices and hope to see you out there someday.

ColoradoRVHauler

01-16-2010, 05:29 PM

Here's a truck for you to haul rv's. Too much money but it'd be nice. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chevrolet-Silverado-3500-3500-SLEEPER-CHEVY-4X4-WITH-DOUBLE-BUNK-SLEEPER-NO-RESERVE-DURAMAX_W0QQitemZ220540059461QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS _Cars_Trucks?hash=item3359363f45

Yeah sweet truck.

We have an ad in our office of a 2003-4 dodge with a nice sleeper on it. It has 1/2 million miles. Lots of new parts. Asking 10k.

Has pretty high miles, but it would get you started and then you could always buy another truck if this is what you like.

Carey

brett72

01-16-2010, 05:59 PM

I already have a call into Indiana Transport. Hopefully I will hear back on Monday.

brett72

01-16-2010, 06:26 PM

What kind of heater are you going to run off of the generator?

ColoradoRVHauler

01-16-2010, 08:14 PM

I was going to buy a 1500/1200 Champion generator. I already have a 4000/3500 Champion Gen. I thought it would be too big. After measuring between my aux tank and 5er hitch I had room for the big gen. Today I installed it. It uses about 3 gallans for 10 hours at 1/2 load. The smaller gen uses 1.5 gallons for 5 hours at full load, so my fuel cost will be the same either way. I put a piece of 1/2 inch board between the aux tank and the gen so the gen doesnt rub the aluminum tank. I strapped it down using the 5er hitch and hitch rails. It aint goin know where now.

Im using a cheap walmart 1500 watt space heater. I set it on the dash and it will run me out of the truck. It has a themostat and 2 settings. 1500 and 1000. It is a cool touch heater so it wont get anything around it hot.

Ive already tested the heater. The pull in guy stays monday thru friday and goes home on the weekends. he left his power cord, so I went to walmart and got me a heater and tested it out the last time I spent the night at our yard.

Come to find out the heat from the space heater is better heat then my trucks heater makes.

Next on the list, Im gonna remove the passenger seat and install me a microwave.

Phil will call you back. he has been in the rv biz 30 years. He started the yard that Bennett bought and still runs today many years ago. The guy is sharp.

Carey

brett72

01-16-2010, 09:07 PM

Thanks Carey

brett72

01-16-2010, 09:08 PM

Are you allowed to sleep in the truck or is that against DOT?

ColoradoRVHauler

01-16-2010, 09:19 PM

If you dont have a DOT legal sleeper you cant log sleeper on log book.

I have a copy of this. http://www.woodhouse.com/store/sleeper_berth.htm

I made my own by cutting out my doors and upholstering the cavities. Then I used a 3/4 sheet of plywood mounted on the floor. I then bought a nice 4-5 inch piece of foam for the matteress.

I log off duty. I park on private property like walmart. If asked, I carry a tent in warm weather. I say I sleep in the drivers lounge at truck stops too. either will suffice for a DOT inspection. Never tell them you slept in your truck.

Ive only been asked by Mn DOT during an inspection. I told them I slept at the drivers lounge at the truck stop and that was fine with them.

Dont sleep in you truck while on public property such as off ramps and rest areas. They can ticket you for that. Some states is 300 bucks.

My bed length is 78 inches and its 30 inches wide. i move the seats forward and have as much room as say an old cab over freightliner. I sleep real comfortable. I also block the windows using vinyl and velcro, then use a silver windsheid sun sheid. I can block out all the light this way. It also helps to insulate the windows.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj224/HitchHog/IMG_0290.jpg

Brisco

01-25-2010, 03:14 PM

Yeah Star aint goin know where. At least I dont think. They have shrunk to a much smaller company though. I didnt know anyone since all my guys left.

I will never have nothing bad to say about Star. I loved working there.

Just to update, Starfleet finally changed the message of "Not Hiring Drivers at this time" to "Star Fleet is currently hiring RV Drivers" on their website.

The "Not Hiring Drivers" message was up for months and months and this message change just happened these last couple of days. So, they are still hanging on.

ColoradoRVHauler

01-25-2010, 03:34 PM

The last I read was since star was a subsidary of champion it has to be sold to pay champions crediters.

I bet the current preseident of star buys it. Thats my guess.

They have made quite a few changes in dispatch personel so I bet they are going thru a few pains as well as better moral around there.

I dont think star is ever going anywhere, but things got pretty shakey and things still are a bit shakey around there.

I still havent recieved my deposit back yet. Will call again tomorrow.

Been over 6 weeks now.

Star is in unknown waters still so for many guys they moved on..

Carey

gastogo

01-25-2010, 09:00 PM

What do the 'Haul and Tows' pay these days?

brett72

01-26-2010, 10:23 PM

Brisco

01-26-2010, 11:13 PM

I noticed most transport companies accept 3/4 ton pickups. I have found a number of great deals on 3/4 ton diesels. If I put airbags on the rear, will this truck be plenty capable of doing the job or do you really need a dually?

Brett

My opinion, I'd go ahead and get a dually just to be safe. Dually's offer better control of the trailer that dispatch might stick on your truck. In other words, you're not going to be hauling 26ft 4-6K lb Travel Trailers every where you go. Most of the bigger companies(Quality-Hoosier-Etc) will hire Drivers with Class A's and Dually's before they hire on a 3/4 ton. They are even posting "Class A Drivers with Duallys" on their websites now. Smaller companies like Classic will take into consideration that all you have is a 3/4 ton and load you accordingly, but in todays market, you really need to be available to haul just about anything they offer you to survive.

Is the 3/4 "capable" of handling the job? Of Course it is, but it makes it harder on the driver itself. It's a handful in itself having a 32-34ft plus fifth wheel on your dually when an 18 wheeler, or 3-4-5 18 wheelers right in a row, blows by you running 75-90 MPH. Even in a dually, it's hell keeping that truck and trailer in a straight line and off the shoulder when stuff like that happens. And remember, this stuff happens many times a day during your 11 hour driving shift. I could not even imagine going day in and day out of crap like that in a "SRW" 3/4 ton.

3/4 tons are great for "weekenders", but not that great if you're out there every day delivering trailers for a living.

That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it. :D Others will tell theirs, OK.

tdsuperd

01-29-2010, 09:47 PM

Hey guys,
Wanted to say hello! Thanks for the post and the RV section. Great info..... enough to light a fire under my seat. I called and talked to Joe the other day at Indiana Transport and had a good talk. Think Im gonna sign on and start in a month.

What brand 5er hitch should I look at? Is 20k the size to get?

Do I need a commercial plate for registering for 26,000 and under? Based in New Mexico and don't think I do. If not then how do I tag my truck for my desired weight?

thanks,

T

ColoradoRVHauler

01-30-2010, 12:59 AM

I use a curt q-5 5er hitch. They are cheap and stought. Its rated at 20k.

Just go to your state lic office and ask. Each state is different. My state says GVW right on it and its red instead of the normal green colorado plate. My combined gvw cis commercially licensed for 26k.

Good Luck to ya!

Carey

tdsuperd

01-30-2010, 11:52 AM

Carey,

thanks for the info... I will check out the hitch and talk to the MVD on Monday... See ya out there.

T

haulin rv

01-30-2010, 07:24 PM

I noticed most transport companies accept 3/4 ton pickups. I have found a number of great deals on 3/4 ton diesels. If I put airbags on the rear, will this truck be plenty capable of doing the job or do you really need a dually?

Brett

I'd dually. I ran dually truck and came up with bright idea to try a SRW truck and I bought a 3500 srw Dodge. I HATED it and traded out in just over 36,000 miles. The extra 2 wheels in the back add stability which will make long days of driving much more comfortable.

ColoradoRVHauler

01-31-2010, 02:10 AM

I agree with Brisco too on the dually thing

Carey

tdsuperd

02-01-2010, 11:33 PM

Hey Carey,

How often do you need a gooseneck adapter working with these guys?

Any reason to get a sliding 5er for a 8ft bed?

Got my truck plated for 26k today.....easy, one visit to the MVD (thats rare). They just changed my weight on my registration, same plate and only another 30 bucks a year for the going to the state of NM.

thanks for the help!

Trenis

ColoradoRVHauler

02-02-2010, 12:17 AM

I wouldnt worry about a goose neck plate. You can pick one up at most ranch stores pretty easy if you ever need one.

Just get a standard 5er hitch. No slider needed if you have an 8 foot bed.

Good Luck. Joe mentioned to me this morning he talked with you.

Carey

haulin rv

02-02-2010, 06:53 AM

It was recommended to have one when I started, over 5 years and I never used it.

pballer

02-02-2010, 07:17 AM

slow, but finally mmade it over here

haulin rv

02-02-2010, 08:27 AM

Its about time:D.

ColoradoRVHauler

02-02-2010, 12:45 PM

Yeah, about time pball! Good to have you here!

Carey

haulin rv

02-03-2010, 01:45 PM

He's been to busy on Facebook:p

ColoradoRVHauler

03-09-2010, 11:43 PM

Brisco

03-10-2010, 12:16 AM

Just to let you guys know we are now around 1.20 a mile now for Canada stuff. Bigger stuff is around 1.25. Dont know the exact pay. Getting 1.20 for a 33 foot mid pro 5er. My pay is like 3000 for a trip to Vancouver Island for this one. Ferry ride is paid both ways by the company. Prolly have 11-1200 in fuel. Should make 1500 for 7 days work after all my costs.

American rates went up today. Prolly 1.10 or so now.

Dont know about the other transport companies. This is for Indiana Transport.

We still need drivers. Have weeks backlogged sitting in the yard waiting. We are swamped!

Carey

Probably going to pull the trigger here on a H&T set-up pretty quick. As a matter of fact, going to look at truck tomorrow morning.

Still calling Phil every couple of weeks just to let him know I'm working on it. Todays Banking regulations SUCK. Perfect Credit, close to 800 score, 10 years in the trucking/contract driving industry, and cannot get any financing whatsoever for a 4500. "Personal Banks" are saying No to loans because I am not "currently" working, even when I have enough "Cash" sitting in that bank to buy 4-5 Dodge 4500's. "Commercial Finance" sources (GE Capital-Sovereign Bank) have said No due to no "recent activity" in the trucking industry. (Came "OFF" the road back '97 when diesel hit $3.50 a gallon) And I'm not about to drop $30-$40K CASH on a truck just to get "Back on the Road", period.

So, I found a decent 2004 Chevrolet 4500 Kodiak with the 6.6 Duramax and only 94K miles on it. It has GVWR of 16,500, same as a Dodge 4500. Only wants around $15K for it. If it checks out, I'll probably just pay cash for it for now, of which I wouldn't mind spending for a "Cash" truck like this, use it a year or 2, and then go for my full blown $35K 4500 with the Cummins. Either that, or just put a Cummins under the hood of this paid for truck and keep on going. I'm quite sure I can get 300K out of that Duramax lugging around approximately 20K lbs for half those miles, Right??? (8K for the truck - 2K for the bed - 10K for 2 5K Trailers - That's about right isn't it?);)

Get this Carey, got a guy on another board stating he has been offered $1.31 a mile for average trailers into Canada and up to $1.47 a mile for the larger units into Canada. Says they're "Jayco" units. He's from Canada, so he'll only be able to come into the US and run back into Canada, no US deliveries.

I think he's full of it, and have told him so in a round-a-bout way, just not directly. What are your thoughts? Especially "Jayco" units. I know Jet is not paying anywhere near those rates, and if Jet gets backed up, Jayco will farm those leftovers off to the other companies at lower rates than what they're paying Jet. So, is he full of it?? I think so. But I am also one of the most opinionated person most of you guys know too!!:D

haulin rv

03-10-2010, 07:10 AM

The Canadian based companies do pay more, they have to based on the cost of living up there.They don't have the advantages we tax wise for write offs. Heck I remember sitting at Marathon talking to a Canadian driver when I was getting around a $1 and he was getting $1.20 something. He then explained about being a Canadian driver.

Brisco as far as the truck goes that should have an LB7 Dmax in it and those are the injector eaters. If your going Dmax go a bit newer and at least get to the next generation LLY. Pball and H2oskibumz can chime in about LB7 injectors.

h2oskibumz

03-10-2010, 01:53 PM

I'm killin the resale value of my own truck here, but....

2004s came with 2 different motors depending on when they were built. Brisco will have to check the VIN number on the truck he is looking at. If the 8th number in the vin is a 1... its an LB7. Walk AWAY. Do NOT pass go. Walk.
Mid 2004 they changed motors to the LLY. 8th digit is a 2...

Both trucks below are 2004 models at Copart wecked...

http://www.copart.com/c2/onSaleResults.html?_eventId=getLot&execution=e1s4&lotId=10883460&returnPage=SEARCH_RESULTS
1GCHK23154Fxxxxxx LB7 If I needed a motor I would NOT buy this truck!!

http://www.copart.com/c2/onSaleResults.html?_eventId=getLot&execution=e1s5&lotId=21912269&returnPage=SEARCH_RESULTS
1GCHK23294Fxxxxxx LLY If I needed a motor I would try to buy this truck!!

Incidentally a D is an LBZ motor but they don't show up until 2006

a U is a 6.0 gasser but who cares right???

ColoradoRVHauler

03-12-2010, 02:17 AM

I finally looked at my pay sheet. Its 2440 miles at 1.20. 2940 something. Cant remember now.

Get paid the 50 miles while Im on the ferry too.

Setting in Everett, Wa. Have reservations with a ferry<wink> at 10:15 am. Hey its a boat!

Better get to sleep.. Been a long day.

ColoradoRVHauler

03-12-2010, 02:44 AM

Brisco those Jayco rates might be right for a canada based guy. Avg trailer we get 1.18, they get 1.31. That would be about right.

Good luck on the truck you are looking at. Only dmax Id have is a LBZ. Seen em with 500k on em on original injectors. Our pull in guy has over 700k on his original injectors. Incredible! Heads havent been off it either.

Carey

ColoradoRVHauler

03-12-2010, 02:48 AM

Mine ate its first injector last week. 296k. Not bad. Still have 5 originals. They all checked out good. Might as well keep runnin em..

It was no.1 injector. It stuck wide open. That sure makes her belch smoke, lol Didnt take long to find a shop.. That'll get yer attention! 561 later and i was rolling again.

ra57.2008

03-24-2010, 01:33 PM

ColoradoRVHauler

03-24-2010, 03:15 PM

Cary i got 338,000 on my 04 before my injecters went out and run fine untill it died then would not start, blocked off return line and it started right up. Tested them all 6 were bad 4 were way off scale. Fuel was just sent back to tank and none to cylinders.
Whats the going rate to haul right now? I think i'll start driving again in a couple of weeks waiting for passport,and should be ready to go. Looking at Jet or Indiana.

Thanks Rick

I think Canada is around 1.20-1.25
US is 10 cents less is whats usual.

Been running Vancouver Islands all month. Get 1.20 for a 30 foot rv. Since I run some 2 lanes and we get paid for ferry ride, I have been doing them for 75 miles less than what we are getting paid for, so I turn those into 1.24 a mile trips. Been pocketing over 1500 each trip. Will make about 5k for 3 trips and am taking from the 22nd of march to the 3rd of april off.

Been getting paid 2850-2950 each trip depending on where on the island I was going. Been spending 1200 or so in fuel each trip. So about 16-1700 is leftover each trip. Been doing them in 8 days and that includes a 34 hr reset at the daighters house in Seattle.

Spending till tomoorow with my seattle daughter then going home to colorado. Made 5k for the month. Yeah am putting a good chunk in the truck cause I am upgrading to better parts, and doing some general repairs too. But went to work Feb26th, and unloaded March 22nd on my last one. Will leave out for Elkhart from Colorado April 3rd for another 3-4 week round.

Again. I would have made 750 a week as a semi truck driver take home. I have made way over 750 a week take home hauling rv's. Thats with the approx. 1500 I put into my truck for ac repair, new driveshaft, 1 injector, and oil changes.

Still am taking home a good 3000 comparred to around 2200 I would have made big trucking for being gone the same amount of time.

I will haul rv's forever.