i wanna make sure i have this right

[twoduners11]

as far as the steps to get this thing rolling..
1- get cdl, have to get physical as first step, which means i have to have my hernia fixed before i can do anything

2- get and pay for insurance. im told i need the cdl before insurance and insurance before dot and mcc

3- apply for dot and mcc. wait the 4-6 weeks for the mcc# all the while paying for insurance. cant get on the load boards without these numbers

does this sound right?

also i dont mean to inquire about anyones income, but im going to ask a general question here. do you guys think it is possible to do 10k miles a month @ $1.50 a mile? i have read and read and i dont think it would be a problem at all. the only thing i cant seem to put my finger on is the ability to get the loads. i go up and down uship (the only one i can look at right now) and it just seems to be full of curious or lonesome people. i assume that the professional load boards arent like that one.
thanks for your time
mark

[ccoop769]

Go to your states DOT site. That explains everything. uship is a joke, not nearly as professional as real load boards.

If you aint making 1.50+ all miles driven doing 10k miles a month, you shouldnt be in this business.

You can hover around 1.75 to 2.10 all miles driven just off load boards. Drive as many miles as you can. Drive 1000 miles, make $2000. Drive 5000 miles in a week, gross 10k in a week. Goes something like that. You make your own paycheck!!!

[twoduners11]

Go to your states DOT site. That explains everything. uship is a joke, not nearly as professional as real load boards.

If you aint making 1.50+ all miles driven doing 10k miles a month, you shouldnt be in this business.

You can hover around 1.75 to 2.10 all miles driven just off load boards. Drive as many miles as you can. Drive 1000 miles, make $2000. Drive 5000 miles in a week, gross 10k in a week. Goes something like that. You make your own paycheck!!!

i feel honored that YOU replied to my post. i have been watching your experiences for the last couple years over @ the dodgecummins forum. your attitude is the reason im considering this again (was gonna do it about 15 years ago)

[Brisco]

Hell, try applying for a Texas Dealers License to buy and sell cars.

You have to be a fully operational "Dealership-Car Lot" before they will even consider reviewing your application. (lease on building-signs put up-phones in company name-functional office-set business hours-etc)

Plus, your license is not guaranteed. So, if you happen to do all this, sign a 2 year lease as they require, get a business phone under the name of ABC Auto, and such, and they deny your license for whatever reason, you're SOL.

I'm at the $10,000 mark so far (cash out of my pocket) and have yet to "sell a car".

You have "hernia" problems?? That is big physical "fail" right off the bat. Even if you had the problem taken care of tomorrow (operation??), it'll be another year or so until your doctor will sign off on a DOT physical for you. And, that's if there's no other complications.

Don't take coop seriously when he says if you want to drive 5000 miles a week, then you can drive 5000 miles a week. Can't be done "legally". Coops way maybe, but not by the other professional drivers here. :D

[Brisco]

......i have been watching your experiences for the last couple years over @ the dodgecummins forum. your attitude is the reason im considering this again.....

You're from a "Dodge/Cummins/Ford/Powerjoke" board!!?!!?!!?

Let everything you've learned about "Trucking" from those boards fly out your asss, OK.

Those boards are worthless when it comes to learning about "Trucking". Lots and lots of misinformation from uninformed armchair wanna be truck drivers on those boards.

Plus, you feel "honored" that Coop replied??? Hell son, you've got a lot to learn. :D :D :D

(Sorry Chris, had to say it! :D )

[haulin rv]

Here we go.........

[ccoop769]

ok, how bout your on the right forum to learn rules. hehe Nobody said anything about log books!!!! Thats a whole nother thread there. I may not do things perfectly by the books but thats what makes everybody unique. I love you too Brisco

[twoduners11]

Hell, try applying for a Texas Dealers License to buy and sell cars.

You have to be a fully operational "Dealership-Car Lot" before they will even consider reviewing your application. (lease on building-signs put up-phones in company name-functional office-set business hours-etc)

Plus, your license is not guaranteed. So, if you happen to do all this, sign a 2 year lease as they require, get a business phone under the name of ABC Auto, and such, and they deny your license for whatever reason, you're SOL.

I'm at the $10,000 mark so far (cash out of my pocket) and have yet to "sell a car".

You have "hernia" problems?? That is big physical "fail" right off the bat. Even if you had the problem taken care of tomorrow (operation??), it'll be another year or so until your doctor will sign off on a DOT physical for you. And, that's if there's no other complications.

Don't take coop seriously when he says if you want to drive 5000 miles a week, then you can drive 5000 miles a week. Can't be done "legally". Coops way maybe, but not by the other professional drivers here. :D

i have read about your dilema w/ the dealers license and sorry but i dont have any advice for ya (not that your asking for any). as far as the hernia thing goes, i have lived with it for the last 5 years or so ( i work construction) it doesnt bother me. my belly button just looks like an outie instead of an innie. i wasnt worried about it at all until i read the dot medical stuff. it says right there "no current hernia" and "no major surgery" my appointment is for next tuesday and i dont forsee a problem? its an outpatient procedure and with the new techniques im supposed to be up to par in a couple days. that being said i have NO EXPERIENCE whatsoever so we will see.
i do like the forums, but you have to read between the lines. they are not truck drivers by any stretch of the word (nor am i). thats why i pay attention to this chris character, he has pictures and i tend to believe w/ my eyes. i realize that he is somewhat of an "outlaw", but that is what makes him so colorful. sort of a do as i say not as i do.
as far as the driving limits. i thought i read that you had to be shut down for 6 hours every 24. is that wrong?

[smr500]

I got set up this spring so I have the steps fresh in my mind. Don't pay/ file insurance until 7-10 days before your authority goes active. You don't want to pay for any more time not on the road than you have to. They file it with the FMCSA electronically so it takes 2 days at most. You can pay your process agent anytime, it is a 1 time fee. You HAVE to have you pre employmnt drug screen done before you haul your first load or face 10k fine at new entrant audit time. There is a ton of stuff to get in order Drug consortium is done prior also. You will shell out a few thousand just getting all this stuff in order, not including equipment costs.

BTW, have a lot of money saved for operating capital before the money starts coming in. I ran out and got ripped off ( some of you know what/who I'm talking about) and had to sell my brand new equipment just to keep my mortgage/bills paid. I'm currently saving to start again

[twoduners11]

I got set up this spring so I have the steps fresh in my mind. Don't pay/ file insurance until 7-10 days before your authority goes active. You don't want to pay for any more time not on the road than you have to. They file it with the FMCSA electronically so it takes 2 days at most. You can pay your process agent anytime, it is a 1 time fee. You HAVE to have you pre employmnt drug scren done before you haul your first load or face 10k fine at new entrant audit time. There is a ton of stuff to get in order Drug consortium is done prior also. You will shell out a few thousand just getting all this stuff in order, not including equipment costs.

thanks for the advice on the insurance! what the heck is a processing agent? as far as the drug stuff goes i thought that was part of the physical and then every 2 years?
im not being too lazy to look this stuff up myself. i just get confused and a little overwhelmed at some of this stuff. so thanks again!

[smr500]

Oh no, you have a lot to figure out. I suggest reading more. Gary's forum is a good source also.

[twoduners11]

BTW, have a lot of money saved for operating capital before the money starts coming in. I ran out and got ripped off ( some of you know what/who I'm talking about) and had to sell my brand new equipment just to keep my mortgage/bills paid. I'm currently saving to start again

i figured as long as i have everything paid for and +-$5000 in hand i should be allright? i am very fortunate right now that i dont have to contribute any $ to household expenses. this will go along way towards a bigger truck

[smr500]

you will spend roughly 1k per week in fuel alone. I would have double that.

[ccoop769]

Gosh, last 3 weeks we spent about 5k in fuel and $500 in tolls.. Had a killer 3 weeks though..

You can get a rough est. by calculating avg 9 mpg per miles you will drive each week.

80% of loads CODish 15% 5-15 day pay, 5% 20-30 day pay.

[Buster]

Go to Garys sight (I hate doing that because Gary is an A........never mind:mad:) and buy his guide. It is very helpfull to the new guys. Just dont let him Bullshit you about car hauling!!:eek: :(

[twoduners11]

Gosh, last 3 weeks we spent about 5k in fuel and $500 in tolls.. Had a killer 3 weeks though..

You can get a rough est. by calculating avg 9 mpg per miles you will drive each week.

80% of loads CODish 15% 5-15 day pay, 5% 20-30 day pay.

thats how i figured it 31.6 a mile x 10,000 miles is $3,166 in fuel. thats if i dont get paid a penny for the first month. as i understand it, if its not c.o.d. then you are paid very quickly (couple weeks) my current business is always 30 days out so thats how im used to thinking.
no my current plan is not "ideal" by any means, but i cant seem to get that damn money tree out back to grow

[twoduners11]

Go to Garys sight (I hate doing that because Gary is an A........never mind:mad:) and buy his guide. It is very helpfull to the new guys. Just dont let him Bullshit you about car hauling!!:eek: :(

yeah, i was gonna do that but you guys over here seemed to be againt it. tony ( i believe this is his board) was going to offer assistance, but i dont believe he is here much.

[Buster]

Us west coast guys have to stick together :D . Those east coast guys will gang up on you :p .
I've had $0 weeks and $5000 weeks and I don't run hard. From the Phoenix area you can stay busy. Not as much going out of there although not bad. Pretty good loads going in and good easy miles any direction. If your willing to run fairly hard but legal, you can run in the $3000 to $4000 a week most of the time. Once your going good, look real hard at those 30 day pay loads. They can and do keep money coming in. I love my accounts receivable. The check always seems to come just in time!
I have not seen you post what kind of truck and trailer you are considering. That will make a big diff. in how you make your money. Tell us more.
Lee

[sclyde]

I never heard of the hernia being a problem. I have had one for a long time and no one has said a word about it or checked. Mine is near my belly button does that make a difference?

[Buster]

Most of the doc-in-a-boxes I go to don't even check for hernias.

[twoduners11]

I never heard of the hernia being a problem. I have had one for a long time and no one has said a word about it or checked. Mine is near my belly button does that make a difference?

http://www.greatcdltraining.com/how-it-works/dot-physical

[twoduners11]

Us west coast guys have to stick together :D . Those east coast guys will gang up on you :p .
I've had $0 weeks and $5000 weeks and I don't run hard. From the Phoenix area you can stay busy. Not as much going out of there although not bad. Pretty good loads going in and good easy miles any direction. If your willing to run fairly hard but legal, you can run in the $3000 to $4000 a week most of the time. Once your going good, look real hard at those 30 day pay loads. They can and do keep money coming in. I love my accounts receivable. The check always seems to come just in time!
I have not seen you post what kind of truck and trailer you are considering. That will make a big diff. in how you make your money. Tell us more.
Lee

thanks for the positive input. as far as the rig goes, looks like i will have to use my 01 dodge dually to at least get started. i REALLY didnt want to do that, but we just found out our credit is no good. i dont know if any of you guys realise that a few months ago most of the credit card companies lowered everyones available limit. well we always had under 10% of our limits kept on the cards. that was the magic number to keep a credit score over the 800 mark. we could always just buy whatever we wanted to. well when the cc companies went through and lowered a 25,000 card to 2500 and you owe 2,000 on it. your credit score drops about 50 points! do simmilar actions to 5 or 6 cards and well, now the credit union wont even talk to us. thats fine. it made me realise that i didnt wanna play theyre game anymore anyways.
whew, sorry to get so off topic. the truck is a 2001 3500 drw. its a little hopped up, built tranny and so forth. it pulls my 20k toyhauler just fine, but thats only 300 miles each way to the dunes so this will be kind of a wing and a prayer sort of deal. im looking for a wedge to start out with, but i did find a 4 car strait deck with a lift on the front. i dont know. as mentioned all the $ i earn will go towards a business class or a international. they just look so much more comfortable. it just sucks to be at this point in my life and not be able to afford a 15k truck ( at least there is a silver lining):)

[cosgo]

You can get a special medical for a shorter amount of time (less than the two years they normally give) after a check up. They give variences all the time. As far as insurance, you can get a policy and have them start it at a later date. (not knocking you) if youve been reading here and there for a while as you say, you should have already found the answers to most of your questions. If you are still asking some of the simple ones, i recommend you hire a permit office to take care of the process for you. for about $600, they will put the whole thing together for you the right way, the first time, and take a big headache from you. trust me, itll be the best money youve ever spent.

[twoduners11]

You can get a special medical for a shorter amount of time (less than the two years they normally give) after a check up. They give variences all the time. As far as insurance, you can get a policy and have them start it at a later date. (not knocking you) if youve been reading here and there for a while as you say, you should have already found the answers to most of your questions. If you are still asking some of the simple ones, i recommend you hire a permit office to take care of the process for you. for about $600, they will put the whole thing together for you the right way, the first time, and take a big headache from you. trust me, itll be the best money youve ever spent.

your not knocking me at all! i will be the first to admit im in a dismal haze with this stuff! hell half the time i cant comprehend what i have just read 3 times. this stuff is sooo new its like a whole diffrent language. and i thought getting my contractors license was tuff

[cosgo]

I didnt want you to take it the wrong way, and im glad you didnt. Having a professional service take care of it all really takes the work out of it, and youve got more important things to worry about than filing the right paperwork. Its cheap insurance. Ive done it myself, and ive had a service do it for me. i wont waste my time again doing it myself.

[LBZ]

Go to Garys sight (I hate doing that because Gary is an A........never mind:mad:) and buy his guide. It is very helpfull to the new guys. Just dont let him Bullshit you about car hauling!!:eek: :(

Skip paying for a guide when most of it is right here...

http://www.autoexpeditor.com/showthread.php?518-New-Company-Startup-Guide

As far as gross & net income & the numbers thrown around here. Ask yourself this, if it were really that easy just to go make X amount by just working hard, honest, legal or what ever, why are there so many people that fail at this & lose more than they came to the table with?

[bayou hotshot]

LBZ is right some loads you make more $$$ at not all and dont think the guy next to you is geting way more money than you
I was told years ago you can always tell how busy are how much money someone has made by the miles on there truck most guys make about a doller for every mile on there truck so if thay have a truck thats 3 years old and has 300,000 miles on it thay made something like $100k a year but not to many people drive 100,000 miles a year ............like me:D im at 80,000 already this year (maybe thats why i go thru so many trucks)any way all the old timers here go back and look at your taxes and the miles you drove that year its about right

[twoduners11]

Skip paying for a guide when most of it is right here...

http://www.autoexpeditor.com/showthread.php?518-New-Company-Startup-Guide

As far as gross & net income & the numbers thrown around here. Ask yourself this, if it were really that easy just to go make X amount by just working hard, honest, legal or what ever, why are there so many people that fail at this & lose more than they came to the table with?

believe you me, thats exactly the question i keep asking myself! here is what i have come up with...
1- its a hard life. no office job, away from family, dealing with customers when its YOUR money is alot diffrent that someone elses money

2- liability. i am scared to death of hurting someone!

3- the absolute headache of getting started. not many people in the world willing to buy a job

i have always been self employed, so that part doesnt bother me too much. if i had a choice to work in the field im good at and make the wages i was used to, i would not do this. here in the phoenix area construction is done for a while longer anyway (maybe a couple more years). im not an educated man, so that limits my earning potential to my hands. and yes i do realise that alot of people look at things through rose colored glasses, me included. so i am trying to be as objective as possible, but the only way to know for sure is to go for it

[ccoop769]

Dont let people scare you off. People fail in this industry for many reasons.

1. Hiring Bad Drivers
2. People taking less then 50 cpm vehicles
3. People only driving a few hundred miles a day
4. People blow there money they make not thinking about the future and its outcome

If your going to be an independant owner operator, and you stay at it, you will be fine.

Your income will be based on how much you drive.

Heres a "LOW" figure for you......

10k miles each month Gross 15k (1.50 per mile)

15k Gross
3200 Fuel-800 insurance-400 food-800 truck payment-1000 maintaince
Total 6200 plus say 800 more for whateva = 7000

Considering you wont have a truck payment, can do cheaper in food, you can do even better. And again, this is a super low figure. Bust your butt hard and you can do this in 2 weeks and take the other 2 off and have the same figure or higher.

In the end, your still netting $8000 per month/2k per week.

Yes, there is good paying loads and cheap paying loads, go check out wtf load thread.

But its only you who could put cheap paying loads on your trailer. I stay away from those. For us its normal pay or good pay.

As for the wedge, i would stay away from any 3 car best you could. Not saying you cant make money but from 3-4 is a very nice difference.

Now keep in mind alot of people complain about this job. Or always being broke or whicheva. They make there own pay, they just aint driving enough to keep up with the overhead. Pretty stupid if you ask me. I never complain about money while working. When my truck is working, im really happy knowing that my truck is grossing 5-9k in a week.

The problem i have is im not a driver, and would rather let this business take a $hit then me be a driver. So hence, i hire drivers and do a few other things. A driver can really wipe you out. There are a few of us on here that have been screwed over so bad, its amazing how we could even recover from such a situation.

But hey, if you want a company to expand and grow, you cant do everything yourself. I have been self employed for 10 years now, and im 29. In my head ive never wanted a steady life being at a median, ive always wanted to grow and expand in any business and just pay myself a salary of 200k not even working that business while i would be starting another business. I got great ideas and motivation and know how, just was pretty stupid when i was early 20's and let my credit get ahold of me.

Oh well, im still young, and plenty enough time to do all that. Working on credit now and actually early next week im getting a butt load of secured credit cards for personal and business to make my score jump again.

Anywho, sorry for the book, just expressing my opionons on things.

This is a rough business, a true headache so to say. You work/run into so many people, and whites are minorities in this business, you will learn real fast that the world has a bunch of a$$holes, scam artists, and will leave you high and dry in a split second.

Just look after yourself, your company, and you will be alright!!!

[twoduners11]

Dont let people scare you off. People fail in this industry for many reasons.

1. Hiring Bad Drivers
2. People taking less then 50 cpm vehicles
3. People only driving a few hundred miles a day
4. People blow there money they make not thinking about the future and its outcome

If your going to be an independant owner operator, and you stay at it, you will be fine.

Your income will be based on how much you drive.

Heres a "LOW" figure for you......

10k miles each month Gross 15k (1.50 per mile)

15k Gross
3200 Fuel-800 insurance-400 food-800 truck payment-1000 maintaince
Total 6200 plus say 800 more for whateva = 7000

Considering you wont have a truck payment, can do cheaper in food, you can do even better. And again, this is a super low figure. Bust your butt hard and you can do this in 2 weeks and take the other 2 off and have the same figure or higher.

In the end, your still netting $8000 per month/2k per week.

Yes, there is good paying loads and cheap paying loads, go check out wtf load thread.

But its only you who could put cheap paying loads on your trailer. I stay away from those. For us its normal pay or good pay.

As for the wedge, i would stay away from any 3 car best you could. Not saying you cant make money but from 3-4 is a very nice difference.

Now keep in mind alot of people complain about this job. Or always being broke or whicheva. They make there own pay, they just aint driving enough to keep up with the overhead. Pretty stupid if you ask me. I never complain about money while working. When my truck is working, im really happy knowing that my truck is grossing 5-9k in a week.

The problem i have is im not a driver, and would rather let this business take a $hit then me be a driver. So hence, i hire drivers and do a few other things. A driver can really wipe you out. There are a few of us on here that have been screwed over so bad, its amazing how we could even recover from such a situation.

But hey, if you want a company to expand and grow, you cant do everything yourself. I have been self employed for 10 years now, and im 29. In my head ive never wanted a steady life being at a median, ive always wanted to grow and expand in any business and just pay myself a salary of 200k not even working that business while i would be starting another business. I got great ideas and motivation and know how, just was pretty stupid when i was early 20's and let my credit get ahold of me.

Oh well, im still young, and plenty enough time to do all that. Working on credit now and actually early next week im getting a butt load of secured credit cards for personal and business to make my score jump again.

Anywho, sorry for the book, just expressing my opionons on things.

This is a rough business, a true headache so to say. You work/run into so many people, and whites are minorities in this business, you will learn real fast that the world has a bunch of a$$holes, scam artists, and will leave you high and dry in a split second.

Just look after yourself, your company, and you will be alright!!!

just wanted to say thanks. as far as the minority thing goes, well... i did not expect to hear that at all.doesnt bother me, hell im from phoenix. the picture in my head was actually a bunch of pot-bellied 50 something white guys w/ cowboy boots and trucker hats. i guess too much 70's tv when i was a kid:)

[NDanecker]

just wanted to say thanks. as far as the minority thing goes, well... i did not expect to hear that at all.doesnt bother me, hell im from phoenix. the picture in my head was actually a bunch of pot-bellied 50 something white guys w/ cowboy boots and trucker hats. i guess too much 70's tv when i was a kid:)

BJ and the bear pops in my head! :)

[smr500]

I think he was referring to the brokers.

[h2oskibumz]

Way Way WAY before Burt Reynolds and Smokie & The Bandit there was Claude Aikens in Movin' On. I loved that green Kenworth!!!

Of course there was no monkey but...

[Buster]

And who could forget Jan-Michael Vincent in "White Line Fever" with the COE "The Blu Mule"!!

[ccoop769]

I think he was referring to the brokers.

Everybody in general other then franchised dealers. From brokers, to importers/exporters, small dealers. Even alot of residence.

Really african americans are the minorities, then caucasions. We deal alot with russians when it comes to the import/exports, then you have alot of every other kind that just doesnt understand how america works properly. Take for instance Dorseys H2 incident.

All and All, most of the time it goes pretty smooth, communication is key in this business. If everybody gave good communication, there would be no problems, but really it seems like NOBODY likes doing there job, end result a trucker sitting and waiting around or loss wages due to time being spent on nothing or vehicles not ready. Brokers are the worst, they will not confirm anything. not all brokers, but alot. Then you have stupid dealers who think they can lift a 7000 pound h2 with a 4000 capicity propane lift. WTF.

You will run into so much crap its unbeleivable what you run into. especially if your running hard every week.

Its a tough business, and alot of people cant take it.

This business is very easy to make money, and its very easy to lose money.

Keep your truck running, well maintained, and keep good communication with everything, and you will have no worries other then how your gonna spend your money.

For a single person with no family and no bills, This job would be perfect!!!!! Once you add family into the equation, this job turns into a perty tough job as why I would prolly say most people quit.

We have turned down a few dispatching jobs just because of family on the drivers side. We work with companys on dispatching for them and we follow there rules, but we know when to say that wont work, you wont make money, we wont make money. And wont dispatch for them or quit dispatching for them. Its hard to see someone go broke because some people who are new think they are smarter then people who have been doing this for a few years. And they want things done this way or that way which makes no sense to us. We just sit and watch as there negitives build up on there CD profile and sooner or later there profile is inactive. Hate to say it but "told you so"...

But everybody has there way of doing things, wether it works or not, its there life. Only thing we could do is give advice from our expereinces. im not a veteran, but I think I do alright. We all live and learn, its just who keeps on ticking is the main sqeeze if you get my drift.

Anywho, can you tell its slow here today??? Florida rates leaving are in the hole again. Up north east banging as always. Man i wish I could just move up in the northeast, what a perfect place to live for a auto transporter!!!!! And have a vacation house in florida and live there when its snowbird season!!! hehe. Yep, life would be grand!!! Oh well, almost 3 kids and a helluva alot of family within 10 miles where I live. i feel like im a redneck living in a small city. All I need now is a rifle and another jeep and you wont see me talking on these forums anymore!!! lol, jk!!!

[twoduners11]

BJ and the bear pops in my head! :)

actually "were the truckin convoy, cross the usa" that was also my first record. a 45 none the less

[twoduners11]

Everybody in general other then franchised dealers. From brokers, to importers/exporters, small dealers. Even alot of residence.

Really african americans are the minorities, then caucasions. We deal alot with russians when it comes to the import/exports, then you have alot of every other kind that just doesnt understand how america works properly. Take for instance Dorseys H2 incident.

All and All, most of the time it goes pretty smooth, communication is key in this business. If everybody gave good communication, there would be no problems, but really it seems like NOBODY likes doing there job, end result a trucker sitting and waiting around or loss wages due to time being spent on nothing or vehicles not ready. Brokers are the worst, they will not confirm anything. not all brokers, but alot. Then you have stupid dealers who think they can lift a 7000 pound h2 with a 4000 capicity propane lift. WTF.

You will run into so much crap its unbeleivable what you run into. especially if your running hard every week.

Its a tough business, and alot of people cant take it.

This business is very easy to make money, and its very easy to lose money.

Keep your truck running, well maintained, and keep good communication with everything, and you will have no worries other then how your gonna spend your money.

For a single person with no family and no bills, This job would be perfect!!!!! Once you add family into the equation, this job turns into a perty tough job as why I would prolly say most people quit.

We have turned down a few dispatching jobs just because of family on the drivers side. We work with companys on dispatching for them and we follow there rules, but we know when to say that wont work, you wont make money, we wont make money. And wont dispatch for them or quit dispatching for them. Its hard to see someone go broke because some people who are new think they are smarter then people who have been doing this for a few years. And they want things done this way or that way which makes no sense to us. We just sit and watch as there negitives build up on there CD profile and sooner or later there profile is inactive. Hate to say it but "told you so"...

But everybody has there way of doing things, wether it works or not, its there life. Only thing we could do is give advice from our expereinces. im not a veteran, but I think I do alright. We all live and learn, its just who keeps on ticking is the main sqeeze if you get my drift.

Anywho, can you tell its slow here today??? Florida rates leaving are in the hole again. Up north east banging as always. Man i wish I could just move up in the northeast, what a perfect place to live for a auto transporter!!!!! And have a vacation house in florida and live there when its snowbird season!!! hehe. Yep, life would be grand!!! Oh well, almost 3 kids and a helluva alot of family within 10 miles where I live. i feel like im a redneck living in a small city. All I need now is a rifle and another jeep and you wont see me talking on these forums anymore!!! lol, jk!!!

funny, when someone says the word minority, i think that means mexican. i dont ever stop to think that there are others.
coop, i think we will have to talk about some things you have mentioned. im getting excited as i passed my physical (need glasses though) doc just asked "that thing doesnt bother you?" nope. ok then
so now it off to the cdl store. oh and i have to fix my billion dollar tranny, that i got 1500 miles out of. to be fair it was my fault. i was told to bring it back after a couple days to change the fluid and check everything out. i didnt remember that, until i was sternly reminded (too little too late)

[haulin rv]

One thing I did not see mentioned is with a second gen Dodge and the low rear axle rating getting anything more than 3 cars is going to be tough.

[twoduners11]

One thing I did not see mentioned is with a second gen Dodge and the low rear axle rating getting anything more than 3 cars is going to be tough.

that is one bad thing about the older pick-ups. the weight rating wasnt there from the manufacturers. that being said, we all know they can handle much more. hell even the axle manufacturer rates the dana 80 at 11k. when a single wheel 2500 has the same rating as a dual wheel 3500, somethings not right. anybody ever have their door sticker checked? after all its not required to even be there.
this truck is not my first choice ( i dont wanna beat my baby up) but its going to have to do for a few runs till i can save enough for a med duty. yeah i have the bigger brakes and air bags, but i think i would feel much more comfortable in a bigger truck

[twoduners11]

hey guys, just wanted to say thanks again for all the help. sucks waiting for money. have a couple checks coming in from jobs, that i need to get started. got my cdl learners permit and once the $ gets here i can buy a trailer and then take the driving test.
got 2 letters in the mail on saturday. one say's my cdl is suspended immediately and the other says it is revoked as of 9/20. what the hell, i dont even have it yet. of course the phone number they give is a recording saying they dont take phone calls. there is an physical street adress though, so i guess i will go down in the morning.
thankfully my wife agreed to take over the whole "getting started mess" i get so frustrated in trying to figure out what is actually needed and how/where to get it. it only took her a couple hours one day while she was at work, and she was able to explain it all to me! i am just flat out "no damn good" at dealing w/ civil servants (one of my many shortcummings)
really wanted to have this whole thing up and running a while before winter came. i didnt want to have to be brand new AND learn to drive in snow at the same time (as i said terrified of hurting somebody)
hopefully get my dually back this week and get some $ too:rolleyes:

[haulin rv]

Wait until you have to deal with some of the foreigners booking, delvering, and getting paid!

[bth9461]

Dont let people scare you off. People fail in this industry for many reasons.

1. Hiring Bad Drivers
2. People taking less then 50 cpm vehicles
3. People only driving a few hundred miles a day
4. People blow there money they make not thinking about the future and its outcome

If your going to be an independant owner operator, and you stay at it, you will be fine.

Your income will be based on how much you drive.

Heres a "LOW" figure for you......

10k miles each month Gross 15k (1.50 per mile)

15k Gross
3200 Fuel-800 insurance-400 food-800 truck payment-1000 maintaince
Total 6200 plus say 800 more for whateva = 7000

Considering you wont have a truck payment, can do cheaper in food, you can do even better. And again, this is a super low figure. Bust your butt hard and you can do this in 2 weeks and take the other 2 off and have the same figure or higher.

In the end, your still netting $8000 per month/2k per week.

Yes, there is good paying loads and cheap paying loads, go check out wtf load thread.

But its only you who could put cheap paying loads on your trailer. I stay away from those. For us its normal pay or good pay.

As for the wedge, i would stay away from any 3 car best you could. Not saying you cant make money but from 3-4 is a very nice difference.

Now keep in mind alot of people complain about this job. Or always being broke or whicheva. They make there own pay, they just aint driving enough to keep up with the overhead. Pretty stupid if you ask me. I never complain about money while working. When my truck is working, im really happy knowing that my truck is grossing 5-9k in a week.

The problem i have is im not a driver, and would rather let this business take a $hit then me be a driver. So hence, i hire drivers and do a few other things. A driver can really wipe you out. There are a few of us on here that have been screwed over so bad, its amazing how we could even recover from such a situation.

But hey, if you want a company to expand and grow, you cant do everything yourself. I have been self employed for 10 years now, and im 29. In my head ive never wanted a steady life being at a median, ive always wanted to grow and expand in any business and just pay myself a salary of 200k not even working that business while i would be starting another business. I got great ideas and motivation and know how, just was pretty stupid when i was early 20's and let my credit get ahold of me.

Oh well, im still young, and plenty enough time to do all that. Working on credit now and actually early next week im getting a butt load of secured credit cards for personal and business to make my score jump again.

Anywho, sorry for the book, just expressing my opionons on things.

This is a rough business, a true headache so to say. You work/run into so many people, and whites are minorities in this business, you will learn real fast that the world has a bunch of a$$holes, scam artists, and will leave you high and dry in a split second.

Just look after yourself, your company, and you will be alright!!!

This is way to rosy of a picture concerning POTENTIAL GROSS. With a 3 car wedge and a old little 3500 he will struggle to make 11-13k gross on 10k miles. Maybe with a good direct customer base a guy could make 5-6k per week with a 3/4 car. But 9k? How many times have you done that. If you did well that is great, but as a new guy to the business what are his chances to make that kind of money off of Central. ZERO.

Puting together 3 singles with a good rate will eat into his ALL MILE RATE (DH miles included). And many (not all) 3 car loads want a deal (1.00 to 1.50 PM billed miles) on the Rate.

To keep his ALL MILE RATE up, he will need to take the best availble loads and blow with the Rate Winds for 3-5 weeks at a time. Before he considers going home. To cover DH miles (including extra miles out of route for each stop) he will need plenty of .60 to .80 PM cars. He will also need to keep in mind the size of the cars/trucks he can carry and be legal. This will put limits on his small truck/wedge rig's Gross Potential.

All while living out of a tiny little truck without a legal sleeper being hassled by DOT every mile he drives.

Averaging 1.50 PM with his setup and doing it legal will be much easier said than done.

Can it be done yes, but many (not all) fail.

Lee, I would run your Cost numbers against 10k miles at 1.30 PM and see what it looks like. And keep in mind fuel could jump or rates could drop or both. And have a .10 PM safety factor in there (for profit expectation). Then make up your mind on what to expect. Trucking always looks best from the outside.

Over time as you add non broker loads the numbers get better, also bigger equipment can increase your net rate.

For a open trailer 4+ car, with a legal sleep, and and a medium duty or better drive Axles capacity is a much better place to be in, than where you are starting with.

Good luck.

Brian

[twoduners11]

brian, thanks for your input. my low numbers were 1.05 per mile and it still worked. obviously i have NO experience with any of this so i have to look through the rose colored glasses a little bit to keep myself excited. im not expecting much of anything, but hoping for alot.

[bth9461]

brian, thanks for your input. my low numbers were 1.05 per mile and it still worked. obviously i have NO experience with any of this so i have to look through the rose colored glasses a little bit to keep myself excited. im not expecting much of anything, but hoping for alot.

Well 15k per month on 10k miles with your rig is just a bit to rosy for me. If the numbers work for you at 1.05, then I think you can make it if your truck holds up. I think you can hit 1.20-1.30 PM, I would question you making 120k miles with an old truck (that has not been worked yet). Good luck in your startup.

Brian

[twoduners11]

Well 15k per month on 10k miles with your rig is just a bit to rosy for me. If the numbers work for you at 1.05, then I think you can make it if your truck holds up. I think you can hit 1.20-1.30 PM, I would question you making 120k miles with an old truck (that has not been worked yet). Good luck in your startup.

Brian

so in your opinion. the truck wont make it because it is too old? i seem to see alot of em with well over 200k on them (mine has 120k on it now) and i plan to only need to get another 50k or so out of it.
again thanks for the input

[h2oskibumz]

What you plan and reality may not be the same. You think you'll get out of that one in 50 or 60k, but you may find yourself chasing that longer than you think.

I think the point is that in a utopian world things work out like planned.
In trucking, things never go just as planned. It pays to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

Best of luck to you. You'll need it. A little luck, a lot of skill, and miles and miles of business savvy. The right mix and you'll have a winner, but it isn't easy... If it were everyone would do it, and Coop seems to have forgotten the struggles he went through learning and becoming successful. NOW it seems easy to him, looking back through his rose colored glasses.

I'll tell you, we are doing fine now, but we nearly starved the first year...

[bth9461]

What you plan and reality may not be the same. You think you'll get out of that one in 50 or 60k, but you may find yourself chasing that longer than you think.

I think the point is that in a utopian world things work out like planned.
In trucking, things never go just as planned. It pays to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.

Best of luck to you. You'll need it. A little luck, a lot of skill, and miles and miles of business savvy. The right mix and you'll have a winner, but it isn't easy... If it were everyone would do it, and Coop seems to have forgotten the struggles he went through learning and becoming successful. NOW it seems easy to him, looking back through his rose colored glasses.

I'll tell you, we are doing fine now, but we nearly starved the first year...
Could not agree more.

As for the truck, it has not been worked, it could break down some. Until you get it right. Some luck is nice though.

[twoduners11]

hey guys, well my insurance agent hooked me up with another agent that writes this stuff. tell me what you think. i copied this word for word from the email he sent to my wife.

the annual premium for the truck and trailer is $5328/year with a down payment of $888.18 to get it started through progressive.
coverages: 1m combined single limit (csl) liability, 300k csl for um & umi each, 5k medical, $500 deductibles, 100k in "on-hook w/ cargo" (this is the cargo coverage). and the trailer is covered with stated value of $4500 with $500 deductibles.

this is alot less than what i was expecting. my truck insurance now is like 70 or 80 a month and this is only $444/month. am i missing something or is this just the value of a good agent? i wanna believe this is good. we have had the same agent for about 15 years and he writes everything for us (home/ auto/ rv and all the business stuff) so im hoping when he said he would "hook us up w/ his buddy" thats just what he did

[cosgo]

There is an oxymoron in there somewhere. "on hook" coverage is for tow truck use only. they use that when you are towing a car, not hauling it on a trailer. im not sure how they can cover your trailer when you are purchasing on hook coverage (i have both as i run tow trucks and car haulers). on hook coverage assumes you are "hooking" the car and hauling it, not transporting it on a trailer. also, be careful as progressive only has a limited mileage that you can run (300 or 500??? i cant remember right now) and lastly, they max out at 100k cargo. most brokers will want to see 150k as a minimum if you are a 3 car hauler.

[Tony]

Progressive is notorious for attempting to bind coverage as a tow truck! They see a medium duty truck and the agent immediately jumps into the tow truck arena.

Call their national business line and have them re-quote with FMCSA reporting. That typically trips it up, but the quote will be nearly the same.

FYI... be cautions with Progressive these days, they are quietly putting 'stated values' on coverages. So any 'incident' could get ugly. Just a heads up.

Also, progressive has only retained the 100k cargo maximum. But they have lifted the 500 mile radius for most of the states they write in(depending on experience). McNutt requires 150k cargo for anything above 2-car haulers. But you CAN write a supplemental $50k through another company if needed, just not with progressive.

[h2oskibumz]

Essex does a supplemental. Its nearly as cheap to buy 150k cargo from Essex as it is to buy a 50k supplemental from them though.

I looked at it (our insurance only writes 100k cargo). In the end, only McNutt has ever demanded more than 100k and it simply wasn't worth the supplemental cost, or even the hassle of getting the commercial liability/comp/collision from one company and cargo from Essex... so we just don't haul anything for McNutt.

BTW: When I started in '07 Progressive did not write cargo in MO, so I had Progressive for a year and Essex for 150k in cargo. Left Progressive after the first year (lots more insurers WANTED to write us since we were no longer a start up...)

[twoduners11]

There is an oxymoron in there somewhere. "on hook" coverage is for tow truck use only. they use that when you are towing a car, not hauling it on a trailer. im not sure how they can cover your trailer when you are purchasing on hook coverage (i have both as i run tow trucks and car haulers). on hook coverage assumes you are "hooking" the car and hauling it, not transporting it on a trailer. also, be careful as progressive only has a limited mileage that you can run (300 or 500??? i cant remember right now) and lastly, they max out at 100k cargo. most brokers will want to see 150k as a minimum if you are a 3 car hauler.


Progressive is notorious for attempting to bind coverage as a tow truck! They see a medium duty truck and the agent immediately jumps into the tow truck arena.

Call their national business line and have them re-quote with FMCSA reporting. That typically trips it up, but the quote will be nearly the same.

FYI... be cautions with Progressive these days, they are quietly putting 'stated values' on coverages. So any 'incident' could get ugly. Just a heads up.

Also, progressive has only retained the 100k cargo maximum. But they have lifted the 500 mile radius for most of the states they write in(depending on experience). McNutt requires 150k cargo for anything above 2-car haulers. But you CAN write a supplemental $50k through another company if needed, just not with progressive.

thanks guys. i forwarded both of your replies to him. lets see what happens. god i love this site

[twoduners11]

well plans look like they are a changin. i guess its go big or go home, right? well heres the deal, i have a buddy with a 95 freightliner fldh112 (big ass truck) condo sleeper, 10 speed, 12.7 detroit. anyway, he has this and a 6/7 car stewart trailer. he says i can have them and pay him whatever, whenever ( im thinkin 12k ). neither of them has been used in 6 YEARS:eek:. the trailer hasnt even moved in 6 years and the truck used to get started up and driven around every month or so, until about a year ago. so obviously the equipment's gonna need some work ( he actually has new tires for the truck).
so how hard do ya think it will be to get cars @35 cpm? or am i just being stupid?

this is not the truck, but looks identical

[pballer]

I dont trust progressive insurance. Make sure you know what the radius is. As far as on hook, my cargo covers whatever is on my truck for tow away, etc. up to 100k, since that is all i really need. I mainly don't do cars so.....But hey if you live in AZ, get a 3 car wedge with trailer package, I can get you hooked up hauling cargo trailers outbound of Phoenix area. Just depends if you do it on your own authority or under somone else's(like mine :) ). Feel free to PM me if you are in that area looking for work.

[twoduners11]

I dont trust progressive insurance. Make sure you know what the radius is. As far as on hook, my cargo covers whatever is on my truck for tow away, etc. up to 100k, since that is all i really need. I mainly don't do cars so.....But hey if you live in AZ, get a 3 car wedge with trailer package, I can get you hooked up hauling cargo trailers outbound of Phoenix area. Just depends if you do it on your own authority or under somone else's(like mine :) ). Feel free to PM me if you are in that area looking for work.

yeah that guy stoped returning my calls. i have only tried 3 other agents so far and none of them will return my calls. i would understand if i smelled funny or something, but...
thank you for the very generous offer. i finally got a big chunk of my start-up money today (seems like i have been waiting forever) so now its time to get serious. anyone know of an agent that can write a policy in az?

[twoduners11]

well i finally got an insurance agent to call me back. i have a question for you guys, how the heck did ya ever get started? apparently i am un-insurable (at least now i know why nobody would give me a quote). i was told by national indemnity that they wont write a policy w/ a new authority and a new cdl driver. anybody think of a way around this?

[h2oskibumz]

Progressive will write you. Call them direct, don't jack with any agents, most of them don't know their a-hole from a snake hole...

I had IntRAstate Authority only and NO CDL when I started. Progressive for automobile/general liability/comp/collision and Essex for cargo (because Progressive wasn't doing cargo in Missouri at that time). Stayed with them a year, during which time I obtained IntERstate Authority.

Before you sign up, make sure they DO NOT write "on hook" and make sure they are not giving you some stupid miles from home restriction (500 USED to be common with them, but I don't think they are doing that anymore....

Good luck!

[haulin rv]

Geico will too. Again call direct.

[twoduners11]

thanks guys. i dont know why, i guess i just assumed you HAD to go through an agent. if you had already told me to go direct, i will claim a.d.d.

[pmmjarrett]

well plans look like they are a changin. i guess its go big or go home, right? well heres the deal, i have a buddy with a 95 freightliner fldh112 (big ass truck) condo sleeper, 10 speed, 12.7 detroit. anyway, he has this and a 6/7 car stewart trailer. he says i can have them and pay him whatever, whenever ( im thinkin 12k ). neither of them has been used in 6 YEARS:eek:. the trailer hasnt even moved in 6 years and the truck used to get started up and driven around every month or so, until about a year ago. so obviously the equipment's gonna need some work ( he actually has new tires for the truck).
so how hard do ya think it will be to get cars @35 cpm? or am i just being stupid?

this is not the truck, but looks identical
Kudos to you, looks like you are making good progress in your quest for your own company. And most importantly doing it LEGAL.

1- Start with a set of batteries .... Alliant or Interstate. and grab a can of wasp spray and a pair of gloves on the way home too.

2 - oil & filter change on engine, change fluids in tranny and rear(s) and grease everything. May want to do engine oil changes at short say 5000 mile intervals the first couple times if the oil that you dump has sludge or water in it.

3 - Change air filter, don't be suprised to find a mouse house or birds nest. Make sure you check the intake to make sure it's clear.

4- change tires - all of them, especially the steers. I bought an old truck that had been sitting for years once and started having blowouts soon after I put it in service even though the goodyear tires didn't look bad.

5- Be prepared to deal with oil leaks as they happen, not uncomon for seals to shrink and get hard. 1st ones to go will likely be wheel seals, they can ruin your brakes so keep an eye out for grease streaks on the inside of the tires.

6- check for a mouse house in your heater enclosure

7- check wiring harness for mouse damage, they like to eat the insulation.

You can have all the 35 cent cars you want, leave the better paying stuff for the rest of us that help you out.:D

[h2oskibumz]

You can have all the 35 cent cars you want, leave the better paying stuff for the rest of us that help you out.:D

Classic!

[twoduners11]

Classic!

definately put a smile on my face. thankfully i will have coop to help with that part

[twoduners11]

back to the drawing board. geico is no longer writing ANY new car carrier policys. progressive will not write any policys outside a 500 mile radius, liability or cargo.

[haulin rv]

I just don't get the 500 mile radius. I would think most damage is caused loading and unloading, so staying within 500 miles you'd be doing that more often and have more risk??

[bth9461]

back to the drawing board. geico is no longer writing ANY new car carrier policys. progressive will not write any policys outside a 500 mile radius, liability or cargo.

Progressive will cover you outside the 500 mile radius. They play some games by switching to a policy based in the state you where in when you had the problem. That is how my Agent explained it to me if I remember right, it was about 3 years ago. Any way they paid a good size (10k) property claim that was about 1000 miles from my home.

My Cargo is with The Hartford, Progressive did not have cargo when I switched. I have 200k, so it sounds like they don't go that high.

[ccoop769]

I would make sure to have 150k mininum cargo so you can do work with the good brokers...

[twoduners11]

finally was able to get ahold of a real honest to goodness truck insurance agent this afternoon. wow what a diffrence. i didnt have to explain every little detail to him. he is gonna shop it around tomorrow and see what comes up. he is more than confident that he can get me insured, we just have to find the right "fit". he was telling me that the whole "progressive 500 mile thing" is b.s. they have been doing that forever, but bottom line is if your insured then your insured. they will pay the claim, and they wont offer to renew ( who cares cause i wont be new anymore)

[twoduners11]

I would make sure to have 150k mininum cargo so you can do work with the good brokers...

remember its a 6 car. so im lookin for 300k, we will see though

[Dorsey]

remember its a 6 car. so im lookin for 300k, we will see though

eeeh.......just tell them you got a wedge.:D J/K

[bth9461]

eeeh.......just tell them you got a wedge.:D J/K

Hey what happens when it gets wrecked and you have 200k worth of cars on, with 100k insuarnce?

[haulin rv]

Your bankrupt and if you got them from a broker his insurance is on the hook.

[Dorsey]

I think $250k would be suffeceint. Brokers like ATC requires you to have $50,000 per car though. I wonder what the difference in price would be for a 250k policy compared to a 300k policy. Would it be enough to justify not getting the extra $50,000 in insurance.

[twoduners11]

ok guys i met with a lady today that helps people get set up in the industry. here is the pricing that she gave me-
mc=$650
boc-3=$100
dot=$30
ein=$25
ucr=$137
NM=$46 permit
KYU=$45 permit
NY=$60 permit
2290=$550 heavy vehicle tax
ifta=$40 for quarterly filing
ifta bond=$3250 or if your credit is good $325 fee
apportioned plates=$2500 this was an estimate within $100

setting up the llc should be about $500 and i havent heard back from insurance guy yet:(

[h2oskibumz]

You can do every bit of that yourself. Tony has a recipie right on this website or you can buy Gary's $45 guide....

If I were you I would skip KYU numbers and NY for now. Where you live the chances of you running in those stares right away are about nil.

MC costs $300 you can file online.
BOC3 OOIDA will handle as part of your $45 membership fee.
dot- she must mean Intrastate w/ AZ which I know zIP about...
ein- again file online, this one is free
UCR- again, filed online. 1 Power unit may be that high now...
NM. This permit was $5 and you have to file quarterly (IFTA like) returns.
KYU- we don't have as we are 36k and you don't need this until 54 or 55k'
NY - NY SUCKS ASS. It also runs from Canada to the Atlantic. Seems like a good dividing point and we don't go there or beyond.
2290-I think that can be filed online as well (aagain we are 36k so n/a for us)
IFTA- file your own quarterlies. Use Driver's Daily log to track fuel purchased and border crossings. Takes 30 seconds to run the report, and in MO you can file it online.
IFTA Bond-Never heard of any such BS. Must be a Left Coast thing. In MO they GIVE you the stickers and as long as you file you quarterlies they LOVE you...
IRP- Anyone's guess since you'll be running AZ NM and CA with their high rates... To give you an idea, we ran 180k last year between 2 trucks. Our IRP out of MO for BOTH trucks TOGETHER (albiet only at 36k) was $1296....

[ccoop769]

Dot is free, $30 is for the agents time of setting you up. Wow, they are making money off you everywhere. Im in the wrong business..................... lol. If I could setup business's all day long at those rates, that would be an easy life there.

[Tosch88]

Hey what happens when it gets wrecked and you have 200k worth of cars on, with 100k insuarnce?

Depends if you are a contracted carrier with a dedicated customer or just a common carrier. We have a contract with our dedicated for them to carry there own cargo insurance. There's more to it but you get the point. Did the same with pools. I'm not carrying a million in cargo that's for sure. You do have to be registered as both types of carriers with the dot but not that big of a deal.

[twoduners11]

mc=$650 $300 if we do it ourselves
boc-3=$100 $50 or free w/ ooida
dot=$30 $free
ein=$25 $free (we have actually done this before)
ucr=$137
NM=$46 permit
KYU=$45 permit
NY=$60 permit
2290=$550 heavy vehicle tax
ifta=$40 for quarterly filing $sounds easy enough to do
ifta bond=$3250 or if your credit is good $325 fee i cant find any mention of this on the az dot website. im starting to think it is a bond for the 3rd party filing the ifta so it wont even apply
apportioned plates=$2500 this was an estimate within $100 if they are charging so much to do the other paperwork, hopefully they are charging alot to do the plates too?

gonna get the title and go to dot myself and see how much the plates are gonna be. dont really know what to tell them for weight, i guess 60k (looks just like tosch's set up w/ the 6 car)
also checked around on the l.l.c. and it looks like it only cost about $100 to do it yourself

again guys, if i havent said it enough thank you for all the help

[bth9461]

Depends if you are a contracted carrier with a dedicated customer or just a common carrier. We have a contract with our dedicated for them to carry there own cargo insurance. There's more to it but you get the point. Did the same with pools. I'm not carrying a million in cargo that's for sure. You do have to be registered as both types of carriers with the dot but not that big of a deal.

Did not know this was possible, that sure would help with some high dollar freight. If your hauling for the same company or a select few.

[ccoop769]

I might be wrong on this but I think about 1 year ago, they passed a law or changed something to where as you only file for 1 and not both?????? (common/contract) I remember something about alot of consfusion going on and double filings and stuff. Again, it might of been a dream or something else.

Also ucr is $81 I think. (truck+Trailer)

I actually got our BOC3 for $35. Your phone will start ringing like crazy for your boc3 20 seconds after you hit the final enter button on your mc.

Ifta Bond???? Never even heard of that......................

[twoduners11]

drama, drama, drama. well the insurance guy i found turned out to be a flake too. this new world of ours is just plain silly. never thought the day would come when business was so great that you had to beg people to take your money.
so im back to trying to shop around for insurance. apparantly progressive is the ONLY company that will write a policy for a new cdl. with their 500 mile restriction, i just dont know what to do. all the agents i talk to are very clear that they would just be wasting their time cause its going to be a 10k a year policy and i cant afford it. god damn this is frustrating. here i am thinking its going to be a 15k a year policy, so 10k is a bargain.
bottom line is i still havent recieved one single quote yet and now i just may be un-insurable? whaaaaaaaa

[twoduners11]

yay me, i finally got my first insurance quote today. this lady only took a week and a half (quickest one yet) and the grand total is... $22,000 a year. still shopping

[LBZ]

For that rate it would be worth going to work for someone in some capacity to gain experience.

If I lived in PHX, I would be working for a company out there. Still alot of construction related hauling that in the end pays better than hauling cars.

[Brisco]

yay me, i finally got my first insurance quote today. this lady only took a week and a half (quickest one yet) and the grand total is... $22,000 a year. still shopping

?????

Does that include her driving the truck for you too???:)

[jsstrans]

yay me, i finally got my first insurance quote today. this lady only took a week and a half (quickest one yet) and the grand total is... $22,000 a year. still shopping

yea i got a quote like that last year from geico i think, i just hung up the phone on that, your going to have to settle for some cheaper insurance

[twoduners11]

well i have now got a few quotes. i found an insurance broker who has been shopping it all around and even he is shocked. all the quotes are between 20-25k

[smr500]

That is insane. I had 55k in stated value, 1mil liability, 150k cargo (Inland Marine) and an extra 1 mil umbrella general liability with brand new CDL and no experience. My yearly premium was right at 8k. This was an independent agent written through Employers Mutual Casualty with no operating restrictions. Maybe has a lot to do with your location? Go to their website and use their agent locator. It looks like there are a few agents in your area that write for them.

[haulin rv]

At 20-25k you may as well see attorney the same day you start the premium and start the process of filing bankrupt!

[twoduners11]

That is insane. I had 55k in stated value, 1mil liability, 150k cargo (Inland Marine) and an extra 1 mil umbrella general liability with brand new CDL and no experience. My yearly premium was right at 8k. This was an independent agent written through Employers Mutual Casualty with no operating restrictions. Maybe has a lot to do with your location? Go to their website and use their agent locator. It looks like there are a few agents in your area that write for them.

well Employers Mutual Casualty no longer has an "appetite" for these policys. at least i have been figuring out whats going on. seems with the poor economy alot of claims have been filed, thus insurance companies have actually been hurting and only going for the "sure thing" just like the banks have been doing. couple that with the recent hail storm here and a bunch of companies that write here, locally are out of business. heck even the essex company that you guys talk about for cargo coverage is no longer writing policy's
it looks like some good may come from this. my local guy, after talking with the people at Employers Mutual Casualty and essex has recieved a couple of different companies to contact that supposedly offer this type of insurance.
im all for the progressive insurance at 8k a year but its the 500 mile thing and the 100k cargo. we will see and thanks to all of you for the support

[ccoop769]

File the business under another state. or lease onto a company.

Even going with progressive, rumor is they still pay the claim if you have 1 they will just drop you after policy.

Thats crazy to even think they are getting policys at that much of a premium. i can see tough times and they gotta do this to make up extra money, but who in there right mind would pay that much of a premium. its hard enough to make money in this biz.

NE sounds like a nice state with low premiums, im almost going on my fourth year and im still at 9k a year with 1 mil lia 150k cargo 20k truck and 8k trailer. All with 1k deductable.

For SMR to have a 8k policy on the first year is just insane. If smr were to go on for the 3 year and price drops would be the same, then he would be at 5k per year for premiums.

I hear TX is pretty cheap too.

Guessing that might be your next best step just to file your home base in another state. Or just lease..........

[twoduners11]

well i have a truck

[twoduners11]

im having a hell of a time w/ insurance. can someone explain "leased on to" and is anyone interrested?

[Tosch88]

I might know of someone that can help you out. I sent my number in a pm.

[Motownfire]

Good looking truck from the front at least. Got any specs on it ???

[twoduners11]

the truck's a 95 12.7 detroit and a 10speed. i think its pretty much standard issue.

[twoduners11]

got the trailer home, time to start on that.i really want to be rolling april 2nd (cant very well start anyting on april 1st, just wouldnt be right)

[Toms994x4]

I have been lurking this forum and other forums for awhile trying to gather information to hopefully get into the business. I won't jack your thread but I couldn't resist commenting on your insurance quote. $22,000, holy hell! I have been calling around for quotes and GEICO wouldn't give me one because apparently they don't cover NC, the commercial side anyway.
Here's the quote I got from Progressive on 03/05/2011:
'06 Ram 3500 DRW valued at $35,000/'10 Trailer valuted at $6500
BI-PD are $1,000 deductibles
UM-UIM 100k/300k
UMPD 50k
Med-Pay 5k
Comprehensive/Collision are $1,000 deductibles
All that, plus unlimited mileage (I wasn't limited to 500 mile radius) came out to $8,674. I also asked about 100k cargo insurance and the total premium went up to $10,816. Oh, did I mention i'm only 20?

Also, if you guys who have been doing this awhile could tell me how close my rates are to being what they should be that would be great. I'm trying to put a business plan together. If i'm too low on what part of my insurance plan or too high on another let me know. Thanks.

[Brisco]

Oh, did I mention i'm only 20?

My big question is was this mentioned to the insurance companies you were getting quotes from??

What type of trailer?

Do you even have a CDL yet??

A 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 does not have a $35,000 value.

Calling around and getting "Quotes" is one thing. When you're sitting there at the Agents office filling out all the applications for the Insurance is going to be a whole other ball game. It'll be then they'll know exactly who it is they are insuring. A 20 year old, probably without a CDL, and definately no experience to verify, will probably end up paying twice what you're being quoted now, if not more, and IF they'll even insure you.

Keep reading.........you'll learn a lot here, OK!!

[ccoop769]

To get quotes, at least from my experience, you have to go thru the whole deal. So im sure those quotes are accurate if given the correct yr/model of truck and trailer.

Our first year at 26 years old permitted CDL A I was 12k a year which included 150k cargo. Over the years ive got to 9k. Each state has different prices keep in mind and progressive is always cheaper. I just dont trust there fine print.......

[Toms994x4]

My big question is was this mentioned to the insurance companies you were getting quotes from??

What type of trailer?

Do you even have a CDL yet??

A 2006 Dodge Ram 3500 does not have a $35,000 value.

Calling around and getting "Quotes" is one thing. When you're sitting there at the Agents office filling out all the applications for the Insurance is going to be a whole other ball game. It'll be then they'll know exactly who it is they are insuring. A 20 year old, probably without a CDL, and definately no experience to verify, will probably end up paying twice what you're being quoted now, if not more, and IF they'll even insure you.

Keep reading.........you'll learn a lot here, OK!!

I did indeed tell them I was 20 years old. I even gave them my driver's license number as proof and there was no rise/drop in my total premium. 3/4 car trailer. I understand a 3500 wouldn't be valued that high, but I went that high to put me on the high side of a premium. I got my Class A at 19, I just can't find anyone to give me a local driving job. Hell, i'd take something that paid minimum wage without benefits just to get some driving experience. I hate not being behind the wheel! I also forgot to mention that I asked for 1 mil liability.

[Brisco]

How soon til your 21st B-Day??

More doors will open up for you then. Some doors that are not being opened today that is.

And, the initiative you're already showing will go a long way here on this board, OK!!

Ask Questions when needed..........You're at one of the best places online to learn about hauling autos as an IOO.

[NDanecker]

the truck's a 95 12.7 detroit and a 10speed. i think its pretty much standard issue.

Good luck with the truck and trailer. Hope they give you years of safe service!

Seeing those pictures I've got a question. How do your neighbors not complain about parking that trailer and truck there? My neighbors were out with pitchforks and torches when i had my 30' deck over here for a few weeks while doing work in the back yard. Now I keep everything at my brothers house who has 5+ acres and lives in the woods. Some people are just first class a...holes!

[Toms994x4]

November 16th. I call all the local companies asking for jobs or going in and filling out applications even if they aren't hiring and asking for a phone call if a job opens up. I have yet to get anything. By the time I turn 21 I hope to have a business ready to go.

[Brisco]

November 16th. I call all the local companies asking for jobs or going in and filling out applications even if they aren't hiring and asking for a phone call if a job opens up. I have yet to get anything. By the time I turn 21 I hope to have a business ready to go.

If these jobs you're seeking are "Trucking" related, you probably are not going to be getting phone calls anytime soon. Industry standard, mainly due to Insurance Restrictions, is 21 minimum at the very least. A lot of the big named/well established companies, 25 is their minimum age limit.

"Other" jobs not calling back, no thought/opinion comes to mind.

[Toms994x4]

They're local trucking jobs for local construction companies and whatnot. I have a job at the moment, but it doesn't pay the greatest and it won't give me "commercial" driving experience.

[Dorsey]

I'll get the little advertisement books at the truckstops (bored)and from what I see 95% of them want you to be 23 and the other 25.

Are you in the military Tom? Them insurance qoutes were awfully low considering your age and only having your cdl for a year. I've had progressive before and I'm pretty sure they don't have a unlimited radius. The agent may lie to you(like mine would) and say they'll pay anyways no matter how far you go but I'm not going to trust that.

[Dorsey]

Some trucking companys are willing to train from what the flyers say.

[twoduners11]

I have been lurking this forum and other forums for awhile trying to gather information to hopefully get into the business. I won't jack your thread but I couldn't resist commenting on your insurance quote. $22,000, holy hell! I have been calling around for quotes and GEICO wouldn't give me one because apparently they don't cover NC, the commercial side anyway.
Here's the quote I got from Progressive on 03/05/2011:
'06 Ram 3500 DRW valued at $35,000/'10 Trailer valuted at $6500
BI-PD are $1,000 deductibles
UM-UIM 100k/300k
UMPD 50k
Med-Pay 5k
Comprehensive/Collision are $1,000 deductibles
All that, plus unlimited mileage (I wasn't limited to 500 mile radius) came out to $8,674. I also asked about 100k cargo insurance and the total premium went up to $10,816. Oh, did I mention i'm only 20?

Also, if you guys who have been doing this awhile could tell me how close my rates are to being what they should be that would be great. I'm trying to put a business plan together. If i'm too low on what part of my insurance plan or too high on another let me know. Thanks.

sounds about right except the unlimited mileage part. your only 20 but you have had your class a for a year now so im sure that helps. have you thought about leasing w/ someone? it looks to be a good deal for both parties

[twoduners11]

Good luck with the truck and trailer. Hope they give you years of safe service!

Seeing those pictures I've got a question. How do your neighbors not complain about parking that trailer and truck there? My neighbors were out with pitchforks and torches when i had my 30' deck over here for a few weeks while doing work in the back yard. Now I keep everything at my brothers house who has 5+ acres and lives in the woods. Some people are just first class a...holes!

yeah ive lived here for 18 years and im pretty much still the "new kid on the block". i had alot of trouble with them when i was younger, but as i get older i beat them at their own game. i try to have the nicest looking house in the neighborhood. i look after the old lady next door (mow the grass, kill weeds, take out trash etc...) i find that by being "that guy" affords you alot of consideration from your neighbors.
that trailer that you see in the background is a 42' toyhauler that i built in the same spot. i really thought i was pushing my luck w/ that one. as it turns out they were all amazed that something like that could be built in the back yard. in short KILL EM WITH KINDNESS

[twoduners11]

Some trucking companys are willing to train from what the flyers say.

the top of this page says that werner and swift will pay ya to train ya

[Toms994x4]

I'll get the little advertisement books at the truckstops (bored)and from what I see 95% of them want you to be 23 and the other 25.

Are you in the military Tom? Them insurance qoutes were awfully low considering your age and only having your cdl for a year. I've had progressive before and I'm pretty sure they don't have a unlimited radius. The agent may lie to you(like mine would) and say they'll pay anyways no matter how far you go but I'm not going to trust that.
I'm not in the military. My father was in the military for 27 years and I decided I didn't want to go that route. I was doing the quote online and received an email saying I would have to call their 1-800 number to continue with the quote. I called and got an agent and I told him I was trying to get quotes from different companies for insurance. He had to go through it step-by-step as if he was setting up insurance for me. The choices for mileage were like 0-100, 100-200, 200-300, 400-500, and 500+. I told him 500+ and he moved on to the next question. It's even on their website when you try filling out a quote online.

sounds about right except the unlimited mileage part. your only 20 but you have had your class a for a year now so im sure that helps. have you thought about leasing w/ someone? it looks to be a good deal for both parties
I actually didn't give him my license number until after he gave me the prices. I told him I had a Class A and I asked him if it would make a difference in price. After he plugged it in he said there wasn't a difference in price. I thought you ought to try and get a quote again and see what they say.

[Tx.Buckeye Bandit]

Hey,

[azstrucking]

I am 23 years old with cdl
first year doing this and
I have 1 milllion liability and 100k cargo

i pay 561 a month and i think it was 1000 down

its about 7500

call Kevin at 9046476559

and he is avaible 24/7 if you need insurance certificates sent to the brokers or whoever you are hauling for

[Dorsey]

My first year I had progressive also with Kevin. We had a 500 mile radius. Kevin will sale the idea of progressive to you. He'll tell you progressive will pay if you go out of that radius but I'd rather be safe than sorry. The companies he uses I don't like. Kevin also seemed to work harder the first year we had him. As time went on it seemed harder to get insurance certificates.

[ccoop769]

My first year I had progressive also with Kevin. We had a 500 mile radius. Kevin will sale the idea of progressive to you. He'll tell you progressive will pay if you go out of that radius but I'd rather be safe than sorry. The companies he uses I don't like. Kevin also seemed to work harder the first year we had him. As time went on it seemed harder to get insurance certificates.

yep, should try oviainsurance. Best agent ever had. Its ran by husband and wife, always pick the phone up, or you can go to there website for cert holders, gets done within 5 minutes, unlike kevin who sometimes could take an hour or so. not saying kevin is bad, just got annoyed with him sometimes as he might be to busy??? Or just not around the computer always. With ovia, you always will get 1 of them. They will price match and beat any competitor. Beleive he does TX too and a couple other states..

[redline]

lol I bought my dodge 4dr long bed drw 160k miles clean title for 11k. It doesnt matter what you tell them its worth they run a report on its value and recent sale prices of similar vehicle in your area if you have a claim for its value

[cosgo]

a little off subject but..... my first years insurance = $12400. this year = $6925!!!!! woo hoo!!!

[twoduners11]

well i finally think i have a handle on things and should be on the road shortly. yay. reading back through this whole "drama fest" at one point it became all about the fight. i tell ya what though i was very, very, very fortunate to have found you guys. i mean it, i would never have thought a group like this exhisted. willing to offer really good advice to somebody that may turn out to be your competition. i mean really... wow. all i can hope for is the opportunity to return the favor someday.
there has been one person in particular that has been "holding my hand" through the last bit of this. im pretty sure he already knows how i feel and some of you know who it is.
anyway, starting to sound a little "bromance-ish". i will get some pictures up of the trailer tomorrow

[smr500]

Cool! Looks like we will be rolling around the same time.

[twoduners11]

took some pics today
the old coupler and the finished new one

[twoduners11]

built some ramps and mounted some jack stands incase i think the ramps might bend. they will have to do until i can afford some aluminum ones

[twoduners11]

built a storage compartment and mounted a tool box

[haulin rv]

Nice work, looks good!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[twoduners11]

somewhere in kansas:)