best trailer are rates good

Jan 11, 2016 at 01:34 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Was wondering rate wise is pulling hopper good if so what is the best trailer lease /buy etc thanks

Replied on Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 03:05 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Brian, I'm a broker in the hopper business based out of SW, Mn. I dont like to talk peopkle out of anything, however, right now I don;t know if I would suggest buying a hopper. If you want to stay in the bulk hauling arena there may be better rates etc... pulling a live bottom or something but right now the rates for hopper work are as low as we've seen them in many years.

Replied on Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 03:05 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Brian, I'm a broker in the hopper business based out of SW, Mn. I dont like to talk peopkle out of anything, however, right now I don;t know if I would suggest buying a hopper. If you want to stay in the bulk hauling arena there may be better rates etc... pulling a live bottom or something but right now the rates for hopper work are as low as we've seen them in many years.

Replied on Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 07:15 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Even though rates are as low as you have seen them in years, fuel is also at decade lows. I know that the prices of everything else has remained high but how are the rates vs fuel price today compared to the rates vs fuel price when fuel was at $4+? What kind of average rates are you seeing right now?

Replied on Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 08:33 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. A lot of rates under $1.25 per mile. Actually some posted on this site under $1. Hoppers are not good right now

Replied on Mon, Jan 11, 2016 at 09:17 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Thank's for reply i guess it's slow all over

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 08:09 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Even though rates are as low as you have seen them in years, fuel is also at decade lows. I know that the prices of everything else has remained high but how are the rates vs fuel price today compared to the rates vs fuel price when fuel was at $4+? What kind of average rates are you seeing right now? " You are right fuel is at almost record low prices, however the shippers using that reason to lower the rates is very harmful, first off all the other expenses to running a truck have gone up. It seems as though the rate drop has gone beyond the reduction in fuel prices. I'm on the phone all day looking for loads to fill in between my regular customer loads and what I'm finding is very disturbing, there are rates in the $.95/mi range and they all use the same line, "Well fuel is cheaper now", I generally just politely end the conversation. The fact that shippers are taking advantage of this situation is going to be detrimental to the industry as a whole. Let it be known that i DO agree with rates following fuel price trending, but NOT to the extent that it has. I realize this is just one mans opinions so take it for what it's worth.

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 08:09 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "Even though rates are as low as you have seen them in years, fuel is also at decade lows. I know that the prices of everything else has remained high but how are the rates vs fuel price today compared to the rates vs fuel price when fuel was at $4+? What kind of average rates are you seeing right now? "

You are right fuel is at almost record low prices, however the shippers using that reason to lower the rates is very harmful, first off all the other expenses to running a truck have gone up. It seems as though the rate drop has gone beyond the reduction in fuel prices. I'm on the phone all day looking for loads to fill in between my regular customer loads and what I'm finding is very disturbing, there are rates in the $.95/mi range and they all use the same line, "Well fuel is cheaper now", I generally just politely end the conversation. The fact that shippers are taking advantage of this situation is going to be detrimental to the industry as a whole. Let it be known that i DO agree with rates following fuel price trending, but NOT to the extent that it has. I realize this is just one mans opinions so take it for what it's worth.

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 09:35 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "You are right fuel is at almost record low prices, however the shippers using that reason to lower the rates is very harmful, first off all the other expenses to running a truck have gone up. It seems as though the rate drop has gone beyond the reduction in fuel prices. I'm on the phone all day looking for loads to fill in between my regular customer loads and what I'm finding is very disturbing, there are rates in the $.95/mi range and they all use the same line, "Well fuel is cheaper now", I generally just politely end the conversation. The fact that shippers are taking advantage of this situation is going to be detrimental to the industry as a whole. Let it be known that i DO agree with rates following fuel price trending, but NOT to the extent that it has. I realize this is just one mans opinions so take it for what it's worth." I agree with you Jim the rates have eroded more the the price of fuel, and i don't no about you but i am getting tired of hearing well fuel is cheaper, well maybe some of these brokers should lower there percentages, after all fuel is cheaper it doesn't cost them as much to go to their office, and someone is killing a fat sow on this and it sure isn't the freight haulers

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 09:35 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "You are right fuel is at almost record low prices, however the shippers using that reason to lower the rates is very harmful, first off all the other expenses to running a truck have gone up. It seems as though the rate drop has gone beyond the reduction in fuel prices. I'm on the phone all day looking for loads to fill in between my regular customer loads and what I'm finding is very disturbing, there are rates in the $.95/mi range and they all use the same line, "Well fuel is cheaper now", I generally just politely end the conversation. The fact that shippers are taking advantage of this situation is going to be detrimental to the industry as a whole. Let it be known that i DO agree with rates following fuel price trending, but NOT to the extent that it has. I realize this is just one mans opinions so take it for what it's worth."

I agree with you Jim the rates have eroded more the the price of fuel, and i don't no about you but i am getting tired of hearing well fuel is cheaper, well maybe some of these brokers should lower there percentages, after all fuel is cheaper it doesn't cost them as much to go to their office, and someone is killing a fat sow on this and it sure isn't the freight haulers

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 09:44 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Even though rates are as low as you have seen them in years, fuel is also at decade lows. I know that the prices of everything else has remained high but how are the rates vs fuel price today compared to the rates vs fuel price when fuel was at $4+? What kind of average rates are you seeing right now? " Belive it or not i was making more money when fuel was $4.00 per gallon what is wrong with this picture.

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 09:44 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Belive it or not i was making more money when fuel was $4.00 per gallon what is wrong with this picture.

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 03:32 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. there is only one reason rates are low.

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 05:31 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "there is only one reason rates are low." ...too many trucks and a slow economy.

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 06:12 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I was reading some crap on facebook today. Theses guys where all proud of that they run two weeks of the month to pay there truck expences then stay at home and work other jobs to make money. This was their great plan. They didnt care what the rate was as long as they could brake even. We've been wondering where these guys are that take the cheap rates. I think i found them. They have to just be getting loads off of boards becouse what kind of customers would put up with that?

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 06:12 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I was reading some crap on facebook today. Theses guys where all proud of that they run two weeks of the month to pay there truck expences then stay at home and work other jobs to make money. This was their great plan. They didnt care what the rate was as long as they could brake even. We've been wondering where these guys are that take the cheap rates. I think i found them. They have to just be getting loads off of boards becouse what kind of customers would put up with that?

Replied on Tue, Jan 12, 2016 at 08:42 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. haven see any diesel shop or tire shop drop they prices . way not our rates went south but not everybody else.

Replied on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 09:29 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "...too many trucks and a slow economy." Too many shippers expecting us to haul their crap for free is what the problem is.

Replied on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 11:04 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "You are right fuel is at almost record low prices, however the shippers using that reason to lower the rates is very harmful, first off all the other expenses to running a truck have gone up. It seems as though the rate drop has gone beyond the reduction in fuel prices. I'm on the phone all day looking for loads to fill in between my regular customer loads and what I'm finding is very disturbing, there are rates in the $.95/mi range and they all use the same line, "Well fuel is cheaper now", I generally just politely end the conversation. The fact that shippers are taking advantage of this situation is going to be detrimental to the industry as a whole. Let it be known that i DO agree with rates following fuel price trending, but NOT to the extent that it has. I realize this is just one mans opinions so take it for what it's worth." Yes sir Mr Broker. My fuel is cheaper. In some cases as much as $2.00 or more. So if I can get 6 mpg I'm saving 35 cents per mile. Even though all of my other expences have all gone up. So even though I'm only saving 35 cent per mile would you consider it fair if I go ahead take 40 cents off the rate you were paying when we had $4.00 fuel? Mr. Broker or Mr. Shipper if you use your car for business purposes you can take a mileage deduction of 57.5 cents for every mile you drive, right? That is what the IRS figures for expences on a car. I realize that does not include anything for your time on the road. My Fuel, Insurance, License, and truck Investment is over 5 times that much, minimum! So all things being equal, if I take 5 times 57.5 cents I should be paid $2.87 per mile just for expences. Now all we need is a reasonable wage for the driver. That brings us to over $3.30 per mile, all miles. How long do think you could stay in business if you cut your rates by 60 to 80%? At these rate I maybe could start working 8 hours a day, just like the broker or shipper.

Replied on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 11:04 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Yes sir Mr Broker. My fuel is cheaper. In some cases as much as $2.00 or more. So if I can get 6 mpg I'm saving 35 cents per mile. Even though all of my other expences have all gone up. So even though I'm only saving 35 cent per mile would you consider it fair if I go ahead take 40 cents off the rate you were paying when we had $4.00 fuel?

Mr. Broker or Mr. Shipper if you use your car for business purposes you can take a mileage deduction of 57.5 cents for every mile you drive, right? That is what the IRS figures for expences on a car. I realize that does not include anything for your time on the road.
My Fuel, Insurance, License, and truck Investment is over 5 times that much, minimum! So all things being equal, if I take 5 times 57.5 cents I should be paid $2.87 per mile just for expences. Now all we need is a reasonable wage for the driver. That brings us to over $3.30 per mile, all miles. How long do think you could stay in business if you cut your rates by 60 to 80%?

At these rate I maybe could start working 8 hours a day, just like the broker or shipper.

Replied on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 11:48 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. We were figuring this up just yesterday. Last August, fuel cost roughly 40cpm. Today it's running around 34cpm so it's dropped by about 6cpm. Just in the last week I've seen one particular rate drop by 13cpm and from August to now I'm seeing many rates that have dropped by 50-60 cpm. Unfortunately it's not a great time to be pulling a hopper...although I suspect it's not a great time to be pulling anything else either.

Replied on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 11:48 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

We were figuring this up just yesterday. Last August, fuel cost roughly 40cpm. Today it's running around 34cpm so it's dropped by about 6cpm. Just in the last week I've seen one particular rate drop by 13cpm and from August to now I'm seeing many rates that have dropped by 50-60 cpm. Unfortunately it's not a great time to be pulling a hopper...although I suspect it's not a great time to be pulling anything else either.

Replied on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 06:05 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. My neighbor went from running a hopper to pulling containers. WOW!!!!

Replied on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 06:48 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Yes and that reason is people are pulling for low rates. Just say Nooooo People and they will pay more.

Replied on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 07:04 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Bad thing is , we know a few shippers that haven't dropped their rates, but if u don't know any better and u call a broker that has some of those loads, they sing the blues and tell u the rates have dropped. They are absolutely scewing the poor guy that don't know any better. Noone ever said business was nice. Lack of knowledge is your worst enemy in this business, no mercy.

Replied on Wed, Jan 13, 2016 at 07:04 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Bad thing is , we know a few shippers that haven't dropped their rates, but if u don't know any better and u call a broker that has some of those loads, they sing the blues and tell u the rates have dropped. They are absolutely scewing the poor guy that don't know any better. Noone ever said business was nice. Lack of knowledge is your worst enemy in this business, no mercy.

Replied on Thu, Jan 14, 2016 at 11:26 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Honestly I don't know another industry sgment that attracts newbies with less knowledge than hoppers. There are so many resources. Some of them are less P C than others, but when I was learning no one gve a crap about my feelings. Art Pfluger

Replied on Fri, Jan 15, 2016 at 11:25 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Huh