Brokers aren't our only problem, local trucking becoming obsolete?

Mar 14, 2023 at 08:33 AM CST + 3
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. The number of trucks that 5 local co ops and feed mills have (according to FMCSA profile) 1. 36 trucks 2. 143 trucks 3. 13 trucks 4. 56 trucks and lastly 5. 556 trucks. All of these are hauling grain, feed ingredients, fertilizer, tanker, ag lime and so on. I mean how is a company trying to run local get in that market? And it's not just in ag, marathon, loves, speedway, pilot all have there own tankers. You can't compete with a larger company pulling there own products, they've got the money to pay employees very well with full benefits and no worries of some rate cutting company coming along to steal there contracts.

Replied on Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 09:51 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Perhaps I’m missing something, but I’m not seeing a problem here.

Replied on Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 09:51 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. When I hauled cattle most everybody was long haul. You literally chased the money based on the movement of the animals... Now that I haul bulk it's a totally different deal. I often times chat with other drivers at shippers and receivers and find that a lot of bulk haulers want to make a living on short hauls, even if it means only getting loaded one way... I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it sometimes, but to each their own. I've come to the conclusion that to make good money hauling bulk a guy/gal must either run equipment that is less plentiful or run loads that are less desirable i.e long hauls.

Replied on Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 09:51 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

When I hauled cattle most everybody was long haul. You literally chased the money based on the movement of the animals... Now that I haul bulk it's a totally different deal. I often times chat with other drivers at shippers and receivers and find that a lot of bulk haulers want to make a living on short hauls, even if it means only getting loaded one way... I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it sometimes, but to each their own.

I've come to the conclusion that to make good money hauling bulk a guy/gal must either run equipment that is less plentiful or run loads that are less desirable i.e long hauls.

Replied on Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 08:24 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Perhaps I’m missing something, but I’m not seeing a problem here." Okay maybe problem wasn't the best word of choice for what I was trying to show. I was trying to make the point that larger companies are broadening their trucking, which they have every right to do, it's their business and they want to have better control over the flow of there products, it makes complete sense. What I was getting at is the more companies haul themselves the less that is out there for us to take, also the fact that these are large companies with the money to get through the high expenses . I mean look at Walmart for example they are paying new drivers up to 110k and will pay for current employees to get there CDL.

Replied on Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 08:24 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "Perhaps I’m missing something, but I’m not seeing a problem here."

Okay maybe problem wasn't the best word of choice for what I was trying to show. I was trying to make the point that larger companies are broadening their trucking, which they have every right to do, it's their business and they want to have better control over the flow of there products, it makes complete sense. What I was getting at is the more companies haul themselves the less that is out there for us to take, also the fact that these are large companies with the money to get through the high expenses . I mean look at Walmart for example they are paying new drivers up to 110k and will pay for current employees to get there CDL.

Replied on Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 08:24 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. What about the private carrier that also operates as a "for hire" carrier to move their trucks to their own freight? Or the carrier that also buys and sells commodities to put on their own trucks? I deal with both. Both are good customers AND good competitors. Both know the markets they play in (my opinion). Thus they generally set the rate. I can accept or decline. No problem.

Replied on Tue, Mar 14, 2023 at 08:24 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

What about the private carrier that also operates as a "for hire" carrier to move their trucks to their own freight? Or the carrier that also buys and sells commodities to put on their own trucks?

I deal with both. Both are good customers AND good competitors. Both know the markets they play in (my opinion). Thus they generally set the rate. I can accept or decline. No problem.