Buying a hopper

You think you can live off 1.5 a loaded mile? You do realize you'll be running 30 to 50% unloaded miles right, and that they cost you almost as much a loaded mile?

I did all the math. At 3 dollars a gallon averaging 6 mpg comes up to 50 cents a mile for gas. Then another 25 cents a mile for my insurance and maintenance fund then 50 cent per mile again for my pay leaves another 25 cent/mile at least for profit. Nobody can tell me whos a good brokers to use?

Wow. It looks like your overhead is extreme. Hut is only 550 for me, loadboards are only about 125 for three of them and I won't be running toll roads. Thank you for the help although I didn't really ask for advice. 25 cents a mile in 2000 miles is 500 dollars a week. That's pretty for my expenses over the entire year thats like 25 thousand dollars. How do you stay in business with a high overhead like that? I'm looking for a good broker or dispatcher that can get me the miles. No need for Cadillac rates.

300 for an oil change?! No way. It's only costing me about 100 and that includes both fuel filters. I'll be doing oil analysis also so my drain intervals will be nearly double the usual 12000 mile recommended. No wonder you need 4 dollars a mile to run. Once the states open everything back up I'll have tons of business. Compared to youre prices I'll be able to undercut with ease. Tons of work will come my way. Just have to find a cheap beat up old hopper first.

Thats a great idea, "save money" on literally the cheapest and easiest maintenance item there is on the the most expensive piece of the truck to cut everybody else's rates down. Have at it, I'd sell you my nice 2017 Timpte cheap just to watch that dumpster fire.

Recaps are less than half the price of new.

I could pay you $1.61 per mile on all miles to pull my trailer.

I don't have any plans in sinking a bunch of money into the tractor or the trailer. Just keeping them legal is the only thing Ill be doing. There basically disposable. Head gasket pops? I'll get another 10k truxk and start all over. Sounds like you guys are overcharging.

"Surely you can't be serious!"

"I am serious... And don't call me Shirley."

I like that movie too!

My expenses total 10k for the year and running 25 cents a mile on 2000 miles is 500 dollars a week for 40 weeks. This easily covers my expenses. Add another 25 cents for another 10k in repairs and maintenance on my plastic throw away truck. 150 a mile is buying myself the best job ever. Nkt mention I'll be Undercutting other trucks so the work will be pouring in. I'll have more thab I can handle. I hope you guys stay parked and leave room for me out there.

What kind of idiot spends 500 on a single tire? Virgin Roadmasters are like 300 installed. No wonder you guys charge ao much. Your overhead is amazing. You guys are ripping off your customers charging such high rates.

I think some brokers may be reading this. Someone let the cat out of the bag. They now know we've been on easy street for years. I was just sent an email woundering if was interested in their 1625 mile load for $23/ton. It's a good load if you can load 150 tons.

Funny, in 22 years I've NEVER seen an inspection check for it. How can they check with out taking the drum off? No statute for it. I didn't think of the IRP not being transferable but I'll have plenty of work coming my to cover it from my extremely competitive rates.

So you don't want to share your broker with me? Lucky for me the board here has plenty willing to keep me moving at a reasonable rate. The American dream is alive and well. Work hard and get paid accordingly instead of price gouging in the name of patriatism.

You're the one claiming it's American to overcharge abd not patriotic to cut rates and be competitive. Youre ignorant because our entire economy is based free market choices. Thre less freight costs to move the less it costs the consumer. Capialisn 101 Dale-bo!

My business expenses are 10k/year AND I'm adding another 10k/year to handle relairs/maintenance. Sounds like youre another one with too high overhead. Ditch the truck payment and bring your personal lifestyle into reality. 'Merica!

Jimmy, it sounds like you have really thought this thing through and come up with a sound business plan. You are up against some tough competition though. Trucking is a cut throat business. I believe you will need to tighten up even more to be able to under bid your competitors. I'm here to help.

Dale has shown his hand, and by removing the element of surprise you are now in a position to initiate a preemptive strike. His WWII surplus tires will be rock hard and will probably last 800,000 miles or so. I suggest you pick up everyone's worn out tires - they are free and everyone knows bald tires are lighter and have less rolling resistance which increases fuel mileage. His gas motor will be cheaper to run because gas is $1/gal less than diesel right now. I suggest pulling out two of your injectors - 4 cylinders is all you need. Remove any excess weight, especially the intermediate drive axle. That's less weight and rolling resistance right there. If you have a sleeper, board off the entrance and cut the roof off it. You now have a mini hopper giving extra capacity, and the compartment doors are great unloading chutes. You get the idea.

You will need some kind of an alert system to make you aware of any impending mechanical failures, fires, or DOT cops in the area. I suggest something like this. Pay particular attention to the little guy with the three rotary beacons on his head.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBekXg5LxSg

Having such an alert system will put you leaps and bounds ahead of your competition.

I used to be one of the guys that was against you but I have seen the light and been converted. After being shown the way by people like you and some assistance from the large brokerages, I was shown the error of my ways. I was greedy. I wanted nice equipment, and a house, and a new pickup truck, and a woman, etc, etc. Those things are expensive and unnecessary. Before you condemn me, just remember if it hadn't been for guys like me buying brand new equipment there would be no worn out equipment to purchase.

It used to be brokers took 10% of the load and the truck got 90%. I suggest you flip it the other way around, volunteer to give up the 90% and just keep 10% for yourself. You will never run out of brokers that way, in fact they probably will even invite you over for dinner during the holidays. That solves your lack of a broker problem.

One more thing - some of these old farmers are pretty clever. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if Dale's truck really is a transformer and tries to rip your truck to shreds. If you see him coming, floor it. He'll be easy enough to spot, just look for the old truck with the ice shanty behind the cab.

I have been parked for three or four months now, I can't remember exactly. Rates are to cheap for my equipment right now. That's good news for you though. I won't get in your way.

Like Red Green used to say "Remember, I'm pullin' for ya - we're all in this together."

I guess everyone doesn't share our sense of humor. Looks like I got another demerit, I'm way behind in the points.

I have 2014 Timpte, 40 x 102-72 wall, air, closed tandem

give me a call for details:

Burt

Trans Equipment Inc, Ephrata, PA

717 449-6746/[email protected]

100 with everything huh, well my 2020 pete th eoil and fuel filters are 142 at the dealer and almost doubl ehat at cummins, my 2000 kw the filters are 90.