Getting started with hoppers
I think the key to success in trucking is specialization. It's hard to complete if you stick to dry van, reefer, and flatbed. I've conidered pneumatics, but I don't have the technical knowledge. Hoppers seem to be an easy entry in to the bulk world? I would have no intention of surviving with load board freight and I've been around long enough to know how to develop relationships. We run nearly 20 trucks and haven't hauled a broker load in more than two years. I intend to add at least 10 trucks over the next 12 months and would like to enter something specialized. I'm hoping to learn a little from the people in this forum that know a LOT more about the bulk world than I do. I'd like to know if grain and other bulk product move year round or seasonally? Can I keep a few hoppers busy all year, or do I need to run them seasonally and then run them on one of our other contracts in the slow periods? What features should I be looking for in trailers that I buy? Any and all advice is appreciated. Trucking is a better industry when we work TOGETHER! Have a great day folks!