Power only INTRASTATE Iowa

Jul 30, 2019 at 03:13 PM CST - 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Hello all, new to the board and the forums. Been driving about ten years and recently jumped out on my own. Initially intended to run interstate midwest region and then got schooled on what it actually costs to start up. Lowered my sights and settled for running in just my home state of Iowa. All that said, would like to run power only at first and save myself the cost of trailer rental. I could if I had to and perhaps it would even make more numbers sense to do so. My numbers add up on the positive side but thought I would throw it out there and get suggestions from ya'll if you're inclined to do so. Best to run power only or bite the bullet and rent? Thanks, Jim @ Three Acres

Replied on Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 10:12 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. call 623-910-1530

Replied on Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 10:12 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Where are you based out of in Iowa?

Replied on Wed, Jul 31, 2019 at 02:17 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Based out of Gilman, Ia.

Replied on Tue, Aug 06, 2019 at 08:09 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Pulled the trigger and rented a 43' Wilson. Pulled it home today from Jackson, MN. Thanks for input and responses.

Replied on Mon, Sep 02, 2019 at 06:58 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. James. How are you doing with hopper loads? I am looking at doing the same thing. Just got my DOT and interstate authority. Finally got affordable insurance, have a downpayment on a truck and have loads on a couple of trailers. My friend has been running hopper in Texas only and does well. Just wondering how it's going for you. I saw your post and was just curious.

Replied on Mon, Sep 02, 2019 at 06:58 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

James. How are you doing with hopper loads? I am looking at doing the same thing. Just got my DOT and interstate authority. Finally got affordable insurance, have a downpayment on a truck and have loads on a couple of trailers. My friend has been running hopper in Texas only and does well. Just wondering how it's going for you. I saw your post and was just curious.

Replied on Tue, Sep 03, 2019 at 07:43 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Hi Mitchel, going ok, not going to go to Vegas anytime soon though. Local rates right now are about 18 a ton. Not a sustainable long term rate. I paid cash for my truck, a 98 Freightliner FLD120. Having to catch up with a lot of a neglect and just plain old truck issues. Do all my own repair and maintenance however. Right now just handicapped by stupid crap like having a big compressor and a one inch impact for tires. (I need to do front rear axle seals). I have a big compressor but ironically enough, it's stuck in storage unit about 120 miles NE of me and I can't get her trucked home. Can't afford to put insurance back on my old 93 GMC Topkick flatbed straight truck. Seems pretty ridiculous doesn't it? At 18 a ton I gotta run at least two full weeks plus just to cover insurance and trailer rental. Truck has surprised me with much better mileage than I expected so thats helped a little. It's a Cummins M11 that most likely needs a rebuild or replacement (it has a rebuild tag on it but not legible and have no idea at what point in the trucks history it happened, Cummins has no record of it) and very certainly needs a rear seal. So in other words, just treading water right now. Hoping rates pick up in the near future. Tried to advocate for myself on last load inquiry by asking for a better rate by telling broker this is where I'd like to be, can you meet me somewhere in the middle? Was told "No thanks, have a nice weekend". Wow, how's that for total blow off? Guess he told me. I don't take well to that and I have a long memory. I'll let the truck go to scrap first. I hope your local rates are better and I am glad at least I am not saddled with a truck payment. I paid for two months of trailer rental up front so this month is the real test of whether this is going to fly or not. I still have my truck at the end of the day, if it comes to that, I'll send the trailer back to Minnesota and park the truck. I also have a plumbing and HVAC company to fall back on which is where my real strength lies. I'm third generation plumbing/HVAC. Only been driving trucks last ten years or so. Come from long line of hard headed folk though, so gonna give her hell until I can't no more. Good luck and best wishes with whatever you decide, Jim.

Replied on Tue, Sep 03, 2019 at 07:43 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Hi Mitchel, going ok, not going to go to Vegas anytime soon though. Local rates right now are about 18 a ton. Not a sustainable long term rate. I paid cash for my truck, a 98 Freightliner FLD120. Having to catch up with a lot of a neglect and just plain old truck issues. Do all my own repair and maintenance however. Right now just handicapped by stupid crap like having a big compressor and a one inch impact for tires. (I need to do front rear axle seals). I have a big compressor but ironically enough, it's stuck in storage unit about 120 miles NE of me and I can't get her trucked home. Can't afford to put insurance back on my old 93 GMC Topkick flatbed straight truck. Seems pretty ridiculous doesn't it? At 18 a ton I gotta run at least two full weeks plus just to cover insurance and trailer rental. Truck has surprised me with much better mileage than I expected so thats helped a little. It's a Cummins M11 that most likely needs a rebuild or replacement (it has a rebuild tag on it but not legible and have no idea at what point in the trucks history it happened, Cummins has no record of it) and very certainly needs a rear seal. So in other words, just treading water right now. Hoping rates pick up in the near future. Tried to advocate for myself on last load inquiry by asking for a better rate by telling broker this is where I'd like to be, can you meet me somewhere in the middle? Was told "No thanks, have a nice weekend". Wow, how's that for total blow off? Guess he told me. I don't take well to that and I have a long memory. I'll let the truck go to scrap first. I hope your local rates are better and I am glad at least I am not saddled with a truck payment. I paid for two months of trailer rental up front so this month is the real test of whether this is going to fly or not. I still have my truck at the end of the day, if it comes to that, I'll send the trailer back to Minnesota and park the truck. I also have a plumbing and HVAC company to fall back on which is where my real strength lies. I'm third generation plumbing/HVAC. Only been driving trucks last ten years or so. Come from long line of hard headed folk though, so gonna give her hell until I can't no more. Good luck and best wishes with whatever you decide, Jim.