Thinking about buying a 50ft hopper

Jul 14, 2021 at 11:08 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. So I recently found this load board and have been looking it over periodically. I already own a truck, it’s leased on hauling cattle right now, and I’m in the process of setting up my business and getting my own authority. Is it worth getting into commodities? I cut my teeth hauling grain 25 years ago. It wasn’t that bad a driver could make a decent living if he ran hard enough kinda like the cow deal, but I know things are different now. I’d like to here from some of you about your experience on this load board and how busy I could keep 50ft hopper with a drop tag from this board.

Replied on Thu, Jul 15, 2021 at 08:57 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. We have two 50 ft with drop tags. Both are tagged at 90k in KS and 92k in NE. They do well when we keep them in Kansas and Nebraska hauling DDG to the feedlots, then ag products back north. Both have tall sides and huge doors. Down side is they do not do as well in other states where we are limited to 80k gross as we are pulling a heavier trailer and thus have a smaller payload. Hope this helps

Replied on Thu, Jul 15, 2021 at 08:57 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

We have two 50 ft with drop tags. Both are tagged at 90k in KS and 92k in NE. They do well when we keep them in Kansas and Nebraska hauling DDG to the feedlots, then ag products back north. Both have tall sides and huge doors. Down side is they do not do as well in other states where we are limited to 80k gross as we are pulling a heavier trailer and thus have a smaller payload. Hope this helps

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:26 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "We have two 50 ft with drop tags. Both are tagged at 90k in KS and 92k in NE. They do well when we keep them in Kansas and Nebraska hauling DDG to the feedlots, then ag products back north. Both have tall sides and huge doors. Down side is they do not do as well in other states where we are limited to 80k gross as we are pulling a heavier trailer and thus have a smaller payload. Hope this helps" I'd like to know your secret for removing ddg. Always took me 4 - 5 hours to unload it. I refuse to haul it now

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:26 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "We have two 50 ft with drop tags. Both are tagged at 90k in KS and 92k in NE. They do well when we keep them in Kansas and Nebraska hauling DDG to the feedlots, then ag products back north. Both have tall sides and huge doors. Down side is they do not do as well in other states where we are limited to 80k gross as we are pulling a heavier trailer and thus have a smaller payload. Hope this helps"

I'd like to know your secret for removing ddg. Always took me 4 - 5 hours to unload it. I refuse to haul it now

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:26 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. A lot of one way loads with no way to get back. That is probably because everything south of Kansas sucks ! But on the other hand you get to do business with a broker who likely has better loads than what is on this board. I have always been paid more than the average lane rate shown on this boards loads so you can't go by that number. I like my brokers but do use the load board also. Gets me home sometimes from dead zones

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:26 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

A lot of one way loads with no way to get back. That is probably because everything south of Kansas sucks ! But on the other hand you get to do business with a broker who likely has better loads than what is on this board. I have always been paid more than the average lane rate shown on this boards loads so you can't go by that number. I like my brokers but do use the load board also. Gets me home sometimes from dead zones

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:28 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "We have two 50 ft with drop tags. Both are tagged at 90k in KS and 92k in NE. They do well when we keep them in Kansas and Nebraska hauling DDG to the feedlots, then ag products back north. Both have tall sides and huge doors. Down side is they do not do as well in other states where we are limited to 80k gross as we are pulling a heavier trailer and thus have a smaller payload. Hope this helps" It does. That pushes me towards just a regular old grain buggy. Thanks.

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:28 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

It does. That pushes me towards just a regular old grain buggy. Thanks.

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:29 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "We have two 50 ft with drop tags. Both are tagged at 90k in KS and 92k in NE. They do well when we keep them in Kansas and Nebraska hauling DDG to the feedlots, then ag products back north. Both have tall sides and huge doors. Down side is they do not do as well in other states where we are limited to 80k gross as we are pulling a heavier trailer and thus have a smaller payload. Hope this helps" Sounds about right Dave.... And Jeff, I don't know what to tell ya but, if the commodies stay high so won't the ag hauling.........???????

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:29 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Sounds about right Dave.... And Jeff, I don't know what to tell ya but, if the commodies stay high so won't the ag hauling.........???????

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 03:05 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Jeff weight the cost of a 50 feet trailer like fuel cost per mile ,tires ,cost of trailer and maintences and be only usefully in a few state to go over 80000 and then look at the cost of a 40/43 foot 102x 78 , and can go where the money is and find more loads and miles and if you look at the cubie feet of both trailer they will be about the same in each, YES you may be short 6,000 to 10,000 # ib of payload depending on the state , I been working with hoppers for over 40 year and had 7 axle units at 105,000 gross and make good money back in the early 80s hauling flowers nd feed grain in the Dakotas and Montana but that lasted about 2 year and sold them and got 2 axle trailers and not a FAN on big long and more then 2 axle trailer and make good money with unit with 5 axles YES there are times the bigger trailer make more money for a couple months a year OR lest you have year round work for the 50' trailer then a 2 axle trailer but MY question does IT pay for the cost of the big trailer , Just take a long hard look at the bottom line on the next trailer

Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 03:05 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Jeff weight the cost of a 50 feet trailer like fuel cost per mile ,tires ,cost of trailer and maintences and be only usefully in a few state to go over 80000

and then look at the cost of a 40/43 foot 102x 78 , and can go where the money is and find more loads and miles and if you look at the cubie feet of both trailer they will be about the same in each, YES you may be short 6,000 to 10,000 # ib of payload depending on the state ,

I been working with hoppers for over 40 year and had 7 axle units at 105,000 gross and make good money back in the early 80s hauling flowers nd feed grain in the Dakotas and Montana but that lasted about 2 year and sold them and got 2 axle trailers and not a FAN on big long and more then 2 axle trailer and make good money with unit with 5 axles

YES there are times the bigger trailer make more money for a couple months a year OR lest you have year round work for the 50' trailer then a 2 axle trailer but MY question does IT pay for the cost of the big trailer , Just take a long hard look at the bottom line on the next trailer

Replied on Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 05:04 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Jeff weight the cost of a 50 feet trailer like fuel cost per mile ,tires ,cost of trailer and maintences and be only usefully in a few state to go over 80000 and then look at the cost of a 40/43 foot 102x 78 , and can go where the money is and find more loads and miles and if you look at the cubie feet of both trailer they will be about the same in each, YES you may be short 6,000 to 10,000 # ib of payload depending on the state , I been working with hoppers for over 40 year and had 7 axle units at 105,000 gross and make good money back in the early 80s hauling flowers nd feed grain in the Dakotas and Montana but that lasted about 2 year and sold them and got 2 axle trailers and not a FAN on big long and more then 2 axle trailer and make good money with unit with 5 axles YES there are times the bigger trailer make more money for a couple months a year OR lest you have year round work for the 50' trailer then a 2 axle trailer but MY question does IT pay for the cost of the big trailer , Just take a long hard look at the bottom line on the next trailer " All very good points. One thing not mentioned is the additional cost for licensing requirements and permits which can be substantial. Another thing to consider is that many states, even if they will let you license heavy, will not let you run those weights on the interstate.

Replied on Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 05:04 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "Jeff weight the cost of a 50 feet trailer like fuel cost per mile ,tires ,cost of trailer and maintences and be only usefully in a few state to go over 80000 and then look at the cost of a 40/43 foot 102x 78 , and can go where the money is and find more loads and miles and if you look at the cubie feet of both trailer they will be about the same in each, YES you may be short 6,000 to 10,000 # ib of payload depending on the state , I been working with hoppers for over 40 year and had 7 axle units at 105,000 gross and make good money back in the early 80s hauling flowers nd feed grain in the Dakotas and Montana but that lasted about 2 year and sold them and got 2 axle trailers and not a FAN on big long and more then 2 axle trailer and make good money with unit with 5 axles YES there are times the bigger trailer make more money for a couple months a year OR lest you have year round work for the 50' trailer then a 2 axle trailer but MY question does IT pay for the cost of the big trailer , Just take a long hard look at the bottom line on the next trailer "

All very good points. One thing not mentioned is the additional cost for licensing requirements and permits which can be substantial. Another thing to consider is that many states, even if they will let you license heavy, will not let you run those weights on the interstate.

Replied on Sun, Jul 18, 2021 at 08:05 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. 99% of places east of the Mississippi are NOT built to accommodate anything other than a closed tandem.....don't ask me how I know......even the bone meal load outs at Tyson in Amarillo are not built for anything other than a closed tandem

Replied on Sun, Jul 18, 2021 at 08:06 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "All very good points. One thing not mentioned is the additional cost for licensing requirements and permits which can be substantial. Another thing to consider is that many states, even if they will let you license heavy, will not let you run those weights on the interstate." The overweight permits work out to right around <$1 a day per state....its not that substantial if you can haul a extra 6 and a half ton in my case depending on what I'm hauling

Replied on Sun, Jul 18, 2021 at 08:06 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "All very good points. One thing not mentioned is the additional cost for licensing requirements and permits which can be substantial. Another thing to consider is that many states, even if they will let you license heavy, will not let you run those weights on the interstate."

The overweight permits work out to right around <$1 a day per state....its not that substantial if you can haul a extra 6 and a half ton in my case depending on what I'm hauling

Replied on Sun, Jul 18, 2021 at 08:06 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Jeff weight the cost of a 50 feet trailer like fuel cost per mile ,tires ,cost of trailer and maintences and be only usefully in a few state to go over 80000 and then look at the cost of a 40/43 foot 102x 78 , and can go where the money is and find more loads and miles and if you look at the cubie feet of both trailer they will be about the same in each, YES you may be short 6,000 to 10,000 # ib of payload depending on the state , I been working with hoppers for over 40 year and had 7 axle units at 105,000 gross and make good money back in the early 80s hauling flowers nd feed grain in the Dakotas and Montana but that lasted about 2 year and sold them and got 2 axle trailers and not a FAN on big long and more then 2 axle trailer and make good money with unit with 5 axles YES there are times the bigger trailer make more money for a couple months a year OR lest you have year round work for the 50' trailer then a 2 axle trailer but MY question does IT pay for the cost of the big trailer , Just take a long hard look at the bottom line on the next trailer " Thanks for the input. I appreciate you replying to me. I think I’m going to go ahead with a regular old hopper. I live in TX and that’s pretty much all you see around here anyways. I’m hoping I can stay busy when I get everything up and going. At the moment this lease I’m doing isn’t making me much at all. I think there’s a lot more potential out there for my truck if I’m running my own authority. I’ve already found some decent buggies for sale around here.

Replied on Sun, Jul 18, 2021 at 08:06 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Thanks for the input. I appreciate you replying to me. I think I’m going to go ahead with a regular old hopper. I live in TX and that’s pretty much all you see around here anyways. I’m hoping I can stay busy when I get everything up and going. At the moment this lease I’m doing isn’t making me much at all. I think there’s a lot more potential out there for my truck if I’m running my own authority. I’ve already found some decent buggies for sale around here.