Home > Forum > WHY HAVE HOPPER RATES BEEN SO DISPROPORTIONATE COMPARED TO OTHER FREIGHT FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW
WHY HAVE HOPPER RATES BEEN SO DISPROPORTIONATE COMPARED TO OTHER FREIGHT FOR WELL OVER A YEAR NOW
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Jul 04, 2021 at 04:27 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Hodgkins, IL WED 7/7 14:00 CDT Chantilly, VA FRI 7/9 08:00 EDT Van 53' 703 mi
$2,650 $3.77/mi Lockport, IL THU 7/8 08:00 CDT Grimes, IA FRI 7/9 03:00 CDT Van 53' 332 mi
$1,250 $3.77/mi Woodridge, IL THU 7/8 15:00 CDT Indianapolis, IN FRI 7/9 11:30 EDT Van 53' 202 mi
$755 $3.74/mi Muscatine, IL THU 7/8 23:00 CDT Ottawa, KS FRI 7/9 17:00 CDT Van 53' 409 mi
$1,530 $3.74/mi Wisconsin Rapids, WI WED 7/7 09:00 CDT Saxonburg, PA FRI 7/9 02:00 EDT Van 53' 720 mi
$2,690 $3.74/mi Lockport, IL THU 7/8 10:00-16:00 CDT Grimes, IA FRI 7/9 02:00-07:00 CDT Van 53' 324 mi
$1,211 $3.74/mi Bedford Park, IL FRI 7/9 03:00-17:00 CDT Altavista, VA MON 7/12 09:00 EDT Van 53' 723 mi
$2,691 $3.72/mi Janesville, WI TUE 7/6 18:00 CDT Frederick, MD THU 7/8 05:00 EDT Van 53' 825 mi
$3,060 $3.71/mi New Haven, IN TUE 7/6 05:00 EDT Milford, NH WED 7/7 03:00 EDT Van 53' 851 mi
$3,148 $3.70/mi Champaign, IL THU 7/8 16:30 CDT Newburgh, NY SAT 7/10 09:00 EDT Reefer 53' 865 mi
$3,200 $3.70/mi Pleasant Prairie, WI TUE 7/6 06:30 CDT Kutztown, PA THU 7/8 06:00 EDT Van 53' 789 mi
$2,910 $3.69/mi East Peoria, IL TUE 7/6 08:00-11:00 CDT Gordonsville, VA THU 7/8 04:30 EDT Van 53' 779 mi
$2,865 $3.68/mi Milwaukee, WI TUE 7/6 03:00-11:00 CDT Ludington, MI WED 7/7 04:00-11:00 EDT Van 53' 352 mi
$1,294 $3.68/mi Joliet, IL TUE 7/6 09:00 CDT Blaine, MN WED 7/7 02:30-09:00 CDT Reefer 53' 435 mi
$1,600 $3.68/mi Lockport, IL TUE 7/6 05:00 CDT North Branch, MN WED 7/7 08:00 CDT Van 53' 442 mi
$1,618 And i could go on forever posting loads with rates like this all day long and yet were being offered $2.00/mile rates pulling a hopper |
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Replied on Sun, Jul 04, 2021 at 11:38 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
I really don't know and no one else seems to know either...Except its obvious that all grain haulers need to park the truck until rates come up at least a dollar!!!!! Most of this stuff on here is around $2.15 per mile... That don't work... |
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Replied on Sun, Jul 04, 2021 at 11:39 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
It’s supply and demand. Way to many hoppers and they just take the cheap freight why would they offer more if you guys are just taking it for the cheap price. That’s why I sold my bucket and now pulling a skateboard. Tons of freight and being paid way more.
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Replied on Mon, Jul 05, 2021 at 10:28 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "It’s supply and demand. Way to many hoppers and they just take the cheap freight why would they offer more if you guys are just taking it for the cheap price. That’s why I sold my bucket and now pulling a skateboard. Tons of freight and being paid way more."
Supply and demand is exactly right. Before I parked my hopper, I was told by several people I hauled for there was no reason to raise rates until loads went uncovered. So, regretfully I parked the hopper and have been pulling a tank ever since. Running empty one way and making WAY more money than I was under the hopper. Hopefully, others figure out the same thing and make a change for the better. In this enviornment, if you aren't making money with your truck, your decisions are the problem. Sorry if that pisses some of you off. Good luck to everyone and I hope you figure out how to get everything you want from your businesses. |
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Replied on Tue, Jul 06, 2021 at 11:01 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Our reefer loads last 2 weeks averaged $5.80/mile |
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Replied on Tue, Jul 06, 2021 at 01:30 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Apparently money isn't the motivation. |
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Replied on Tue, Jul 06, 2021 at 01:30 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Supply and demand is exactly right. Before I parked my hopper, I was told by several people I hauled for there was no reason to raise rates until loads went uncovered. So, regretfully I parked the hopper and have been pulling a tank ever since. Running empty one way and making WAY more money than I was under the hopper.
Hopefully, others figure out the same thing and make a change for the better. In this enviornment, if you aren't making money with your truck, your decisions are the problem. Sorry if that pisses some of you off. Good luck to everyone and I hope you figure out how to get everything you want from your businesses."
I concur Barry. My hopper is parked until harvest..I pull a step deck and haul tractors around the heartland.. For the life of me, out every time I think I can make some grain hauling workout, I end up breaking a pencil doing the math... |
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Replied on Wed, Jul 07, 2021 at 07:35 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
That’s why I’m selling my triple axle hopper. Forget these cheap grain rates.!!
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Replied on Wed, Jul 07, 2021 at 12:50 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Simple answer is chuckleheads move it. I pull a pneumatic and a guy called me all excited the other day with a load going out into the middle of nowhere. It would be paying .77 per mile for the round trip. I just hung up. I will let my equipment sink into the ground before I get out here and risk my safety for company driver money. All other freight rates are going up. Yet bulk freight is racing to the bottom. Too many people in between the shipper and the truck company.
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Replied on Wed, Jul 07, 2021 at 12:50 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Supply and demand is exactly right. Before I parked my hopper, I was told by several people I hauled for there was no reason to raise rates until loads went uncovered. So, regretfully I parked the hopper and have been pulling a tank ever since. Running empty one way and making WAY more money than I was under the hopper.
Hopefully, others figure out the same thing and make a change for the better. In this enviornment, if you aren't making money with your truck, your decisions are the problem. Sorry if that pisses some of you off. Good luck to everyone and I hope you figure out how to get everything you want from your businesses."
💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯
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Replied on Wed, Jul 07, 2021 at 12:50 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
I have also parked my hopper. Sucks to have a 2022 sitting around but these rates are garbage.
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Replied on Wed, Jul 07, 2021 at 10:24 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Too many strong backs and weak minds in the hopper industry
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Replied on Thu, Jul 08, 2021 at 11:05 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
also its a matter of leverage get the reloads before you are empty |
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Replied on Tue, Jul 13, 2021 at 04:42 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "I really don't know and no one else seems to know either...Except its obvious that all grain haulers need to park the truck until rates come up at least a dollar!!!!! Most of this stuff on here is around $2.15 per mile... That don't work..."
I can handle $2.15 for all my miles driven but some of them will not pay that much for it. They only want to pay for one way not both ways. Most of them are already rying to grab the load from a shipper that I am already directly signed on with to haul for. |
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Replied on Wed, Jul 14, 2021 at 12:56 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Our reefer loads last 2 weeks averaged $5.80/mile"
they have to be that high because you sit and wait 6 hours to get loaded and unloaded. |
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Replied on Wed, Jul 14, 2021 at 12:57 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "It’s supply and demand. Way to many hoppers and they just take the cheap freight why would they offer more if you guys are just taking it for the cheap price. That’s why I sold my bucket and now pulling a skateboard. Tons of freight and being paid way more."
flatbed is not really paying any better if its regular reaccuring loads like shingles, bagged cement, bricks, lumber, etc. Now special stuff like equipment, large pump stations, vehicles, some steel, and oversized loads are paying better than hopper.
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Replied on Wed, Jul 14, 2021 at 03:26 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
It's not so much that there is too many hoppers, but there's too many new"broker's" putting a finger print on the bol in the middle that never intended on hauling it, just making a buck for networking and trying to find a truck! |
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Replied on Wed, Jul 14, 2021 at 03:27 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
And they act like you should be grateful when they say it's almost$2.50 a loaded mile! |
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Replied on Wed, Jul 14, 2021 at 03:27 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "flatbed is not really paying any better if its regular reaccuring loads like shingles, bagged cement, bricks, lumber, etc. Now special stuff like equipment, large pump stations, vehicles, some steel, and oversized loads are paying better than hopper.
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Ohh heck stepdeck is better...If I haul local say soybeans 50-100 miles to KC it would pay around 150 - 250 bucks..If I do the same thing with a tractor and loader its 300-350... Yeah ya gotta do a extra 15-30 minutes of labor but whatever... |
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Replied on Wed, Jul 14, 2021 at 04:37 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "And they act like you should be grateful when they say it's almost$2.50 a loaded mile!"
$2.50 per loaded mile is $1.25 for all miles driven and that is if you live directly in the lane the load is hauled in. If you have out of bounds miles then that decreases it even more. If you are hauling loads back and forth diving empty to go get the loads and then loaded taking it to its destination and then repeating that multiple times per day then the shipper shoukld pay a rate that covers all miles driven. $2.50 per mile for all miles driven plus a FSC would be what you want to have at least.
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Replied on Thu, Jul 15, 2021 at 07:32 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Who knows. Farmers are starving but seem to live in mansions and buy a 2 million combine every year. Cow barons are starving yet get 12.50 for a cheap steak. 3.95 for hamburger ? Should be no more than 1.75 lb.
But I can tell you that dry van and flat bed are taking in many thousands a week on short loads. 8 -12 k a week. My buddy goes home each Friday and makes 11k.
I got offered conastoga loads. KC to Indiana. 2 loads , drop and hook , take home 5k.
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Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:27 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Supply and demand is exactly right. Before I parked my hopper, I was told by several people I hauled for there was no reason to raise rates until loads went uncovered. So, regretfully I parked the hopper and have been pulling a tank ever since. Running empty one way and making WAY more money than I was under the hopper.
Hopefully, others figure out the same thing and make a change for the better. In this enviornment, if you aren't making money with your truck, your decisions are the problem. Sorry if that pisses some of you off. Good luck to everyone and I hope you figure out how to get everything you want from your businesses."
4-5k a week , 1 load a day. Run empty from Des Moines back to south Kansas . Pnuematic. I tried to go back to doing it but I stupidly bought a truck with split exhaust. Can't put pto on it
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Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:27 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Because farmers are starving. You can tell by the 350k horse barn, 750k house, 30k fence around front yard and the 2.5 million buck combine they buy every year or two. Plus the measly price they get for their crops because you only pay 3.00 for a loaf of bread.
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Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:27 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
I get these every day... 
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Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:28 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Who knows. Farmers are starving but seem to live in mansions and buy a 2 million combine every year. Cow barons are starving yet get 12.50 for a cheap steak. 3.95 for hamburger ? Should be no more than 1.75 lb.
But I can tell you that dry van and flat bed are taking in many thousands a week on short loads. 8 -12 k a week. My buddy goes home each Friday and makes 11k.
I got offered conastoga loads. KC to Indiana. 2 loads , drop and hook , take home 5k."
Cow barons? What's a Cow baron? Are you under the impression that the money you give the grocery store or steak house goes directly to the rancher? Mansions you say? Marcus, I've tried to defend you from the dudes ripping you apart on here but what you said there gave me a bloody nose from confusion, and an understanding for what was going through the minds of the people that were kinda hard on you. Holy moly
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Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:29 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Marcus, Don't be decieved by (In debt out thier ass farmers)... We get maybe 1.50 a pound on the hoof whiale your steak cost $15.....And we pay that old trucking both ways! I am in family farmer and live in a 1979 crappy modular home, but hey its a roof.... |
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Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 10:29 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
And Marcus , just for the record the big row crop farmers generally trade combine every other year and the are a high price tag of 400,000- 900,000 and most live in modest house's to the like's of what ya see in suburbs of a mid size town or old restored homesteads....The blood, sweat and tears on a farm are real and iike no other..And I always say most farmers don't die from roundup, they die from broken hearts... |
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Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 12:43 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Marcus dude you are way out of line sterotyping that farmers have 350k hose barns. I know one land trader in all of N. Missouri that might have 150,000 stable.. You are insulting the farmers on here and believe me half these guys on here are farmer/ranchers... And remember Farmers are the original truckers and many truckers bought a fram by trucking..So get your damn sh*t together... |
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Replied on Fri, Jul 16, 2021 at 03:05 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "$2.50 per loaded mile is $1.25 for all miles driven and that is if you live directly in the lane the load is hauled in. If you have out of bounds miles then that decreases it even more. If you are hauling loads back and forth diving empty to go get the loads and then loaded taking it to its destination and then repeating that multiple times per day then the shipper shoukld pay a rate that covers all miles driven. $2.50 per mile for all miles driven plus a FSC would be what you want to have at least.
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No, I don't haul for the guys that are trying to get that done. I just think it's crazy that they are trying to make it sound like it's something good to be bragging that they are willing to pay you that little. I don't figured on ever bringing a load back because they are even cheaper and takes up time. My truck gets better fuel mileage empty and that pays more than those backhaul rates if you figure the out of route miles and how much time you invest in it. If you have something good, you're better off to just come back and load again. If think the trailer has to be loaded all the time, then your just helping keep the rates down. |
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Replied on Sat, Jul 17, 2021 at 05:02 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Cow barons? What's a Cow baron? Are you under the impression that the money you give the grocery store or steak house goes directly to the rancher? Mansions you say? Marcus, I've tried to defend you from the dudes ripping you apart on here but what you said there gave me a bloody nose from confusion, and an understanding for what was going through the minds of the people that were kinda hard on you. Holy moly"
I hate to say it but very little, if anything Marcus has posted on here has made sense to me. Regarding the last comment, all I can say is WOW, UNBELIEVABLE... |
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Replied on Mon, Jul 19, 2021 at 09:37 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Hopper rates are always the lowest rates. Plus the washout bullshit, you pay up to $80 for a guy with a garden hose to wash it out half asked!
You get to the mill & sit in line to unload. Many eaiser ways to make money then dealing with this bullshit !
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Replied on Tue, Jul 20, 2021 at 01:26 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
You will never build a customer base that will pay you a consistent, good rate, year round if you bounce around from wagon to wagon, chasing the high dollars. We have been doing the same things for over 10 years and we are doing just fine on with the rates we haul for year round! One thing I will say is that if you are relying on a load board to get your loads, you will NEVER make good money! You need a customer base and a base of brokers in the areas where your customer loads go to help with good paying loads to return with. Next, lets get away from calling any load a back haul! There is no such thing! Your truck needs to make a certain amount per mile for every mile that is put on the truck! If at the end of the week, you have hit that point and or exceeded that point, then be happy and keep working! Work that customer base and increase your service record!
By no means am I saying you should be happy with whatever you make and if you need to chase the high dollar freight in other sectors, that is fine, BUT don't come back to this sector and think you will get sympathy from the carriers who stick with it through thick and thin, good and bad, because we will still be working with our customers, providing excellent service and making our consistent living!
Thanks Keith ET Trucking INC. |
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Replied on Tue, Jul 20, 2021 at 09:49 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
I agree. Years ago I decided to not chase the "greener pastures" but to fertilize the pasture I have. Or want. The longer you do something the better you'll get at it. I've had my core customers for 20-25 years. |
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Replied on Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 03:53 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Meanwhile mayor Pete vows that FMCSA will solve the driver retention problem, but what tools does he plan to employ? Hymmm
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Replied on Wed, Jul 21, 2021 at 10:26 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Dean and Kieth, thats fantastic that you've had long term customers like that. It's a credit to both your companies. What's your plan if some aspect of the economy causes one or more of your biggest customers to slow down or close up shop? In that case it doesn't really matter how excellent your service is. A year ago I was bragging about an abundance of good paying hopper freight, now my hopper is parked because some customers are slowing down for economic reasons. I don't have a quarter of the experience as you guys but one thing I've noticed is that things change fast and you have to adapt. It is damn impressive that you've had the same customers that long and not to take credit away from your service, but from what I've seen, that's an outlier. Companies change owners, go corporate, kids take over ect ect and with the pretend driver shortage there are 17 companies waiting to jump on any loads available. I agree with riding out the storm as you guys have mentioned, but it's not always possible. I can't afford to pull 1.70 freight for Gavilon, AGP, CHS, Commodity services ect, just to stay hooked to the hopper. Someone can easily clear more than those companies pay after paying all the trailer rent and brokerage fees to a flatbed company. I'm not trying to sound like I'm criticizing what you guys said, you should be proud of having your situation you've created for yourselves. I'm just saying it's tough to make a living and I don't blame anybody for adapting. This economy is pretty hard to understand lately, even when taking into account my stupidity.
Good luck everyone
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Replied on Thu, Jul 22, 2021 at 08:46 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
You are correct Dale. Things change. If I were to write a book I would probably be in my 6th chapter. You have to decide how to adapt and have some diversity. |
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Replied on Thu, Jul 22, 2021 at 08:48 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Unless you can feed a family on 40 hours a week, it seems like a case of bragging about working for free, sorry if that offends anyone, but every year 500,000 eager enthusiastic recruits obtain a CDL to come join us, and the vast majority leave in a matter of a few months and go back to working in a factory, is it any wonder why the general public looks down on this industry?
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Replied on Thu, Jul 22, 2021 at 08:48 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
My comments are not aimed at any one person on the forum, rather I am speaking to the general issue on rates out of frustration.
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Replied on Sat, Jul 24, 2021 at 07:10 PM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Well crap. I must be doing it wrong. Just pulled 243 miles for $968, bounced 77 miles, went 171 miles for $502, bounced 32 miles home. Do that load every 3 weeks. 523 miles 1470 miles. $2.81 Last week, 432 miles for $1732 out, 134 empty, 174 loaded for $677 miles, bounced 9 miles reloaded 129 miles $588, 11 miles home. 889 miles $2997 gross. $3.37 mile, all miles. both loads go out Sunday pm, back Monday Afternoon. Use my 150 exempt. I hope to think it is my hard work to my customers that allows me to have fair rates. $2/mile is not in my game. |
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Replied on Sun, Jul 25, 2021 at 10:27 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Well crap. I must be doing it wrong. Just pulled 243 miles for $968, bounced 77 miles, went 171 miles for $502, bounced 32 miles home.
Do that load every 3 weeks. 523 miles 1470 miles. $2.81
Last week, 432 miles for $1732 out, 134 empty, 174 loaded for $677 miles, bounced 9 miles reloaded 129 miles $588, 11 miles home.
889 miles $2997 gross. $3.37 mile, all miles. both loads go out Sunday pm, back Monday Afternoon. Use my 150 exempt.
I hope to think it is my hard work to my customers that allows me to have fair rates.
$2/mile is not in my game. "
Jeff, are you under the impression that just because rates are ok with the short local stuff you are doing, that they must be comparable in every other square inch of the country? And are you also under the impression that the reason rates might suck in other places is because people don't work as hard as you?? Need a pusher axle to carry that kind of ego around. Trucking changes faster than the weather. I bragged like that a year ago while others were parked during the lockdown. It's a miracle nobody told me to get bent.
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Replied on Mon, Jul 26, 2021 at 07:42 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
What some may call chasing high dollar freight or greener pastures, others may call diversification. I know many people that own multiple trailers, hoppers for grain, tanks for fertilizer season, and open deck for cotton bales. Also, "a good rate" is subjective, with little meaning to anyone other than the one who knows what that rate is when compared to their expenses. A good rate to some may not be to others. Lastly, I've never read a post on this forum where anybody is looking for sympathy. I thought it was a place where we could exchange ideas, and information to help each other. |
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Replied on Mon, Jul 26, 2021 at 07:43 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Because farmers are starving. You can tell by the 350k horse barn, 750k house, 30k fence around front yard and the 2.5 million buck combine they buy every year or two. Plus the measly price they get for their crops because you only pay 3.00 for a loaf of bread."
Marcus, My husband and I farm and let me tell you we dont live in a mansion nor do we have any equipment 5 years old or newer. Our combine cost us about 100,000 and its now 12 years old and we dont plan to trade it anytime soon. I dont think you should be talking this way about farmers, if you have never walked in our shoes. Please remember when you sit down to eat with your family, make sure to thank us farmers because we provide the food for your family. Thanks |
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Replied on Mon, Jul 26, 2021 at 07:43 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "You will never build a customer base that will pay you a consistent, good rate, year round if you bounce around from wagon to wagon, chasing the high dollars. We have been doing the same things for over 10 years and we are doing just fine on with the rates we haul for year round! One thing I will say is that if you are relying on a load board to get your loads, you will NEVER make good money! You need a customer base and a base of brokers in the areas where your customer loads go to help with good paying loads to return with. Next, lets get away from calling any load a back haul! There is no such thing! Your truck needs to make a certain amount per mile for every mile that is put on the truck! If at the end of the week, you have hit that point and or exceeded that point, then be happy and keep working! Work that customer base and increase your service record!
By no means am I saying you should be happy with whatever you make and if you need to chase the high dollar freight in other sectors, that is fine, BUT don't come back to this sector and think you will get sympathy from the carriers who stick with it through thick and thin, good and bad, because we will still be working with our customers, providing excellent service and making our consistent living!
Thanks
Keith
ET Trucking INC."
Thank you Keith. Very well said. My husband has been doing this for almost 20 years and he says you have to take the good with the bad and ride the storm out even though its not fun sometimes. |
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Replied on Mon, Jul 26, 2021 at 11:13 AM CST
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
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Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.
Quote: "Well crap. I must be doing it wrong. Just pulled 243 miles for $968, bounced 77 miles, went 171 miles for $502, bounced 32 miles home.
Do that load every 3 weeks. 523 miles 1470 miles. $2.81
Last week, 432 miles for $1732 out, 134 empty, 174 loaded for $677 miles, bounced 9 miles reloaded 129 miles $588, 11 miles home.
889 miles $2997 gross. $3.37 mile, all miles. both loads go out Sunday pm, back Monday Afternoon. Use my 150 exempt.
I hope to think it is my hard work to my customers that allows me to have fair rates.
$2/mile is not in my game. "
Shhh... I wouldn't tell anyone.................................! |