WTH Hoppers?

May 12, 2022 at 03:08 PM CST + 19 - 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Got offered a contract for the rest of the year. The round trip was 544 miles. The frigging gross was $940. For me just the fuel would be about $520. Which leaves 420 dollars after fuel alone. This guy said he had several guys on it and their fuel was costing $500 per round. As if there were a major difference or something. He also said they were running two rounds per day. I just want to request that whoever is running 1080 miles per day for $842 after fuel, slap yourself until you pass out. WT literal F?

Replied on Fri, May 13, 2022 at 08:23 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Brokers will say that to try to sucker you in. I just say, I'm happy for the other drivers but I can't do a round for that rate. I've had some call back later that day or the next day and ask what will it take for my truck to do the round. Not often but its happened.

Replied on Fri, May 13, 2022 at 08:23 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I have had the same fight /conversation with numerous people this week and I don't know what else to even say to anyone at this point other than run all miles, expenses and please quit running freight so cheap. But it's like we have to wait for them to run broke or something. It's exhausting

Replied on Fri, May 13, 2022 at 08:23 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. What was the freight? Typically grain isn't worth hauling unless...... well.... it isn't worth hauling LOL!

Replied on Fri, May 13, 2022 at 08:24 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Thats one of the things wrong with this industry, most truck owners don't know what it cost them to operate. There is no way I could make a round like that work for me or any of my trucks. It will take some time but they will weed themsevles out running at that margin. The problem is there will be trucks standing by to replace them. We seem to have alot of trucks on the road around Texas with temp tags which means most likely they dont have insurance and run on a temp tag until they get caught or need another. All I can do is stick to the rates that work for our company and keep moving. I guess I still live on the old way of thinking and believe that our customer service will win in the end. With that said yall stick to your guns on your pricing. Remember when that wheat gets ready here in a few weeks that our fuel is costing us nearly $2 more than it was last year and please quote your prices accordingly

Replied on Fri, May 13, 2022 at 08:24 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Thats one of the things wrong with this industry, most truck owners don't know what it cost them to operate. There is no way I could make a round like that work for me or any of my trucks. It will take some time but they will weed themsevles out running at that margin. The problem is there will be trucks standing by to replace them. We seem to have alot of trucks on the road around Texas with temp tags which means most likely they dont have insurance and run on a temp tag until they get caught or need another. All I can do is stick to the rates that work for our company and keep moving. I guess I still live on the old way of thinking and believe that our customer service will win in the end.

With that said yall stick to your guns on your pricing. Remember when that wheat gets ready here in a few weeks that our fuel is costing us nearly $2 more than it was last year and please quote your prices accordingly

Replied on Fri, May 13, 2022 at 10:01 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. When a broker tells me what the load rate is, I simply say let me call my driver and I'll call you right back. I have a rate per mile formula that I use. I run my empty and what practical loaded mile would be. For me if all that doesn't add up to what I would need I'll negotiate the rate until we come to an agreement or I tell them I can't haul for that amount. Load will depend o. What it is and where it's going.

Replied on Fri, May 13, 2022 at 10:01 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

When a broker tells me what the load rate is, I simply say let me call my driver and I'll call you right back. I have a rate per mile formula that I use. I run my empty and what practical loaded mile would be. For me if all that doesn't add up to what I would need I'll negotiate the rate until we come to an agreement or I tell them I can't haul for that amount. Load will depend o. What it is and where it's going.

Replied on Fri, May 13, 2022 at 09:00 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Babbock what is your formula you use

Replied on Sat, May 14, 2022 at 10:55 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "What was the freight? Typically grain isn't worth hauling unless...... well.... it isn't worth hauling LOL! " Lots of grain is cheap but I get loads that pay quite well. Organic usually pays good. I even get some wheat loads that pay 85 a bushel and get offered some at .25 b. Organic milo pays well

Replied on Sat, May 14, 2022 at 10:55 AM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I have had the same fight /conversation with numerous people this week and I don't know what else to even say to anyone at this point other than run all miles, expenses and please quit running freight so cheap. But it's like we have to wait for them to run broke or something. It's exhausting " I piss brokers off all the time. I generally refuse any back hauls of cheap freight. I'll eat 600 in fuel before I take a 700 load. Nit a great business decision but I don't like being part of the problem.

Replied on Sat, May 14, 2022 at 10:55 AM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "I have had the same fight /conversation with numerous people this week and I don't know what else to even say to anyone at this point other than run all miles, expenses and please quit running freight so cheap. But it's like we have to wait for them to run broke or something. It's exhausting "

I piss brokers off all the time. I generally refuse any back hauls of cheap freight. I'll eat 600 in fuel before I take a 700 load. Nit a great business decision but I don't like being part of the problem.

Replied on Sat, May 14, 2022 at 10:55 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "When a broker tells me what the load rate is, I simply say let me call my driver and I'll call you right back. I have a rate per mile formula that I use. I run my empty and what practical loaded mile would be. For me if all that doesn't add up to what I would need I'll negotiate the rate until we come to an agreement or I tell them I can't haul for that amount. Load will depend o. What it is and where it's going." I don't negotiate with anyone. Thst is my formula. I just say yes or no. If they ask what I want I just say yo hive me a fair price and I'll fo it. They know what is fair. Either they can or can't. Its all good. I don't want to cut their profit short either.

Replied on Sat, May 14, 2022 at 10:55 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "When a broker tells me what the load rate is, I simply say let me call my driver and I'll call you right back. I have a rate per mile formula that I use. I run my empty and what practical loaded mile would be. For me if all that doesn't add up to what I would need I'll negotiate the rate until we come to an agreement or I tell them I can't haul for that amount. Load will depend o. What it is and where it's going."

I don't negotiate with anyone. Thst is my formula. I just say yes or no. If they ask what I want I just say yo hive me a fair price and I'll fo it. They know what is fair. Either they can or can't. Its all good. I don't want to cut their profit short either.

Replied on Sat, May 14, 2022 at 10:55 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "When a broker tells me what the load rate is, I simply say let me call my driver and I'll call you right back. I have a rate per mile formula that I use. I run my empty and what practical loaded mile would be. For me if all that doesn't add up to what I would need I'll negotiate the rate until we come to an agreement or I tell them I can't haul for that amount. Load will depend o. What it is and where it's going." I don't negotiate with anyone. Thst is my formula. I just say yes or no. If they ask what I want I just say yo hive me a fair price and I'll fo it. They know what is fair. Either they can or can't. Its all good. I don't want to cut their profit short either.

Replied on Sat, May 14, 2022 at 10:55 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Replied on Sat, May 14, 2022 at 09:32 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Babbock what is your formula you use" This is what I use (its something I come up with). I look at what the national fuel average is. Its in the top right side. If a broker charges a percentage, empty and loaded miles, what my cost is to run my truck and what I'll actually make if I take the load. I have a per ton, flat rate, ctw, different grains sections. Your numbers will be different than mine. Your cost per mile etc. Youre welcome to contact me if you have any questions.

Replied on Sat, May 14, 2022 at 09:32 PM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "Babbock what is your formula you use"

This is what I use (its something I come up with). I look at what the national fuel average is. Its in the top right side. If a broker charges a percentage, empty and loaded miles, what my cost is to run my truck and what I'll actually make if I take the load.

I have a per ton, flat rate, ctw, different grains sections. Your numbers will be different than mine. Your cost per mile etc.

Youre welcome to contact me if you have any questions.

Replied on Sun, May 15, 2022 at 08:48 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I don't negotiate with anyone. Thst is my formula. I just say yes or no. If they ask what I want I just say yo hive me a fair price and I'll fo it. They know what is fair. Either they can or can't. Its all good. I don't want to cut their profit short either." I want to be fair too but I dont want to get taken advantage of either. You can't go off of what they say the rate per mile is. Most of them dont think about what it cost for you to run over and get that load, washouts etc. They only pay the "loaded" miles. The rest is at your cost. I figure in what my entire cost will be to run a load and if it pays for me to take it. Depends on what it is, where its going and sometimes who has the load and if they charge a percentage. You have to look at all expenses. If a broker calls you and says "this load will pay $4.50 a mile" I know I would take it but what will it cost for you to go pick up that load if you're 200 miles away and the loaded miles are only 300 miles. Would you still take it? I would not!

Replied on Sun, May 15, 2022 at 08:48 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "I don't negotiate with anyone. Thst is my formula. I just say yes or no. If they ask what I want I just say yo hive me a fair price and I'll fo it. They know what is fair. Either they can or can't. Its all good. I don't want to cut their profit short either."

I want to be fair too but I dont want to get taken advantage of either. You can't go off of what they say the rate per mile is. Most of them dont think about what it cost for you to run over and get that load, washouts etc. They only pay the "loaded" miles. The rest is at your cost. I figure in what my entire cost will be to run a load and if it pays for me to take it. Depends on what it is, where its going and sometimes who has the load and if they charge a percentage. You have to look at all expenses. If a broker calls you and says "this load will pay $4.50 a mile" I know I would take it but what will it cost for you to go pick up that load if you're 200 miles away and the loaded miles are only 300 miles. Would you still take it? I would not!

Replied on Sun, May 15, 2022 at 08:48 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. First and foremost you have to know what your cost per mile is or you will not know what you need a load to pay in order to make a profit. Each and every one of us has a different cost per mile. Not knowing that information you are just lost. There are loads that you are going to make big profits on and there are some that you are barely going to make a profit on. Sometimes making some money is better than nothing at all. With the current fuel prices every penny counts. You can't be mad at another carrier for running so called cheap freight. If they can turn a profit on it.. is it cheap? It is a must to know your numbers and if you don't you just running around blind and that is not good at all. This trucking business is not easy and if it were everyone would be doing this.

Replied on Sun, May 15, 2022 at 08:48 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

First and foremost you have to know what your cost per mile is or you will not know what you need a load to pay in order to make a profit. Each and every one of us has a different cost per mile. Not knowing that information you are just lost. There are loads that you are going to make big profits on and there are some that you are barely going to make a profit on. Sometimes making some money is better than nothing at all. With the current fuel prices every penny counts. You can't be mad at another carrier for running so called cheap freight. If they can turn a profit on it.. is it cheap? It is a must to know your numbers and if you don't you just running around blind and that is not good at all. This trucking business is not easy and if it were everyone would be doing this.

Replied on Sun, May 15, 2022 at 08:49 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "This is what I use (its something I come up with). I look at what the national fuel average is. Its in the top right side. If a broker charges a percentage, empty and loaded miles, what my cost is to run my truck and what I'll actually make if I take the load. I have a per ton, flat rate, ctw, different grains sections. Your numbers will be different than mine. Your cost per mile etc. Youre welcome to contact me if you have any questions. " I appreciate that. I just pull out my calculator, but my numbers come very close to yours; within a couple of dollars. i will be using this for sure.

Replied on Sun, May 15, 2022 at 08:49 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "This is what I use (its something I come up with). I look at what the national fuel average is. Its in the top right side. If a broker charges a percentage, empty and loaded miles, what my cost is to run my truck and what I'll actually make if I take the load. I have a per ton, flat rate, ctw, different grains sections. Your numbers will be different than mine. Your cost per mile etc. Youre welcome to contact me if you have any questions. "

I appreciate that. I just pull out my calculator, but my numbers come very close to yours; within a couple of dollars. i will be using this for sure.

Replied on Sun, May 15, 2022 at 03:47 PM CST + 2
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I dont care if this broker see comment and dont give me any loads in the future last week I got a load for $40.00/ton for 150 miles one way wow looks perfect I saw a leak email attached to the paperwork showing $53.00/ton and showing another Broker. that means those 2 brokers took $13./ton X24.5 = $318 imagine hauling 10 loads from this people $318x10= $3,180.00 clean easy money for me to haul 10 of this load will be 10 days risking $200k aquipment and burning $2,000 in fuel plus wear and tear and insurance if anny of you ask me who are the brokers I will mention their names, and post the email some brokers get pay from shippers and farmers round trip but they pay to the carrier one way shipper and farmers need help us in this just asking them to show proof of the round trip payment we trying bring your product and equipment but because some brokers taking 40% per load just sitting in a computer o cell phone not burning a single gallon of diesel , no no wait they do burn diesel in their millon dollar YACTH and for those Lease Owner Operators you always will be in DEPT renting a trailer and hauling $1.00/mile specially here in Florida.

Replied on Sun, May 15, 2022 at 03:47 PM CST

+ 2

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I dont care if this broker see comment and dont give me any loads in the future

last week I got a load for $40.00/ton for 150 miles one way wow looks perfect

I saw a leak email attached to the paperwork showing $53.00/ton

and showing another Broker.

that means those 2 brokers took $13./ton X24.5 = $318

imagine hauling 10 loads from this people $318x10= $3,180.00 clean easy money

for me to haul 10 of this load will be 10 days risking $200k aquipment and burning $2,000 in fuel plus wear and tear and insurance

if anny of you ask me who are the brokers I will mention their names, and post the email

some brokers get pay from shippers and farmers round trip but they pay to the carrier one way

shipper and farmers need help us in this just asking them to show proof of the round trip payment

we trying bring your product and equipment but because some brokers taking 40% per load

just sitting in a computer o cell phone not burning a single gallon of diesel ,

no no wait they do burn diesel in their millon dollar YACTH

and for those Lease Owner Operators you always will be in DEPT renting a trailer and hauling $1.00/mile

specially here in Florida.

Replied on Sun, May 15, 2022 at 11:02 PM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "What was the freight? Typically grain isn't worth hauling unless...... well.... it isn't worth hauling LOL! " Raw sugar

Replied on Mon, May 16, 2022 at 09:26 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I piss brokers off all the time. I generally refuse any back hauls of cheap freight. I'll eat 600 in fuel before I take a 700 load. Nit a great business decision but I don't like being part of the problem." "Back haul"??? What is this? There is no such thing. Your previous load ended there is only the next load. The term "back haul" was created by brokers and uneducated office personnel.

Replied on Mon, May 16, 2022 at 09:26 AM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Quote: "I piss brokers off all the time. I generally refuse any back hauls of cheap freight. I'll eat 600 in fuel before I take a 700 load. Nit a great business decision but I don't like being part of the problem."

"Back haul"??? What is this? There is no such thing. Your previous load ended there is only the next load. The term "back haul" was created by brokers and uneducated office personnel.

Replied on Mon, May 16, 2022 at 04:14 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Whaaaat? You don't have backhaul tires, backhaul insurance, or a backhaul fuel program? Come on man get it together😎

Replied on Tue, May 17, 2022 at 12:36 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: ""Back haul"??? What is this? There is no such thing. Your previous load ended there is only the next load. The term "back haul" was created by brokers and uneducated office personnel." Some of us have a home and family we like to come back to sometimes. You ever hear of those two things?

Replied on Tue, May 17, 2022 at 01:16 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I once called a broker about a load from Omaha NE to Portales NM. 100 a ton” she told me. Half hour later another broker from the same company posted the same load. I called him and he said 130 a ton. I took it. That lady was trying to keep 30 bucks per ton in her pocket for doing nothing but making a couple sorry phone calls.

Replied on Thu, May 19, 2022 at 08:31 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF YOU COULD GET A GOOD COMPANY DRIVER TO DO THAT AT 25 PERCENT GROSS 43 CENTS. WHAT ARE MOST COMPANY DRIVERS MAKING?

Replied on Thu, May 19, 2022 at 08:31 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF YOU COULD GET A GOOD COMPANY DRIVER TO DO THAT AT 25 PERCENT GROSS 43 CENTS. WHAT ARE MOST COMPANY DRIVERS MAKING?" I WAS REFERING TO DAVID KELLY'S POST

Replied on Thu, May 19, 2022 at 08:32 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Agree

Replied on Thu, May 19, 2022 at 09:54 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF YOU COULD GET A GOOD COMPANY DRIVER TO DO THAT AT 25 PERCENT GROSS 43 CENTS. WHAT ARE MOST COMPANY DRIVERS MAKING?" I definitely wouldn't do it.

Replied on Thu, May 19, 2022 at 09:54 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Quote: "Agree" What are you agreeing to Darla? 🤭🤭🤭🤭

Replied on Thu, May 19, 2022 at 11:26 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. I think hopper rates will always be lower than the rest of the industry. Just my opinion, but hopper freight is alot less stressful than other freight. Less drops, less cities, plus the AG exemption is a huge appeal. Those things make the job a little more enjoyable, and I think that drives people to take less money to do the job. I've been doing alot of flatbed work the last year and I sure do miss my hopper work. 10 to 12 drops a week, big city traffic, crack heads everywhere, bankers hours at unload points, strict HOS. I miss the hopper but I'm not willing to work for free while every big company in the US is getting RECORD PROFITS over and over. I say to tell companies no to cheap freight and I support all the employees that refuse to show up for work on a peanut wage. The boomer generation would have NEVER tolerated the garbage economy the millennials have inherited.

Replied on Thu, May 19, 2022 at 11:26 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

I think hopper rates will always be lower than the rest of the industry. Just my opinion, but hopper freight is alot less stressful than other freight. Less drops, less cities, plus the AG exemption is a huge appeal. Those things make the job a little more enjoyable, and I think that drives people to take less money to do the job. I've been doing alot of flatbed work the last year and I sure do miss my hopper work. 10 to 12 drops a week, big city traffic, crack heads everywhere, bankers hours at unload points, strict HOS. I miss the hopper but I'm not willing to work for free while every big company in the US is getting RECORD PROFITS over and over. I say to tell companies no to cheap freight and I support all the employees that refuse to show up for work on a peanut wage. The boomer generation would have NEVER tolerated the garbage economy the millennials have inherited.

Replied on Fri, May 20, 2022 at 07:32 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Dale, I'm sorry there is a work ethic missing for the millennial. Don't make excuses for lazy. Art Pfluger

Replied on Fri, May 20, 2022 at 08:40 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. https://www.businessinsider.com/truck-driver-salary-decrease-pay-cut-2018-9

Replied on Fri, May 20, 2022 at 08:46 AM CST
Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.	Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member. Art, respectfully I say there are just as many people your age that went through their life being lazy losers as people my age that did the same. Your generation spit on veterans and called them baby killers, my generation thinks everything on the planet is racist. Your generation has many hard working individuals, so does my generation. The difference is, our generation (taking inflation into account) has had to pay 3 times what you did for a house, 2 times what you did for a car, and 4 times what you did for an education and we only made 40 percent more money than you did statistically speaking. I don't disagree that someone can't expect to make good money without putting in effort, but you get what you pay for!! The modern business plan of paying a shit wage is the reason all they get for employees are blue haired hippies that are incapable of any basic skill. I'd consider it a double standard to encourage truckers to refuse cheap freight without also encouraging people to stop working for free at their 8 to 5. I work hard and hold myself to a high standard and I expect to be paid fairly. I also plan to leave this economy better than I found it for my kids(doesn't take much at this point). I'd be embarrassed at what I left for my kids if they have to raise a family on 45000 a year when a house is 200k and a car is 20k and a trip to the grocery store is 1000. I think highly of you Art. No disrespect meant. But this economy is a joke, and it can't be blamed on just lazy people.

Replied on Fri, May 20, 2022 at 08:46 AM CST

Posted by a private BulkLoads.com member.

Art, respectfully I say there are just as many people your age that went through their life being lazy losers as people my age that did the same. Your generation spit on veterans and called them baby killers, my generation thinks everything on the planet is racist. Your generation has many hard working individuals, so does my generation. The difference is, our generation (taking inflation into account) has had to pay 3 times what you did for a house, 2 times what you did for a car, and 4 times what you did for an education and we only made 40 percent more money than you did statistically speaking. I don't disagree that someone can't expect to make good money without putting in effort, but you get what you pay for!! The modern business plan of paying a shit wage is the reason all they get for employees are blue haired hippies that are incapable of any basic skill. I'd consider it a double standard to encourage truckers to refuse cheap freight without also encouraging people to stop working for free at their 8 to 5. I work hard and hold myself to a high standard and I expect to be paid fairly. I also plan to leave this economy better than I found it for my kids(doesn't take much at this point). I'd be embarrassed at what I left for my kids if they have to raise a family on 45000 a year when a house is 200k and a car is 20k and a trip to the grocery store is 1000. I think highly of you Art. No disrespect meant. But this economy is a joke, and it can't be blamed on just lazy people.