Yup, pen and paper is the only way to do it.

You also have to fill it the same way, even 2-3 gallons extra can throw that number off quite a bit.

 

Well....let's not get ahead of ourselves.

I'm one of those that says you can't make a living in trucking.....if you're paying a driver. and if you're paying alimony and child support because you went OTR.

And don't forget he did say it was his best week ever (that's why I used 40 weeks. If things go bad he can work more and *hopefully* make more).

 

Well I don't see how people who are OTR can fill the same way. I mean maybe I'm missing something but how you fill depends on where you are? I never fuel in Indiana and the other day in the North East I filled up in Virginia before going up there. Out West I did my best to avoid filling up in Washington, so sometimes I'm filling up when I have a 1/2 a tank and other times I'm damn near on E.

Right now I am going by my fuel tax, I heard that's the best way. Thankfully I have an APU and I try and go slow and all the other tips I read here.

You know I know a lot of you are doing 58 -60 but I am going usually mid 60's and seems like everyone is flying by. I was thinking on that today; doesn't seem current fuel prices are changing the way most drive out here.

And the those that run those cattle cars must be raking in the money cause they drive like they are all race car driving (not to mention the car haulers)

 

I didn't mean the bottom when you start filling it up, I mean at the top when its full. For example "topping it up" can add a good 5 gallons.

But you're right, you need an average. That's what IFTA does, it's an average over 3 months.

 

Rank, I was thinking the same thing, but what do I know, I just found out I got into an industry in September that had no future. :wink:


Load It, I don't know anything about the seasonality of this industry, or the desirable lanes, or the areas to stay out of yet, but once I figure that out, I hope I can limit some deadhead miles.

Btw, the miles I posted included deadhead miles. I haven't figured that out as a percentage yet, but I would guess around 10%, because I refuse to haul cheap freight and will drive out to get better rates. When I'm quoted $1 a mile (south Texas), I fire my truck up and go north till I can get $2. Even with the deadhead, I still beat the cheap rate, plus I don't give that sorry broker the satisfaction of using me to cover that load. I also will NEVER haul for a broker once they pull that on me.

I do have some brokers that will pay around $2, so I deadhead to get their loads instead of taking cheap loads just to buy fuel. I try to give them the best service so they call me first.

I'm not sure if what I'm doing is smart, but In my mind, until somebody stops hauling those loads, they'll keep trying to put us out of business with low rates........

If I am ultimately successful, you guys can pat yourself on the back, because honestly, I don't think I would have done as well without what I've learned from this board. I've taken your advise and it's working.

jonboy

 

Allan, my fixed expenses ie. truck payment, insurance, cell phone, load boards etc. etc. run $2600 per month, or $600 per week, or as you calculate it as a cost per mile, it would be around .20 on 3000 miles, which would take my net down to .82 per mile before variable expenses.

I suppose if it was down around .50-.60, you'd be better off driving for someone else, although, I like the choice of where?, when?, what?, how much?. That is the fun part for me, and I like being the captain of my own ship, albeit, a small one........well, in my case, more like row boat. :wink:

jonboy

 

Ok so you're at 82 CPM, this does not include maintenance?

 

No, it does not include maintainence.

 

Those cattle haulers get docked for the dead ones. :shock:
And I think they get docked somehow if the cattle lose weight also.

 

I talked to one of those modern day cowboys the other day, and he told me they have a 24 hr limit on how long the cows can be in the trailer, and it forces them to run long distances both fast, and illegal on the hours.

He said if he was a DOT guy, he would spend his time with the cattle trucks, because they have to run illegal......

I guess those cows get stressed, or die, if they are in the trailer too long?


jonboy