I graduated from Landstars' Platform course which took 2 long days of pratical and theory into cargo securing.This was followed by a 30 question test.Anyway, I have just about all the equipment from the previous owner that I bought the truck(former Landstar Inway BCO)from.With the exception of 2 inch ratchet straps,edge protectors, friction mats,box of bungees and a strap winder.
The problem is that Landstars' equipment utilization dept. said I am 9th on the list to get a company flat.This could be anywhere from now to 6 weeks in waiting since many van drivers are converting to flats.
I also thought about a SD but in talking to many BCOs of both Flats and SD, the money seems the same and also many SD BCOs have to DH more to their loads or many shippers prefer the flats than a SD.There are also many Flat loads than SD loads in the Landstar system.Many SD BCOs are having to call the agents for Flat loads and only to verify that the load would fit a SD.Then the chain starts when the agent calls the shipper and sometimes it is a NADA from the shipper.This was why I decided to go flat than a SD although Landstar had me in the system to get a SD.

Now for the question, where can I get a Flat with 48x102,spread axle, combo/steel trailer, with air ride for around $6000.Must be a 1994 +.
I also read that Pepe got his trailer for around $5000 from either ebay etc....
The other question is that I have my own Base plate with 30 states.Landstar does my IFTA (deduction/refund depends on where I run and buy fuel) and I also use their permits wich cost $10/month.Pepe, Steve and other guys with your authority, how hard is it to do your IFTA every quarter?We at Landstar write down the miles,highway travelled,(in each state),trip #,deadhead miles,pick up and destination city on our trip envelop(for each trip#).How different is it to do your IFTA than what we BCOs do at Landstar?I have heard horror stories.Why do many independents let their authority expire and then go back to leasing to a company?.Many I have talked to either at Landstar or outside claim the brokers did not pay or it was a chase.If so, then what is the purpose of a factoring company!
Just an update and a question.
Thanks guys!

 

Doing my IFTA is a big pain in he ass. It takes me hours and hours every quarter and lots of math. It's very straight forward once you understand it but it takes a lot of time. I found it confusing my first time but now understand how to do it. I end up paying anywhere from $2.00 to $130.00

You can look for a flatbed on www.TruckPaper.com. I kind of doubt that you will be able to find a trailer for $6,000.

I have NEVER had a problem with a broker not paying or having to chase them.

 

Whos your favorite broker?? Im looking in SW Florida for some dedicated loads.

 

It sounds like you are thinking about getting your own authority, henboy. You can get your own base plate with Landstar, but must use their IFTA. Most carriers will not allow you to do your own IFTA since they are ultimately responsible for the fuel taxes and seeing that the proper forms are filed in a timely manner. About the only difference in what you are currently doing for Landstar in tracking your miles and gallons is that you will also need to add everything up by state at the end of the quarter. You will need to file a quarterly fuel report and tell the state how many miles you ran and how many gallons of fuel you purchased in each state. You will either have a credit or need to send them a check for a debit. If you keep up with your fuel and miles you should be able to do the form in about 30 minutes to 1 hour once you get the hang of it. You can either do it manually or guy software to assist you.

I seriously doubt whether you will be able to find a steel trailer for $6,000, much less a combo. A combo seems to cost a little more than a steel and wood trailer. I would expect you will need to pay at least double that amount to get a decent trailer. You may want to see if you can find a 96" wide trailer to get started. They usually cost a little less to purchase.

I have not had a lot of problems getting my money from most brokers. I check them out before I commit to a load. If their credit isn't good, then I don't haul the load. I am not going to chase down a broker to get my money. Some factors are non-recourse, others are not. Some people fail in this business because they don't do what is necessary to be successful, such as checking out a broker or shipper prior to taking a load. Some people are simply better managers than others. If someone is under capitalized, then they are more likely to fail when things get tight.

 

You can find 45x96 combo-air flats in that price range, but the guys are correct, it's hard to find a 48x102 in that range.

 

There is nothing wrong with having a 96" wide trailer. My side kit is 96" x 48'. It is rare that you would need a 102" wide trailer. Perhaps 2 or 3 times, a 102" has been needed, but that isn't enough to worry about. A friend of mine who is an owner operator has an all aluminum 45' x 96" trailer and is doing very well with it. Keep in mind that you will rarely use the entire deck of a 48' trailer when you pull a flat bed. Unless you pull long I-beams or something else which is very long, a 45' would work to get you started. I prefer a 48', but a 45' will be a start. Red Clay Rambler is correct about finding one for much less than a 48' x 102". If you want a 48' you might check around for a 96" wide rather than 102". Many steel haulers who run the Northeast pull 96" trailers. There are some roads up there which are restricted to 96".

 

I've actually seen the opposite from what you've see GMAN with regards to my 102". It's allowed me to carry over 1,000 bags of onions and make more money than the 96" guys. On a 102" you can turn the pallets the other way and get 4 more on than a 96".

All the cranes I haul are also based on 102" and they take the whole width. The scaffolding I took the other day was based on 102" also. The skids were made square but would only fit on a 102".

 

henboy1, also be advised that many used flatbeds will have rust problems. Be sure you look at the cross members closely. Many cheaper flats will also need tires, something not always mentioned in the ads. A little surface rust only should not be a problem and most used steel or combo flats will have some.

 

Yes Gman the closer I am to swimming "with the sharks" the better.There are many guys with Landstar who cannot afford their base plates and therefore request that Landstar furnish it and the Illinois plates they use is a $92 deduction every week for 4 months but then again when you get your lease cancelled etc.. you have to return those plates.I wanted the freedom of leaving when need be and still have plates.


Gman, I guess the IFTA for us or what we do on our trip sheet is almost like you guys just that Lnadtsar goes a bit further with the formulas on probably a spread sheet.Our deductions/refunds comes in every month.I had a $45 deduction last month (July's fuel tax).Another BCo told me it was just about right because some others are having about $300 deductions.I also understand that most carriers that you lease onto will "furnish" your IFTA without any deductions except for Landstar.

Your right a 48x102 trailer will be hard to get and in looking at truckpaper.com and else where they usually want 8-10grand.
You are also right Rambler, the cheaper ones had frame rail rust except for this one I found in ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...138309555&rd=1
If not the item # is 170138309555
It is just frustrating having to wait for Landstar to give me a trailer.
Steve, it sounds like your 102 is more in demand than a 96 but then again the guys with a 96 I will guess are not missing many loads from shippers.

Gman when you say 'I check them out before I commit to a load".What exactly is that involved?Do you go through a factoring company in checking them out.I would also assume you have an online program like Equifax etc.. that you can run a credit check by MC# or brokers authority#.
I know Steve waits a while to get paid but Gman, how long do you wait to get paid after you hand in your BOL via efax etc..
When I go to a dead area, (nothing on Landstar's load board) I go through my agent book.I know most of you have specific brokers you deal with, but at a dead stop do you guys try to open up your ITS and get loaded.com/CH?Do do you post your truck and leave specific rates in the comments area to weed out the cheap loads while waiting for the phone to ring?
I plan on jumping ship next year and I wanted to see what it feels like really being out there?If I needed that 30 day free trial with getloaded can I sign up without having my own authority or will they take my USDOT and MC# from my cab card?


I just want to compare the rates from lets say CH Robinson,Getloaded and ITS to Landstar's "gross" on our loadboard(the one for BCOs not the approved carrier baord).Knowing the rates on both the real world and Landstar will give me an idea of my survival because when I leave I am definitely not coming back.
I will also be posting a quote from Progressive.Who else can I contact for a quote First Guard etc...?


Thank you guys!!

 

Steve, you are correct about turning the pallets. However, when I have hauled onions, they will usually throw a few more bags on to the other pallets, as long as I can scale the weight. With the side kit down, I have put pallets all the way to the edge of the rub rail. I prefer not doing that, but it can be done as long as you can still safely secure the load. I rarely haul anything on pallets. I have seen very few times when my 96" trailer would not do the job. It really depends more on what you haul and where you go. If you haul a lot of steel, it usually won't make a difference. The major benefit I have found with a 102" trailer is that it is easier to walk around the deck when you have a wider load. Other than that, I have not seen much difference. I prefer a 102", but have made just as much money with a 96". You can usually save some money by getting a 96". If one cannot afford to buy a 102", it is a good way to get started and stay within a limited budget.