post *****?

 

$40 to load a fuel card, is the reason I am not using my carriers fuel card, I will be using the same fuel card I'm using now, I will get the same fuel discounts as the owner does, he will only charge me $.01 per mile to use the card.

And don't get me wrong guys, I value your advice, you saved me from the US Express get rich L/P program. And now I'm going to pick your brains a bit, ok, here we go:

How do you figure the cost per day if your truck is idle?
How do you figure the cost per mile to drive your truck?
What do you do to control your fuel costs?
How many miles do you run to break even?
And how much should you pay yourself for driving?

I'm just looking for examples, you don't have to give actual figures.

Thanks.
Fuze.

 

Sorry to be a bit vague, but some of the answers you are seeking will vary from one person to another.

 

And he should already know them, or atlest have an understanding of how to get them.......where is BigDiesel when you need him.

 

I suppose that I could clarify one thing. Your fixed costs are things that are the same each month, such as your equipment payment, insurance, etc., For instance, if your payment is $1,000/month and insurance is $250/month then your monthly fixed costs are $1,250/month. That means that your daily fixed costs are $1,250/30 (days in a month) = $41.67/day.

Variable expenses are things like tires, fuel, etc., You can allow a certain amount of money per mile to get those averages. Fuel costs can change daily. You can take the national fuel cost and divide by the mpg you get on your truck for that cost. I usually break down those costs by the mile. The national fuel costs are published every Monday. If the average cost is $2.50/gallon and your truck gets 5 mpg, then your operational costs for fuel is $0.50/mile. I usually calculate my fuel costs at 5 mpg. Costs should ALWAYS be calculated high and income low.

Oil changes cost about $200-300. Sometimes you can find them at a special rate. I paid $169 the other day. I would say the average is around $250. Your operational costs for this will depend on how much you pay for oil changes and the frequency. I change my oil at 15,000 miles. Some change at 10,000. Others may extend out to more than 20,000 miles. If you change at 10,000 miles and pay $250, then your operational costs should be about $0.025/mile (if I have calculated correctly). Tire costs will also depend on how much you pay for a tire and how long it lasts. You can extend the life of you tires with proper maintenance. Just make sure you check tire pressure regularly. I usually allow about $0.05/mile for tires.

 

When I was running, just closed up shop a few months ago, my nut was $1.20 a mile to break even after expenses. And that $1.20 fluctuated, towards the end, I was doing just as much dead heading as I was loaded. And trust me, I tried to pick my areas, but after awhile, the good areas dried up and the rates collapsed everywhere. Then factor in all of the sitting at truck stops and looking for freight, it was to the point it was costing me money. Near the end, in June of 09, I was not even breaking even, just moving freight for free. And when I did make money, it was not even worth mentioning, hardly a profit, just coffee money.

Just not worth it in my book. And looking at the numbers, fuel costs, maint., taxes, collapse of the dollar, lack of freight, companies that were starving for credit, etc... I said it was time to hang it up.

And my equipment was paid for.

Not saying you would have my luck, as I am in Michigan and depended on the automotive/manufacturing industries to keep me running. By Sept of 08 many of my long time customers had closed their doors. I moved over to general freight and found that it was just not worth my time and energy.

 

Give him some advice he wants to hear BigD, he may be the first Lease Operator to make it BIG!!

 

You forgot
With the great miles, payments I can handle, a great accountant, and business advisor, I should do okay.

Did his "great business advisor" send him to CAD to learn?

 

Not leasing the truck from the man whom owns that truck.....and has it leased on with a "Carrier".


The man whom owns the truck will make money. The "Carrier" the truck is leased to will make money.


The kid is just gonna pay to have a job. Pay dearly too! He be gonna pay da man dat own da truck. He gonna pay da man dat own da "Carrier". An den he gonna be da man dat pay ta haul da product dat git carried by da truck.