I`ve never been able to make LTL work. There is never enough money in it to cover the;

1. Cost of the OOR miles
2. Layover/delay to PU
3. Layover/delay to deliver

Furthermore, you can't do it with OD as the primary piece because you cannot go OOR. Often there are crane appointments associated associate with delivering the primary piece and you would blow the appointment if you stop for another pick. I'm not saying I've never booked them because I have....it's just one in a million.

 

I tend to do a bit of LTL with my step deck. But being a large company it works out better. Most of the time it's just tractors along the route to a major delivery, and we pick them up at the terminal in Winnipeg anyways(where I live). I know guys that do the Edmonton - Houston LTL thing and it works for them. We have several team trucks doing that.

 

He's either pulling your chain, talking about a different Grand Forks, or slept through more than you did.

 

There is good money in LTL. You just need to get it from the right people. Mostly steel out of the rust belt. Timing is not hard pulling a step/flat, just try and find a TL going to CA that will not gross you out then call the LTL king in Chicago (I can hook Tracer up) put on 1 or 2 pcs for a extra 1000 to 1500 or more.(you can stack steel tubbing, bars and plate) Chicago is not much out of the way going to eastern canada.

I did it for years going the other way. Usually to OK and TX from the Chicago area.

Tracer, The best trailer now is the one you have, find some good load levelers, remember you need taller ones for your low step, find several sizes of tarps and some padding, and a case of bungies.You can use the levelers to put 20 ft bars on the top deck and put a backhoe on the back. Load levelers would help with weight distribution. Make what you have work then buy what would make it better. You need to load with the idea of putting more on and don't waste space, know how much space and weight you have left. AND DON'T OVER ANALIZE EVERY LOAD.

 

Doing LTL requires a ton of patience and persistence. You really have to be able to think outside the box and think/react very quickly.

 

Heavy Duty, what's wrong with you? Why are you giving me good-natured CONSTRUCTIVE comments? You are way out of line and you're breaking the mood of this forum But that's the attitude I really appreciate. THANK YOU.

 

You mean, I must be a good problem-solver and be able to think on my feet?

 

I'm glad to see you might be warming up to the idea of keeping what you have and making it work. I think most everyone on this board knows more about trucking than I do but I'm definitely a Contender for the Title of knowing the most about clawing your way out of debt.

You've got 2 1/2 years to go on your flease and then you're free, right? Well? Don't go having a weak moment and make it 5 years for crying out loud. Focus on the 2 1/2 year finish line and make sure you buy your next trailer (WITH CASH!!!).

 

Yes, when you're in Chicago doing an LTL back to Ontario don't rule out an Indy or Cleveland pick. Call on them because the agent may want a Landstar truck only plus you create a new relationship with an agent. What's the worst thing that happens? The freight doesn't work is the worst thing that can happen.

Never start with a cheap piece. Once you put that cheap $300 skid on you are committed to doing LTL. If you start cheap guaranteed that's when the 48,000 load of plate paying $1700 plus FSC shows up!

 

60 months from October 2009 is October 2014. So, it's more like 3.5 years and then I still have to find ONE DOLLAR to buy it out. But that $911 + tax each month for a basic flat definitely turned me off. With our 13% HST (sales tax) here in ON, it'd be over $1,000 each month just for a flat!