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Wow you won't like this answer. Several guys are running those numbers in reverse 60-65% business in the current environment for vans. That's why keeping expenses low is an execise in money management. But usually the 40% would be about right. Your truck payment (if you have one) is a heavy...

Don't have those options with mine, so can't give you info. Further depending on version of program the updating delay is different. The 2002 version is 15 seconds and the 2006 is much less (these are the automatic updates the program does as it works). SO you can play with different settings...

Ok Barney if it's your fault I'm making less, how about some solutions???(hahaha) Seems the expediting end may be in a bit of a slump especially vans. But at least I'm working to cure that. I'm out canvassing potential customers. Gotta do something to bring it back. Rob Fis

Lots of feelings on this topic... First there is as Greg says a lack of refining capacity. A big lack. In my area they have closed 2 refineries. This means trucking or rail for the supplies. The oil sands project has some really needed added investment so it will be a greater supply. But...

Definitely making money in a van is tough, especially now that it's pretty slow. Expect to do between 45,000 to 60,000 for the year. If it picks up and companies start shipping small loads again then it can be good. I've had 100000 plus years (yes more than one or two). Last year I made...

First thing to understand is that there is a little delay in the update on screen. The program is working in realtime but it does seem to have a few seconds delay at times. Therefore when getting near turns etc, start slowing and looking! Also the program is not perfect with address locations...

RE: Getting into this business? Questions and Ans I'm one of those few that started out with little money and a hefty truck payment. First month I only made $2800. Not enough to pay all the bills. One thing I knew I'd have to do was make myself available 100% for the first year! I made sure...

Well I worked out my costs (everything) and then figured out if I was to work an 8 hour day I would have to make $25 per hour minimum. Since I do so much deadhead I usually work on the hourly rate for the day. This way I know I'm making money if the run pays minimum $25 per hour for all time...

My shortest went from First Cdn Place to #2 First Cdn Place. I parked in the loading docks and dollied the load thru the parking lot underground. Paid $100. Fis

Well 12 hours isn't all that long. I drove from Toronto to Edmonton in 39.5 hours and 20 of it was just going to the Manitoba border with Ontario. That's one Province! I hope your having a good trip as this will work your buggy. Good cluck Rob Fis

I see a lot of van drivers that have either no straps or bars or only one bar and one or two straps. Not enough to secure properly. I carry 2 bars and 6 straps and 3 chains. Also got some non slip mats that work for loose box loads. I usually get some looks from receivers as I take a few to...

AH the memory of shifting freight. Years ago in a van I had a load only going 5 miles. Didn't strap bar or nothing. Off I go doing the speed limit but at an intersection (big one) a car going across failed to stop at the red light (my light was green for over 15 seconds). I slammed on the...

I have a piece of dowel for an idle stick and works fine. Very little fuel used for a 4 hour sleep. One nite though I couldn't find the stick (fell between seat and goodies box) so I grabbed a light box from the cargo area and stuffed it between the dash and the pedal. Worked fine!! Rob Fis

Well I say fight it. Unfortunatly this will affect all your insurance costs for all vehicles, commercial and private. Up here they penalize a DUI or DWI for 5 years minimum. Most companies are now not hiring drivers with such an offence, although we can apply for a pardon and that allows for...

As far as I know they have not yet passed the law. It does have the support of the Ministry of Transport and the Ontario Trucking Assoc and other agencies. So more than likely it will be tabled as a law sometime this year. The speed limit proposed was 105kph or 65mph. Unfortunately I haven't...

Well when you buy it make the registration for 9999#. I know a couple ppl who have registered their buggys under the vehicle rated just to avoid the hassles with the higher rating. Although does your state allow for that? Rob Fis

I usually use an air matress with a couple of sleeping bags (1 a -5 rated and a -15 rated). This winter only had a foam matress. The two sleeping bags worked rather well except once. Was north of Thunderbay Ont at a mine and the temp was -40 with the windchill. Truck would not push enough heat...

Well here in Ontario Canada the OPP (Provincial Police) actually did a campaign last summer against bad drivers. They were after just those you are complaining about. Yup a lot of tickets were handed out. I think though a lot fought them and a lot got off the charges as the cops couldn't make...

Back in the late '80s I used to make great money in a van. Yes it was over $100k per year and I was home quite a lot on weekends. But that was then and now it just isn't as good. I do about 65-75k a year now. 2 years ago I did 75-85k a year with another company. There is a fellow there making...

I have an 05 that's 6 mo old. Got over 30k mi on it sofar. I don't have this smoke problem yet and have idled for awhile at times. So if it's white smoke ok for a short time once you get going, but if it takes awhile to clear up definitely fixit. So far I only have done oil changes and a lot...