Am I in the right place?

[Jwstewart]

Hello All;

I have an interest in starting a O/O business, as I recently became, um, "fired"

I have the capital and motivation, but my personal situation is going to limit the options available. I am a single parent 50% of the time to a young son in elementary school.

This would seem to prevent me from doing longhaul work, or even expediting on an extended outbound trip. (I could only do 5 days straight, every second week).

I concluded that a local Courier style O/O of say a E350 cube one of the few options that would get me home each day I am needed.

Is there a web site/forum to help newbies for this type (urban freight courier) of owner-op business?

Thanks

Ps: I went back a year thru the newbies forum which was helpful. I did Find about a dozen local couriers wanting O/O and my brother does it so I can get it running, my main concern is researching the vehicle choices.

 

[Turtle]

You're in the right place. Sort of. We don't deal a whole lot with local courier work, since expediting is generally a little different. But we do have a few here who do that and are home pretty much every night.

As for vehicle choices, an E-350 regular or cube should be fine. The potential couriers who talk to will be able to let you know what the best choices are. One type of vehicle may be fine for one courier, but a disaster for another.

 

[Dat1stChoice]

For local work, depending on what you'll be hauling an E-250 or 2500 (GM) standard length will keep you pretty busy. I run local in Denver, with a few regional runs. (last week was a bear) Pretty easy to get on with courier companies. Biggest concern is having the right insurance coverage for the company you pick, and a good driving record.

Personally I really liked my Chevy 2500......hopefully after fridays little debacle, I'll still get to drive one. (I got rear ended in a blizzard in northern Nebraska.) Mine has the 6.0 with a 6 speed automatic, and was averaging about 19mpg.

 

[Lawrence]

E350 seems to be a little over-rated for package delivery. I would think a E150 would do the job just fine. Plus you'd save on fuel etc.

 

[xmudman]

E350 seems to be a little over-rated for package delivery. I would think a E150 would do the job just fine. Plus you'd save on fuel etc.

I respectfully disagree. If JW gets on with someone like Prestige, etc he might find himself with Staples or similar deliveries, where he'd have cases of paper, or bookshelves, or other heavy items. Do that every day with an E150 and you might be asking for trouble. When I did Staples my van rode like a Lincoln ; I'm glad it was a 250...

 

[BobWolf]

Even local / regional he would be better off with at least a 3/4 ton van.

Bob Wolf.

 

[skyraider]

I ran for Express Courier at the Chattanooga office from 2006 to 2008. I was busy and used my one ton ancient Dodge 2002 extended van. That extra length was great when I had large cabinets and tables. I ususally had about 20 stops a day, and the van was full. I had about 2500 lbs on it and loaded and unloaded by myself. It was not easy and yes you need to be in shape. You don't have to be Mr. Muscles, just pace yourself and go slow so u don't hurt your back. I had help loading the 6 ft tables . They were loose in those boxes, had to be assembled by customer. Some weighed up to 180 lbs. U will need a dolly.Get one that makes into cart as well as an upright and get one with pneumatic tires. ( Note, inflate the pneumatic tires about 10 lbs over so u can push and pull boxes easier, you do not want any drag(( trust me on that)). Get about 20 black rubber straps, not those elastic types, get those black straps , assorted sizes up to 3 feet long and you can hook them together to hold stuff on that dolly. ((NEver assume that stuff will just sit on that dolly and stay there even when that loaded dolly weighs 300 pounds, it will get airborne and fall off, trust me on that one to. )) Get a small portable air pump too, u will have low air pressure days on that dolly___trust me on that tooo.....................Many stops are just paper and supplies, but those boxes of copier paper weigh up to 62 lbs a box down to 35 lbs. Some days I had over a ton of paper, all hand off loaded, PS, u will be in shape soon, trust me on that toooooo, lol. PS, I earned about 750 a week back then and u will earn every dime, trust me on that toooooo. good luck, its not all that bad.....................

 

[BobWolf]

If you simply want to work and get some cash in your pocket so you dont go broke call some local delivery companies. Just make sure that you check thier credentials
Sweat them as you would any employer or employee get and check the references.
I run mostly local and some regional once or twice a month 1-4 days max from home and seem to be keeping myself going so far. Feel free to PM me I might be able to help with a work plan if you want to be home. No guarentee if it will work for you, but Ill let you know what works for me.

Bob Wolf.

 

[Jwstewart]

Thanks for the replies. I am looking at the carvo van as well, but it seems the price of a CV and a cutaway are nearly identical when comparing simlar features. (which is logical I suppose since they are the same chassis)

These are the choices I am wrestling with at the moment.

New .vs. used
CV .vs. Cutaway
gas .vs. diesel
ramp .vs. lift gate

Thanks

 

[Moot]

These are the choices I am wrestling with at the moment.

New .vs. used
CV .vs. Cutaway
gas .vs. diesel
ramp .vs. lift gate

Thanks

The first thing you should do is find a carrier to lease on with, then look for a van that meets the criteria of the carrier and the job.

 

[BobWolf]

These are the choices I am wrestling with at the moment.

New .vs. used
CV .vs. Cutaway
gas .vs. diesel
ramp .vs. lift gate

Thanks

If you buy new you know the condition of every component on that vehicle but, if you dont buy from a comercial truck dealer your warrantee might not cover repairs as comercial use will void some warrentees or you will at least use it up in six months, and still have a payment book and posiabily a high repair bill.
Buy it used, you take a chance at getting a lemon and usualy no warrentee but, If you shop a reputable WORK TRUCK DEALER and check it over well you should be O.K.. I try to find ones that can be paid off quickly
Cvan/Cutaway You can obviously carry more than a Cvan and might be able to upfit a larger sleeper bearth and have plenty of cargo room and full floating heavy duty axles are usualy standard.
The tolls are higher and if the cutaway is over 10,000 lbs you are subject to FMCSA regs.
Liftgates you can ground pick and drop larger and heavier skids but will add abbout 500 lbs require maintenance andfor the most part a permanent part of the truck.
Ramps are low tech weigh less than a liftgate lower maintenance and are easy to ditch if they are not being used enough to justify the weight, but require rear end room to extend .
Engine GAS theyre much less expensive to maintain and unless your doing open heart surgery on the truck most repairs can still be done if you have basic mecanical skills, a tool box, and a tech book. unless youre running 15,000 lbs or over gas is still better.

Minimum specs Id recomend
ONE TON.
Engine 350 or 5.7/6.0 bigger is better, however you dont need a supercharged big block.
16 inch wheels LT light truck 10 ply tires stay away from P theyre passenger car tires. better ride if empty or daily driver but not suitable for loaded work vans.
External Transmission Cooler your transmission will last longer.

Good Luck

Bob Wolf