Home time

[scottyk]

Okay guys, need thoughts and opinions. Here is my situation:

Currently make about $12,000 a year working part time at a big box retailer. Keep looking for better but not much out there. I like the idea of being in business for myself. I have over $30,000 saved in the bank from previous job and other circumstances. I am looking specifically at Chevy 3500 extended cargo vans, used. I could probably spend about $15,000 on a van. I don't expect to make $40,000 a year in a van, but is it possible to take home $20,000-$30,000 a year?

Also, home time. I have no kids and don't ever want them. I am married. I live in Toledo, Ohio. I know you have to be out for 2-3 weeks at a time minimum. My question is what kind of home time can I expect? I am saying would it be possible to get home for even a few hours while waiting for another load or while passing through Toledo? And would I be able to get home about every 2 weeks (or 3) for a few days?

I have read A LOT of the posts on here and have seen the answers to some of these questions, but appreciate thoughts on my specific situation.

 

[xiggi]

With your location I think all of the above is achievable. You could also probably find a good not to old van for a little less dollars.

 

[Moot]

I believe buying a used van, even a new one, you could do better than $12,000 a year net. Does your wife work? Being a van O/O is a great way to reduce your pre-tax gross income.

 

[chefdennis]

you don't need to spend $15,000 on a used van...you should be able to pickup a pretty good one in the $10,000 range on the high end...

Since you are in Toledo, call Anne over at Bolt...She is honest and will not lie or B/S you....You can do pretty well in CV with them as long as you are willing to work and stay out for that 3 weeks at a time...yes you will get to the toledo area from time to time during the time you are out..will it happen each time, no, but it will happen..So yea a day / night at home here and there is feasible...

As to getting home and staying for a few day or whatever amount you want is up to you...When i was at Bolt (for 3.5 yrs) and i live in Toledo, I use to go home on a friday afternoon if it looked like i wasn't going to get loaded and if i was within 1 tankful of gas, then I'd either stay in service and enjoy the time home until the next load or go out of service for 3-5 days then I'd DH to chicago for the best chance to get loaded...

Again, contact Anne at Bolt, she will be straight with you...

 

[Moot]

Also, you can go home any time you want, if you don't mind paying the fuel for the trip. Once home, you may have to wait a few days to get out of Toledo. When Chef Dennis weighs in on this I'm sure he will mention deadheading toward to Chicago from Toledo to get to a better location. Much depends on your carrier.

 

[Moot]

Jeez, he beat me by 60 lousy seconds!

 

[AMonger]

Okay guys, need thoughts and opinions. Here is my situation:

Currently make about $12,000 a year working part time at a big box retailer. Keep looking for better but not much out there. I like the idea of being in business for myself. I have over $30,000 saved in the bank from previous job and other circumstances. I am looking specifically at Chevy 3500 extended cargo vans, used. I could probably spend about $15,000 on a van. I don't expect to make $40,000 a year in a van, but is it possible to take home $20,000-$30,000 a year?

Also, home time. I have no kids and don't ever want them. I am married. I live in Toledo, Ohio. I know you have to be out for 2-3 weeks at a time minimum. My question is what kind of home time can I expect? I am saying would it be possible to get home for even a few hours while waiting for another load or while passing through Toledo? And would I be able to get home about every 2 weeks (or 3) for a few days?

I have read A LOT of the posts on here and have seen the answers to some of these questions, but appreciate thoughts on my specific situation.

First, spend a little less on the van and then spend the remainder on outfitting it. Insulate it, put in a roof vent, AC & heat, run some electrical
wiring where you're going to want it. Look up Chef's Cargo Max for ideas. Install things that will reduce your operating and living costs and will keep you occupied during the many hours of layover. Look at Turtle's van for more ideas.

Also, don't rush out and do this. The first quarter of the year is a slow time. Better wait for things to pick up first.

I'd go on, but I'm about to fall asleep. Maybe someone else will take over on the realities of getting home.
--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

 

[scottyk]

Also, don't rush out and do this. The first quarter of the year is a slow time. Better wait for things to pick up first.


--

Thanks guys. Yeah, I have been reading all the threads and have seen the ones about insulating and such and Chefdennis and others. I would do that to make the van more comfortable and enjoyable. That is why I am taking my time right now, and looking for a good van and biding my time until I am ready. Also, to wait a bit until March-April and the weather will be better.

 

[xiggi]

Am made some good points, the less you idle the more profit and the less wear on your van. Being comfortable makes the job much easier. I would also add look for at least a 2500, some may say 3500 and also as long as you can get. If you haven't check the classifieds on here, you might find something outfitted just watch the miles. Also before buying talk to the carriers your interested in, make sure they are taking on vans and what age of van.

 

[Rocketman]

It's nice to see someone who we can all give a positive response to. Sometimes it seems like we are trying to discourage people from the industry, but we are usually just seeing a problem with the situation or in the newbie's expectations.

Your expectations are within reason. You have enough money set aside to make it work. You are in a good location. All those things are huge positives.

Listen to these guys, they know what their doing. Personally, I would also look for a van at $10k or under. I would try to find one already setup for expedite. I would also strongly consider one of the single wheel 10,000# (or under) cube vans...(do your research though!!...there is plenty of info on here). Anyways, If the van is already setup, even if it has some miles on it, give it a shot. If it's not set up, don't spend a ton of money on it until your sure you like the business.

The idea is that if you get out here and just absolutely HATE it (and there are plenty that do just that), you can recoup your cash out of the van and move on. Hopefully you will earn...and save... enough with the van to absorb any losses you might have from the sale.

Your in good shape... just do a lot of research before you jump.

 

[scottyk]

I believe buying a used van, even a new one, you could do better than $12,000 a year net. Does your wife work? Being a van O/O is a great way to reduce your pre-tax gross income.

Wife has a good job and I am on her insurance.

 

[The Enemy]

Scotty since you are in Perrysburg Take a look at Tri State, that's where I got my start in this business as a newbie. They are right off 795, about 2 miles south of 280. I ran for them for 4 years, some good folks there. Their number is 1-800-367-1692, Matt, Greg and Donny are the recruiters there and they're good guys.

Also check out the EO Workshop comming up in Monroe in a couple months. Lots of good info at te seminar.

 

[Moot]

Wife has a good job and I am on her insurance.

That's a huge plus! Even if you only gross $50,000, carefully using deductions like mileage, per diem, office supplies, home office space etc. will greatly reduce your combined gross income tax burden if you file jointly.

 

[Moot]

Also, don't rush out and do this. The first quarter of the year is a slow time. Better wait for things to pick up first.

I agree the first quarter can be slow but if you have the cash reserves and are prepared as Scotty seems to be, then this might just be a good time to start and get used to working within a carrier's system before things get real busy.

 

[AMonger]

Ok, here's what I was going to say about hometime before the Sandman so rudely interrupted me... It's good to have a plan to stay out a set amount of time, but you have to be flexible on both ends. If, as Chef pointed out, "Children, if you're out on a Friday, and it gets late with no sign of a load, you're better off going home if you're close, even if you've only been out a week or two." If we let him go on, he'd probably have a song about it. (That's South Park humor, for those who are unaware.)

Conversely, you may have been out 3 weeks already, and you may be within a tank-full of home, but you may get a great load offer that takes you the other direction. Or, you may find yourself 1000 miles from home and may have to postpone your hometime another week. The next load out of where you are might take you to Atlanta instead of the north side of the I-75 corridor, and you'd be crazy to pass it up. When business was booming, it was easier to get to a specific place; it's not so easy now. So you might plan to get home every 3 weeks, but you either have to be flexible about it or prepared to deadhead long distances.

If you're in the boonies, you might just have to take the next load that comes your way, regardless of its destination. Say you take a load to El Paso, which is the boonies, and the miles going out were so good, you couldn't pass it up. El Paso is hit-or-miss. You might go out there and make lots of money, get a load back right away, and think, "Wow, El Paso is great! I'm coming out here every chance I get." Then you get another load out there and are stuck there for a week. Then your next load opportunity is going to Atlanta, and you have been out already for a while and want to get home. If you turn it down, who knows when the next load out will be or where it will be going? The same goes for Fargo, Oklahoma City, Laredo, anywhere in the western half of the country, really.

Take a load out to Cali and you may find yourself doing short-medium loads out west for a while before you get out. It's a roll of the dice every time you go to the hinterlands. My last load to Cali took me from Virginia to L.A. I delivered and immediately had two load offers picking up the next morning, going back to the eastern half of the country. We didn't win either bid and I ended up bouncing around on short runs out there before getting back East. And I want to take this opportunity to thank whoever it was who took those loads out from under me, btw. iirc, one went to Atlanta and the other to Louisiana. Thanks a lot.

Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, though three weeks out may be a good rule of thumb, don't marry it. An experienced driver told me when I was new, forget the calendar. If it's busy, stay out and make money no matter how long you've been out. If it's slow, go home if you're close, no matter how short you've been out.

And the better your van setup is, the less staying out affects you. If, like Chef, you've got a fridge, a microwave, a TV, laptop, heat & AC, it doesn't cost much to stay out when it's slow; it's only your peace of mind on the line, then. But if you're eating most or all of your meals at a restaurant, running your engine to stay warm or cool, and have nothing to do but think about the money you're not making, you're better off going home when it's slow. When you're busy, a month on the road feels like 2 weeks; when it's slow, it's the reverse, and you're burning money staying out
unless you're set up like Chef or Turtle.
--

You know the problem with bad cops? They make the other 5% look bad.

 

[chefdennis]

Rocketman, you are right, it is a pleasure to see a thred that is positive and that encourages a "newbies inquiry"!! I think the key to this thread being positive is that the OP set it up with the needed info for those responding to make positive replies...He is setting himself up properly from the start, and not asking the vague questiones we so often see...

to the OP, thanks for setting us up to be able to be positive and hopefully an encourage ment to you....There certainly are slow times and the 1st quarter is one of them, but as has been pointed out, you seem to be in a good spot and are looking to start in the right direction. Chances are you will be fine,no matter where or when you start...just keep educating yourself here and also talking with others while on the road.

As AM said in his last post, being Flexible and knowing that nothing s "carved in stone" will make a huge difference in your business, and you will adapt and figure out how to make it all work for you...you will get that home time we all want from time to time....