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Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our truc

S

Sterling_owner

Expert Expediter
We currently have been running our two semis doing all work for ourselfs. We'd like to get loads coming back, etc. Once a week one of our trucks will be going Cleveland-Texas. We need to find freight coming back. We also have the time to do other local loads (withing one days drive) Would any company's let us sign on to them with the understanding we'd only do work for them as time allows? TIA

2 1999 Sterling Semis
2000 Ford F650 24ft box truck
 
G

guest

Guest
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

If you've got your own authority I'd go to getloaded.com and pick up some LTL freight. Not expedited rates but if you are willing to make a few stops/pick-ups you can do quite well and may just find a few dedicated pallets that need moving every week.

I use getloaded.com to find backhaul freight to get me home.

Just a thought
 
W

Weave

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

Check with Landstar too. You can lease to just about any company with your own authority, but as Landstar works through independent agents they don't seem to mind how little or often you run for them. Some companies one leases to want exclusive use of your trucks, others don't mind if you "trip lease" under your own authority.
If authorized to run for them, just call the agents in TX at the times you need a load back east. You might be able to get LEA expedite rate freight with them also along with short hauls.
-Weave-
 
D

D Green

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

Sterling..if you have your own authority, I know a lady that's hooked into the DAT board, and several others. Makes her money finding loads as requested, charges 5% of load, payable when you are paid. She is out of Tomball, Tx.

She would need your particulars to contract loads, I have her listed as a freight agent for my company. Works very well when I am on the road & unable to monitor for return freight.
 
S

Sterling_owner

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

We currently do not have our own authority. Would it be worth spending a few thousand to get it, or to run under someone else's authority?

2 1999 Sterling Semis
2000 Ford F650 24ft box truck
 
W

Weave

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

You are getting us really confused- Who's operating authority are you using now to run your trucks from OH to TX, or is this just something you are planning on doing? If you want to go it on your own, you need your own DOT authority, and if the runs pay well MIGHT BE worth the cost of obtaining. To run the trucks interstate on your own you have to have authority, your own IFTA stickers, and base liability plus deadhead and collision along with cargo insurance. It's quite a bit to do, and I'm sure you can see why there aren't too many fully "independent" truckers anymore.
I don't see any way you could lease the trucks to a carrier for authority, and do loads on your own with their authority. The carrier will not allow this. For instance I am leased to All-State Express. I cannot go out and find loads on my own and run them under All-State's authority. It would violate the the law and my lease agreement.
You need to get your own authority. With it, you can lease the truck to a carrier, and consequently "trip lease" loads on your own under your own authority, IF the carrier allows it. When doing so, you'll need a way to cover the name and numbers of the carrier you are leased to on your trucks, and put your own authority numbers on them- usually done with adhesive or magnetic signs.
Now maybe, just maybe, if you tell a carrier what your plan is, they might go for it and let you carry out your plan under their authority. The thing is, they are going to want their "cut" of the pay on any load you get on your own. That's the cost of running on their authority and insurance.
Hope this helped and didn't confuse you more, it is not a simple issue:eek:
-Weave-
 
S

Sterling_owner

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

I guess I am confused too. I've just started helping out with this end of the business. We do have authority and our own insurance, but we don't have the appropriate insurance, etc to haul other people's freight. To get a law firm to set that up for us it would take a few thousand dollars and over a month. I have one trucking company that would be willing to give us freight and I guess let us run under their permits? They said if ran their freight we could be doing legally in a few days with no cost. We've been dealing with this company for years, and they're good people.

2 1999 Sterling Semis
2000 Ford F650 24ft box truck
 
G

guest

Guest
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

I'd say it would take a call to your insurance company and about 10 minutes of time but I'm sure a lawyer would be more than happy to take a few thousand dollars and shuffle some paperwork.

Seriously, what is the lawyer saying you need that only he can provide?

I'm getting more confused........
 
S

Sterling_owner

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

I'll talk with the owner today, and ask about that. At this point I'm really confused, and I came here to get less confused, not to make everyone confused =)

2 1999 Sterling Semis
2000 Ford F650 24ft box truck
 
F

fingerfarmer

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

>Sterling..if you have your own authority, I know a lady
>that's hooked into the DAT board, and several others. Makes
>her money finding loads as requested, charges 5% of load,
>payable when you are paid. She is out of Tomball, Tx.
>
>She would need your particulars to contract loads, I have
>her listed as a freight agent for my company. Works very
>well when I am on the road & unable to monitor for return
>freight.

I would be interested in this information if possible. I am
considering going into business for myself, and need contacts like
this. My email is
[email protected]
Thank you
 
D

D Green

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

Sterling...sorry for the delay, but sometimes work is a good thing. ;)

From what I can gather from your postings, it sounds as if you have a private carrier (instead of "for hire" carrier) MC number.

This would need to be changed, have a minimum of $1m liability, $100k cargo insurance before you would be considered by a reputable broker.

You can e-mail me if you have any questions, be glad to help.

Dennis
 
S

Sterling_owner

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

Yes, I believe you are correct. I talked with the boss. It turns out our PUCO permit have lapsed since '92.

2 1999 Sterling Semis
2000 Ford F650 24ft box truck
 
W

Weave

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

Yes, that makes some sense to me. You will need to change to the proper "for hire" common carrier authority with all required insurance, plus IFTA and single state registration if you don't have them. I have talked with a place called Motor Carrier Consultants 1-800-737-2255 regarding this. They basically take care of all the proper filing for you, about $600 per power unit, and takes about 30-40 days to receive. Once you have proper authority, you can then find your own backhauls plus any off DAT boards, etc. And meybe become the next JB Hunt!:7
-Weave-
 
S

Sterling_owner

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

>Yes, that makes some sense to me. You will need to change
>to the proper "for hire" common carrier authority with all
>required insurance, plus IFTA and single state registration
>if you don't have them. I have talked with a place called
>Motor Carrier Consultants 1-800-737-2255 regarding this.
>They basically take care of all the proper filing for you,
>about $600 per power unit, and takes about 30-40 days to
>receive. Once you have proper authority, you can then find
>your own backhauls plus any off DAT boards, etc. And meybe
>become the next JB Hunt!:7
>-Weave-

Thanks a bunch Weave......I hope we become the next JB hunt :D

2 1999 Sterling Semis
2000 Ford F650 24ft box truck
 
T

teacel

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

Can you post a picture of your 2- 1999 semis, and your 2000 F650? I was wondering about buying some big trucks and become the next Swift company!!! Really would like to see a picture of your trucks???
 
S

Sterling_owner

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

>Can you post a picture of your 2- 1999 semis, and your 2000
>F650? I was wondering about buying some big trucks and
>become the next Swift company!!! Really would like to see a
>picture of your trucks???

Cant tell if you're being sarcastic or not. If you're not I'll borrow a digital camera and snap a few.

2 1999 Sterling Semis
2000 Ford F650 24ft box truck
 
T

teacel

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

There was sarcasm in the post about the Swift Company (played along with the JB remark!!!) . I would though, like to see some pictures of your trucks. I have also talked to some other drivers that participate on this site and so would they (see pictures, that is) You have posted a couple of truck pictures and ask about the looks, and our opinion of them. If we (other members) had an idea of the kind of rigs you run and their looks with some stats, we may be able to give you some better advise. After all a picture is worth a 1000 words. I just though you may have a picture or 2 of your trucks saved on your PC, and could’ve uploaded them to the forum. Didn’t mean to confuse you!!! By the way S.O. you’ll know when I really get sarcastic!!!
 
D

D Green

Expert Expediter
RE: Privately owned fleet, can I contract out our

I'd like to second the request for pic's. I started out in '94 driving a Ford L8000, dang kidneys still hurt, thinking about that rig. :) But, it made me money. And, look at me now, driving a Freightliner !!! Ah, well, they're all owned by the same company, now.

Dennis
 
S

Sterling_owner

Expert Expediter
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