Solo S/T O/O ???

[bentleytech1]

How many of you guys/women are "successful" Solo S/T O/O?? Can it be done?? I know that the team is a better arrangement because of long loads. Also know that solo is limited to 500-600 mile runs, but 5 or 6 of those a week would be 2500-3000 miles, which wouldn't be a bad week, if you could "stay in the lanes"

Any feedback would be really helpful as I continue my "expediter education" here on EO.

Thanks

 

[cheri1122]

Yes, it can be done - depending on your definition of 'successful', of course - but if paying the bills [including truck pmt] and having some left over after expenses is what you mean, there are several folks I know who are doing it.
Keep in mind that the weeks when you get 5 or 6 loads of around 500 miles will not be the norm, though. If your expenses are high, or your budgeting &/or impulse spending not well controlled, it will be a downhill run for you.
As always, the money you have in reserve can make or break you, as repairs can be expensive surprises.

 

[jj214]

This marks my 21st. year of running solo in a CV - It is not for the individual who requires a steady paycheck. Like many, I have a secure pension and will not lose the house if I have a bad couple of weeks. If you are prepared to stay out for weeks at a time, you will have some very good weeks (2000.00 +) but you will also have plenty of weeks with less than half of that. With rates as low as they are at present, you must select your runs with the destination in mind. Ending up where you have to DH a lot of miles to get back into a productive area, might prove to be costly. It costs nothing to be polite and friendly to your dispatchers. Does it always pay off? No, but I know that over the years I have received benefits far exceeding the cost of being friendly. Some carriers will accomodate a shippers request for a particular driver/unit. When you deal with the same shippers in your home express center and arrive on time with both yourself and your vehicle looking sharp and clean, act in a professional manner, you may be requested if available for that next load even if not the next eligible unit. Is it fair? Maybe not but just as the shipper has a choice on carriers, he should have the same choice in who they send.

 

[greg334]

realistically speaking?

I seem to be averaging 1600 a week on the low end and on the high end seems to be about 2000. 2500 only gets me out west where I have a lot of DH to contend with.

My average rate without fsc is about 1.30 a mile and my BEP is at 74 cents a mile at the low end - 1600 miles - which means I have to do 3200 miles a month to pay the bills.

I have not calculated fuel tax or overall revenue this year ... yet ... but I'm guessing that fuel tax adds 3 cents to push the BEP to 77 cents a mile and my revenue is more like 1.45 all inclusive. DH percentages are not calculated yet but a wild guess is about 22%.

I don't market the truck as I should but depend on luck to get me through right now. I compete directly with vans so it is a struggle and soon to be solved (*note to self stop listening to others and just do it). If I worked under a Panther/Bolt/E-1 system, then I think my mileage would be about the same.

Successful?

You've read what I have written about success, it is all relative to your situation. Without a goal (*just making money is not a goal*) or a direction with an escape plan, then success is just another passing exit on the road of life you will never get to go on.