Take a load, refuse a load

[theoldprof]

I read a lot of experienced drivers talk about quality loads, not just miles. Can anybody out there give me a couple examples of loads you would accept, and a couple you would reject? Assuming you are solo in a cargo van, weather is no factor, and going home is no factor. Thanks :+ :+

 

[pellgrn]

In a van your limited to how much you can haul so were you end up is important factor in making your choice,the day of the week is another, and your pu time and del time,oh and make sure you look at the del date.How much it pays is a obvious one,the others my not be.

 

[davekc]

There are alot of factors to consider.
Time of day the offer is given and where you are located
Where the load goes. Does your company have the ability in that area to get you a load back.
Some companies pay deadhead miles and some don't or very little. How far are you deadheading to pick up the load? For example; if you are regularly driving 100 miles to pick up a 200 mile load.....you are a sinking ship. You are clearly losing money.
How many loads are generated out of the area in which you are sitting.
If you are a team, how many teams are sitting in that area.
What day of the week. Some areas generate their freight on certain times of the week. Mondays and Fridays are usually the busiest.
There are other variables like weather, is it all freeway or all two lane mountain roads? Is it toll roads?
Once you get use to your customer base, you quickly learn who unloads and loads you quick verses the ones who are disorganized and make you wait.
Not every single load will be a winning lottery ticket. We as well will take a load that moves us to a better area even though it may not be the most profitable. I look at the total compensation on a run and where it is going with the above in mind. I personally don't pay attention to acceptance or refusal rates. Those don't determine if you are running a profitable operation.
Don't get consumed by just the milage numbers. A 500 mile run in the "freight lanes" is more profitable than a 1000 mile run into an area with limited freight.
I am sure there is other stuff to add but the above is generally what we look at. "Business man first, driver second"
Davekc

 

[theoldprof]

Sooooo, what you're saying is that if a load comes up with lots of miles paying top dollar, it looks great. But the best you can get to the location is 5:05 Friday afternoon, as security is locking the doors, and next day is Saturday and next day is Sunday, and Monday is Labor day, then it's not such a great load. If I understand, this job is sort of like playing chess. You plan for the next couple moves? Thanks. :+ :+

 

[davekc]

That is a good comparison. You always have to plan for the next move. In addition, you must know what your cost per mile is. That is the most inportant number. It amazes me how many drivers don't really know what it costs to operate their truck. With fuel at or above $2.00 a gallon, this is a concept that folks should understand. I have seen time and again folks taking a 500 mile load, deadheading 200 miles to get it, and then deadhead 300 to the next location to wait on a load. At these numbers, you are running around for .60 to .70 cents per mile. Or in some cases, depending on the company, less. In most cases, you are simply going broke. Companies need to satisfy their customers and cover loads, and will at your expense if you allow them.
Davekc

 

[theoldprof]

If my figures are correct, if gas is $2.00 a gal and I get 15 mpg, it costs me .13 a mile to operate. That is in addition to my fixed costs. Are my figures correct? What have I left out. It costs me 26 bucks to dead head 200 miles to pick up, and 300 miles to return dead head. A total of 65 dollars deadhead. What I should do is wait for a closer load that will get me back into the freight lines? A closer load will cut down on my going deadhead and closer to the freight lines will get me closer to more freight. Is that a fair assumption? Thanks. :+ :+

 

[davekc]

You are probably considering a van which I wasn't aware of. Straight trucks average around 10 to 11 mpg. A van may only be getting paid 80 cents a mile. Under what I listed above, you are operating that van at .40 cents a mile overall. You are still going broke with a van. Same scenerio different numbers. You are correct in that you want to stay in the freight lanes as much as possible. There are always some exceptions, but not many.
Davekc

 

[LDB]

Your cost to deadhead is higher than just the fuel cost. In your example of 500 miles total deadhead you don't have just $65 for fuel. If you change your oil at 3000 miles and it costs you $30 you have another $5 in oil costs, i.e. 3000/500 is 1/6 and $30 times 1/6 is $5. You also have 500 miles of wear on the tires and other components as well as 500 miles less useful service life in the vehicle. You have to use your total operating cost per mile, not just fuel, to have an accurate picture.