WNY Expediting... Drive first, or buy Sprinter?

[mwarrior]

I figured this is the best place to ask, since I've been lurking long enough.
What would be more beneficial, driving a sprinter (how much per mile? Layovers?) or purchasing one and signing on with Fedex or something?

Or the third option of course, purchase and get my own authorities?

Location: Preferably WNY, Buffalo area. Cross border is not an issue for me, so I can enter/leave Canada as well if that pays more (of course fill up on US side first to save 20%+ on fuel).

I've seen some say that they get $1/mile, some say upwards in the $1.30-1.50 range, and others on a percentage basis. Given the fuel economy of 17-21mpg (I think? Correct me if I'm wrong) vs the 3-8 for rigs or straight trucks, $1.30 for a sprinter may not be so bad...

Of course miles and home time are also important, or the ability to pick loads (for example if there's 2 specific days I need off a week or something).

Maintenance wise, if I do purchase one I'd prefer something not too old, but of course not brand new. I prefer to run synthetic in my vehicles with oil filter bypasses for better mileage/efficiency, and oil sample tests usually result in me being able to change the oil at 20,000+miles (so definitely some savings there).

Anyways, any suggestions would be great.
As an added note, if there are any suggestions as to which is better, being based out of Canada (Ontario) or Upstate NY, that would help too.

 

[mwarrior]

And of course a little more after reading a bit. I noticed a "leased to multiple carriers" thread.
So how does that work? I was under the impression (at least with 53'ers) that if you're leased to one carrier that's it, unless you're running your own authorities?

 

[usafk9]

FedEx has a ton of cross-border work....maybe even regional to suit your needs. Best bet would be to call a recruiter and ask. We do so much of it, that we think FedEx believes we're Canadian, and our dogs get so many treats at Customs, they think it's a fast food drive-thru.

Regarding own authority, I know little. Bob Wolf (member here) lives a little east of you, serves his own customers, and I believe also works the load boards. Not sure if he does cross-border work.

If you need help contacting a FedEx recruiter, let me know.

Lastly, GO BILLS!

 

[mwarrior]

Sounds good. I'm actually a little north of Buffalo (near Hamilton Ontario), hence the question about being based out of Ontario vs Upstate NY. Only issue of course with an Ontario plated vehicle would be no domestic US-US work, but again depends on what pays better/provides more miles.

In terms of customs, if in a sprinter or something of the sort, do you have to go through the truck line (which can be huge at times) or is it the car line?

 

[usafk9]

Oh.............you're one of........them.

Kidding, of course.

Which lane to go through depends on which border crossing. Some (ambassador bridge) will require you to use truck lanes. Others have told us that they have been scolded for doing so.

Suppose I should have read that last line. FedEx contracts with O/O's in Canada, too, FYI. I've run into one tractor driver who lives in Mississauga, and does very well doing little more than cross-dock work.

 

[mwarrior]

Haha yes one of... them...
Tractor would be good but for practicality reasons (for me) I'm looking towards a Sprinter. Reason for Upstate NY vs Ontario is most boards do show lots of expedited freight within the US, and I haven't seen as much in Canada (or maybe not as much talk about expedited in Canada?). So if I register the vehicle in Canada, doing domestic freight in the US is out. Same thing if I register in the US, domestic in Canada is out.
I'm not far from Mississauga, and like I said preferred would be something local but if the money's not there then I have no issues (legally and otherwise) plating the vehicle in the States and be based out of Buffalo or something.

 

[mwarrior]

^Bump Bump

 

[BobWolf]

As an owner strait truck opperation living and primairly working in WNY and the north east region it can be a tough area to work especialy Rochester area larger companies are shutting down. I recomend getting your own authority. If anything it gives you more leverage with carriers so you can keep your contracts open, you can book your own loads with anyone, also you dont have to worry about the companies safety record just yours. It will cost you a few bucks but its worth it. You may have an edge with doing the cross border thing. I recomend a strait truck for this business especialy for cross border you might make better money. Otherwise if its van work stay with a Cargo van GM, Ford, etc, Ive heard Sprinters are a pain in the ______ for parts and service.

Good luck

 

[cheri1122]

IMO, getting your own authority is no place to start in expediting - if you haven't the know how to get loads, get paid, and deal with the licensing, legal, & regulatory issues, you can be drowning in debt & paperwork before you get paid for the first mile driven. If you feel you can cover all those areas, you're waaaay more informed than the average newbie!
Bob Wolf's comment on Sprinters may be true - they do require a different approach [strict maintenance, keeping spare parts on hand that you could find at any auto parts place for American vans] but the flip side is that a great many carriers are not accepting cargo vans, and those who use them mostly have too many already.
It's a lot to consider, and much of it depends on your own outlook & knowledge & desires. All we can do is provide the info that helps you decide where to find what you're looking for, but only you can determine what exactly that is.

 

[cheri1122]

AJ: your dogs think the border is a fast food drive thru? That's hilarious!!

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Haha yes one of... them...
Tractor would be good but for practicality reasons (for me) I'm looking towards a Sprinter. Reason for Upstate NY vs Ontario is most boards do show lots of expedited freight within the US, and I haven't seen as much in Canada (or maybe not as much talk about expedited in Canada?). So if I register the vehicle in Canada, doing domestic freight in the US is out. Same thing if I register in the US, domestic in Canada is out.
I'm not far from Mississauga, and like I said preferred would be something local but if the money's not there then I have no issues (legally and otherwise) plating the vehicle in the States and be based out of Buffalo or something.

If you don't have a Green Card..that won't work either....it is one way or the other...even if your vehicle is legal, you are not...and visa versa...

 

[mwarrior]

Well the biggest thing I was wondering was interporting, ie. domestic loads within Canada with a US plated vehicle, or vice versa.
As for legal status, well I can work in both countries legally (dual), so not an issue there. But I know with TTs and I'm guessing straight trucks, and quite possibly sprinters, if the vehicle isn't plated "domestically" then it can't take domestic freight. I could be wrong and those rules may not apply for sprinters or cargo vans, but as I said I don't know much about the expediting business yet.

 

[OntarioVanMan]

Well the biggest thing I was wondering was interporting, ie. domestic loads within Canada with a US plated vehicle, or vice versa.
As for legal status, well I can work in both countries legally (dual), so not an issue there. But I know with TTs and I'm guessing straight trucks, and quite possibly sprinters, if the vehicle isn't plated "domestically" then it can't take domestic freight. I could be wrong and those rules may not apply for sprinters or cargo vans, but as I said I don't know much about the expediting business yet.

You are half correct....say an American with a Canadian plated vehicle can not do interstate loads...the same as in my case a Canadian with an American plated Sprinter can't do inter US loads....and THEN your place of residence comes into play....even if you can satisfy freight customs, you'll be in violation of Immigration customs...2 different departments...

the rules are so entwined there is no way to double dip in both countries...

 

[mwarrior]

An American not doing interstate loads in Canada on a Canadian vehicle I get (no status).
Same thing with a Canadian doing interstate loads in the States on an American plated vehicle.

In terms of residency, that's only a Canadian thing, where the "coles notes" version of the regs is "A Canadian resident cannot drive a non-Canadian plated vehicle". The actual regulation is that a Canadian resident cannot drive a vehicle for which Canadian "tax has not been paid".
I've only ever had issues (not driving commercial vehicles) entering Canada with US plates, when Canadian Customs wants to know my "status in the US" and where I "currently live". Entering the US with Canadian plates, however, has never been an issue.

That said, if I were doing anything in Canada, regardless of the plates, I would be doing it as a Canadian citizen. If anything in the US, as a US citizen. The only issue of course still is the registration of the vehicle. I'm assuming I'd need commercial plates on a Sprinter and not personal? Either way, I'm happy with sticking to one side of the border and of course cross border runs. If I start to find enough domestic runs on the other side that make it worthwhile to do so, one option (which I believe would also satisfy Canadian customs) is to plate the vehicle in Canada as well.

First thing's first though. Get a Sprinter and start at least running

Are authorities (DOT, FMCSA, etc etc etc) required for Sprinters the same as for TTs and Straight Trucks?

You are half correct....say an American with a Canadian plated vehicle can not do interstate loads...the same as in my case a Canadian with an American plated Sprinter can't do inter US loads....and THEN your place of residence comes into play....even if you can satisfy freight customs, you'll be in violation of Immigration customs...2 different departments...

the rules are so entwined there is no way to double dip in both countries...

 

[OntarioVanMan]

An American not doing interstate loads in Canada on a Canadian vehicle I get (no status).
Same thing with a Canadian doing interstate loads in the States on an American plated vehicle.

In terms of residency, that's only a Canadian thing, where the "coles notes" version of the regs is "A Canadian resident cannot drive a non-Canadian plated vehicle". The actual regulation is that a Canadian resident cannot drive a vehicle for which Canadian "tax has not been paid".
I've only ever had issues (not driving commercial vehicles) entering Canada with US plates, when Canadian Customs wants to know my "status in the US" and where I "currently live". Entering the US with Canadian plates, however, has never been an issue.

That said, if I were doing anything in Canada, regardless of the plates, I would be doing it as a Canadian citizen. If anything in the US, as a US citizen. The only issue of course still is the registration of the vehicle. I'm assuming I'd need commercial plates on a Sprinter and not personal? Either way, I'm happy with sticking to one side of the border and of course cross border runs. If I start to find enough domestic runs on the other side that make it worthwhile to do so, one option (which I believe would also satisfy Canadian customs) is to plate the vehicle in Canada as well.

First thing's first though. Get a Sprinter and start at least running

Are authorities (DOT, FMCSA, etc etc etc) required for Sprinters the same as for TTs and Straight Trucks?

Sprinters are NOT...DOT/Fmcsa regulated except when doing hazmat.....BUT I don't know if you need a DOT number to get a Canada Cargo Control number for your PARS stickers....

 

[mwarrior]

So pretty much buy it, insure it, and plate it in a Corp name and get some contracts? Sounds a little too easy... Or what am I missing?

 

[OntarioVanMan]

So pretty much buy it, insure it, and plate it in a Corp name and get some contracts? Sounds a little too easy... Or what am I missing?

The money?....LOL.....Go for it.....good luck....I am a Toronto raised guy myself and then Stoney Creek....now living down here....on the darkside of the moon...LOL

 

[mwarrior]

Well the insurance part is easy. Buying it, well again assuming I can get decent contracts/runs (just saw on on a loadboard for a Cargo van to MI paying 90.6cpm. Low side I'm guessing, plus deadheading, but then there's also some paying over $1/mile. Financing will clearly be key here
As for me, GTA for the most part, including now. Also in the Southern States a lot in the last 5years.

What are the average going rates these days for sprinters (the per mile rate not the vehicle)? Would load boards show sprinters separately or is it pretty much whatever says "Cargo Van"?

 

[xiggi]

It would probably be a good idea to lease on with a company for at least six months just to get a better understanding of the industry.

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[paullud]

Well the insurance part is easy. Buying it, well again assuming I can get decent contracts/runs (just saw on on a loadboard for a Cargo van to MI paying 90.6cpm. Low side I'm guessing, plus deadheading, but then there's also some paying over $1/mile. Financing will clearly be key here
As for me, GTA for the most part, including now. Also in the Southern States a lot in the last 5years.

What are the average going rates these days for sprinters (the per mile rate not the vehicle)? Would load boards show sprinters separately or is it pretty much whatever says "Cargo Van"?

One of the potential issues I wonder about is where are you seeing these loads? There are many load boards that are worthless and some that are just outright crooks.

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