| Subj: Class C
Date:1/3/00 10:24:44 AM Eastern Standard Time
To:whitetigertruck@expresstrucking.com
I have looked
longingly at the pictures of your truck on the Internet In reading the posts on all of the chat rooms, I hear a lot of talk about "D" units. You two have evidently been getting by with your truck (and comfortably
too). Would you do the same thing again? (or the next time?)I am going to retire from education in 4 months. I am trying to make a decision on what kind of unit for my wife and I. We don't have any bills to speak of, but don't want to work without making money either. What do you think? Thanks for the help! Ron
Subj:Re: Class C
Hi Ron, It's funny your question to us is our Express Talk topic this month in the "EFT Express News" section of our site. Many
people ask us that same
question and we have been asking others as well, be sure to check out the responses which will be posted in February. You might also want to read last months Industry Focus article it lists many questions people ask about our truck, it may help explain the criteria we used to spec our truck.To answer your questions yes we would design our truck exactly the same, as a "c" unit but the one thing we would do is add a lift axle. Now keep in mind I say that considering the company we are leased to where it would be beneficial for a "c" unit to be able to haul more weight and it would reflect in a very profitable way. However the other company we were leased to does not utilize their "c" units for loads more than 5000 lb. so a tag axle would have no benefit on a "c" unit with respect to more loads and profitability. This is why if you are specing your own truck you must consider what kind of unit would fit your situation financially and the comfortability level for the amount of time you and your wife will be out on the road and then figure out which company offers the best potential for that type of vehicle. If you both feel you will need to come home after 10 days out on the road building a truck with a large sleeper may not be your best choice but if you feel you both are ready to travel the country for weeks at a time and work as you go then building an apartment like sleeper makes all the sense in the world and saves you money in the long run. Just like us you will see the savings of no hotel rooms, very little eating out, no Laundromats, no truck stop showers, no bathroom stops, waking up well rested because you're living in a home type environment and piece of mind knowing you have a truly self sufficient vehicle. Less exposure to using public facilities means less exposure to the risks associated with rest areas and truckstops. Now, can you make money with a "c" truck? Yes of coarse just like you can make money in a small van. Think of it this way, the bigger the vehicle or box the more opportunities. That's the bottom line. No doubt if we had a "d" truck we could take a D, C, or B load, they all won't pay D rate but it's more opportunity. Success is determined by its seeker. Everyone's goals and level of satisfaction are different. We are satisfied with the opportunities our truck offers because its a mix of 80,000 to 100,000 potential income level and being able to enjoy life in this line of work and not giving up my three kids(dogs) as they go where we go. Now there are people making 150,000, pushing really hard and still wanting to make more, that's what they're comfortable with. Remember in this line of work there are many variables to profitability so you can make a lot of money but what did it cost you to make it, figure 50-60% of gross if you have good business strategies. A lot of people are attracted to the high income figures of this business but in the end you may not end up with more than you made with your long term job. As a single vehicle owner-operator ideally putting in your time with a job that offers retirement and benefits then entering this type of career is a good plan but giving up a solid stable profession before you can collect on the time you invested is not advisable. Best wishes and good luck in your venture into the world of expediting, it can be a very exciting, rewarding, profitable and opportune career. I hope you have found helpful information within our site as an introduction into this type of trucking. Be sure to talk to as many expediters as you can and you may find the chat rooms helpful as well. Thank for visiting the Express Trucking.com website, please come back and check out our monthly News section.
Have a Great Day! Mark & Linda Expresstrucking.com | |
