Hopper loads just don't pay enough

Jun 17, 2024 at 06:32 PM CST + 19 - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Hell just a couple years ago I never had to run a load less than $3 a mile now it's absolutely absurd Parking my truck as of now just cannot afford to make it on these rates

Replied on Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 09:33 AM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. That a boy! That's how it works. Supply and demand. When there is more supply than demand... Someone will have to sit out whether they like it or not. By choice or by force.

Replied on Tue, Jun 18, 2024 at 02:12 PM CST + 3
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I parked my truck at the beginning of May and took a company job as a local live chicken hauler until loads and rates pick back up. The past year has been stressful trying to keep my own truck busy at my desired profit margin. I refuse to run my equipment for pocket change.

Replied on Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 10:54 AM CST + 3 - 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. The other day I stopped in at the local Loves, I was the only customer who spoke English, sort of told me what the future of this industry is.

Replied on Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 08:54 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Quote: "The other day I stopped in at the local Loves, I was the only customer who spoke English, sort of told me what the future of this industry is." I don't blame immigrants for low freight volume and lousy rates. I blame the fools running our country, and the fools in this business that don't own a calculator. Most non English speaking truck drivers are running non desirable van freight coast to coast. There is still plenty of demand for company truck drivers, just not as much demand for the amount of carriers for the shrinking freight volume i.e we have too many guys that want to be the boss and not enough that want to be a company driver. I chose to park my truck because I was being outbid by basically everyone. The funny thing is I have no personal debt, no children, and no truck payments. I simply refuse to run my equipment for garbage rates. What most don't realize (until it's too late) is how fast a trucking business of any size can and will burn equity taking low paying or even less than break even loads. When it comes to hoppers, not long ago I posted a discussion about Prime Inc (among other non traditional companies) getting into the hopper business. I mentioned that I didn't think they would last. Most on this forum probably thought I meant Prime's drivers couldn't handle the work.... What I actually meant was I don't believe there's enough meat on the bone in the hopper industry for a company like Prime Inc or their lease drivers. Personally I wouldn't recommend running a hopper to anyone pursuing a trucking business unless they were a farmer, because the equipment (for the farmer) can be used for both businesses. I knew bulk freight was in trouble about 6 months ago when I started seeing guys showing up to unload hoppers of DDG wearing pajamas instead of work clothes and a seed hat.... Now it's just a waiting game.

Replied on Wed, Jun 19, 2024 at 08:54 PM CST

+ 1

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

Quote: "The other day I stopped in at the local Loves, I was the only customer who spoke English, sort of told me what the future of this industry is."

I don't blame immigrants for low freight volume and lousy rates. I blame the fools running our country, and the fools in this business that don't own a calculator. Most non English speaking truck drivers are running non desirable van freight coast to coast. There is still plenty of demand for company truck drivers, just not as much demand for the amount of carriers for the shrinking freight volume i.e we have too many guys that want to be the boss and not enough that want to be a company driver.

I chose to park my truck because I was being outbid by basically everyone. The funny thing is I have no personal debt, no children, and no truck payments. I simply refuse to run my equipment for garbage rates. What most don't realize (until it's too late) is how fast a trucking business of any size can and will burn equity taking low paying or even less than break even loads.

When it comes to hoppers, not long ago I posted a discussion about Prime Inc (among other non traditional companies) getting into the hopper business. I mentioned that I didn't think they would last. Most on this forum probably thought I meant Prime's drivers couldn't handle the work.... What I actually meant was I don't believe there's enough meat on the bone in the hopper industry for a company like Prime Inc or their lease drivers. Personally I wouldn't recommend running a hopper to anyone pursuing a trucking business unless they were a farmer, because the equipment (for the farmer) can be used for both businesses. I knew bulk freight was in trouble about 6 months ago when I started seeing guys showing up to unload hoppers of DDG wearing pajamas instead of work clothes and a seed hat.... Now it's just a waiting game.

Replied on Sat, Jun 29, 2024 at 04:14 PM CST + 1
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. Trailers are sold everyday...maybe try something other than a poverty wagon?

Replied on Tue, Jul 02, 2024 at 07:51 AM CST
Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.	Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member. I made 184k in about 7 months and i did not work that whole time. Only thing that got me was KW and Pete sitting on my truck for 4 months over a 1 1/2 weeks repair. The right brokers can make you money. Hell i hauled alfalfa for 95 to 150 ton from by omaha to a bit into oklahoma. That is great pay for a short hop. Hauled a lot of corn a short distance for 50 to 85 a ton. Just got to get the right loads.

Replied on Tue, Jul 02, 2024 at 07:51 AM CST

Posted by a private FlatLoads.com member.

I made 184k in about 7 months and i did not work that whole time. Only thing that got me was KW and Pete sitting on my truck for 4 months over a 1 1/2 weeks repair. The right brokers can make you money. Hell i hauled alfalfa for 95 to 150 ton from by omaha to a bit into oklahoma. That is great pay for a short hop. Hauled a lot of corn a short distance for 50 to 85 a ton. Just got to get the right loads.

Hopper loads just don't pay enough

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