Looking into Running a 3/4 or 1 ton van. ISO info

I am a Hot Shot driver (yes you got it right, also some truckers call us "Super Truckers" for some reason). However, I am pretty new myself. I am independent. I make a lot more money and have the freedom of being my own boss this way. I have met a lot of guys that work for a company since I started and they get about $750-1,000/wk with no per diem for meals or rooms so they only bring home around $400-600/wk. I average anywhere from $1,200-2,400/wk. Yes it does vary that much. There are trips when everything lines up almost perfect and there are trips when I go too far out of the way for a load, or end up with a big deadhead.

I use a F250 and a F350 depending on the loads I'm getting on a particular trip. But believe it or not I started with my F150 that had the tow package and air bags. It actually did a lot for me, but then I started getting offers for loads that were just too much for it so I traded it for a newer 3/4 ton F250 and got a cheap old farm truck F350 dually from a neighbor for the occasional load that's just too much for the 250. I started out in the 250 with a goose neck flatbed, but quickly did not need it because I mostly haul campers and boats now. I also look for stuff for the bed of my truck when I can for extra money or covering deadheads.

I charge anywhere from $1-$1.50/mile for campers and boats depending on how big and where they are going. I get a lot of motorcycles and 4wheelers for side loads in the bed of my truck and charge $0.40-0.70 depending on what they are willing to pay because if it's not out of the way that's just extra money. Some places like Oklahoma you can't really avoid tolls reasonably so I take that into account if the load has to go through there. Out west is my favorite so I'll go down on my rate sometimes just to get to go out there. I just love seeing the wide open places and really love the Rocky Mountains so I'll take a little less money just to enjoy that verses clogged up cities in NY and PA and all the rude people up that way.

As far as getting work, to start out I used load boards, now I'm pretty busy with repeat business. I'm starting to meet people with unique issues that if we traded jobs we'd both make out better so I'm thinking of that now too.

Personally I feel I can do better in a pickup, but I know a few guys that do great with their vans. There is a need for it. The guys I know haul a lot more items than I do, just smaller stuff like pets, medical supplies, household items etc. They make close to the same money as me, but they seem to spend more time doing it. I like tow-away boats and campers, just hook up, inspect for road worthiness and hit the road.

 

Just don't sign on to a courier company unless you enjoy making $100 a day.

 

Never ever use what was called a 3/4 ton van for expedite work, it may not hold up well. You want to get something that has the biggest payload you can put on a van. The price difference between the two weight ratings is really not much if you are looking at used.

 

I agree, get an E350 if possible. Standard or extended length is debatable as the long version has more cargo volume space but a slightly reduced payload capacity.