Thinking about a change in jobs, Need advice?
 

Okay guys Ive been cleaning carpets for about 15 years and it has really took its toll on my body. I own a small carpet cleaning company but I have a friend that uses Uship.com to find loads and Hot Shots with a 97 Ext Cab 1 ton Cummins with an Auto Tranny and has been making a decent living at it.

I just picked up a 94 Single Cab 4x4 Cummins with a 5 Speed. I'm thinking about Selling my Van and Equipment for a nice Stretched Goose-neck Flatbed (you know the ones that carry 2 cars) or a nice big Box Trailer. Id like to give this UShip/Hot Shot thing out, but to be honest I don't know much about it. I mean I have pulled Trailers my whole life so that's not really a worry. But I'm a little worried about if I can make a living at it. Carpet Cleaning is just getting to hard for me and I think this would be a great way to see the world. :)

What do you guys thing about this Idea?

Also can someone give me an honest idea of what I will get in fuel mileage I can expect loaded down? I know that's a hard one but can yall give me the mileage for both of these seneriois:

Load 1-I have a Stretch Flatbed Goose with 2 cars on it?

Load 2-I have a Bumper Pull 16ft-18ft flatbed with a single car on it?

Load 1 - 8-10 mpg
Load 2 - 13-15 mpg

Look up the cost of your insurance that you will need to haul cargo, and commercial plates. Tuff running older equipment too....

figures from my '03
 

I have a 3 axle 40' Haulmark enclosed 5th trailer which weighs about 8200 empty. We load up a TAD dragster, 2-3 drums of alcohol fuel, tires/wheels, spare parts, extra transmission, support gear for a week of drag racing and get 17 mpg flat freeway with cruise control set about 55-60 on flat ground wind not hurting me of course.

I also have a 26' open flat pull trailer I haul old farmall tractors and impliments on and can squeeze 18-19 on same road as above.

Hittin the hills sucks the fuel depending on load but you get part of that mileage hit back on the downhill side if you don't have to ride the brakes or exhaust brake a lot.

You will never be home if you are going to make any money doing it. You also get farther staying in the seat for 3 hours at 60, than for two hours at 80. Lots less stress, too.

You will probably find commercial insurance is going to be another truck payment, or the best part of it.

Always figure worst-case scenario on fuel usage, etc.

It costs you less to sit for 2 days to get a load that pays good, than to take one that doesn't cover costs, just to keep moving.

I have been finishing concrete and in construction for 25 years. Sitting in a truck seat all day is about the worst thing for my body. When I stop moving is the worst part, I dread the long drives home at the end of the day...

Just my experience.

I would get a lot of opinions before jumping careers, especially into hauling, its pretty cutthroat.

Just my .02

Come on up to the Bakken oil rush in Montana and North Dakota.
Even without your own rig you'll be making $100/hour or more driving truck/trailers.
Heck even the Walmart greeters are making $22/hour.

Just be sure to bring someplace to live with you.

Had a trucker stop at the local bar a couple weeks ago, he said Williston is like a mini-NYC up there.

I know where Bakken is, but where is Ballken?

It's where the spell checker moves the Bakken