Ryan77 thats interesting, I wish you could of forwarded me that pm. I have a non paying customer that broke onto my yard and stole his own aircraft tug. He will be dealt with shortly.
Guys I cant haul everything for $1.75 a loaded mile, some yes all no. I get between $3-5 a loaded mile for some of my boats I haul. But when you have to provide insurance for a half million dollar yacht then things get expensive quick.
I try to cut SS members slack on rates and have been behind for some of the guys before but havent lost one yet and dont plan on it this year either. My hotshot trucks are cheaper to run but are limited on weight and trailer length, though I have been known to push the limits with some of the loads I have hauled in the name of getting SS equipment where it belongs!
I dont go around beating peoples stuff up, I treat it like it was mine except dont go taking them off into the woods and play! Dang trailer queens!
The business is getting really hard to deal with and is one reason I havent been putting the miles down I use to. I do still try to help out and if its close to where I have other business then you get a great rate.
My tire contracts are now being brokered out so I can save on my own overhead costs. You just have to figure out what is best for your situation and what you are willing to spend to get it! Trying to say what a good rate is in one part of the country is apples and oranges cause fuel cost are different fro state to state. I like out west but its also more costly for me to go that far!
Anyway good luck to all and pms have been replied to! Thers good info on here fro some good Owner drivers, businessman, and just us plan dirty grunts!