I recently bought a new Kubota tractor. I hauled it home from Marquette Mi. to my home in Grayling, Mi. While talking to the salesman I mentioned that I might be available to deliver things for his company. He left a message for me tonight. I believe I saw that a couple of members here do that kind of work. If you could help me with rates, insurance, etc. I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks in advance,

Jim

You may be getting involved in a situation that opens up a can of worms. I would check and see if you need a CDL and all the requirements that go along with that.

Also your regular vehicle insurance might be invalid if your vehicle is involved in a business, and the insurance company is unaware of this prior to a claim. Check with your insurance company.

Insurance on the freight you are hauling? You have a wreck and the tractor is destroyed. Who is liable?

Commercial insurance, DOT number, and chances are likely a class A CDL. If you did it full time you'd probably make out OK. No way you'll make any money if doing it on the side as a hobby.

He may just need a human to drive their gear to deliver stuff. Give him a call and find out. No way would I use my truck for delivery. But if it was driving their stuff I’d be ok with that.

Hauling for personal VS commercial use

https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regi...-i-need-usdot-number

My CDL is only a Class C. It was a PIA.

I've already got a CDL, as well as a DOT number and some insurance protection. I am interested in rates. It seems like there was a conversation involving this in the past but I could not find it. Thanks,

Jim

For the last couple of months I have been paying $1 a mile going anywhere, I got away with .64 once, only because it was three vans on the same load. Fuel prices are the culprit

I think it depends on the size of the load and the rig you’re operating. For larger items (25000 pounds) I’ve paid $2.50 per mile recently but have heard there is some increase due to fuel costs. Smaller loads will naturally be less. I’m thinking $1-1.50 per mile depending on the load and the rig you’re operating.

Must have been a good deal. Ginop in Hillman is a lot closer than Marquette.

I’d put pencil to paper, figure out your variable costs, factor in depreciation on your truck and trailer, and then add in what your time is worth. As an example, at $3.30 a gallon, towing my empty boat trailer costs $.30 per mile. With the boat, about 9,000lbs with the trailer, it goes up to $.35 per mile. Tires, DEF, and oil changes add another $.05 a mile. A $60,000 truck figuring 200,000 miles adds $.30 a mile to the costs. Then there’s the trailer to figure out.

Marquette is 250 miles from Grayling. Figuring you time at $20 an hour, your looking at $250 just to show up at their door including the bridge toll.

BTW, I use a site called Central Dispatch, for dealers transporting vehicles. You can sign up on there and find loads or find return loads so you're not going home empty