Hopper Rates

I figure my monthly costs without fuel and amortize them out by the number of days I want to run a month. Then I figure what is a reasonable and fair income and what my expected fuel costs will be,and then I figure my rate around my cost and income needs. By using revenue instead of rate per mile you will assure yourself that you are actually making money. High rates on short runs with lots of waiting and deadheaded won't result in profit. You need to figure short runs bases on time not miles. Anything that sits on your truck for 24 hours needs to pay a day of revenue.

Ever since I've been in trucking, fuel surcharge has been based on fuel at $1.35/gallon. Why would you not add surcharge til fuel is $2.20??

Do the shops wait til your bill is over $500 before they add a 'shop fee', 'miscellaneous fee', 'EPA fee' (even though your repair had NOTHING to do with the EPA), or any other BS fee they can think of?

No wonder truckers are getting screwed, everyone keeps giving the shippers/brokers a mile. Hell, they even charge US if we want paid on day of delivery (aka Quick Pay). When was the last time you told Walmart, the grocery store, or gas company that if they want paid when you receive their product or service its gonna cost them an extra 3.5%? Lemme know how that works out for ya.

Just start at $3.00/mile and go up from there. If you haul cheap you are setting the rate.