Would you do this job?

[PhilJohnson]

Surfing on the jobs section of Craigslist I found an ad looking for folks with 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks to deliver campers to Canada. I decided to contact the company and check it out. I guess they pay a dollar a loaded mile with all the campers coming from Bristol Indiana. On average most of the campers go 1100 miles one way. There is nothing for back haul.

The company (Team RV Express) looked into my driving record and said I have the proper qualifications, all I need to do is get a passport and I am hired. The job is tempting considering I haven't found anything for work for the past 4 months. A few issues I have though is I would have to go nearly 500 miles to pick up the campers and most of the loads go east. Assuming I had to go out east that would be over 1600 miles I would be driving not being paid anything. Fuel comes out of my pocket as well as all other expenses. Also I would have to go through Gary Indiana which I have heard is a pretty rough town. The other thing that has me wondering is if most of the loads are going out east why would they be looking for people in central Wisconsin.

Just curious what other people's opinions are about this.

[Shrek]

Sounds like light truck delivery and ferry driving. Both are okay as long as the employer ensures your properly permited , insured and bonded and your satistfied with the per mile or per job salary.

[mnn2501]

This sounds like a way for the company to get around import/export taxes. They get some poor schmuck to put the camper on the back of their truck implying they are camping and drive into Canada. not only do they getthe camper in free, there could be other things hidden in the camper too.
To me a reputable firm would ship them in.
Sounds like a scam to me.

[Chixarecute]

So, 500 miles to pick the trailer up, 1100 miles to deliver, 1600 miles return trip. You get paid $1./mile loaded, $1100.00. Your cost for 3200 miles round trip just on gas...let's lowball & say you get 10mpg loaded, and gas is $2.50 a gallong (I wish, it's higher here!)

3200 miles/10mpg=320 gallonsx$2.50/g=$800, leaving you with $200 for eating, sleeping, and wear and tear on your rig for oh say 3-4 days work.

I don't know why they're advertising in WI, but I would have to wonder who is at fault if THEY happen to be smuggling things to Canada in those trailers, but YOU get caught at the border. I'll bet their contact information becomes unavailable real quick.

Do a little more research - ask for a contract to read, company name, Better Business Bureau, etc. And, if you decide to do it, perhaps the price per mile is a bit negotiable.

Good luck!

[PhilJohnson]

Originally Posted by mnn2501

This sounds like a way for the company to get around import/export taxes. They get some poor schmuck to put the camper on the back of their truck implying they are camping and drive into Canada. not only do they getthe camper in free, there could be other things hidden in the camper too.
To me a reputable firm would ship them in.
Sounds like a scam to me.

Yeah it seems a little fishy. I asked if they ever deliver within the US and they said no just to Canada.

[fordson major]

canada is a big place! did they say where your drop off was? sounds fishy!

[Callieslamb]

We go through Gary Indiana all the time with no problems - it's called I-80 or I 94. Don't worry about that part.

[homesteadwriter]

I did some checking and I found that same ad in at least 3 cities further east so they aren't just targeting Central WI.

How good is your truck? Will it handle the extra miles?

Some questions I would ask

How long do you have to get to your destination? How many hours do they expect you to drive without a break. Is this something that you can do?

Do you have to keep any type of log books for them?

Do they take taxes out or are you considered a independent contractor?

What if you cant get to the destination on time? Breakdowns, bad weather ect.

What if there is a problem with the camper you are hauling?

What if you get in an accident that isnt your fault?

What kind of hour are there at your destination site? If you get there at 10 p.m. are you going to have to wait until 8 or 9 am to drop off the ccamper?
Same with your pick up point.


How many trips per month can you count on? The bottom has dropped out of the RV industry but mybe campers arent as bad.

[TnAndy]

Originally Posted by Chixarecute

So, 500 miles to pick the trailer up, 1100 miles to deliver, 1600 miles return trip. You get paid $1./mile loaded, $1100.00. Your cost for 3200 miles round trip just on gas...let's lowball & say you get 10mpg loaded, and gas is $2.50 a gallong (I wish, it's higher here!)

3200 miles/10mpg=320 gallonsx$2.50/g=$800, leaving you with $200 for eating, sleeping, and wear and tear on your rig for oh say 3-4 days work.

Based on those numbers, which I think are conservative, AND don't really figure depreciation on your rig, you'd likely go in the hole. Unless you have a way to haul two or more of them at the same time, I'd forget it.

[PhilJohnson]

Originally Posted by TnAndy

Based on those numbers, which I think are conservative, AND don't really figure depreciation on your rig, you'd likely go in the hole. Unless you have a way to haul two or more of them at the same time, I'd forget it.

Yeah those numbers don't sound real good. My truck is a diesel so I think it would get better than 10 mpg. I usually get 13 mpg towing. But even so diesel is running about 2.90 a gallon here and it figures out to 713 bucks for 3200 miles. Most haulers around here charge 1.50-2.00 bucks a mile if they have nothing on the back haul.

[PhilJohnson]

Originally Posted by homesteadwriter

I did some checking and I found that same ad in at least 3 cities further east so they aren't just targeting Central WI.

Never said they were targeting central Wi specifically but it makes me wonder why they would have to try and find people two states away to haul loads when one has to pick up all loads from Indiana.

Originally Posted by homesteadwriter

How good is your truck? Will it handle the extra miles?

I have no idea to be honest. Truck has low miles for a diesel and is in good running condition but I never have taken it on any long trips.

Originally Posted by homesteadwriter

Do you have to keep any type of log books for them?

Yup

Originally Posted by homesteadwriter

Do they take taxes out or are you considered a independent contractor?

I am responsible for all taxes as well as insurance/registration/truck cost.

Originally Posted by homesteadwriter

How many trips per month can you count on? The bottom has dropped out of the RV industry but mybe campers arent as bad.

Guy claimed there was plenty of work. The camper market in Canada must be pretty good. Regarding the other questions, they are all good ones to ask.

[tinknal]

OK, one more question. Could you get a flatbed trailer and haul 2 campers on the trailer and one on your truck? You could triple your money. If crossing the border with more than one trailer was a problem you could find a place to offload near the border.

[deaconjim]

Fuel prices may change drastically. I'd figure the cost with a much higher price than what you're paying now. Talk to some local independent truckers about the deal and see what they have to say about it.

[PhilJohnson]

Originally Posted by tinknal

OK, one more question. Could you get a flatbed trailer and haul 2 campers on the trailer and one on your truck? You could triple your money. If crossing the border with more than one trailer was a problem you could find a place to offload near the border.

I would need a semi to be able to haul two at a time. Most of the campers are between 20-30 feet long.

Originally Posted by deaconjim

Fuel prices may change drastically. I'd figure the cost with a much higher price than what you're paying now. Talk to some local independent truckers about the deal and see what they have to say about it.

I did talk to a couple already. They said no way.

[haypoint]

I think that when you haul trailers for a living you have to have the truck licensed and the DOT numbers displayed on the sides.

I have seen several trucks hauling trailers from northern IN to Canada. The guys are generally retired and enjoy driving. They live near the trailer factory, so are empty (without a trailer) only half the time.

Some go to trailer dealers. Some go to the new owners. Some go to remote fishing resorts down miles and miles of two track trails.

[uncle Will in In.]

ounds about like the deals they put out to haul FEMA trailers to New Orleans or that general area. You had to put up a $1000 deposit to cover any trailer damage at delivery time. They paid $1.00 a mile but they claimed the trip was 800 miles. Most deliverys were a good bit farther than that. You still got paid for 800 miles. Some drivers got connected to other drivers, and tow one truck home taking turns driving. They were making round trips non stop. Most local drivers quit after a short while. When They were busy making trailers for FEMA, US 31 south from the Elkhart In factories was almost like a convoy of those junk trailers.
You will loose money with this job.

[fishhead]

I didn't crunch the numbers but I don't see how you could make out at $.50/mile (both ways). I believe the IRS boosted mileage expense to close to that already and that's only vehicle cost.

Fish haulers went to $2 a loaded mile when gas was cheaper.

Maybe you could use your truck for local odd jobs for some cash.

[david_r]

I believe these guys are legit. Their website looks real familiar from a few years back. I think the guys at what is now dieselstop were discussing this.

http://www.teamrvexpress.com/

[Windy in Kansas]

Will you be having to pay cargo insurance out of your own pocket? Since you will be doing for hire work will your truck insurance need modified?

Have you checked fuel prices in Canada? I vacation through there in 1990 and was shocked at how much more fuel cost there.

Similar to drive-away delivery of school buses and ambulance but you'd be towing instead of driving. I expect it is quite legitimate work.

Will the company allow you to sight see while in an area or must you return immediately with the paperwork and to pick up another unit for delivery. I checked into delivering school buses and they first said I couldn't sight see that I had to get the paperwork back. I suggested express mail for that but then they said no, that I would be needed back in order to get another delivered. They even wanted a person to fly home for faster turn around time, or to drive straight through on the return trip with a carload of other delivery drivers. I wasn't willing to risk my life in the hands of someone I didn't know so passed on the deal. Husband/wife teams are ideal as they deliver two buses and behind one tow a small car for the return trip.

Best wishes for whatever you decide. With being out of work it would be tempting to give it a try at least once.

[fordy]

http://www.horizontransport.com/

.......................The above company is probably the major player in Rv transport business . Last I checked they have a seniority system that allows those with the longest service too receive priority when the individual is chosen for a job ! But , they are an established company . , fordy