Would you do this job?

Wis Bang 2 · #41 02/05/10, 09:41 PM

I worked for the US office of a Canadian Carrier. Every time a new tractor or trailer crossed the border for the first time, it had to be reported to customs.

CMV drivers don't always get checked by canadian officials BUT they occasionally check everyone. Anyone w/ a background problem gets turned around. If the guy asks 'were you ever arrested' you had better tell the truth because he is looking at your history. Guys who answer 'no' over a minor, 30 yr old, infraction that they forgot end up coming back. A DUI is an indictable offense in Canada, the equavalent of a felony down here. They turn around too. I don't think you'll get paid if you don't deliver...

Do your home work...

tinknal · #42 02/05/10, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilJohnson

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

Ah, I see, I was thinking pickup campers.

PhilJohnson · #43 02/06/10, 09:21 AM

After running some numbers I have determined it isn't worth my time to bother. The big issue for me is that the majority of campers would be going to eastern Canada. At least if the campers where destined to go to western Canada I could stop at my house on the way back. Thanks everyone for your advice, it has been very helpful

**Ross** · #44 02/06/10, 09:34 AM

Think of it like this its a round trip for anybody starting at either end. Why isn't the receiving company driving to Bristol to "save" part of that $1100 cost to them? And they don't have to drive 500 miles to get started. No way!

Beeman · #45 02/06/10, 11:20 AM

It's a loser. I know some that have done it and all you get is a worn out truck. Remember you do have to sleep and eat while on the road. You might be able to sleep in the camper on the way up if you don't freeze to death but when empty then what?

Weight figuring for Comm. vehicles is on rated weight not actual weight.

fantasymaker · #46 02/07/10, 09:55 AM

If you want to get into the Truck Delivery Business give me a PM.How about over a buck a mile to drive someone elses new truck?
Im familer with the outfit its legitamate work its just aint worth it.
As you figgered out you cant make any money on it the way they are shooting it to you.
There are ways to make money doing this work .but probably NOT with this company. You will need more than a buck a mile up front AND backhauls or ridesharing.
You also need the right equipment. Read that as a 6 cylinder diesel.

Bret4207 · #47 02/07/10, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bret4207

Former DOT cop here. Under 26K the Class D is fine, but- any vehicle with a GVWR or Combined GVWR involved in a commercial operation is a CMV. There's no "techinically" about the logs, absolutely required if your destination is more than 100 air miles (113. something staute miles) from your starting point. If it's a really big trailer and the CVGWR is over 26K and the trailer over 10K you'd need a Class A.

FWIW- I've dealt with company several times. They tend to get older guys with no real odea of what they're doing and send them down the road. If the mileage works for you and you have some decent CMV experience to start with (log, tie downs, equipment, etc) then it might work for a temp job.

Can't find an edit button!!! So a correction- "...but- any vehicle with a GVWR or Combined GVWR over 10,000lbsinvolved in a commercial operation is a CMV."

deb · #48 02/07/10, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chixarecute

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.

There is a lot of drug smuggling being caught at the US/Canadian border. I have read about cars being dismantled by the border patrol looking for drugs and it sounded like they were not going to reassemble the cars. This has happened to passenger vans taking US Amish families to visit their Canadian relatives.

If you take a load over the border, they may want to look at your load then look in your truck. Sounds risky

deb
in wi

**Ross** · #49 02/07/10, 02:45 PM

One of the things Canadian border officers is looking for is illegal weapons. Essentially the pro gun lobby quite rightly fought excessive gun control by illuminating the govt.s failure to stop illegal guns entering the country. Why on earth law abiding gun owners were penalized for a: a criminals act and b: the poor enforcement of existing laws, became obvious the govt. was sweeping the problem off their desks with inaction on a real problem!! That curbed the public's appeal for more laws and the fact the useless gun registry was starting to cost billions for no net gain in public safety. So if you're planning on crossing the border with your gun think again.

fetch33 · #50 02/07/10, 03:32 PM

My sister had a horrible experience after Katrina. She drove a FEMA trailer to a designated lot outside of New Orleans (from Indiana). The lot was supposed to be open 24 hrs but it was closed when she showed up at 7pm. Her and about 75 other unfortunate people had to sit with their trailers all night... no food or water. She ended up sleeping in the trailer. The company that hired her and the others had to pony up more cash for everyone's inconvenience. She ended up with about $800 for 3 days trouble. By the time she paid for gas, there wasn't much left.

fantasymaker · #51 02/07/10, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fetch33

My sister had a horrible experience after Katrina. She drove a FEMA trailer to a designated lot outside of New Orleans (from Indiana). The lot was supposed to be open 24 hrs but it was closed when she showed up at 7pm. Her and about 75 other unfortunate people had to sit with their trailers all night... no food or water. She ended up sleeping in the trailer. .

HUH? Why couldnt she drive to the nearest motel and diner?

VERN in IL · #52 02/07/10, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantasymaker

If you want to get into the Truck Delivery Business give me a PM.How about over a buck a mile to drive someone elses new truck?
Im familer with the outfit its legitamate work its just aint worth it.
As you figgered out you cant make any money on it the way they are shooting it to you.
There are ways to make money doing this work .but probably NOT with this company. You will need more than a buck a mile up front AND backhauls or ridesharing.
You also need the right equipment. Read that as a 6 cylinder diesel.

Agreed, many around here drive rental trucks, IMO now it's NOT the time to get into the trucking industry!

Ruby · #53 02/07/10, 08:41 PM

Quote:

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.

This is a basically what I use to do. I am not familiar with that company, but I worked for Classic Transport out of Elkhart IN. They pay for all permits into Canada, and all loaded miles. They do go by book miles. So if you want to go another route your not paid for the extra miles. But when you go into Canada they require you to go in at the port they specify. Other wise you can't take the camper in, because it will have stickers on it showing it is a new camper being shipped to the dealer.

I really enjoyed doing it, but when I worked for Classic I drove the motor homes, and box truck vans, also the delivery vans such as the step vans. I towed my personal car behind me then drove back. Some driver would take a plane or bus back.

My DH and I also back in the '90s drove for Morgan Drive Away. They are no longer in business. But we each had a pickup and delivered campers. Some time it would be a fifth wheel, some time a bumper pull. Once in a while we would have a slide in one the bed of the truck and pull a bumper pull at the same time.

Just remember you have to save back money for taxes because you will get a 1099 form to file. Also have saving for vehicle repair. Because you will wear out your truck. You also need a pretty new diesel. A gasoline truck won't last long.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.

Some people do it just to be able to see some country. If you are retired and have a check coming in that's ok. But if you are doing it for a living I hope you don't have any bills. Because you can't make a living doing it.

PhilJohnson · #54 02/07/10, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ruby

Some people do it just to be able to see some country. If you are retired and have a check coming in that's ok. But if you are doing it for a living I hope you don't have any bills. Because you can't make a living doing it.

Well I am definitely nowhere retirement age (I am 25) and I need to make somewhat of a living so I don't think it will work

roachhill · #55 02/07/10, 10:04 PM

I deliver motor homes and trucks for spending money and it was a good gig but work is real slow right now. I don't do trailers so I don't maintain a truck but I do tow my car sometimes. When there's plenty of work I make OK money and enjoy it but lately I'm just getting by. I'm holding on and hoping things improve because it's a lot better then having a real job. I know some drivers that deliver the trailers and do very well with it but there is a big difference between companies and pay rates. If that company doesn't work for you try some others. By the way I drove a motor home pulling a camper out to CA just before Christmas. It paid 98 cents a mile and even with a holiday season price on the plane ticket home I still made $800. It is possible to make money delivering you just have to be smart about it.

fantasymaker · #56 02/08/10, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roachhill

I drove a motor home pulling a camper out to CA just before Christmas. It paid 98 cents a mile and even with a holiday season price on the plane ticket home I still made $800. It is possible to make money delivering you just have to be smart about it.

Who set up the combo? You or the company? It sounds pretty cheep usaually a trailer is over a buck and a moter home about $.65. a mile. Who paid your fuel? What sorta milage did you get on that?

missmouse · #57 02/08/10, 09:48 AM

I have a friend who used to work for a company out of Indiana delivering horse trailers. It was much the same as the set up you describe. He loved doing it and he made good money. The problem for you is the unloaded miles. Any chance you could talk to the company and see if they have any contacts in Canada that might give you something similar to haul down here? Just a thought. Good luck.

roachhill · #58 02/08/10, 10:10 PM

The company shipped it that way. I got 76 cents for the motor home and 22 cents for letting them put the trailer behind it. trailers pay a about a buck when you pull it with your vehicle because you have all the expenses. Putting it behind their motor home I incur no extra costs over moving the motor home so it's free money. You can't compare it to pulling a trailer with your own truck on your own dime. I spent a little over a grand on fuel but it paid almost 3 grand so I took plenty home for the little work I do. I usually take home about a grand for a trip like that but like I said plane tickets were high because of the holiday. I'm headed back to CA this week which will cover my expenses for the next month. It doesn't make a ton of money but it sure beats having a job.