Towing for hire question

[Ryan_V]

I'm looking at using my truck to make a little extra money by moving campers/etc. What is normally used as an equation for charging? Is it usually charged as per mile, or just figuring the cost of fuel with loaded/unloaded miles and then figuring out what to charge for time? Thanks!

[fishtrap3]

I am with you on this one Val.... Pretty much spot on.... In state driving if you travel over 100 miles from your business you will need to fill out log book.. And they will check!!! Other wise it is just the pre trip inspection. Been stoped a few times and you will be hard pressed to have one give you a break on anything!!!

So make sure you check what is needed fully before getting involved. And as stated before i believe call insurance company to see what you will need..

[harvey lee]

ya ya i use to drive otr to

i didnt own the truck but still had a pretty good understanding

of laws all though they may have changed some since then

the guy had idea to make some extra money and you are just telling him dont do it..which i still say you way over exagerated the whole thing

maybe you could have said

before you start you should check into this and into that

not just slamming door in his face

let him call and check the dot bologna and see if he thinks its worth

it...he didnt say any thing about being big commercial Interstate hauler

Greg, I do not believe that anyone suggested that Ryan not do it. Numerous posters simply stated that he would possibly need to comply with the DOT regs for what he is hauling and insurance to cover himself. Many do not know or realize how complicated this DOT stuff can be and the fines involved.

In regards to being a big interstate commercial hauler, many more than just those haulers need to comply.

I agree that alot of this DOT stuff may not be needed but if so many would not have been so unsafe with what they were doing on the road, all these safety laws may not have to have been implemented for others.

I am sure noone was trying to tell Ryan not to do it but just make sure you are doing what is needed to protect himself from a fine or lawsuit.

Make no difference to me if Ryan does or does not haul stuff on the side for some extra cash. I just did not want to see him get a fine or worse due to a few compliance rules.

[gregg52]

Ryan, I would not suggest to do this on a part time basis, you are entering an area which is highly regulated by DOT and you will

This will make the part time job almost impossible. If you get inspected and you are not compliant you can have your truck (and whatever is attached to it) impounded on the spot, and you will have to pay huge fines and the towing costs associated.

.

this is a pretty negative respose if you ask me...as i said just my opinion plus all the impounded talk and 1000$ a month insurance if that isnt being dramatic i dont know what it is yes the others suggest a few things and thats good to have him check out a few things

as i said trip to wal mart or fleet woulda taken care of log books and inspection books.. 75-100$ for a health card if needed and it probably is a call to his ins to get a quote on ins and he would be good to or know if its fiesalbe or not...not sure where the guy got the idea to do this kinda work

but hes another suggestion if you are going to go threw all that check with the rv dealers you might be albe to get a part time gig going with a few of them and they will tell you exactly what you need plus a a few more bucks also maybe check with a few RV parks

keep a positive outlook

[CJH]

this is a pretty negative respose if you ask me...as i said just my opinion plus all the impounded talk and 1000$ a month insurance if that isnt being dramatic i dont know what it is

I don't see his response as being negative at all. Based on all the requirements and costs associated with it, he used his judgment to state an opinion. Pretty sure that's what the original poster was asking for.

I am not going to even begin to get into all the licensing, but liability is huge in the trucking/logistics industry and could be the most devastating to your finances over any fine for improper paperwork/licensing. If you are going to do this without proper liability insurance and get into an accident and hurt somebody, YOU are going to be in a world of hurt for a long time. Your basic insurance will not cover commercial activity, and you will be out in the cold to cover all of the costs plus the ensuing lawsuit.

That being said, I would have to give some credit to Ryan for wanting to work and exploring a possibility utilizing an asset he already owns. Just doesn't sound like a good fit for what you would want to do for a part time venture.

[gregg52]

i agree with good for ryan lookin into some options

and i'm not sure with fuel prices and exactly what ins will be

if its a do albe deal

but until he looks into it he wont know

like i said i'm not sure where or what give him the idea he maybe has some request and thought hey...i just dunno

might want to do alittle business type deal specially with something like this with all the liability

i'm not saying go without ins for petes sake

i'm in the trucking industry and have been for 30 yrs or so in one aspect or another from dumps to otr theres not many i havnt drove

[sweatervest76]

I was pulled over by the D.O.T. officer this fall for my equipment trailer that I use with my business. Luckily, he was a nice guy and could see that I genuinely had no idea about these rules. I thought that since I was driving a 3/4 ton truck with a small trailer, I was well under 26K so I didn't need to follow any special D.O.T. rules. I was wrong, anything used in a business (or anything to make money)that "weighs" over 10k (my Dodge has a 9k axle rating, then add my trailer and I was almost over 10k) needs to have the name on the door, fire extinguisher, fuses, safety triangles, etc. He basically gave me a handbook (that you could get at the DMV) and said follow whatever it says in there and we won't have issues with you. Spend the money right away and you won't have issues later.

[harvey lee]

Good to hear they just gave you some information to comply and not a huge fine.

[Loose]

I know a couple people that have done this without the permits, no problems just don't get pulled over, the odds of getting pinched if above said is true is pretty slim.

[harvey lee]

I agree that the odds are slim but what happen's if you have an accident? Liabillity would be a concern as ones insurance company may not care for one doing commercial business without notifing them first.

How would you also cover the towed item with your insurance?

Not likely to get caught but if you do or have an accident, the penalty or insurance issues could be a big issue.

[gregg52]

just for the record here

i'm not telling or suggesting any body do any thing illegal

just check out what you need to do it

then some how try to figure out how much work you think you can get

then see if the exspense to get going is worth it remembering health cards are good for 2-3 yrs so that a one time cost log book inspection books very little exspense

the inssurance and fuel will be the biggest ongoing cost you have it might sound like alot to start (sticker shock) but divide it up into how many jobs you can get...maybe dont limit your self to RV and campers

hang some flyers in your grocery stores or where ever you can

say truck fot hire or some thing along those lines

i know a guy that at the first of month helped people move said it was pretty good part time cash lots people moving in the spring

just an idea

maybe check into high deductalbe that you think you could handle if something did happen

i have 4 trucks 3 trailers i use in the summer i pay bout 300$$ a month

[CigarGuy]

I drive commercial truck-mostly in-state. Last year, I have never seen so many DOT inspectors. They would sit on the ramp going from 169 to 494 west and pull p/u's with trailers over and dumps. They also sit by 169/41 intersection-do same thing. Also, lots or random road checks. I've seen them working rural roads out in the country. When you start pulling dump trailers/enclosed work trailers, etc, it seems like they are really keying on these folks-not to mention gravel trucks. Pulling a camper probably won't raise any flags. But if something happens, you will be " up the creek without a paddle". Like others have said make sure you check everything out to cover you butt, so you don't lose everything.

[PrairieLakeLogJam]

O-Boy, And the Government wonders why Unemployment is so high!

I say just go for it! Talk to your insurance company and tell them you want to be covered if you haul your buddies trailer around.. No big deal!

The only thing that I would worried about is the IRS, Thats why Cash is King!

[landscaper]

For all you truckers out there I got a question for you.

For anyone who has their HazMat(hazardous materials endorsement) what all do you have to do to get this? I know all the tests at the DMV I have heard you have to send $100 to the government/FBI for a Background check? Is this true? I guess that is my question.

thanks guys!

[CigarGuy]

For all you truckers out there I got a question for you.

For anyone who has their HazMat(hazardous materials endorsement) what all do you have to do to get this? I know all the tests at the DMV I have heard you have to send $100 to the government/FBI for a Background check? Is this true? I guess that is my question.

thanks guys!

Hazardous Materials Endorsement for Commercial Drivers

The USA PATRIOT Act requires all drivers who transport hazardous materials to undergo a security threat assessment. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, administers the threat assessment. This rule does not apply to applicants for, or holders of, a commercial driver's license (CDL) who do not wish to hold a Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME).

The state of Minnesota will not be allowed to issue a CDL with an HME until TSA completes the threat assessment and informs Minnesota that the driver is qualified to receive the endorsement. Any current Hazmat driver who has a disqualifying offense prohibiting the holding of an HME must immediately surrender the HME to the State. A driver may then reapply for an HME, or submit a request for a waiver to TSA.

For more information on the federal regulations, including a list of disqualifying offenses, visit the Transportation Security Administration Web site.

Who needs an HME?

How do you obtain or renew an HME?

What is a Security Threat Assessment Application?

Fingerprint Collection Sites

Other Common Questions and Answers for Minnesota Drivers

Additional Resources

- Hazardous Materials Endorsement Brochure (pdf)

- Commercial Driver's License Manual

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Who needs an HME?

Anyone who transports material found to be hazardous for the purpose of the Hazardous Transportation Act and that require the motor vehicle to be placarded under Code of Federal Regulations, title 49, parts 100-185.

How do I get an HME?

You must have or qualify for a CDL. See the Minnesota Commercial Driver’s Manual for more information.

Take and pass the HME knowledge test at a driver exam station.

Apply for or renew the CDL at a full-service exam station or driver’s license renewal office.

Complete a Security Threat Assessment application (see below).

Submit your fingerprints at an authorized collection site. You must show two forms of identification, such as your driver's license and DOT medical card.

If you have an existing HME and no longer want the HME or don’t qualify for an HME, make a written statement to that effect when you renew your CDL

Return to Top

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

What is a Security Threat Assessment Application?

The Security Threat Assessment Program involves checks of criminal history records, immigration records and other federal agency records, on any individuals who wish to apply for, renew, or transfer an HME. TSA is conducting name-based checks on all drivers who currently hold an HME to identify drivers who present a security threat to the national transportation system.

For more information on the federal regulations, including a list of disqualifying offenses, visit the Transportation Security Administration Web site.

Security Threat Assessment Application

TSA Application Fee: $89.25 (Effective September 27, 2007)

You must complete a Security Threat Assessment Application before submitting your fingerprints at an authorized collection site.

- Online—visit the TSA HazMat Web site at https://hazprints.tsa.dhs.gov/

- By Phone—Call toll-free 1-877-HazPrint (1-877-429-7746)

The TSA is responsible for the screening and the approval or rejection of each background check. You will be notified by TSA if you are ineligible for a HazMat endorsement. For more information regarding disqualifying offenses and the appeal process, visit the TSA Web site at www.tsa.gov.

[JohnMickish]

Great info there, thanks.

[landscaper]

yep thank you

[Valv]

Reminder:

This is a link to the FMCSA site where they list all the cases they had nationwide.

Read any of them, scroll down under Minnesota ( or any state you'd like) and see how much they paid for not following the rules.

FMCSA Penalties settled

I wouldn't want to be any of them, and these are the larger cases, not the small tickets.

FMCSA means Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which we call "the DOT".

[jwmiller33]

just for the record here

i'm not telling or suggesting any body do any thing illegal

just check out what you need to do it

then some how try to figure out how much work you think you can get

then see if the exspense to get going is worth it

[gregg52]

every body has their right to their own opinion!!!!!!

jw this thread is a month or so old try to keep up !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jwmiller33]

certain threads are like wine; they get better with age. and others are like beer: eventually all gets skunked

[Down Deep]

If I were going to go into this type of business I would go two places. One: would be a visit to the local DMV and ask them what the requirements are. Two: I would visit my local City or County govt. center and find out what kind of business license they require.

I've worked in the transportation business for 35 years and here are some cost factors you need to consider: Cost of fuel, MPG, Insurance, Maintenance, any Permits - License Fees & Taxes; Advertising - Other costs like telephone. and the cost or present value of your vehicle. Add all these together and estimate your mileage rate. Then add your labor rate which could be by the mile or hour. My guess you will arrive at a figure of $1.00 to $1.25 per mile for a light truck. A reasonable labor rate would be $20 to $25 per hour which would net you about $12 to $15 per hour after taxes and Fica.

If you are just looking to haul a few trailers around town or on short hauls to make a little extra cash make sure that the people you are working for know that and go for it. I would price it out by taking the cost per gallon and MPG and figure out a mileage rate for fuel. Then add .35 to .50 cents per mile for wear and tear and an hourly rate. I guess if you have an accident you might get canceled by your insurance company, but you should be covered.

Your business is going to come from the guy who buys a trailer and needs to get it across town and I would stay local. I don't think I would start doing cross country trips because you could buy off some real problems with the law if you ever had an accident.

[heat checker]

I had the opportunity last summer to move a seasonal camper 50 miles down the road to a different spot for $200. Had I a stabilizer hitch and an inclination to kill a couple hours, I'd have jumped at it.