Trucking: Pricing a load, cargo trailers, cdls

Question
Hi,
My husband is a car hauler and we are about to purchase a truck so he can be an owner operator under a company.  We would like to know for the future, when we obtain our own authority, how do you price a load based on gas and mileage?

Answer
Hello Erica,
I really don't have an answer. If it were me, I would lease on with a company for a while. That would give you a chance to learn what it was all about without stressing about money. As time progresses, ask small questions within the company and at dealer locations. Kind of like making small talk so they won't think your trying to take business away. Try to go to the same dealers as much as possible. If you do a great job and become friends, it will help you to get information from them also. If you feel you have received enough information to run on your own, you will probably be able to get business from the same dealers and will be able to charge a fair rate. This is just what I would do based on my experience and I have explored the possibility of pulling a wedge trailer hauling Halmark trailers. If you want a different answer, maybe one of the other guys can help. I have been told, if you pull cars with a 1 ton you will replace the transmission every 2 years. If your husband gets his CDLs, I would strongly suggest buying a single axle sleeper truck. You can purchase a single axle cheaper than a 1 ton and be able to haul more cars. Baker Transport is one O/O company that hauls cars and cargo trailers, they have a web sight.

I hope this can give you some direction.
Israel