Tractor Shipping Charges

[cowpie1]

Just an observation:

When I was considering buying my NH TC33DA, I considered one of the internet dealers sell that brand. I think though, that this would apply to any dealers shipping charges.

I was quoted $1400 to ship this tractor from NC to Iowa. I have been in the trucking business for almost 20 years and it caused me to question this.

Since you could put at least 3 of these size tractors on a flatbed trailer, and the distance to Iowa was approximately 900 miles, the truck was getting $4200 to haul. That equates to roughly $4.67 a mile to the truck.

Since the predominate rates fall in the $1.50 - $2.50 range, it would seem that the dealers (as usual) are ripping some off on the freight charges. Heck, I was considering dropping my carrier and hauling this freight to get $4.67 a mile! And that was before Katrina and high fuel prices this last year!

Many here might want to question the high costs they may be charged to ship items. I quoted the going rates and any fuel surcharges would only be about $.35 per mile. Forget any comments on "that is for the insurance" crap. The carrier is required to cover the insurance and liability for the cargo as part of the operating authority.

Now, everyone is free to comment/criticize regarding this.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Just an observation:

When I was considering buying my NH TC33DA, I considered one of the internet dealers sell that brand. I think though, that this would apply to any dealers shipping charges.

I was quoted $1400 to ship this tractor from NC to Iowa. I have been in the trucking business for almost 20 years and it caused me to question this.

Since you could put at least 3 of these size tractors on a flatbed trailer, and the distance to Iowa was approximately 900 miles, the truck was getting $4200 to haul. That equates to roughly $4.67 a mile to the truck.

Since the predominate rates fall in the $1.50 - $2.50 range, it would seem that the dealers (as usual) are ripping some off on the freight charges. Heck, I was considering dropping my carrier and hauling this freight to get $4.67 a mile! And that was before Katrina and high fuel prices this last year!

Many here might want to question the high costs they may be charged to ship items. I quoted the going rates and any fuel surcharges would only be about $.35 per mile. Forget any comments on "that is for the insurance" crap. The carrier is required to cover the insurance and liability for the cargo as part of the operating authority.

Now, everyone is free to comment/criticize regarding this.

I can't hardly drive back and forth to work in an empty pick-up truck for $.35 a mile. (Cost of truck/insurance/license/fuel/maint./tires/ect) My employer pays me $.74 a mile for driving to and from jobs, again, in an empty truck. Hauling tractors has paid roughly $1.25 to $1.75 a LOADED MILE for years. Chances are slim to none that anyone could get 3 tractors to load at the pick up point, and deliver at your drop point. It's POSSIBLE but very unlikely. MArket determines price. People will pay $2.00 or more now to haul a tractor.

 

[3RRL]

A year ago last August, I paid around $2,000 to ship my tractor and 4 implements from Missouri to Southern California.

 

[DANOCHEESE]

This would be a rip off if you could get a load with 4 tractors heading to IOWA. These are usualy hot shoted with one here and one way over yonder.

 

[flusher]

Just an observation:

When I was considering buying my NH TC33DA, I considered one of the internet dealers sell that brand. I think though, that this would apply to any dealers shipping charges.

I was quoted $1400 to ship this tractor from NC to Iowa. I have been in the trucking business for almost 20 years and it caused me to question this.

Since you could put at least 3 of these size tractors on a flatbed trailer, and the distance to Iowa was approximately 900 miles, the truck was getting $4200 to haul. That equates to roughly $4.67 a mile to the truck.

Since the predominate rates fall in the $1.50 - $2.50 range, it would seem that the dealers (as usual) are ripping some off on the freight charges. Heck, I was considering dropping my carrier and hauling this freight to get $4.67 a mile! And that was before Katrina and high fuel prices this last year!

Many here might want to question the high costs they may be charged to ship items. I quoted the going rates and any fuel surcharges would only be about $.35 per mile. Forget any comments on "that is for the insurance" crap. The carrier is required to cover the insurance and liability for the cargo as part of the operating authority.

Now, everyone is free to comment/criticize regarding this.

The "Yesterday's Tractors" website has a hauling schedule feature that is a help for folks having your problem.

YT Hauling Schedule: All

Right now there are 357 "from-to" listings on that page. by the "need haul" and "can haul" folks. You may be lucky enough to find something there that fits your need.

 

[cowpie1]

I can't hardly drive back and forth to work in an empty pick-up truck for $.35 a mile. (Cost of truck/insurance/license/fuel/maint./tires/ect) My employer pays me $.74 a mile for driving to and from jobs, again, in an empty truck. Hauling tractors has paid roughly $1.25 to $1.75 a LOADED MILE for years. Chances are slim to none that anyone could get 3 tractors to load at the pick up point, and deliver at your drop point. It's POSSIBLE but very unlikely. MArket determines price. People will pay $2.00 or more now to haul a tractor.

Guess I wasn't clear on my first post. I meant a semi truck when I was figuring shipping charges. You can get at least three compact tractors (30-35hp) on a flatbed. At $2 per mile per tractor, that is a hefty sum. And a rip off!!!!

The rates on a semi are in the 1.50 to 2.50 range or a little better (if you can get it). Since the implement dealer was figuring on shipment via this method and not a hot shot, they were definately not breathing oxygen when they quoted. Even figuring the stop off pay for a partial unload.

If I wanted it sent via a hot shot, I would have paid a friend to go with me to get it ourselves. Either way, the shipping charges being quoted by the dealer is way out of line. I reason that from approximately 20 years in the trucking business running all of North America above the Rio Grande. Had no intention of getting the tractor since I bought local, but was interested in what they wanted for shipping. Now, I wonder how many other customers they are sticking it to on shipping.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I was following along with your tractor/trailer rig logic. My point is, those guys aren't going to make a one-time haul any cheaper than the hot shot haulers with 3/4 tons and a gooseneck. Just ain't happenin'.

Dealers aren't freight brokers. If you want to work a deal for hauling, and can get it cheaper than the dealers normal haulers, I'm sure the dealer would accomodate you and load on any truck. But in the meantime, they'll just get a price from the first hauler willing to load.

Try calling a few freight lines. See if any are interested. Maybe you can find someone. It's been my experience that haulers willing to load/unload a tractor for a one-time, point A to point B load are scarce in the grand scheme of things.

 

[DavesTractor]

....it would seem that the dealers (as usual) are ripping some off on the freight charges....Now, everyone is free to comment/criticize regarding this.

Sounds like you have some prior history with dealers ripping you off. Makes you a bit sensitive to things like this I suppose. You paint with a broad brush.

We ship a lot of tractors. If a guy is really patient, you can sometimes get a bargain when a truck is heading the right direction and only has 2/3 of a load on his deck. If he can make a few bucks completing the load, sometimes you can get a deal. I've seen $0.50/mile a couple of times. The problem is it takes a bunch of calls and a little luck to pull this off. A dealer will normally call a couple of companies and go with the low bid. A guy like you with good connections could surely get a bargain by spending an hour or two on the phone.

We have never profited on shipping. Period. We are happy if we can get paid what it costs.

 

[MtnViewRanch]

North Carolina to Southern Calif $1850. 7520 Mahindra & FEL, 81" grapple, 96" rear blade, PHD with 5 augers, skid steer forks. I was told 2-3 weeks for delivery. They call a broker and tell them they have a partial load and then wait until a truck needs a partial load to get a full load. The guy that delivered my stuff had delivered to Arizona, then came to me and then was going to Northern Calif. Then he had to go to Nevada to pick up a full load to deliver to Louisiana. Ah, the life of a truck driver. Just my experience.