While Shipping Wars production takes a lot of my time today, I had some success in my time on uShip. I made some good money. Mostly heavy haul, construction equipment on my flatbed behind my Kenworth.

Squeaky Wheel

I remember calling uShip’s customer support team in Austin. I can assure you I was the squeakiest wheel of their day, lobbing one complaint…I mean, suggestion…after another.

But what impressed me about uShip was that they always listened to what I had to say and even made some of the changes I had suggested.

After awhile, I thought, ‘They are going to change the industry. They are going to be a factor in the trucking industry that hasn’t really ever changed in forever.’

The New uShip

Today, uShip took another step in this journey toward changing this industry. It’s a new approach to uShip that’s really pretty cool. The next generation of uShip is all about getting and going mobile, and that is where trucking is headed.

Sure, smartphones and tablets are everywhere today — I couldn’t survive without my iPhone — but how do they truly help today’s trucker in an industry that’s been slow to change.

uShip makes it possible to run your business right from the palm of your hand. You couldn’t do that 15 years ago. You couldn’t do that 10 years ago. These [smartphones] aren’t going away.

Driving Forward, Not In Reverse

When I first started going to truck shows and I would get up to talk to people, there was always that guy in the back yelling ‘Hey Marc, that’s cheap freight, blah, blah, blah. How are you able make money and I can’t?’

Here’s that guy’s problem. He is looking behind, through his side view mirrors, because that’s the way his dad did it, how his grandad did it. It requires some updated perspective. I believe I got going in truck successfully because I looked forward, not in the past.

I don’t see how you can make money looking backwards. It’s really hard to drive like that. So I look out ahead and I see what’s coming up in front of me and see how i’m going to make money in the future. What can I do to keep up with the things that are going on?

uShip has allowed me to do that. They allowed me to start a small business and have success. And from that I got on Shipping Wars. It was lucky that it went that way.

But the truth is, if I had not stumbled upon uShip and figured out how to put stuff on my truck, which was just a pickup when I started, I would still be looking backwards. Running my business from my phone is what I see when I look forward. uShip allows me to do that.

Let uShip Do The Heavy Lifting

uShip is a way to make some good money. I would first find a big load, what I call my “anchor load.” Then I would start filling the holes with uShip. I didn’t always find the first load on uShip. I would find it however I could. But once I had my anchor load, I would use uShip to fill the rest. I would add additional small loads to keep my truck full. I went from making $2-3 per mile to $5, $6, $7 per mile. It’s easy!

The app uShip has created is what I am talking about when I say run your business from your phone. The app is able to find you shipments that are on your route to pop up on your phone to tell you what’s available based on the categories you are looking for. I used to have to pull over at night and spend extra hours planning my route before going to sleep. It was a lot of work. I’d rather let uShip do that work for me.

This is an exciting time to be in the trucking industry. For the first time, it is really changing, changing for the better. I’m excited about what’s ahead, and looking forward, I am running my business in the palm of my hand.

Marc Springer on A&E’s Shipping Wars. He uses uShip’s mobile app to find, book and manage his shipments — whether he’s planning out his route ahead of time or when nearby shipments pop up. If you’re interested in the future of trucking, download our mobile app on iOs or Android.

uShip is reinventing shipping and logistics through tools, trust and transparency. Through uShip’s transport marketplace, it’s now faster, easier and cheaper for consumers and businesses to connect with thousands of customer-reviewed transporters that often have empty truck space offered at a discounted rate.

Find shipments for free, connecting you directly with shippers.

The post On the Marc: Why Mobile is Trucking’s Future appeared first on The uShip Blog.

I used to think about all of the above.  But I quickly I realized that I could better manage my thinking time by spending it on my trucking business.   This was a critical step to getting my arms around what I was spending, making and putting in my pocket.

Over time, I’ve learned how valuable that’s become as I consider what loads to take, what to skip over, and how to keep my operating expenses down without sacrificing my or others’ safety, while staying compliant.

Here are some of the things that have gone through my mind during this process:

Cost per Mile

I first tackled Cost per Mile, the true cost of operating my rig. There’s no real hard-and-fast rule when determining this as everyone’s equipment and circumstances are different. But most categories you’ll consider (fuel, maintenance, fees, etc.) are pretty universal.

Price per Mile

I then calculated my Price per Mile – what I call the “cha-ching” side of the equation – which is what I would need to make from the loads on my truck to 1) stay ahead of my costs, and 2) yield the profit I require to make a living.

Obviously, figuring out the difference between Price per Mile and Cost per Mile lets you understand your profit.  Let’s say on a 1,000-mile trip, you make $1.25/mile on the load, but it costs you $1.00/mile to operate over that distance.  Your profit: $.25/mile, or $250.  Pretty straight forward.

Cha-Ching

At this point, you’re probably asking two things:  “Yeah, I get it. What’s the point?” and two, “Why do you call PPM your ‘cha-ching’ side?”

I realized early-on that the more I have loaded on my truck going in the same direction, the more money made its way into my pocket – or cha-ching (add fist pump here).  I’m a big fan of making money, so I had to make sure my “cha-ching” wasn’t on the CPM side, because that meant paying out heavy expenses.

The next question I get is, “Marc, how do I make more money? How do I better maximize the space on my trailer?”

I’ve used a number of load boards, but one of my go-to ways of making money is the load exchange uShip.

Partials on uShip

I’ve been on uShip since 2009 where I am consistently able to find several partial loads going roughly the same direction.  This means I can haul between 3-5 LTL loads and increase my PPM, while only slightly adding to my CPM (assuming loads are along my lane).  On uShip there is a huge variety of things to haul – heavy equipment, cars, motorcycles, boats, ATVs, RVs, LTL, FTL, and more.  Once you get the process down, you’ll have no problem finding and winning loads.

The sketch below spells out what I’m talking about:

And the best part, most of the loads you book on uShip are COD (or even half on pickup/half on delivery), so no waiting 30 or 60 days for your money.    And uShip doesn’t charge a subscription fee either – you only pay a fee when you book a load.

If you’re looking at breaking out of the traditional 1 trip = 1 load approach, I’d encourage you to give uShip a try here.

uShip is reinventing shipping and logistics through tools, trust and transparency. Through uShip’s transport marketplace, it’s now faster, easier and cheaper for consumers and businesses to connect with thousands of customer-reviewed transporters that often have empty truck space offered at a discounted rate.

Join uShip to find shipments for free, connecting you directly with shippers.

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The post On the Marc: The Inside Track to the $3/Mile appeared first on The uShip Blog.

The national average monthly cost for commercial truck insurance ranges from $767 for specialty truckers to $1,041 for transport truckers.

When doing any sort of interstate or intrastate commercial hauling, the law requires a minimum $1,000,000 in general liability insurance. About two years ago the federal requirement for cargo insurance was dropped, but that does not mean you don’t need it. Every shipper or broker you haul for will require you to have cargo insurance to cover their load. I have $150,000 in cargo insurance coverage and that will generally cover most freight I carry. When that is not enough coverage, I purchase spot insurance to fill the gap between my coverage and that required by the shipper.

Based on what I experienced going through the process, here are some answers to questions I had along the way. Hope this is helpful:

When do I get my insurance?
Once you’ve completed all the necessary forms and before you are granted your Operating Authority privileges, you will need to have your commercial insurance in place. There will be a processing/waiting period. You won’t be issued your MC number or be able to legally operate without it. So it’s not something you can wait on or let go for a while. It will be checked at scales, and you will need it for setting up carrier packages, especially if you’re an independent owner-operator just breaking into the game.

Where can people/customers/brokers see if I have the proper insurance?
Once issued, your levels of insurance are tied to your MC number on the FMCSA web site. Each carrier has a company snap shot on the FMCSA site  – and this information is public knowledge at any time. This will include any claims, violations, out of service notifications – anything that transpires during your operation over time. Regardless of what you are hauling – it’s based on the MC number, not on the freight.
How is it monitored after I get it?
There are several carrier authority and compliance monitoring services in the market. These are tied to the FMCSA data base, so if your insurance lapses or there’s a claim, it gets reported and it will appear in connection with your MC number. Good examples are SaferWatch and CarrierWatch.
So, what are some factors that will impact your insurance rates?
Cargo: While your insurance is tied to your MC number, the levels of insurance you require will be based on what you are hauling. For me, if you look at my MC number, you’ll see the various commodities where I’m covered. This includes heavy haul and vehicles, ag and farm equipment, lumber, steel, etc. – and these all impact my rates. In other words, hauling watermelons will have a more favorable rate than if you haul something more risky, like gasoline or another hazardous material.

CDL Duration: If you’ve just got your CDL, expect that your rates will be much higher than that of a driver who’s had his or her CDL for 30 years. And if you have a couple trucks, it’s smart to have an experienced driver with a CDL to keep your rates down.

Deductible: Just like with health or car insurance, the higher deductible the lower the monthly premium. This is different for each person, so there’s no hard and fast rule on how to handle it, but the same principal applies and can have a material effect on your monthly expenses.

Equipment Value: The type and total value of your equipment, including your tractor and trailer(s), will definitely impact what you pay each month. Also the particular type of hauling you do will impact your rates. It’s the same principle behind car insurance – getting coverage on a 2000 Honda Accord will run a lot less than a 2013 BMW 5 Series. Insurance for off-road vehicles is generally more than on-road vehicles.
Who should I talk to about getting insurance?
There are commercial insurance agents who specialize in trucking and can help you get set up. My advice is to use them vs. trying to research it all yourself. These agents know how the trucking insurance world works. One such company is Transinsurers. Progressive is another company for short haul and intrastate. You can also get spot cargo insurance at Freight Guard.
Marc, what are your tips for saving me money in the process?
My biggest tip is to shop around. Don’t just go with the first company that offers you a rate. See what else is out there and work with the agent to make sure you’re not overpaying for stuff you don’t need. And once you get a policy, be diligent about it to make sure you’re getting the very best rate.

I also came across 6 cost-saving suggestions from Overdrive Magazine. Click into the article for more details on each item in the list:

Mind the deductible.

Keep credit history clean.

Include aftermarket items in stated value.

Account for safety.

Compare rates.

Update business information.

In the next post we’re going to talk about the next step in the process: Calculating Cost Per Mile.

uShip is reinventing shipping and logistics through tools, trust and transparency. Through uShip’s transport marketplace, it’s now faster, easier and cheaper for consumers and businesses to connect with thousands of customer-reviewed transporters that often have empty truck space offered at a discounted rate.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways From Marc

• Mandatory Coverage: Transporters must have at least $1,000,000 in general liability insurance to operate legally in the U.S. and Canada.
• Cargo Insurance: While federal requirements for cargo insurance were dropped, shippers and brokers still mandate it. Marc carries $150,000 in cargo insurance and purchases additional spot insurance when necessary.
• Factors Influencing Rates: Insurance premiums are affected by cargo type, CDL duration, deductible amounts, and equipment value.

Join uShip to find shipments for free, connecting you directly with shippers.

The post On the Marc: Easy Steps to Getting Insurance and Not Overpaying appeared first on The uShip Blog.

I recommend a Class A CDL.  There are other endorsements as well for things like Air Brakes, Mazmat, Doubles and Triples and then Passengers.  Please refer to the Commercial Driver’s License Handbook for your respective state to be certain you have all the correct information for your location.

For the purposes of this blog post, I’ll cover the GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) issue, not the other endorsements.

Several years ago, I learned the hard way that I needed a CDL.  I was in South Dakota, hauling a boat on my trailer for a friend of mine, when I was stopped by DOT enforcement.  Based on the classifications of what I was hauling, my vehicle and the model of the trailer, my GVWR was 26,150lbs, a buck fifty over the limit.

I explained to the officer I was driving a ¾ ton pickup truck, not a semi, to which he replied, and I quote: “I don’t care what you are driving.  You need a Class A CDL to move it any farther.” He then he gave me three choices:  a) leave my cargo, b) find someone with a CDL to drive it for me or c) keep driving down the road and be taken to jail.

While I was mulling my options at the truck stop just beyond where I was pulled over, I called the trailer manufacturer to determine how they classified the trailer weight.  In the process, I discovered from the customer service rep that they classify the trailer weight 25% over the actual weight, meaning my trailer weighed 200 lbs less than was classified. What a glorious moment!

I was able to get that fact in writing, showed the paperwork to the DOT officials, and was on my way down the highway UNDER 26,000 lbs.  While a technicality — and I might add, some quick thinking on my part — kept me from going to jail or taking money out of my pocket, I learned my lesson.  When I got back to Seattle, I got into a Commercial driver training program. I often wonder if
that officer has seen the show and remembered me.  These were some of “those days”!

Expect driver training to cost about $5,000. You’ll come out of it with your CDL, which essentially serves as your diploma. Generally these run 5 days a week for a month, so you really can’t work during this time – it’s definitely a commitment you’ll need to make.

They are designed for those who know nothing about driving a truck and all that’s involved with it. You learn how to shift, how to hook up your trailer, how to drive with the trailer, how to back up, etc. You take a written test a couple weeks in and then you get out in the yard and then the road a bit.

To be really clear, you don’t come out of it as Mr. Experience when driving a Class 8 vehicle. It simply doesn’t work that way, much the same way when you got your license as a teenager – you passed the written and driving tests but it didn’t mean you were experienced in the rules of the road. That takes time and simply putting in the miles.

This License gives you the ability go out and learn legally. There is much to know and learn from that point on. Don’t expect to get a bunch of high fives from all the experienced drivers on the road. You are just another rookie in their eyes. It is not for everyone and not every has the natural ability to be a good driver. Just remember it takes many miles and lots of lessons! Do a good job and stick to it and you might get some respect!

I personally really enjoyed the driving school experience. I did learn many things and I had driven many miles before I went there. I drove a straight truck (hoopie) for local 174 in Seattle for many
years as young man.  I knew I wanted to get into this life and I was making an investment and commitment to do it. I had a plan from the get go and it started with Uship. This is when I knew
I had to be all in, or leave it behind.

My advice for people who ask me about going big or going home, I tell them that trucking can be a very rewarding experience, and you can make good money, even great money, but every step in the set-up process will cost you time and money, just like it does starting any other type of business.  These setup costs shouldn’t discourage you.  Just be ready for them.

Bottom Line

Driver training is a core necessity when getting into trucking – both for the diploma and getting behind the wheel – but it takes time to become an experienced driver.

The post On the Marc, Step #3 – Getting Your CDL and Jumping Behind the Wheel appeared first on The uShip Blog.

Over the summer, a CNN Money article ran that was titled “Tons of trucking jobs…that nobody wants.“ It basically claimed that during tough economic times with high unemployment,  Americans should be jumping at the chance to work – including trucking, but that with a driver shortage, it seems it’s a job nobody wants.

True, there is a shortage of drivers in the industry. But, a job nobody wants!?  Bullship!

Every week I’ve got many people calling and emailing me wanting to know how to get in on it – they just want the play book on what it takes and how they can make good money hauling stuff for people and businesses.

That’s what I’ll be focused on in this “On the Marc” blog post series I’m doing with uShip. I’ll explain exactly what it takes to get into and succeed as a professional Owner Operator today.

Here’s what I’ll be sharing in this series:

• Importance of confidence and self-belief
• How to decide what to haul
• Promoting yourself
• The right equipment
• Lessons learned (many the hard way)
• What it will cost (in both time and money)
• The importance of compliance
• How to find and keep customers
• And much more…

You might be asking, “How can you speak with authority on this, Marc?”

A few years ago, before I was cast on the A&E real-life series Shipping Wars, I was “that guy.” I was the classic dude in this scenario. I had no idea exactly what it would take to jump into trucking, but I knew it was something I wanted to explore. I knew that driving trucks and hauling people’s property was something I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to do it and would enjoy seeing the U.S. and Canada (Here’s a video of me at Mt. Rushmore).

And I realized, “Holy crap, people will pay me to haul their stuff and I can make a great living and be working for myself.”  So, really, this business is part of living the American dream to me.

When I talk to guys (and gals!) who want to get into truck driving, I hear “me” on the other end of the phone or in the tone of the email: Eager. Unsure. Looking for guidance and answers.  I think these people know the answers, but want confirmation that this is doable and can be profitable.

Let’s make no mistake here — you have to be smart to be successful.  It’s very easy to not do well in this business if you are not careful.  With that being said, remember this:  do it right from the start. Shortcuts are not going to get you there.  Keep it legal and safe. Work smarter, not harder.  

When new business owners come to me for advice, I believe what they’re really asking is “Is it lucrative?”, “What’s it going to take to get into this business?” and “Where do I focus my money to get
off the ground?”  I can only tell you how I did it, and like everything in life, there’s usually many ways of doing something that can get you to the same result. So, hopefully, some of my ideas will help you form your own plans.

I’ll be sharing all the steps involved. Consider this your no BS, no-holds-barred guide to getting behind the wheel and being successful.  You’ll be getting knowledge and stuff I wish I knew when I was getting started.

Bottom Line:

You can make some good money being a truck driver today, but it takes knowing where to focus your time, energy and money to get off the ground.

The post On the Marc: How To Start a Successful Trucking Business appeared first on The uShip Blog.