RV Transport Trip 2! Did We Finally Make Some Money? Let's Find Out. Gas Vs Diesel 3/4 Ton or 1 Ton?
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ธ.ค. 2023
- 🚚 About This Video:
Embark on another exciting RV Transport journey with me in Trip #2! In this adventure, I haul three trailers to Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico, offering insights into the challenges and experiences of each unique destination.
🌎 Destinations:
• Michigan
• Pennsylvania
• New Mexico
🚛 Equipment Tour:
Join me for a comprehensive truck walk-around as I showcase the features of my setup, including the versatile backseat bed conversion, the reliable B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch, the stability provided by the Blue Ox Sway Pro Weight Distribution Hitch, and the convenience of the RDS Transfer Tank. Discover the essential tools stored in my toolbox from Dans Service Center in Elkhart, Indiana.
🛠️ Equipment Featured:
B&W Companion Fifth Wheel Hitch
Blue Ox Sway Pro Weight Distribution Hitch
RDS Transfer Tank
Toolbox from Dans Service Center
🚙 Towing Setup:
I'll be towing both a travel trailer and a fifth wheel, offering valuable insights into the unique considerations and challenges posed by each type of trailer.
👍 Like, Share, Subscribe:
If you're passionate about RV transport or are considering entering the business, don't forget to give this video a thumbs up, share it with fellow enthusiasts, and subscribe for more content on the road!
🙏 Thank you for being part of the journey!
Your support and engagement mean the world to me. Drop your comments below if you have any questions or want to share your own RV transport experiences. Stay tuned for more adventures on the open road!
#RVTransport #TruckTour #TravelTrailer #FifthWheel #B&WCompanion #BlueOxSwayPro #RDSTransferTank #DansServiceCenter #OnTheRoadAgain #AdventureAwaits #TowingSetup
The secret to making great money in trucking in today’s world is to not go to CDL school and go to brokerage school to get your license. I’ve only been driving truck for 35 years, so I don’t know everything, but I do know that the rates aren’t much better than they were 25 years ago and the expenses are 4 times higher than back then.
I appreciate your insight into the trucking industry after all those years on the road. It's concerning to hear that rates haven't improved much in the last 25 years, coupled with significantly higher expenses. Your suggestion about brokerage school is intriguing. If you have further insights or strategies for adapting to these challenges, I'm keen to learn more. Thanks for the comment!
@@RVEmcee sadly, we are in a horrible low right now and rates are bottomed out. Freight is really slow compared with last year so getting your foot in the door at a brokerage might be tough. Silly as it is, election cycles play a major part in this, they have for as long as I’ve been driving, so don’t expect a big improvement until next fall. A degree in business is what the brokerages will look for in someone and a little back office experience is a plus, maybe try getting on with someone doing part time dispatching as this is a great way to get your foot in the door.
The only thing I saw on your truck walk around is your fire extinguisher is to be mounted where you can see the gauge on it.
Looks like you lowered your bed
Make sure remove your rear rockgaurd when not towing….you lose mileage keeping it on all the time
One thing you can do that many boy scout leaders swear by when camping in the snow( like a Klondike derby) is a hot water bottle in the sleeping bag. And the hot water bottle was often just a plastic 2 Liter Dr Pepper bottle filled with real hot water and then placed in the sleeping bag when going to bed. Won't make the truck any warmer but you should sleep more soundly. Something to consider that doesn't cost you anything.
Keep the videos coming. I’m a teacher looking to do some summer driving and I’m learning a lot watching your experiences.
More to come!
Hey just stumbled across your videos. Have watched a few, lots of info in them. I have been entertaining thought of getting into some sort of hot shot/ Rv hauling for a few months. Still researching before I pull the trigger on it.
I was otr for a few years and have driven through wrong Wyoming in the coldest part of the year without idling while i slept. I used a winter rated sleeping bag and did fine. It's wake up in the morning with frost on my pillow from where my breath had frozen but i would sleep fine
I’ve always felt like the fifth wheels pull better and without the big air gap over the bed, they help on mileage too. I run 3500 Duramax lb trucks but they are not dually.
I’ve been to the first dealer you went to and dropped. Nice people.
At Walmart in the automotive section they have them 12 volt heating blankets. They work great
If your going to keep this going look at the ECOFLOW Wave 2 Portable AC and Heat. Charge while you drive and use while sleeping. Covers both summer and winter.
Thanks for the tips!
Great video. The longer you do it, the more you'll figure out how to maximize your gross. Cold nights...I hunker down with a weighted blanket wrapped over my legs to make sure my feet stay warm, and under a good comforter from head to toe. Having to overnight in cold weather is 100% better than in hot, or even just a little bit warm air for that matter. When it warms up next year, I'm going with a cheap standup room ac in the bed, hooked to a Westinghouse 12 hr run time generator. Gonna fab a duct to pipe it into my rear window.
Good idea. Some people, like yourself, are really creative. Thanks for the comment!
New sub, enjoyed your video. I've had my licence over 40 years, currently pulling car trailer with ford ranger, around 25 mpg when loaded, not bad for a 2 litre, 500 nmt, 10 speed automatic. Keep up the videos dude.👍😁🇬🇧
Thanks a ton for subscribing and I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the video! Cheers to over 40 years of driving experience-that's some serious road wisdom right there! I'm stoked you enjoyed the video, and I'll keep the content rolling. Thanks for the comment!
I currently drive semi over the road but i wanna get into doin the rv stuff. Dont have a truck or anything but watching your videos helps give me real life experience learning and shows me what to expect. Plus itll help my situation living in Eastern Iowa so im a LOT closer to indiana than you which will help on fuel costs. Keep posting videos if you keep doing this work. Ive found alot of videos avout it on youtube BUT they are mostly 2 years old or older so current video's help too
I also drive OTR. I just filled out an app. with these guys , I’m ready to do my own thing.
Get a battery bank, like a Jackery. Then you can plug in an electric blanket. What subject will you study in school?
I am a new subscriber and like the way you explain your trips. The first time I saw you I immediately thought that your hair reminded me of Joe Dirt... be safe out there...
lol my wife hates my hair. Thanks for the comment!
Great Job Considering the economy THATS HOT SHOTTING I have friends that do this and after 6 months they are making money KEEP UP GOOD WORK
At this rate, I don't know if I will still be doing this in 6 months. I really hope it picks up in the spring. Thanks for the comment!
Yes
The full width mudflap catches a good bit of wind, if it's a easy on and off unit take it off on your deadhead miles and it may tick your mpg up a bit. I did this for Horizon around 5 years and I will say it gets in your blood and normal at home job's even if they pay better just aren't much fun. Have a blast with this Matt.
I usually take it off when I’m on long routes without a trailer, but like we used to say in the military aircrew world, I had a case of “get-home-itis”, so I left it on. Thanks for the comment!
Yeah, i started like 3 years ago, and fell in love with it. Started out singel hauling, now went and got my CDLs during the slow, down last fall. Fixing to get back into it, bit multi haul
You dropped off that Michigan trailer about 5 miles from my house at International RV world. I bought my last two 5th wheels from there. Have a safe trip.
The staff there was super cool! They were ready for me when I got there and they were very accommodating. Other than the terrible weather, I would definitely deliver there again. Thanks for your comment!
If you get some R tech foam and wrap it with that reflective material (cut it to shape your windows, tape it around the edges tight fit) that will help keep heat in... maybe get a solar generator and mount a panel on the roof and only use it at night
Hi, great video. I was thinking about your sleep set up and a heat source. I have a f350 4 door. I have in the past set it up for overnight with heat.
I removed the rear seat and passenger seat. I made my bed on the passenger side in front of the doors. This left me with a ton of room where the back seat was and behind the driver seat. Room for gear or any convenient items you want in the cab. Easy in and out using the driver's side rear door.
For heat. A Chinese diesel heater. I put it in the bed of the truck. Open the rear slider, make a plywood plate to fit the open window and run the 3"duct to the plate. On low it will keep you toasty.
Again, enjoyed the video. Keep truckn'
Thanks for the tips on the sleep setup. Removing the rear and passenger seats for a bigger bed is a cool idea, and having space for gear in the cab is a nice touch. That diesel heater setup in the bed with the duct through the rear slider sounds pretty clever for staying warm. I can imagine it getting pretty toasty in there! Appreciate your comment!
make sure you ask the dealing where your dropping off if they have any trailers they need transported anywhere.
Me Too always have shower shoes even At Home.
Matt, first of all, thanks for your service! I’d be interested in seeing an abbreviated video (10 minutes or so) outlining your runs and how much you spent and how much you made. I’ve always been interested in doing this and this is very interesting. Thanks!
I agree. I did not intend on them being so long, so I will definitely be working on making them shorter in the future. I have no idea what I am doing at this point, so I guess I need to talk about all of it lol. Thanks for the comment!
@@RVEmcee I think you should keep making the long videos, but it would also be great if you made a short recap of just the financials, I think both would be good, people are going to want to see the stuff that goes on during the trips as well. You may have stumbled onto something here, because you can also make some good money on TH-cam. I think both videos would get lots of views. Good luck dude!
Appreciate the support, seriously. Excited to roll out some fresh content. Keep an eye out!
The first transport, you said it was a total of $800; why did you get $845?
Get insulation inserts for your windows. Wool socks, gloves & hat; along with wool blanket I mentioned earlier. A moving blanket on exterior front windshield. Also, a wool blanket under you while sleeping..
I have been considering switching my trucking operation to RV transport. I current lease my semi and services to a carrier and have a very good understanding of my business. These videos are great because you are going in blind and learning the ropes which is a huge help to me in making decisions. What do you think about a semi truck pulling double and triple loads? Live in the truck comfortably versus the pick up truck situation.
Just like Watching.
Maybe a tip, your truck might have the feature and it may not, i know the ram 5500s do..... when your letting it warm up turn the cruise on and hold on the SET cruise button. It may allow you to turn the idle up for faster warm ups. Then just like the cruise you can hit the off button to idle back down or step on the brake pedal
You ever think of leaving your truck in storage where the hauling jobs begin and end at? Fly home on a cheap flight . Gets some down time then fly back. Rather putting miles on a truck and a wear and tear and the fuel costs? Maybe not every time but every other time? I did that with my RV when I kept it out west. I didn't want to keep driving it back and forth so I put it in storage get cheap flights from Las Vegas to either Western New York or Orlando depending on where I was staying. The round trips cost about $130 sometimes 200 tops. I found that much more economical than bringing my coach so the way back home. Some storage places have shuttles to the airport as well used to be about 150 a month for storage. That was pre-pandemic though. Lol it's just a thought.
I was going to say the same thing as Cory but you might want to consider a jumper box. One that is strong enough that you could jump your truck if, God forbid, you needed to with all of the cold weather. Also thanks for the info you're providing with these videos.
I've got one. I tried to think of all the stuff I would need out on the road. I probably don't have it all, but I am prepared for most of it. Thanks for the comment!
enjoying your videos bro. Retired USAF vet also. Got my CDL a few years ago and drove for VIA in San Antonio for about 4 years. Then decided to go full time in my travel tailer. been on the road ever since. Thouhgt about doing the rv technician training academt here in Texas. Couple of my buddies from the USAF combat rescue community now they are making bank being NOMADS and fixing RVs.
My family and I lived in our camper for years before I retired. It was an eye-opening experience when we realized we didn't actually need all the 'stuff' in our lives. Initially, we bought the camper for travel, like most who own campers, but it soon became our temporary living quarters. We discovered that it wasn't as bad as expected and cost only half of what we were paying for rent. After retiring, we bought a house, and now our camper sits in a storage facility. My point with all of this is that it was the start of everything. We had to have a truck to pull the camper, and now I am using that truck to try and make some money. Thanks for the comment!
@@RVEmcee that is definitely my Achilles heel. All the crap that I carry with me that I really don’t need. It’s a constant process of elimination.
Just my tip. For heat, I have a Bluetti ac200 power station I store under my bed, which produces a little bit of heat. I use the Bluetti to power a heated blanket. In the summer, I use the Bluetti to power a EcoFlow wave 2 portable ac. To charge the Bluetti I have a 1,000 watt inverter wired up under the bed.
I saw the portable AC for the summer time. I am going to try the small electric heater for now and see how that does. Thanks for the comment!
I do driveaway work and the 14 gallons option works great at Flying J and Pilot.
We've had batteries completely die in our tiny camper. I'm seriously considering a bluetti for a complete power replacement. The unit I was looking at is solar ready out of the box, just add a panel.
Great Video Matt. I will say I have a 23 F250 Diesel and my deadend with my mudflaps installed is like 21.2 mpg going 71mph in Michigan. Towing my first haul last week, I averaged 15.5mpg when loaded. My plan is just to run a few small runs either to Michigan or between 350-500 miles in a day during the week and maybe once a month do a long haul thats more. We will see, but this also isnt my only source of income so my situation is different. One thing that I am curious to see from your side, is how many lots do they have and what hours are the lots. I leased with Indiana Transport and other companies have lots that are 24/7 and some that dont.
I WISH I was getting that mileage! I’m getting around 9 or 10 loaded, and at best 16 unloaded.
They only have 1 yard that is open from 8am-10pm. Thanks for the comment!
The generator plus a ceramic heater from Walmart works very good. My 2500-watt generator will run for 11 hours on one tank of fuel. The small thermostat-controlled ceramic heater was able to keep the interior of the truck above 50 deg.
This is pretty much the exact setup I am going to use. Thank you for the comment!
I think your multi tow can open you up to some more manufacturers as well with the right planning... especially with truck campers. I've seen the flat beds coming down I81 in Pa with 5 truck campers loaded on them.
Northwood mfg - Oregan
Capri - Texas
Kingstar - Michigan
Lance - California
Northstar - Iowa
Nucamp (Cirrus) - Ohio
I am going to try and work my way up to that. A flat bed trailer to haul RVs, is around $35k new. Thanks for the comment!
Hey Matt! So is your insurance through the company that you’re running with right now? Is that the reason for the $2500 deposit? Looking to get into this also. Thanks for sharing your experience with us.!
The insurance policy is held with a third-party company, costing approximately $100 monthly. The $2500 is retained by my employer to cover potential damages to trailers. For instance, if a rock chips the front, I am accountable for such incidents. Thanks for the comment!
@@RVEmcee that's insane holding drivers liable for things like that. Should be between the manufacturer and dealership... just like all the garbage craftsmanship on the inside of the units that's always an issue
Subbed. I guess the bad part now is the dead heading back to Goshen to pick up the next trailer/5th wheel. Not to mention sleeping in a deep freeze. Maybe get a down sleeping bag that is good down to zero degrees. Enjoying your personality and vids. Thanks.
I considered a sleeping bag, and it may come down to that, but I really hate sleeping in them. That’ll be my last resort. Going to try a few other things first, like an electric blanket and space heater. Thanks for the comment!
If your going to use a heater for you inside the truck. Then plug in your block heater for the truck motor too.
I think I might try an electric blanket. If that’s not enough, I’ll bring a space heater as well. Thanks for the comment!
Get you one of those Jackory type battery powered generators and use a couple of heating pads under you blankets. I have a F-150 3.5 eco boost engine 3.73 ratio axel and hauling my 22 foot camper I get 12 miles to the gallon.....given there is more weight in there with the water and stuffs. on the road I get 22-24 depending on conditions. I'm going to be retiring before long and would not mind doing some of that hauling....but it would have to be smaller trailers.
Thanks for sharing your experience! Your F-150 with the ecoboost seems ideal for pulling a personal camper. It's impressive that you get 12 miles to the gallon while hauling the 22-foot camper.
Just a heads up for those considering hauling professionally, most, if not all companies require a 3/4 ton or 1-ton truck due to their heavier towing capacities. It's great to have a powerful personal setup for recreational use, and your insights could be valuable for those exploring different options. Thanks for the comment!
Dang big baller might have to put new tires on the Raider and head out. Nice job brother
Thanks! Once you get those new tires mounted, we will meet up and make it rain! Thank you for your comment!
Check our VEVOR they have in cab diesel heaters. Been thinking of doing this with wife as passenger. My concerns would be costs for truck expenses and possible repairs. what are you using to navigate the route for roads and bridges. Good luck with everything, look forward to watching. Seems like the drive from TX to IN is a big cost. trick is maybe to live closer to IN.
Several others have made the same suggestion for the diesel heater. I am going to try a thicker blanket, maybe an electric blanket, and also a space heater for now. My wife and I have been searching Zillow for homes for sale in Indiana, but that would be a huge commitment. Thanks for the comment!
Glad you changed your mind about only taking loads that bring you home.
I've come to realize that the current approach isn't feasible at the moment. Perhaps, with the uptick in business during spring, I'll have the opportunity to secure some southern runs. Appreciate your comment!
@mtc0812 It was pretty busy when everyone was buying RV's during the Plandemic. And, you are a bit late to move alot of RV's to Quartzsite, AZ..heard they have arrive already. Maybe, you can pick up the un-solds.
Goose down comforters really help with the cold
I just have a cheap one from Walmart and it doesn't do much. I will see what I can find. Thanks for the comment
@@RVEmcee I think we got ours at JCPenney’s and it’s been amazing
That and fleece!
add an electric valve inline between aux and main tank. wire it so only has power when ignition is on and switch in cab. will not over flow then and you can control flow as needed.
I run ram 3500 with 6.4 hemi and I'm within .5 mpg of what I was with my 3500 Cummins pulling exactly same trailer on exactly same route. Fuel is cheaper, repairs are cheaper, and no emissions issues
May I suggest an "espar" heater. Runs on diesel. I have one in my peterbilt. It works good.
Do you think that I could mount that in the bed of my truck?
Would you recommend doing power loads as a side job. You said your doing it part time while your in school. Just got a truck and want to slowly ease into hot shot. I’d like to start with rv hauling on my days off keep my 7-3 job until I think I can replace my salary at my job now. Kinda curious as to how much your on the road a week and about how much your makin?
Where have you been? I have been waiting for new content!
Like it~ really splendid !see you later,
Thank you! Cheers!
Check out TSD open roads for fuel savings. Hope it helps at the pump
I was issued a company card that gives me decent discounts at the pump. Thanks for the comment!
You have the Aisin transmission
Your clock is the most important thing . The minute you stop go off duty. Drive time is what makes your day :)
Great advice! Strangely, I struggle to remember to switch my duty status no matter how hard I try. I think setting a reminder is what I need to do. Thanks for the tip!
You need a diesel heater! Plumb into your tank. They don't use much electric. Use your alternator to charge an extra batt while you're driving all day. It will help with condensation as well.
I have received a lot of comments about the diesel heater. Do they mount in the bed of the truck, or is it something I would have to setup every time? Thanks for the comment!
@mtc0812 😊did same for 2 yrs w 3/4 t 7.3 ford made money until fuel hit 5.00. Stayed in motels ate in restaurants. Did not make enough to replace pickup. Ran long trips mainly. Lot of Canada runs west coast etc. But I live in Montana. Took almost all tow behind. Took a trip went home for however, went to min. Stayed w sis went to Indiana started log when I pixed up. Mileage 9 or 10 loaded 15 to 16 empty drove 62 loaded 65 to 70 empty. 411 gears.
@@RVEmcee look up cheap chinese diesel heaters. You can mount in cab but you have to cut a hole for exhaust or you could mount in the bed or get a portable unit and just set it up when you need it.
Could also get the diesel heater that heats water and use to keep your engine warm.
Thanks! Just now getting into this after also just retiring from AF. I have not heard you talk about insurance. Is it expensive? Did they provide it? I did get my CDL already with my former CC’s help verifying all of the vehicles I drove during my time in the AF.
That's fantastic! I got certified to drive various vehicles during my career, and I even had the opportunity to drive an Abrams tank once! However, I've never driven a semi, so I'm not sure if I could've made that work.
As for insurance, I have to provide my own. The company I'm with, Classic Transport, requires a $500,000 unladen liability policy. I obtained this through a third-party insurance provider, and it costs me $101 per month. Some insurance companies that cover your personal vehicle might already include laden liability, so be sure to check with your car insurer. I go through USAA, but they didn't offer it. Good luck, and feel free to reach out if you have any more questions.
@@RVEmcee Unladen insurance is for when you are not pulling a trailer. Does the company you are working for pay the insurance for when you are towing one of their campers?
I just filled the application out for Classic , are you still doing RV transport with them ?
WRT to heating your bed, get a DC powered heater blanket and a deep cycle battery Preferably one of the new fangled ones like BattleBorn which you can charge while driving.
I will look into that. I need something that will hold a charge and work all night. Thanks for the comment!
Battleborn is an expensive option. A decent mid to lower tier 200 ah lithium battery and dc-dc charger will go for less than half of a BB. The charger will recharge the battery easily while driving and can power 12v heater, blanket, etc.
Maintenance account and Taxes there’s always pros and cons. Good luck man.
You're right! I need to start combing the yellow pages now for a good accountant! Thanks for the comment!
Need to look for a single axle class 8 sleeper truck like and Old Dominion truck it last alot longer then a pickup, tires, maintenance, and should be pretty good on fuel, and put a pumper hitch on the back of frame and a 5th wheel set up to pull camper
Too hard on fuel and way too much paperwork involved to bother with that.
Sounds like a sweet setup! I'm gonna stick with my old Ram for now. It's got enough oomph to handle hauling these trailers.
I did rv transport for 3 years. I was in the industry when it was good. If you run outlaw youll make some money but definitely not worth it. Get your cdl an get a big truck. Rv industry got me started an now i have my own Authority
Wow! That's awesome! I've heard that there are a ton of fees and insurance is crazy when you branch out on your own. Thanks for the comment!
Look up Vevor deisel heaters. you dont need a generator and a heater. For a decent low price you can run these heaters for very little and they make very little sound.
You would need your rear window to have an opening option and rig a sleeve for the heater hose. They are great heaters. Good luck.
I really appreciate the diesel heater suggestion! It sounds awesome, and a couple of others mentioned it too. I'm actually going to try using a space heater for now, but I'm definitely keeping the diesel heater option in mind for the future. Thanks for the comment!
I have a 2022 RAM 3500 with the HO Cummins and the Aisin transmission. I tow a 37 foot 5th wheel. I have found if I keep it around 65 MPH I get around 13 MPG. Also, look into TSD Open Roads fuel program. I use it all the time and save minimum .20 cents per gallon.
Does yours have the 4:10 gearing, or something different? Thanks for the comment!
@mtc0812 Mine has 3.73 gearing. Also you were spot on with your thoughts concerning gas vs diesel. I had a gas 2018 3500 with 4.10 gears. Towing I was only able to get 7 mpg and the issue of getting in and out of gas stations.
I really think that if I slow down, my MPG will for sure increase. But... ain't nobody got time for that.
Love my blue ox swaypro
I really like how easy it is to switch from one trailer to another. Mounting the saddles is a breeze. The manual suggests placing them 29" from the hitch, so I cut a piece of PVC to that length to quickly find the right spot. Currently, I'm using the 2,000 lb torsion bars, but I'm thinking of trying the lighter ones for some of the smaller trailers to see if they improve my ride.
After posting a couple of videos, it seems I've become a bit of a TH-cam sensation. Maybe Blue Ox will catch wind of that and send me a set to test and review-wink, wink 😉
@@RVEmcee lol. Good
Luck with that. I bought mine and took it home to install on the f350 I had at the time. Shank was to small for class V hitch. Called the store and was told to use an adapter. Asked clerk to walk to adapter and pick it up and read it. (Don’t use with weight distribution hitches) they called Blue Ox and got me the shank size I needed for free. It’s heavy as can be but been using it for almost 6 years now with no problems.
Usually I don’t like watching new folks doing TH-cams on rv transporting. Yours is different. I enjoy them. Keep it up. 👍 probably go back and watch all your previous videos now.
@@passin-thru awesome! I hope you do! There’s only one other, for now, so you’ll be caught up in no time. Thanks again!
I drive for classic transport... lol omg... I live in Missouri and I take all the long loads I can.. for me.. I dead head to Goshen Indiana and go to LA California and then go back to Missouri I clear 2984 in the bank... and it took me 5-2 days out... and plus I got a gas truck.. and my buddies that run out there to with me.. I make 280 to 300 more than them gasoline ⛽️ is the way to go .. and I get the 22 empty 12.7 loaded .. I got a 2022 f250 7.3 gas.. so if u need some help with any thing let me know.. there's money to be made here buddy I've been running my butt off
Hey there, co-worker! That's some grind you've got going on! Taking those long trips from Missouri to Indiana, and then all the way to California, and back is no joke. Stacking up that cash is seriously impressive, especially with the gas truck. Your truck sounds like it's doing the job, and it's cool that you're out-earning your buddies with the gasoline hustle.
Appreciate the offer for help-nice to know there's someone in the know. Keep on rocking those roads and raking in that cash! If I ever need some insights, I'll hit you up. Safe travels, and keep it rubber-side down!
Have you heard of the TSD Fuel Card? Allows you to purchase fuel thru truck stops?
The company I work for issued me an EFS card. Using it gives discounts. Thanks for the comment!
I love your video. I think you could make more doing Uber eats or Door Dash where you live. I think being so far from IN will make this unsustainable. Plus you'd be home every night.
I haven't really considered that. Do you know how much they make on average? Thanks for the comment!
My wife does it from time to time and can make a couple hundred dollars in a few hours. She cherry picks the deliveries and it's pretty easy work.
In that cold of weather i would look at high idle your truck over night. It will keep your fuel warmer and reduce it gelling. You won't burn that much fuel. It will keep ya warmer too
I really don't want to let my engine run all night long. I can imagine it would take a toll on it and speed up the need for maintenance. Right now, I think using a portable generator and a space heater is my best bet. People have mentioned trying a diesel heater, so maybe next year I'll give it a shot, and hey, a rooftop tent sounds like a cool idea for some extra room to stretch out! 😴
I've been thinking about getting into RV transport on my days off. I work a 5-5-4 schedule just seeing if I could make money on my days off?
When you leave Texas bound for Goshen, are you on e log or do you wait till you get to Indiana?
Whenever I'm behind the wheel of the truck, pulling a trailer for transport, I'm obligated to log my hours. This means that my time is logged both to and from Indiana, as well as to and from all the dealerships.
Reach out to Brinkley, unless these dealers are marking them up we paid about $3,000 for our Z3610 it’s 16k dry and 41.5 long.
Edit: funny you talked about going to Cleburne, Texas that is where we bought our RV from, Fun Town RV they were great to work with.
You can run 9.75 hours a day and recap on duty and driving keep working all the time
👊🏻👍🏻 confirming that is the magic number. People need to understand the formula if they plan to do longer stints
The trick for me was getting a 0° sleeping bag. Just invest in a really good cold, sleeping bag and you will stay warm in that truck. You can pull the bag over your head and you’d probably be sweating. It made all the difference in the truck. I never had a need for a heater in the truck. I did have a Eco flow solar generator in the floorboard behind my passenger seat, which was able to run both of my fans and charge my phone and iPad every night. It was plugged into the 12V 😮cigarette lighter in my truck, so it would charge itself up during the day while I was driving. might be something to look into. Audiobooks were amazing. I would start one and listen to it from say middle of Nebraska all the way to Salt Lake City Utah and be bummed because I still had 30 minutes left on my book. It makes the trips go by faster. when I was doing it, the loads were much more plentiful and we had an electronic load board so we could watch the loads in real time as it popped up on the screen. That was at Horizon transport. I would just watch the app as soon as I found a load, that was a size trailer and going where I wanted to go. I would jump on it. I lived in California, so like you I had a very long trip to get to Indiana. I would run a short load like you did make a little gas money and then run the next load all the way back to my hometown and Sacramento. slept in the truck, most nights showered at the gas stations and was profitable. I did not like driving in the winter time though. Good luck out there.
Having a reliable sleeping bag and a solar generator is a clever move for a cozy trip, right? Audiobooks can seriously transform those lengthy drives. I've snagged a bunch of awards from Audible.com for racking up so many listening hours. Back when I was a Loadmaster in the military, having someone read to me made those Atlantic flights way more bearable.
Living in Cali and making the trek to Indiana sounds like a true cross-country journey. Navigating winter driving is no joke, but it sounds like you mastered it. I really wish the company I worked for had a load board instead of relying on a dispatcher. Although, they actually call me now and ask if I can run some loads, instead of me calling them, so maybe things are changing!
Wishing you continued success and safe travels in whatever comes next!
Dang...my uncle did tow away for 3 years...he said it was peanuts pay...he was correct. WOW...and he had a CDL and stayed out 6 weeks at a time.
I can't see why anyone would do this.
I drive a TT local and make 116k last year, working 10 hours a day.
I was hoping this would be more money involved as I already have a Truck equipped to do tow away. Oh well.
Good luck to you brother and thanks for all the honest information.
R-U doing the Written part of CDL OR The Driving part. U already have A 1-Ton truck U could go Tx.DPS take CDL Test
Doesn't your truck have 115v plugs inside? I'd buy electric blankets and use that instead of a heater which burn things etc.
Hey Matt, no need to use a generator to power a small space heater. Stop at Harbor Freight and pick up a Solar Powered Power Bank, you can plug a space heater directly into it overnight and either sit it in a sunny spot i side your truck during the daytime to recharge or you can even plug it into your 12v charger in truck while driving during the daytime to recharge it.
Keep the videos just as they are!
Anyone that wants a Shorter Version can fast forward through the parts they dont want to watch.
Your storytelling is perfect, and it keeps you occupied and from getting bored and stir crazy while traveling alone.
Did you sign up to get your CDL Class C Endorsement??
I will check into one of those. Just not sure how long they’ll run a 750 watt space heater.
I signed up for my CDL-A. Thanks for the comment!
@@RVEmceejust idle. It’s about .4 gallons per hour.
Check out e spar heaters. They can be plumbed into your diesel supply. They're pricey but well worth the investment. With this, you might be able to get away with just the one battery you have or just add a 2nd battery and add on a dc to DC charge manager. Victra and Red Arc are two possibilities.
With your second battery, running a small inverter could be possible too. Also crafting some reflectix (think silver bubble wrap) panels could help with keeping some heat in better thus making any heater work a little less.
Chinese diesel heater are awesome……many ppl that truck camp or use rooftop tents use them and they are worth every penny and can run all night on a liter of fuel
Do they hire people over 63? Thank you young man. I think you will be a TH-cam Star and factor that in!
Yep At A Loves
If you keep your driving hours to about 8 hours everyday you can keep running off the recap and you won’t need to do a reset. After 27 years of driving semi trucks and getting sick of it, I’ve considered doing RV transport. It’s easy to take 10 hour and 34 hour breaks and weather layovers off in a big sleeper truck with a TV, microwave, mini fridge and room to stretch out. But the thought of doing the same in a pickup truck is keeping me away from it.
Absolutely, I understand that living out of a pickup truck may not be the most comfortable transition from a spacious sleeper truck. The limited space and amenities can pose challenges, and it's essential to acknowledge that. However, with thoughtful modifications and personalized touches, you might find ways to make it more accommodating. Exploring the RV transport option could still offer a change of pace and scenery, even if adjustments are needed. Wishing you the best in your decision-making process and potential new adventure!
$2.75 for multi haul. With cdl. Some carriers lease trailers. Less work more pay
Hey Matt, how many hours is a reset? Keep videos coming 👍
You can drive a max of 70 hours in an 8 day period. You can reset that clock anytime with a 34 hour reset. I plan on addressing the log books in my next video, where I will share my limited knowledge. Stay tuned and thanks for the comment!
Theft out of the pickup bed isn’t as bad as I thought it would be. That being said, when I tried carrying a generator with me I had it cable locked to the fifth wheel. Just didn’t like the noise so almost never used it.
I get the worry about someone swiping it. Smart move to lock it up to the fifth wheel. I've got a Harbor Freight Predator generator myself, and what's cool about it is how quietly it runs. Haven't tried sleeping with it in the truck bed yet, but I'm hopeful it'll make for a warm and restful night.
@@RVEmcee might have to try the predator next time. My Champion was noisy and stinky.
Awesome job Matt. What do you budget for your truck expenses? Do you do like $0.25/mile?
Honestly, I’m still working on that. I got a quote today from Discount Tire for a full set of new tires, and it was $1,800, so I figured about 4¢ per mile if they last 50,000 miles. I still have a lot to learn. Thanks for the comment.
Where did you get your uhmw slick plate on your B&W fifth wheel?
I had it installed by Dans Service Center in Elkhart, IN. I think they charged me $75, but I don't remember. Thanks for the comment! www.dans-hitch.com
Multi haul is fine as long as they have short enough trailers available to get two on the trailer.
Most of the trailers I have seen are 53'. There are some gooseneck trailers available, but I don't know if they are legal to two with my truck. I have heard that I have to remove the bed in order to make it legal. I'm not 100%, but I think the max length in Indiana is 60' total for truck and trailer. Thanks for the comment!
I run a 3/4 ram and run CDL load often. I try to stick with the smaller 5th wheels and bumper pull. I live in TX as well. I also stay in hotel every night don’t care what the “experts” say lol…
I believe opting for smaller trailers, despite the lower pay, could prove more beneficial. It would result in reduced fuel costs and less wear on my truck. Generally, I would prefer smaller trailers, unless there's a big trailer headed to a destination I'm interested in. Obtaining my license is primarily about expanding my options. Appreciate your input!
First of all I like your content. And how you break it down. My question is what percentage of your money are you putting aside for taxes?
Thanks again
Rodger
S&R Bucket list Adventures
Currently, I'm starting off with 20%, but to be honest, I don't really know what I will need. On the bright side, I have a bunch of write-offs this year due to all the equipment and supplies I had to buy when I first got started. Appreciate the comment!
We're all bad businessmen. Just anxious starry eyed immature entrepreneurs. BIG TRUCKS!!
In just the elevator pitch introduction to this gig is enough to make any smart person RUN!! What a racket. Or just admit, profit doesn't matter, we just like to play with big equipment.
Now for those that are mature entrepreneurs, always remember. Business is an endeavor of absolutes.
1. Did the unit get delivered per the contract? ABSOLUTELY!!!
2. Did you make good money?
ABSOLUTELY!!!
You're not a slave. You keep your end of the deal, they compensate you accordingly. No ifs or maybe!!
And they're also going to pay for quality first class, class act tow rig! Seriously. $1000 for style!!! Seriously. Its costing YOU!!! Do you want BIG money, or just like looking in the mirror?
Look into getting a good rewards credit card for fuel and other expenses alot of the time I'd find fuel for the same price as my company discount card but I'd put it on my credit card and get points for hotels. I stay in hotels about once a week but have never paid for one
My wife and I discussed this and I think I will seriously take a look at doing this in the spring. I want to make sure this is going to profitable before opening a credit card account. If so, do you have any recommendations on which one to use? Thanks for the comment!
For the heat situation you should probably look into those Chinese diesel heaters
I've got a bunch of comments recommending a diesel heater. Currently, I'm relying on a generator and a ceramic heater, but I'll definitely look into the diesel heater option for the future. Appreciate your comment!
If you don't think you will pump 50 gallons. Look into Flying J 14 Gallons 1/2 shower credits. Pump 14 or so gallons each swipe of Flying J card.
Good tip! It all adds up at the end of the day. I think they charge $15 for a shower, so avoiding that expense is the idea. Thanks for the comment!
Who are you working for? What did you need to do to get started? I would love to try this rv towing but im not looking to get a cdl.
Also for heat, what about a mr buddy propane heater? They are indoor safe and would easily heat your truck. Just have to find a safe place to set it.
Watch his 1st video, it explains it all.
Matt, you doing great. There are a lot of nay sayers in this industry. I listen to them and discard most of what they say.
I’m into RV Transport 2-1/2 years and it costs me, on average, $0.40 per mile (14 MPG both ways, and $3.50 for fuel, and it includes all other expenses, like insurance, maintenance and all other costs). So, $1.60 load nets $0.40/mer mile profit. Therefore, 125k miles nets about $50K profit. 125,000 miles is 2,500 miles per week, at 50 weeks per year, or 3.5 to 4 days per week, based on 700 miles per day. If you do two of those cycles per week, you can net $100K. I do this part-time as a side hustle and do just fine. $40-50K per year for a couple of weeks a month, ain’t bad IMHO.
One more thing, if you put 20-25% in a separate account for unexpected repairs, you’ll be prepared for things like a CP4 or Transmission failure. I did that and when my CP4 went out, I was able to handle it without going into debt, or worse, going broke. It was a $12K hit. Run this like a business and KNOW YOUR NUMBERS. You can do ok.
Thanks a ton for the encouragement, I appreciate it! It's awesome that you've found your groove in this business. Your insights into handling naysayers are spot-on-listening but filtering out the noise is key.
I'm curious, do you have to stop at weigh stations while you have a trailer in tow?
Yes. I have to follow all D.O.T. rules for commercial vehicles. I use an app called Trucker Path that alerts me of all the upcoming weigh stations. I’m sure there are other apps out there that’ll do something similar. Thanks for the comment!
thought so, thanks for taking the time to answer. I used to have a class A cdl myself, but it has been over 10 years since I had it@@RVEmcee
Hi Matt, I have homes in both IL (10 miles from Walcott, IA w/Worlds Largest Truck stop) and Phoenix, AZ - I heard you speak of not taking the load to AZ. But for someone like me, do you think this would this be a viable RV transport "lane"? My IL home is about 4 hours from the Indiana location so not too concerned about managing hr/miles there but the issue of backhaul from AZ I am not sure of - just wondering if the RV places here in AZ would be potential pulls or other product? Just looking to do this as a "supplemental" income source but don't really want to run to breakeven. I do have my CDL along with all of the endorsements and also my TWIC card. Thanks.
So far, there haven't been any backhauls, and I've heard that they pretty much don't exist. Perhaps some other companies offer them more frequently, but I really have no idea. I wouldn't recommend basing your decision on backhauls because you rarely, if ever, get one. Instead, you'll have to rely on guaranteed runs from Indiana to the dealer and drive back empty. However, if you opt for multi-hauls, you'll need to buy a flatbed trailer that could potentially be used to transport automobiles back to Indiana, although I can't confirm that either, just an idea. Thanks for the comment!
Bennett, Jimbo backhauls are a little more common. We have backhauls at Synergy but not always going to find one from the area you delivered to. Most of the time it’s still deadhead back to Indiana or up to Oregon to get the next load.
@@passin-thruexcellent comment, can you work for multiple companies and then just call all the dispatch centers and find out who has the closest load and hopefully something headed back east?
If you’re leasing your truck on to pull trailers you can only be leased to that company. If you drive away the mobile units you can be leased to multiple companies. So you could drive one to California and look for something else to drive back from another company
Come faccio per collegare la musica a questo sistema? Tipo radio fm dab ecc. Grazie
The secret is reloads if you can't get reloaded close to your delivery then it just costs you more of your money
do you need cdl for this kind of job?
Idea for you is do a rolling 70 for hours of service lots of great videos to explains how to do hours of service to max revenue I’ve run 2 weeks b4 needing to shut down for 34 reset
Absolutely! So, when you're planning your road trip, the hours you decide to be on the road really depend on how long you're gonna be out there. If it's a quick trip, pushing for longer hours can help you make more money in that short time. The trick is finding the right mix of efficiency and rest. For my next week-long plus adventure, I'm thinking of trying this 8 hours and 45 minutes per day approach. Thanks for the comment!
As a professional driver and RV'er, there are two things I'd strongly recommend . First and I saw another person say it already, if you stay at an average of 8.5 hours per day, you'll never need to do a reset. It's just about keeping the math so that you do not cross the 70 hour mark in any rolling 8 day window. Best suggestion, find an old gray beard trucker that used to actually do a paper log book buy him a cup of coffee and talking about how its done and take notes. Hours of Service is one of those things that is deceptively simple, but you can have a 2 week, 10 hours per day seminar talking about all the nuances of how to legally maximize your hours. Secondly, as an RV'er, I know you want to get there and to maximize your clock, but if you can, keep it at or under 65. The tires that come standard on a lot of trailers are euphemistically referred to as China Bombs. They may be brand new, but they are not something you should put a lot of faith in. There are some brands like the Goodyear Endurance tires that are rated to 87mph, but unless you are in a bind, keep it under 65. You'll improve your MPG and you'll have a better chance of keeping that damage escrow account complete.
Loving the content so far and good luck out there.
After reading your comment, it makes me realize I still have a lot to learn. I like the idea of finding a mentor to help me figure out the best way to maximize my miles. Thanks for the comment!
@@RVEmceeit's called recap... they should teach it to you in cdl school.....on just search youtube...
Once you get a CDL, your weight restrictions are based on 26K scale weight, vs the 26K GVWR (Combined) for non-CDL. CDL definitely opens up more options for you.
I am excited to get to school. Even if this venture doesn't work out, there are lots of opportunities out there for a driver. Thanks for the comment!
Talk to all your local RV dealers, become the guy they call when they need one hauled
Doesn't classic reimburse for tolls, wash , and permits?
They do 100%
Make sure you got locking cap on that you might have got hit for some fuel
I have one on there. It can with one when I bought it. Thanks for the comment!
Your fuel economy will change in winter months. Due to the winter blend fuel the stations switch to.
I hope so. I was also using antigen additive, so maybe that had something to so with it. 🤷♂️
I wear long John’s this time of year.
I hate sleeping in my clothes, but you got to do what you got to do.