RV Transport

I really appreciate people talk the time to interact on this site. J am a truck driving student and it is my goal to take this education and Segway it into becoming a RV Transporter. I have read a few sites that gives u some rudimentary start up info but I need something more concrete as getting started I. The field is expensive.

1. What is a good start up position for this field? 2. What is the average range of pay for a Drive away position? 3. In Indiana addition to the unladen insurance what else do I need? 4. How do I network with RV manufacturers in order to find out who delivers for them in order to establish a networking a base networking relationship In the industry? 5. Is there a specific request I can make while in truck driving school to get a special focus on hitching trailers?

Hey Sedrick, the RV delivery business is seriously challenging when it comes to making money. I'm not sure what attracted you to it, but if you thought it was profitable, you might want to dig a little deeper.

I assume you already realize you're going to be an independent operator. Otherwise you wouldn't be asking such good questions. Your questions also indicate you really know very little at all about the business. That's okay, but a terrible way to go into something that eats most people up quickly and then discards them recklessly.

I'm a long time business owner. There's no way I'd go into the RV delivery business. Diesel prices are soaring upward right now, and the business model puts all the risks on the delivery company while controlling all the expenses for the customer.

Delivery work is strictly a commodity. The cheapest bidder handles the most business. That's why everyone doing it struggles or goes broke.

If you get a CDL , go with a legitimate trucking company with a track record of success. Do a full year of safe driving for them. Then, if you're still dreaming of greener pastures, try switching to another job. You really don't need to be the "boss" in this business. A good solid driver will always come out ahead by being safe, productive, and easy to work with.

Good luck my friend!

I agree with Old School and it sounds like you're planning to do the same as anyone else who comes straight out of truck driving school and becoming an owner/operator of a trucking company. Or, the same as the person who graduates from college, with an accounting degree and thinks they'll go straight into owning a profitable business.

You may succeed in your idea, but just know the odds are stacked heavily against you.

Try Old School's advice for better odds.

In addition to what Old School and Steve advised, I would be very scared of getting involved with the RV industry. Especially now.

We are in an economic downturn and many smart people who study such things believe we will be in a recession in 2024. One indicator is that freight volumes are on the decline, in particular dry van freight. Why dry van? Because many items carried by dry van are “discretionary “ for consumers. People are worried and are slowing their spending on discretionary stuff, thus requiring less freight being hauled. Groceries are still a necessity so refrigerated freight has not slowed as much.

Now translate this economic condition to the RV industry. Very few people consider a RV to be a necessity, so If RV sales are slowing, then RV transport will be a bad area to be in. Simple economic logic. As an OTR driver, I’m amazed at all the RV dealerships I pass on the highway with hundreds of units sitting on their lots. Who will buy these RV’s when the economy is bad? Not a good time to be trying to enter this market. In fact it begs the question: Is there EVER a good time to get in this risky area of hotshot trucking?

Being a direct person I always got to respect a straight shooter. Thanks guys for your invaluable advice. Definitely saves me from making a mistake.

Hey Sedrick, the RV delivery business is seriously challenging when it comes to making money. I'm not sure what attracted you to it, but if you thought it was profitable, you might want to dig a little deeper.

I assume you already realize you're going to be an independent operator. Otherwise you wouldn't be asking such good questions. Your questions also indicate you really know very little at all about the business. That's okay, but a terrible way to go into something that eats most people up quickly and then discards them recklessly.

I'm a long time business owner. There's no way I'd go into the RV delivery business. Diesel prices are soaring upward right now, and the business model puts all the risks on the delivery company while controlling all the expenses for the customer.

Delivery work is strictly a commodity. The cheapest bidder handles the most business. That's why everyone doing it struggles or goes broke.

If you get a CDL , go with a legitimate trucking company with a track record of success. Do a full year of safe driving for them. Then, if you're still dreaming of greener pastures, try switching to another job. You really don't need to be the "boss" in this business. A good solid driver will always come out ahead by being safe, productive, and easy to work with.

Good luck my friend!

Sedrick,

Not only is the RV business struggling, but so is being a Lease Operator in all companies. That business model is to benefit the company and not the person doing the lease.

My little company has always been a company driver business. Recently they have started pushing being a lease operator. I finally talked to two of the lease operators at the Port of Oakland. They think that they're making great money. However, fuel, maintenance and repairs, etc is what makes their pay at the end of the year, not the thousands they make every week. When we got done talking, they admitted that they were struggling and was amazed at how much I make after taxes. I make more than them and I have better benefits with getting a motel paid for and layover pay when my truck is in the shop or Workers Comp pays for any of my injuries. They have to pay for all that. With fuel going up, when I put on $800 worth of fuel I can smile because it's not coming out of my pocket like it is with theirs.

This is why we recommend that beginning drivers learn the driving business for five or more years before even thinking of becoming an Owner Operator. There is so much to learn about being a driver and it takes a number of years to learn all of it and be a good driver. There's nothing wrong with being a company driver. Something else for you to think about 😉

Laura

The main questions are: 1. Can you use the utilities while transporting (probably not) 2. How do you get back after you've finished the delivery?

Most likely no on the utilities, most drive away services don't let you sleep in the vehicles, and you're responsible for your lodging.

You're also responsible for travel to and from pick up and drop off with most of them. Most drive away contractors work for multiple services simultaneously to avoid that issue. Highly recommended to have a class A license and experience as there's not enough market for simply RVs unless it's just a part time side gig. So you end up transporting all sorts of vehicles from tractor trailers to straight trucks to RVs. Also some outfits will offer/have you haul vehicles on a trailer and or tow vehicles.

Sedrick,

I admire your ambition. Goals are good to have - they motivate us to achieve results and get to the next level. I have been driving commercially for just under two years. Like you, I looked at just about every angle when I looked into getting my CDL. I came to the conclusion that being a company driver was the only way I would be successful starting. Here's why I say that. As company drivers we assume zero financial risk - not one dollar. As a company driver, we have a team of people working to ensure we have loads every single day and our trucks are running smoothly. Everyone from fleet leaders, dispatchers, customer service, maintenance, you name it; all work to get us loads and repair our equipment when things go down.

It's about to get seriously competitive out here. Get that CDL , be a company driver for a couple of years like so many here have already suggested, establish yourself as a safe and dependable driver, and you'll be compensated well for your efforts. Maybe by then the economy will shape up and you'll be well-prepared to launch your RV transport business.

Just another rookie's take!

Good luck!