TA. 
The thing is Vern, there are no hard & fast rules,
This x 100
I have said before on here the guy I know making the most money runs two rigids with HIABS on local work, each truck normally gets 3-4 jobs in a day for different clients - from portacabins to builders merchants- neither truck goes far out of the local area- other lads close to me here may do boxes, but also do steel, timber or what ever pays the best rate- and seem to do pretty well at that… #1 lesson is if you can specialise - if you cant #2 is have a wide customer base - the biggest mistake made is tying yourself down to a single customer, you only have to look at the situation the tarmac/lafarge etc re: contract hauliers is a prime example of just how wrong it can go.
But dont get me wrong- getting on the right firm and exclusvely subbing for them can work, if the rates are right and your face fits - and you know what your true costs/outlay is, and have reasonable expectations of returns can and does work for some, - there are some folks on here that make a good living (no-one makes a spectacular living out of haulage) and some who I think have their heads in the clouds - or are just idiots tolling,
You can make money out of being an O/O still , even in these tough times, if you remember, that the driving isnt whats going to make or break you, its knowing your costs, and judging each job on return over outlay… thats the diffence between a wannabe and a business man.
as NMM says theres no hard and fast rules- but also there is no easy way either
That’s a good summary. I know a bloke in the uk has a 6 and 8 wheel hiab and a 8 wheel beaver tail who makes a good living. Not as much competition and a lot of his work is on merit not price.
Also with the skills needed and the cost of buying a decent spec truck is a very different ball game to buying a tractor unit and going on the subbies list for the clearing houses or ferry trailers.
Over the last month ive noticed quite a few subbies pulling supermarkrt trailers mainly tesco and asda ones.
Is this work regular or is it just a case of needing extra trucks to help with what must be the busiest time of year.
Would be just in peak times & you’d be getting £400-450 for a 10-12 hour shift, mileages probly won’t be that high though. May be able to get Fri-Sun regular but all this work is controlled by Stobarts, Wincanton, DHL & the like, you will never be direct unless you know someone on the transport team at the site. Wouldn’t waste too much energy on it as when it’s quiet you’ll be first out the door.
'£400-450 a day 
, morrisons pay £300 a day weekends included
£300 !!! for what ■■ A moped . . !!!
The meter will soon run out on sunday hmmmmm £300 quid lets see where could we go on a sunday for that ■■ , round the village and back me thinks . . . !
Sundays are double it and add whatever you think depening how early you have to get up ! 
it is in my book too thats why i never accepted there kind offer 
tis right though, they expect you to do 2 localish deliveries in a shift for your 300 quid, if i remember it was a stockton to york then back for a stockton to washington, that sort of mileage anyway, theres a few up here who do it on a night rather than leave it standing
from what i remember a few years ago, i was told a figure PLUS fuel, so, whatever the figure was, that was after fuel, on your figures, that would be £300 per day plus fill up on their site
if that is still the case, £1500 per week after fuel is not to be sniffed at these days
Thing is at £300 you may as well just offer to jump in one of there’s for a ton a day and you’d be much better off…
£300 per day & they pay the fuel is a sweet deal but you can bet your bottom dollar that isn’t still the case.
Cracks me up what some people run around for, I think i’m spoilt though as I wouldn’t be over the moon at £400. Depends what they get you to do I suppose.
Well sais surfer im glad im not alone !!
Leave them standing in the yard at nights and weekends as its just wearing them up and burning diesel for nothing !!
shuttlespanker:
from what i remember a few years ago, i was told a figure PLUS fuel, so, whatever the figure was, that was after fuel, on your figures, that would be £300 per day plus fill up on their siteif that is still the case, £1500 per week after fuel is not to be sniffed at these days
not up here it isnt, your own diesel and 300 quid for your troubles is all you are getting, i know its right as i got as far as sitting in his office being asked to start on the saturday night at 10pm, i declined
Thanks for your help guys it was as an night and weekend thing i was looking at rather than as full time work and will sound them out nearer the time as i have a few of there depots fairly near me.
Too right Chaversdad , better off in the pub or watching ■■■■ on telly !!
Morrisons pay £320 a shift 10 Hours or 400 kms ish, thats OK if you can double shift your tractors
but i would imagine that all the supermarkets and large parcel companys are much the same,
the ones we have have worked for are, We now discuss rates before we start.
SHYTOT:
We now discuss rates before we start.
You mean you didnt before
Fortunatley we have only done the odd shift here n there for supermarkets and a few for the larger parcel companys,
Double shift means
Double fuel
double wages
double wear and tear
End result …Fuel company and driver makes money
If the truck is contracted that wont double nor will your road tax n insurance, and you can get some good contract deals right now
No your right those items wont double but
400ks (ish) for £320
approx 30 gallons of fuel = £145 ish
weekend wages for a 10 hour shift £120 ish (plus employers tax contribution etc) thats a conservative estimate !!
those two costs alone come to £265
So that leaves £55
take out yard , insurance , o licence fee , tyres , damage , finance/lease , maintenance , telephone , accountancy (to tell you not to work for £320) , profit margin (there isnt one) , oh the £55 has run out long before ive got here .
To summarise WASTE OF TIME , LOSS MAKING JOB , BUY A CALCULATOR , SELL LORRIES , CHANGE OF CAREER
There is nothing you can do with a tractor unit for a shift except park it in the yard … This is why the industry is shot to bits because people agree to work for these rates
Rant over and apologies if i upset anyone …!