Is it true that the majority of owner drivers doing traction only tend to work for the big companies in and out of the ports? There doesn’t seem to be many working curtainsiders on general haulage in the Lincoln area, mostly the established firms. Anyone agree / disagree?
I’m based in North Lincolnshire. I’ve been in the haulage & shipping business for 30 years. Lincoln is a bit odd… You have people like Rase Warehousing, Cartwright’s etc that have the local business sewn up. There isn’t a lot of manufactured goods coming out of Lincoln.
It is easier to run traction only; Immingham/Killingholme & Hull are 45 miles away. Yes, a lot of hauliers get drawn into working for DFDS, DSV, NTEX, Bring, DHL etc… If you’re doing ferry trailer work, you’re paid a pence per mile and you don’t worry about return loads as you’re paid to deliver and come back empty if needs be. Its not in the trailer operators favour to bring you back empty as it costs them money, so you will normally be back loaded. You only benefit if the reload adds to the mileage. If you’re tipping and reloading say Manchester, you’re basically bringing the backload back for free! You don’t see any extra revenue as all you’re paid is round trip mileage.
If you’re working for the ferry trailer operators you can expect regular payments, mostly self bill and don’t need to chase your money. If you’re working for smaller companies, speaking from experience, you chase your money, and your 30 days nett, ends up being 45 days if you don’t keep on top of your invoices…