Is There Really A Shortage of Trucks To Haul Goods

[shunter2005]

I think not. Bear in mind, this is in Texas on Interstate 10 near Columbus (between Houston and San Antonio) westbound. I took a little 400 mi RT drive today and I think at least 3 of every 5 vehicles I passed was an 18 wheeler. It was almost as bad on the way home tonight. I have NEVER seen so many on the highway as I saw today. Shortage of trucks to haul goods, they say? I call Bullshit!!!!!

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Honestly I think its the backlog...not just a normal shortage. You cannot have a full shutdown of the economy without a ripple impact just like a freeway merge. Its just a backup of shit that would under normal circumstances been in the supply chain already. A year of shutdowns will take a long time to recoup from.

 

[H20 Toie]

The problem is that a lot of those drivers/trucks won't drive in California, and a lot of products come thru ca

 

[Done-it-again]

All I know is that the cost is up. Just paid 9k for a flat bed from CA to NC.

 

[Blackmagic94]

There is a shortage of drivers and a shortage of running trucks at this point.

 

[LC925]

All I know is that the cost is up. Just paid 9k for a flat bed from CA to NC.

This. People are willing to pay crazy money to get their product where they need it (and I get it trust me). So people who have contract rates on dedicated lanes year round, like myself, start to have sub haulers hold off for the gravy loads. I’m just lucky I have guys that have been with me for 5+ years that don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of finding that gravy load and for when. That and I pay them weekly so they like the consistency.

I read somewhere that stated being 60,000 trucks short to move loads out of the LA/Long Beach port to catch up. Then another analysis was done, and if the port could load each truck just 16 minutes faster than the hours it currently takes, it would alleviate needing those extra 60,000 trucks

However, there will be a huge shortage of drivers in the next coming years!

 

[colenighthawk]

It's a fucking lie, don't belive anything they say.

 

[Blackmagic94]

It's a fucking lie, don't belive anything they say.

So the people who are in Logitics are saying it’s real but you don’t believe us?

 

[monkeyswrench]

Trying to get parts for a down truck is a nightmare. Turbo housings, any def components, sensors...stuff is being pulled from all over.

 

[shunter2005]

Does anyone know if it is true or not, that drivers out there in CA are only allowed one load a day from the ports? I heard that on OAN or Newsmax a few weeks ago. A driver said that and stated that if they were allowed to pick up more loads per day, they could get the backlog cleared up. Again, don't know if it's true or not, but I am just wondering.

 

[rrrr]

Some of those trucks are moving goods from the Port of Houston and the Port of New Orleans. Their ship traffic has expanded with the 40+ day wait for unloading at Long Beach and LA.

Amazon and Walmart are chartering container ships for moving their goods from Asia to the US, and unloading them at less congested ports.

Reluctant Merchants Are Embracing Amazon's Chartered Ships This Holiday Season

By Matt Day and Spencer Soper (Bloomberg) –Most cargo ships putting into the port of Everett, Washington, brim with cement and lumber. So when the Olive Bay docked in early November, it was clear...

gcaptain.com

 

[lbhsbz]

I’m working with a supplier in TX who brings in Chinese product…when asked about lead time on an order that will come out of China, he said 30-45 days…for CA outfits that number is double or triple. All his freight comes into TX. If what he’s telling me is true, then the problem is CA, nothing else.

 

[Instigator]

This time of year the truck traffic will also increase on I-10 and other southern routes to avoid poor weather on I-40 and other routes more north too.

 

[Blackmagic94]

I’m working with a supplier in TX who brings in Chinese product…when asked about lead time on an order that will come out of China, he said 30-45 days…for CA outfits that number is double or triple. All his freight comes into TX. If what he’s telling me is true, then the problem is CA, nothing else.

What deep water port does Texas have?

 

[Singleton]

Does anyone know if it is true or not, that drivers out there in CA are only allowed one load a day from the ports? I heard that on OAN or Newsmax a few weeks ago. A driver said that and stated that if they were allowed to pick up more loads per day, they could get the backlog cleared up. Again, don't know if it's true or not, but I am just wondering.

read a similar article - stated drivers can only pick up a load if they drop off a container that is being requested. The drops are very specific on size, color and type. Then you have all the CA and port truck regulations and a large % of driver left the state.

 

[lbhsbz]

What deep water port does Texas have?

Houston

 

[Blackmagic94]

Houston

Buzz you dont pass Go sir


Houston is 45 feet deep, the new Panamax container ship spec is 15 meters deep aka 49.2 feet deep, you arent getting the big boys in Houston and thus not a "deep water" port

 

[rivermobster]

Does anyone know if it is true or not, that drivers out there in CA are only allowed one load a day from the ports? I heard that on OAN or Newsmax a few weeks ago. A driver said that and stated that if they were allowed to pick up more loads per day, they could get the backlog cleared up. Again, don't know if it's true or not, but I am just wondering.

Who cares...

Did you get your stereo stuff?

 

[Done-it-again]

This. People are willing to pay crazy money to get their product where they need it (and I get it trust me). So people who have contract rates on dedicated lanes year round, like myself, start to have sub haulers hold off for the gravy loads. I’m just lucky I have guys that have been with me for 5+ years that don’t want to deal with the uncertainty of finding that gravy load and for when. That and I pay them weekly so they like the consistency.

I read somewhere that stated being 60,000 trucks short to move loads out of the LA/Long Beach port to catch up. Then another analysis was done, and if the port could load each truck just 16 minutes faster than the hours it currently takes, it would alleviate needing those extra 60,000 trucks

However, there will be a huge shortage of drivers in the next coming years!

That's what brokered freight is costing out of CA and if you have a project to be delivered by a date it is what it is... Crazy for sure.

 

[propcheck]

What deep water port does Texas have?

I was recently reading an article about Amazons leasing of ships that do not have a draft that requires deep water for docking. These ships also have their own cranes to unload. Amazon saw this issue years back and secured their shipping contingencies well in advance in addition they are going to 53’ containers.

 

[troostr]

I was told that the unions have monopolized the truck freight through the CA ports. ie.- only union member freight companies and trucks can haul in or out, no independents. The unions make the rules, so that would make sense if they were only "allowed" to haul one load or have specific in/out rules.

 

[69hondo]

I went to Bullhead last Friday evening and the 40 East was solid convoy from Barstow to Needles. I have never seen so many trucks on that freeway.

 

[Blackmagic94]

I was recently reading an article about Amazons leasing of ships that do not have a draft that requires deep water for docking. These ships also have their own cranes to unload. Amazon saw this issue years back and secured their shipping contingencies well in advance in addition they are going to 53’ containers.

Thats called a smaller boat lol

 

[Ladsm]

California CARB now just passed new rule for Trucks to get smog checked 4 times per year. That is going to drive up costs and drive more trucks out of California

 

[monkeyswrench]

What's the gossip on the chicom port project in Mexico? Heard about it a long time ago, but never heard if it got going.

 

[hallett21]

Thats called a smaller boat lol

But they are still rerouting around LA. Sure more boats to get the goods in. At least they aren’t out there floating for 60+ days

 

[bk2drvr]

I go back and forth to the river every week between OC and Needles on i40 and that highway in the pic doesn’t look any different than the 40. There are 53’ boxes rolling in both directions as far as the eye can see. Late at night when they stop for the day to sleep they are stacked up in the rest areas DEEP!

 

[Done-it-again]

I was told that the unions have monopolized the truck freight through the CA ports. ie.- only union member freight companies and trucks can haul in or out, no independents. The unions make the rules, so that would make sense if they were only "allowed" to haul one load or have specific in/out rules.

Yep! all true......

 

[Done-it-again]

California CARB now just passed new rule for Trucks to get smog checked 4 times per year. That is going to drive up costs and drive more trucks out of California

It will add it the freight issue in CA for a long time.. I'm not sure how these big logistic company's are going to keep going in CA... Their costs will increase dramatically, thus they pass it on the mfg who passes that on the consumer...

 

[Blackmagic94]

But they are still rerouting around LA. Sure more boats to get the goods in. At least they aren’t out there floating for 60+ days

Agreed, works for the big guys but not small time guys that are paying to have a spot on a ship. Big Conex containers cost less to move freight by shear volume of items and customers hence why they are a thing.

 

[FCT]

All I know is that the cost is up. Just paid 9k for a flat bed from CA to NC.

That’s actually a good deal right now

 

[liquid addiction]

We are waiting for 7-8 containers from China right now. Talking with the logistics company we deal with yesterday. He told us there are plenty of trucks and they are lined up waiting. The problem for them is no chassis.

 

[Blubyu]

Not yet... IMO... There is going to be though if this part's quality/availability doesn't clear up quickly. We have a truck in here as new as 2020 right now that we can not even ger a fucking air filter for. Had a starter fail on a 2015 last week, the new one the manufacture didn't tap the holes for the bolts. The week before that had a tie rod end that was never threaded. I wish I could make this shit up.

UPS driver shows up today in a big rental box truck. Said his truck is down, less than a year old, can't get parts and they have no trucks left in reserve due to the holiday season.

 

[shunter2005]

Who cares...

Did you get your stereo stuff?

Not yet. Joel @Ace in the Hole had some truck issues and had to fly home. He is going to bring it when he comes back from Havasu after Christmas. It's not an issue for me, as I am now working to refinish an old school stereo cabinet I found on the cheap.

 

[riverroyal]

I had a Amazon delivery in a Fluid rental van this week.

 

[rivermobster]

Not yet. Joel @Ace in the Hole had some truck issues and had to fly home. He is going to bring it when he comes back from Havasu after Christmas. It's not an issue for me, as I am now working to refinish an old school stereo cabinet I found on the cheap.

Copy that. I can drive up there and get it if you need me to.

 

[Mandelon]

California wisdom. They passed a job killing bill that got rid of most independent truckers. I think the legislation ended the self employed status option, or made it so onerous no one can afford to meet the requirements.

California also has lots of air quality laws that got rid of older trucks.

 

[D19]

I don’t know but I’m noticing a lot more damn trucks on the road lately driving however the hell they want and in whatever lanes they want, slowing down in traffic; it’s really getting irritating. Here’s a shot I took today on the 210 of them blocking all four lanes.

 

[petie6464]

I don’t know but I’m noticing a lot more damn trucks on the road lately driving however the hell they want and in whatever lanes they want, slowing down in traffic; it’s really getting irritating. Here’s a shot I took today on the 210 of them blocking all four lanes.

View attachment 1074404

Stop buying shit, the
trucks will go away. .

 

[petie6464]

Complete bull shit. These mega carriers use the American Trucking Association lobbyist group to secure government subsidation by making their own exaggerated claims to pad their own wallets.

Do be so gullible.

 

[braindead]

I don’t know but I’m noticing a lot more damn trucks on the road lately driving however the hell they want and in whatever lanes they want, slowing down in traffic; it’s really getting irritating. Here’s a shot I took today on the 210 of them blocking all four lanes.

View attachment 1074404

im not disagreeing with you about trucks needing to stay in there own lanes, but come on, no fwy in so cal even gets close to the speed limit since kids are back in school. FML!

 

[Danger Dave]

What's the gossip on the chicom port project in Mexico? Heard about it a long time ago, but never heard if it got going.

If you mean the one that was for San Quintin, that's been dead for years.

 

[shunter2005]

Copy that. I can drive up there and get it if you need me to.

Appreciate it, but he has to drive back from Havasu when he gets home from Christmas. It's not a problem, I just appreciate him transporting it for me.

 

[rivermobster]

Appreciate it, but he has to drive back from Havasu when he gets home from Christmas. It's not a problem, I just appreciate him transporting it for me.

I got that. Havasu is a LONG way from Apple Valley, in case you didn't know.

 

[shunter2005]

I got that. Havasu is a LONG way from Apple Valley, in case you didn't know.

Sorry, @dspracing took care of the first leg, Apple Valley to Havasu for me.

 

[rivermobster]

Sorry, @dspracing took care of the first leg, Apple Valley to Havasu for me.

Perfect.

 

[Backlash]

Anyone take notice of the giant slabs going down out in Morongo/Cabazon? Not truck related, but it is.

 

[monkeyswrench]

If you mean the one that was for San Quintin, that's been dead for years.

When I think San Quintin, I think of that nice establishment in the Bay where my uncle Jerry stayed

Honestly can't remember where in Mexico, I was thinking Ensenada or something though.

 

[lbhsbz]

Buzz you dont pass Go sir


Houston is 45 feet deep, the new Panamax container ship spec is 15 meters deep aka 49.2 feet deep, you arent getting the big boys in Houston and thus not a "deep water"

So what? They've got piles of containers there, so they're getting them there somehow. Don't need a new Panamax ship to deliver containers....plenty of smaller vessels go through the canal daily.

 

[Blackmagic94]

So what? They've got piles of containers there, so they're getting them there somehow. Don't need a new Panamax ship to deliver containers....plenty of smaller vessels go through the canal daily.

Sure but what broker would want to pay for a small container ship transport fees? Let alone a more expensive ride and now a further ride that needs to get taxes to pass the Panama channel? It’s all about the benjis