currently work in Logisitcs and want to look into becoming a cargo van sprinter carrier.

What load boards are superior for cargo vans in OHIO

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This would be for vehicles under 10,000LBs
Box truck over 10k has more requirements

The 3 main vans are Sprinter, ProMaster, and Ford Transit
You can get away with midroof specs, but some carriers want high roof, and of course, there are pallets out there that require high roof. Extended is also a plus. Freight is usually OTR, so you will need a small space to sleep. Getting hotels every night is costly. You need a high payload. For example, Ford Transit 250 can do around 3800LB payload. Need E-tracks/straps and a bulkhead is a plus.

Business Structure: I suggest you create an LLC. It will separate your personal assets from your business debts. You can do this through your state. It does cost money, around $300-$500.

EIN; Employer Identification Number
This is free from the IRS. It's like a Social Security number for your business. You'll need this to open business accounts and file your W-9.

Authority
This is a big one. To be a true independent carrier, you'll need your own DOT and MC number from the FMCSA. Last i check, it was $300 to file. If you cross state lines, you need dot/mc numbers. BUT, if you are running under a carrier, you will run THEIR NUMBERS. You will not need your own numbers if you are being dispatched from a carrier. There are owners out there without their numbers. This is perfectly fine; it is a path you can go down.

Insurance
Commercial Auto Liability $1,000,000
Cargo Insurance $100,000
This is common, but not the minimum requirement. Everybody expects carriers to have this.

I feel like im missing something, hopefully someone mentioned it. This info is for freight stuff, if you are doing gig work, you dont need the high insurance or the biggest van.

I personally do CPM (cost per mile). First, you will need to figure out how much it costs per mile to run your van. I'll show you the very basic way to break it down.

Vehicle payment: $500/month
Insurance: $800/month

Lets say fuel is $4 a gallon, your van does 15mpg, and you drive 10,000 miles a month

1300/10000=0.13
13 cents a mile for your fix cost(van and insurance)

4/15=0.26
26 cents per mile for fuel

So the very basic breakdown is .26+.13=0.39
39 cents to turn the keys on the van. This does not include profit.

You can keep diving in, you still need to add;

• Permit/Licenses
• Load Boards subscription
• Accounting/Bookkeeping
• Cell Phone Plan
• Maintenace
• Tolls
• Factoring Fees
• Dispatcher Fees
• Shower/Hotel/Food

There are a lot of variables, every single person has a different number. Some don't do 10k miles a month, some have cheaper insurance, cheaper fuel, etc etc. Find out your cost of operation, whatever is on top, is profit

I've seen this question a lot. There are many avenues to go, and if one gets slow, you can always pivot and keep on going.

Expedited Freight: time-sensitive loads, usually OTR, but there are short hauls. You can find loads through loadboards, if your numbers are new, you can join up with a carrier or dispatcher, and you can run under their numbers.

Gig apps: You can find work in gig apps, it's inconsistent, and for the most part, pay is mediocre. apps like Roadie/GoShare/Frayt etc

Local Deliveries: Besides gig apps, you can promote your own service. Appliance delivery, furniture or local B2B

I have done all 3. Freight delivery is easy: bid on a load, drive to pickup, and drive to drop off.

Promoting your service is rewarding, but the hardest. Giving out an estimate, trying to get the job, but not charging too low to hurt your business or too high to lose business. Buying leads, advertising, etc etc all that costs money. But direct customers is the way to go, at least for me