Another One Bites the Dust: 70-Year-Old Florida Carrier Shuts Down

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Intro – Trucking ain’t dead, but it’s definitely wheezing

If you’ve been feelin’ like there are fewer trucks on the road and more job boards sittin' empty, you ain’t wrong. The trucking collapse is pickin’ up speed, and the latest victim is a Florida-based carrier that’s been around for over 70 years. That’s right — seven decades in the game, and still got wiped out.

So what the heck is goin' on out here? Is trucking really collapsing, or are we just in another cycle of “adapt or die?” Let’s break it down with some hot takes, harsh truths, and a few silver linings you ain’t gonna get from the big media boys.

The Company Collapse – 70 years of service, gone overnight

A family-run Florida trucking company — one that weathered recessions, rate wars, and fuel crises — just announced they’re closing the doors. No slow fade-out. No soft landing. Just boom: shutdown.

Why?

Freight rates are trash – Spot market’s been in the gutter for months. Carriers are takin’ loads that barely cover fuel, just to keep wheels movin’.

Insurance premiums through the roof – One claim can double your rates overnight. For small carriers, that’s a death sentence.

Driver shortage? More like driver turnover – They couldn’t keep drivers in seats, and the ones who stayed were tired of running cheap loads.

Debt finally caught up – Like a lot of small companies, they took on loans during the boom. But now that freight’s soft, those payments are crushing.

And here’s the kicker: if a company that’s been around longer than color TV can’t survive this market, what does that say about the rest of the industry?

What Truckers Are Saying – The real talk from the road

Truckers on social media aren’t shocked — they’re mad. Here’s what the streets are sayin’:

“Mega carriers run us into the ground and then buy us up when we fold.”

“You can’t survive in this market without working 90 hours a week or cutting corners.”

“Rates are so low, I make more on Uber than hauling freight.”

There’s a lot of finger-pointing going on. Brokers. Government regulation. Greedy corporations. Truth is, it’s all of it — the perfect storm.

But some truckers are adapting. Shifting to power-only work. Running hotshot. Leasing on temporarily. Cutting deadhead miles. Getting creative.

The Bigger

Picture – Is trucking really collapsing?

Let’s be real — trucking isn’t going away. America still runs on freight. But the business model is collapsing for folks who aren’t evolving.

Think about it like this:

Old school carriers = built for high-volume, high-margin freight.

Today’s market = low rates, high costs, insane compliance headaches.

If you’re not tech-savvy, lean, and aggressive with your hustle, you’re falling behind. And that’s why we’re seeing so many companies with long histories fall flat. It ain’t about how long you’ve been in the game — it’s about how fast you can adapt to the new rules.

Industry Response – Some stay scared, others get smart

The big players are already making moves:

Mergers & acquisitions – They’re buying out struggling carriers on the cheap.

Automation and AI – Using tech to optimize routes, fuel, and compliance.

Diversifying – Shifting into last-mile delivery, dedicated lanes, and even warehousing.

Meanwhile, the smart truckers are using these slow months to learn skills outside the cab. A lot of drivers are asking:

“How can I make money off the road without quitting trucking completely?”

That’s the million-dollar question. Because let’s face it — being a company driver might keep you afloat, but it won’t get you rich. And being an owner-operator with a truck note and no plan B? That’s a gamble in this market.

Bottom Line – If you’re not planning your escape, you’re planning your collapse

The collapse ain’t a rumor — it’s happening. But it’s not the end of trucking. It’s the end of trucking as we knew it.

The smart drivers are pivoting now:

Downsizing or switching lanes (literally and financially).

Building income on the side.

Learning AI, content creation, affiliate marketing, dispatching — whatever gives ‘em options when the next downturn hits.

Because the next time a 70-year-old carrier folds, you don’t wanna be holding the bag.

Want to future-proof your freedom?

If you’re tired of chasing bad loads and worrying about shutdowns, it’s time to build a Plan B — while you’re still rolling.

👉 Learn how other truckers are using AI, automation, and side hustles to make money off duty at OffDutyMoney.com

And if you’re new to trucking or thinkin’ about getting in the game, don’t come in blind.
👉 Go to LifeAsATrucker.com
and learn the real deal before you hop behind the wheel.