Carrier Sentiment in the Gutter? Blame These Flat Rates

by TRUCKERS VA
(UNITED STATES)

Intro: You Ain’t Crazy — The Numbers ARE Flat

If you’re a fleet owner or an owner-operator wondering why things feel tight, you’re not alone. The air in the industry’s got the flavor of diesel fumes, lowball bids, and crushed dreams — and the data backs it up. According to industry sources like Ritchie Bros., carrier sentiment is officially slumping.

Flat or falling rates are turning diesel dreams into profit nightmares. Let’s break down why truckers are side-eyeing their statements and what you can actually do about it (other than cuss at your load board).

The Rate Environment: No Sugar, Just Facts

Dry van spot rates are hovering near historic lows — some markets even under $1.60/mile after fuel.

Reefer rates? Frozen, literally and financially.

Flatbed? Still carrying the weight — but barely clearing costs in many regions.

You’ve got more trucks than freight. Fuel is still high. And brokers? Well… let’s just say some of ‘em are still rockin’ them 2021 margins and handing you crumbs with a smile.

No wonder Ritchie Bros. data shows carrier confidence dipping month after month.

Sentiment Breakdown: What’s Got Fleets Pissed Off?

Here's what carriers are telling the surveys:

“Why even bother running?” Margins are paper thin — literally not worth turning the key unless you’ve got a roundtrip or a miracle.

“We’re working twice as hard for half the revenue.” Loads are longer, slower to book, and still paying less.

“Equipment cost is still high, but freight isn’t keeping up.” That new truck note ain’t shrinking, but your revenue is.

Even the big dogs are cutting trucks, laying off staff, and slowing down expansion. If they’re stressed, you know the small fleets are straight-up choking.

Multiple Perspectives: Unfiltered Truck Talk

🚛 The Carrier View:

“The rates don’t even cover maintenance. I got tires I can’t afford to replace ‘cause I’m burning fuel for free.”

📉 The Broker View:

“Hey, we don’t control the market.”
Translation: “We’ll take that 25% margin though. Good luck, cowboy.”

📊 The Analyst View:

“This is a correction, a normalization from the pandemic highs.”
That’s economist speak for: “It sucks now, but at least it’s not 2020.” Wow, thanks.

Industry Response: Who’s Doing What?

Fleets are downsizing. Many small carriers are selling trucks back at auctions — and the auctions are full.

Leases are being terminated. More lease-ops are giving up the ghost and going back to company driving.

Big carriers are going quiet. Layoffs, hiring freezes, and “weathering the storm” plans are in full effect.

Meanwhile, used equipment prices are starting to dip, which tells you one thing: folks are getting out.

Bottom Line: You Can’t Drive Through a Dead Market

You can be the best driver, the smartest dispatcher, or the slickest fuel saver — but you can’t outwork a weak market with low rates and overcapacity.

But here's the truth no one tells you:

👉 You don’t have to drive through it. You can build past it.

You can start stacking money outside the truck — using skills you already have and new tools like AI, content, affiliate marketing, and automation.

💡

Now’s the Time to Diversify Your Paycheck

If you’re tired of scraping by on the load board while fuel eats your profit…
If you’re watching equipment rot while your rates fall...
If you know trucking was never meant to be the only way you eat…

Then it’s time to move from driver to earner.

👉 Visit OffDutyMoney.com
to start learning how to build income streams that don’t depend on diesel.
Courses, tools, and real trucker strategies to put money in your hand before you burn out.