3 ms·

I don’t see why long haul trucking even exists. Maybe scale and capacity is more of an issue than I’m aware of, but, nothing seems to really prevent us from usi

I don’t see why long haul trucking even exists. Maybe scale and capacity is more of an issue than I’m aware of, but, nothing seems to really prevent us from using rail for long hauls and then trucking for the last mile or hundred. Having one driver dedicated to hauling one single container/trailer across the country has always seemed unproductive to me and I don’t understand why it’s so prevalent. However I’m completely ignorant to the constraints and economics on the matter.

shusaku 5y ago
Probably because the government is willing to pay for a highway system but not rails
HWR_14 5y ago
> Maybe scale and capacity is more of an issue than I’m aware of, but, nothing seems to really prevent us from using rail for long hauls and then trucking for the last mile or hundred. You're describing multi-modal shipping. As I understand it, rail has a ton more throughput at lower cost with longer and more varied latency. So trucks are necessary for perishable food and JIT shipments, the delay of which could idle a factory. There's also a concern for the closeness of the nearest rail receiving facilities. There's also the short-haul use for trucks. It's not worth putting on a train to go 100 miles.
ThunderSizzle 5y ago
I do know of at least one scenerio: boats. Some boats are simply too tall or too wide for trains to carry, but a truck can pull them straight to a dealer without worrying about being an oversize load.
throw0101a 5y ago
> I don’t see why long haul trucking even exists. Maybe scale and capacity is more of an issue than I’m aware of, but, nothing seems to really prevent us from using rail for long hauls and then trucking for the last mile or hundred. Short-notice deliveries where you may not get be able to get a 'slot' on a train. Oddly shaped loads. Heavy loads. The YouTube channel of Sergei Dratchev: > I'm an independent trucker from Canada who specializes in moving heavy equipment between Canada & USA. Truck: 2019 Kenworth T880 (4 axles) Trailer: 2018 60 ton RGN (also have a tandem jeep and stinger).. Yard location: Cambridge, ON Canada. Company name: Sergei Dratchev Heavy Haul. Find me on Google or visit: * https://www.youtube.com/user/smd5231/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/smd5231/videos

shusaku 5y ago

Probably because the government is willing to pay for a highway system but not rails

HWR_14 5y ago

> Maybe scale and capacity is more of an issue than I’m aware of, but, nothing seems to really prevent us from using rail for long hauls and then trucking for the last mile or hundred. You're describing multi-modal shipping. As I understand it, rail has a ton more throughput at lower cost with longer and more varied latency. So trucks are necessary for perishable food and JIT shipments, the delay of which could idle a factory. There's also a concern for the closeness of the nearest rail receiving facilities. There's also the short-haul use for trucks. It's not worth putting on a train to go 100 miles.

ThunderSizzle 5y ago

I do know of at least one scenerio: boats. Some boats are simply too tall or too wide for trains to carry, but a truck can pull them straight to a dealer without worrying about being an oversize load.

throw0101a 5y ago

> I don’t see why long haul trucking even exists. Maybe scale and capacity is more of an issue than I’m aware of, but, nothing seems to really prevent us from using rail for long hauls and then trucking for the last mile or hundred. Short-notice deliveries where you may not get be able to get a 'slot' on a train. Oddly shaped loads. Heavy loads. The YouTube channel of Sergei Dratchev: > I'm an independent trucker from Canada who specializes in moving heavy equipment between Canada & USA. Truck: 2019 Kenworth T880 (4 axles) Trailer: 2018 60 ton RGN (also have a tandem jeep and stinger).. Yard location: Cambridge, ON Canada. Company name: Sergei Dratchev Heavy Haul. Find me on Google or visit: * https://www.youtube.com/user/smd5231/videos https://www.youtube.com/user/smd5231/videos