Commercial Rate Differences

Recently requested some rate quotes. For a tractor and loader, and a bit over a 900 (interstate--FCC rules apply???) mile trip, most were about $1500/$1600. Some were about $1,000. Do I need to be fearful of the lower quotes? If so, why? Don't the FCC rules for commercial truckers protect me?

Well depending on the size of the tractor. It might have been quoted as a partial, so the rate would be less than if it was quoted as a full truck load rate. Like if I was to quote a 3020 Deere with a loader. I would quote that as a partial thus saving you money and me putting something with it. This would all be depending on your schedule. If you want me to load it, and then be right there with it straight through. Then that would be an expedited move and be higher since you are requesting it be there now. If I have a few days to work with then it would be a partial. Partials usually have 7-10 days from the time you load them to get to the delivery point. So it might take a week to get to you. This method can save you some cash and give the carrier some time to build a full load. This works to the benefit of both parties involved.
Now if it is more on the idea of a 1066 with the longer axles. Then some might not be expecting that, and be quoting the cheaper rate, with no idea that they will need permits for the axles till they get there an load it. To find out they need them.
I would rather quote you with the need in this case and then tell you it is less for not having to get them if it happens to have the short axles in it. You will be happier than if I call and say I need more money since it is now an oversize load. Some of this comes with experience and familiarity with the equipment. I know this was kind of long but hope this can explain some of the differences in quotes. Also get a copy of the insurance if you are uncomfortable with your guy or use somebody else would probably be the best choice. If they want advances or up front money I would not use them.
I don't ask for cash up front and have not had problems with them paying me at the delivery or wherever the point of payment is. Maybe I have just been lucky. I have refused to do some loads if i got a bad feeling about them.

Thanks caterpillar guy, that informs me and relieves me too. As it is just an old used tractor (4020 with loader), I specified that and am NOT in a hurry, so I specified that too. I was hoping that way mine might be only a partial load and trucker could have time to line up other part of load and also load for his return trip. Maybe that is why some are about 2/3 of price of others. Do independents often run abut cheaper than big companies? Kelly

There are times a company or an o / o is just looking to cover expenses to get near home. That is what is often called a backhaul rate.

Kelly
It depends on the person. I have been told I am a bit high some times. Then I am told I do things some of the others don't do so they like the extra care for the price. Like the covering of the exhaust. Some don't do that. I have heard horror stories about somethings things.
The area of the country also makes some difference in the rate like it is cheaper to ship from either coast to the midwest then it is more expensive to ship to Mi than the rest of the midwest. I would guess it has to do with MI being a peninsula. Since I am from MI I don't see the difference there.
I usually am about a 1.50 for partials and 2-2.50 for stepdeck loads and in the 3-4.50 for detach or lowboy loads. All depends on what it is. I also can't always get those rates form some of the brokers I deal with either.
I think some of the larger companies charge more and some less. I hear all kinds of rates that are so high or low I don't know how some of them get loaded and some stay in business.