Seasonal Peaks and Valleys: What Truck Drivers Can Do to Prepare for the Slower Months

There are many reasons for a downturn in business during the winter and spring. The good thing about our line of work is that it is almost as reliable as the seasons. The causes range from geo-political instability, inclement weather, harvest season, the post-holiday lull in consumer spending, a slow housing market, and more. If you are a veteran of the industry, you have probably seen these phases come and go. If you are new to the industry, you might be discovering this.

Some of the Reasons

• Refinery Shutdowns – Many refineries perform maintenance in late fall and early spring, which slows demand.
• Construction Pauses – Cold weather brings construction projects to a crawl or full stop, reducing demand.
• Ag Off-Season – Fertilizer and ammonia transport dips after harvest and doesn't pick back up until pre-planting season in spring.
• Lower Industrial Output – Manufacturing slows during the holidays, meaning fewer production lines that need consumables.
• Holiday Lag – Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, many companies shut down or scale back. Less output means fewer loads moving.
• Reduced Food Production – After all the holiday dinners, even food production slows.

Planning Ahead

There are a few parables and sayings that came to mind when I started thinking about this topic that highlight the value of taking advantage of favorable conditions to prepare for adversity.

• Make hay while the sun shines - Making hay in olden times was labor intensive and time consuming. Farmers had to use the best conditions to cut and dry hay to ensure that the livestock could be fed through the winter.‍
• There is Aesop’s fable of the grasshopper and the ant - The grasshopper spent the summer singing and relaxing, while the ant worked hard gathering food for winter. When winter came, the grasshopper was cold and hungry, while the ant was safe and fed.
• Strike while the iron is hot - A blacksmithing idiom that is pretty self-explanatory. Hammering cold iron will yield only fatigue and frustration.
• Take time by the forelock - Seize an opportunity before it passes you by.

Some Strategies to Carry You Through

• Budget like Winter is Always Coming - Treat peak season like harvest time. Lay aside some resources for the winter.
• Know your fixed costs. Build a good budget - Break down your monthly expenses—truck payments, insurance, maintenance, phone, fuel, food—so you know your survival number. That’s your “break-even” point. Once you know it, you can plan around it.
• Avoid Major Purchases in the Off-Season - If you’re eyeing upgrades or big-ticket buys, wait for spring. Don’t overextend when you know winter is coming—figuratively and literally.
• Keep Your Escrow Topped Up - Treat your truck like your business partner—it needs love too. Set aside for maintenance in the rich times and get the more time-consuming work done when things slow down.
• Plan Time Off for the Valleys - Escape the Midwestern winter to Cozumel or San Juan. Dec-Mar is a great time to plan a vacation.

Wrapping It Up: Stay Cool, Stay Ready

Seasonal slowdowns might be part of the game, but they don’t have to catch you off guard. Just like the ant in the fable, a little planning goes a long way. Budget smart, make hay while the sun shines, and take advantage of the quiet months to fine-tune your business and your rig. Stay flexible and prepared and stay sharp, stay safe.