A freight quote needs to cover the running cost of the whole movement and the profit your business requires. The free Kweli calculators let you build an operating CPK, carry it into a trip quote, and check an offered amount against the full cost.
The example below uses illustrative numbers to show the method. They are not current fuel prices or a recommended market rate. Replace them with your truck’s records, supplier prices and the actual trip scope.
Step 1: Work out the truck’s operating CPK
Suppose monthly fixed costs total R55,000 and the truck runs 10,000 kilometres, including loaded and empty travel. Fixed costs contribute R5.50 per running kilometre.
At an illustrative diesel price of R25 per litre and consumption of 35 litres per 100 km, fuel contributes R8.75/km. Tyres and maintenance contribute another R1.75/km. The total operating cost is therefore R16.00 per running kilometre.
Use the CPK calculator to enter the costs separately. Choose one vehicle-costing approach for finance or depreciation so the same cost is not counted twice. If the truck runs fewer kilometres, each kilometre carries a larger share of the fixed monthly cost.
Step 2: Include the unpaid return in the trip
A 600 km loaded leg at R16/km costs R9,600 to operate. If the truck must return 600 km empty, running cost becomes R19,200. Add R1,000 in trip tolls and R500 in other costs that sit outside the CPK, and the movement costs R20,700.
Enter these distances separately in the freight quote calculator. A planned return load and an agreed return load are different assumptions. If a second job will pay for that leg, allocate the leg and costs consistently between the jobs.
Step 3: Use margin correctly
A 20% profit margin means that profit is 20% of the selling price. Divide the R20,700 cost by 0.80. The resulting quote is R25,875 before VAT, with R5,175 of planned profit.
Adding 20% to the cost would produce R24,840. That is a 20% markup, but a margin of about 16.67%. The distinction matters when a small percentage difference is multiplied across many jobs.
Step 4: Check the amount actually offered
If the shipper offers R24,000 for the same movement, estimated operating profit is R3,300 and the margin is 13.75%. At R18,000, the movement makes an estimated R2,700 loss on these inputs.
The load profitability calculator helps make that trade-off visible. Confirm which costs are already in your CPK before adding tolls, allowances or other expenses separately.
Use the other tools when the question changes
- Trip fuel estimates litres and fuel spend for the loaded and empty distance.
- Fuel surcharge applies an agreed fuel-cost share to the change in diesel price.
- Rate per tonne divides the required quote across the billable payload. The example R25,875 quote at 30 billable tonnes gives R862.50/tonne.
- Break-even utilisation examines how running distance, billed-distance share and average revenue cover monthly costs.
Carry the assumptions into the agreement
Keep the route, cargo, payload, dates, loading arrangements and payment terms alongside the quote. Use a consistent VAT and currency basis throughout the estimate. Copy the tool’s inputs and result into your notes so another person can see how the figure was reached.
When the work is agreed, KITE supports dispatch, active load tracking, delivery evidence and close-out. If you still need suitable work or capacity, free LX is the starting point for large-truck business freight.
