you can still make a reasonable amount of money, but when i say "reasonable", i don't mean 200k, like before. if i didn't spend money on new gear i'd be at about 50-60k right now, which is respectable, i guess. it took a lot longer to get, though. it seems like i mostly use caravans for oil and furs. along with other cheap commodities, i always buy powder, which will sell to certain fortresses for over 600.
the key is to buy cheap goods AND use caravans. if you see a hot commodity for cheap, just buy it.