O/O Pros and cons

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by doglover44, Nov 28, 2010.

  1. doglover44

    doglover44 Light Load Member

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    What are the pros and cons of being a Owner Operator ?
     
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  3. HEAVY DUDE

    HEAVY DUDE Road Train Member

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    Pro~You own the truck. Con~You own the truck.
     
    Dryver, wc5b, irnndn and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Big John

    Big John Road Train Member

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    You have to have a love for it. Because you will be married to it you just can't come into the yard park it and go home. I have been one since I was 23 and wouldn't want to drive a company truck less I had to. It is a love hate relationship in a way. O' I forgot you get to handle a lot more money but a lot more money comes and goes.
     
  5. blackw900

    blackw900 The Grandfather of Flatbed

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    Till you have some experience and a solid understanding of the business end as well as the driving side...There are no "pros".

    Once you have some experience and knowledge, It can be VERY rewarding! But it'll always be hard work, lots of hours and a business that you have to be paying attention to...Always!
    You can never take your eye off the game or it can get ahead of you very quickly!

    If you're buying a truck because:

    You don't want to be governed.
    You don't want forced dispatch.
    You want to make more than .26 a mile.
    You want a cool truck.
    You don't want anyone telling you what to do.

    or any of the other completely stupid reasons that I hear constantly from people that have no business buying a truck...Don't buy a truck!
     
  6. marmonman

    marmonman Road Train Member

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    The best thing is owning the truck when it is in your driveway !! The worst thing is owning the truck when it is in the shop !!!

    The best thing is owning the truck when you want to go home !!! The worst thing is owning the truck when you want to go home but the payment is due and you don't have the money for it !!!
     
  7. Kansas

    Kansas Road Train Member

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    That fuel bill is ALL yours...

    You break it, you buy it!
     
  8. Izlomik Supatrucka

    Izlomik Supatrucka Light Load Member

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    My cousin told me this before i bought mine and it couldnt be more true.....

    If you like trucks and like messing with them or just really have a passion for them get 1....

    If you want 1 to get rich or make a good bit of money look elsewhere....

    Dont get me wrong...ive had a rough (pretty #### rough) 1st year but i still enjoy and
    am glad i bought the truck...i just like them.....

    something to think about...

    Bought truck
    drove for a month clutch went out...
    drove another 2 weeks water pump went out
    drove a week and turbo went out....
    turbo went out it thrashed my air cooler bought 1 of them
    about a month later needed 8 drive tires....
    about a month later needed steer tires.....
    radiator started leaking bad it needed replaceing
    drove truck for 4 months didnt do anything but change oil normal maintnance thinking everything is going good had me a good nest egg built up had a load going to oklahoma city pull a steep hill notice oil burning smell pull over oil is everywhere and smoke....gaulded #5 piston overhauled engine and the year still isnt up.....

    im still glad i bought the truck tho....its still makeing me a living ive paid all bills on time
    and havent really done without we have kinda tightened up a bit around the house but
    havent went without....my wife takes care of our kids for a living so only income is truck....

    ive had around $32-33k in repairs to truck my 1st year thats not counting the 2 trailers
    ive bought and had to put a few tires on them as well.....

    If this wouldnt put you in the crazy house go for it but if it sounds like a nitemare...well it has been a nitemare
    but im still glad i did it....if someone complients the truck....its mine i dont tell them yea
    my boss keeps these trucks up pretty good.....and i enjoy the weekends in the shop tinkering
    with it....

    My dad bought a truck with 500k miles more on it and hasnt spent maybe $5k in repairs
    other than normal maintnance....so you just never know...guess its luck of the draw on buying
     
  9. Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    What blackw900 said.....x2
     
  10. 66truck

    66truck Light Load Member

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    Just came in the house 6:00pm , been doing maint. on truck and trailer since fri. morning. gotta love it.
     
  11. PeterbiltLover

    PeterbiltLover Light Load Member

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    Sharptown, Maryland
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    not being rude but wtf did this thing look like when u bought it lol?
     
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