Hey there. The most important piece of information you can take from this thread up to this point is this. Unless you are willing to commit to the lifestyle, 110%, the best case scenario is probably going to have you breaking even. With all the fees, tax, additional fees involved, you will end up having a long tough road.

I don't have alot of driving experience, but I was raised in a trucking family (grandfather 30 yrs o/o, uncle 20 yrs o/o, father lifetime company driver and mechanic shop owner for 40 yrs). I know enough to say with confidence that if you can't commit to the lifestyle that is required to be successful at it, stay where you are and put that money needed to be successful into a college fund or IRA for you and your family.

I live in houston drove tank flat and van in january will be ready to buy a truck don't know where to go or what to do any suggestions or advice would be helpful

Gentleman,
I have read "Nightrain's" post on originating an Owner operator Business.

Nightrain, thank you for your well organized post.

Could an experienced Owner Operator please list the correct steps required in a number sequence of how to CORRECTLY
set up a business for intrastate hauling of freight.

I'm a mechanic in a specialized field in which unemployment is high( around 25%-35% ) and probably will remain at that point for next future 30 months.

I 'm new driver with about 6 months experience,I do have $15,000-$ 20,000 Cash for start up operations and good credit, I have gotten quotes for insurance which is affordable.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
rfboeh

I'AM NEW DRIVER,wanting to purchase my own truck and run on my own authority, I have my TWIC,no accidents,violations.

I have the cash( not credit cards) to get started,found a dealer with approx, 6 or so good vehicles with maintenance records for sale( $ 325-$ 395 monthly Cost).
Also found an Insurance company that will insure me and complete the filings.

Not sure exactly where to go from here.

I spoke to J B Hunt, as long as I meet their requirements,they would consider as an hiring me as an o/o.

I don't mean to start a new thread on J B Hunt here, but any info would be appreciated.

Could newly instated o/o's give me some well needed advice on getting started SUCCESSFULLY.

I'm not sure exactly what would be the best way to locate work though ( with reputable company's),
I figure the lowest amount I would have to haul for would be .95 a mile, but would per fur to be paid more ( just like most O/o's).


Any and all post's would greatly appreciated,especially from newer o/o's as well as more experienced o/o's.

WHY??
Get some experience before you throw away your money! Unless you have a lot to throw away then throw some my way! Or buy me the truck and trailer and I'll go do it!

Geeze Louise! LEARN how to drive first and shift and back up and figure out shippers and receivers and brokers and scheduling and maps and truck drivers and fueling and making the bed and hand waxing your investment and everything else before jumping into thinking you are an Owner or Fleece driver!

Drive for a company as a COMPANY driver for a few years and learn the ropes first! This isn't like flipping hamburgers or zoning a shelf at the store!

Yes, the general public thinks of us as "just a dumb truck driver" but there is a lot more to owning a truck and running it as a business than they think and looking at your profile you don't show your age but that actually doesn't mean a thing! You can be my age and not know a darn thing about driving and tucking except to know if a flatbed is loaded! You have no experience!

I live in Springfield the home of Prime and I watch these people go through the school then get stuffed into a trainer truck to do a "crash course" on how to lease a truck and then are "leased" the means to fail in the form of a truck! And actually achieve that mark and fail! They are at the bus stop and truck stops trying to get home all down trodden from the experience! I know as I've given quite a few rides back here or somewhere else so they can get home.

I'm sorry but you're scheduled to fail because you haven't learned the ropes and it's not something you'll learn in a few months! Keep saving as you learn and in a few years when this stupid recession/depression/economy clears up then decide! This really isn't the time to "learn" how to become an Owner Operator just to fail!

Yes I'm a hard arse but I'd rather see someone figure it out as a lowly company driver than loosing hard earned money at the craps table called trucking!

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No greater love hath a man that he give up his life so another my live John 15:13

Please give more info on those good vehicles for sale for $325 -$395 a month monthly cost .

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2 Timothy 4:3,4–”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

$325- $395 a month??? I completely missed that! Yeah WHERE are they! I can buy a trailer from my cousin at cost in FL! Heck he'll lease me it at a great price even!
Brokers are not hard to find as there are many load boards for free but there ar better boards that have a monthly rate to use! But still wair! Or heck buy the truck and park it while you learn the ropes! Or put ME in it! LOL!

__________________
No greater love hath a man that he give up his life so another my live John 15:13

Darn you beat to it.

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Maybe he should forget driving and get a job selling those trucks

__________________
2 Timothy 4:3,4–”For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

Well, you put down 75% and the payment will be $495 ! ! On a $20,000 truck, right?