OK...questions specific to my needs....

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by 48Packard, Sep 27, 2014.

  1. 48Packard

    48Packard Ol' Two-stop Shag!

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    First of all, thanks in advance.

    Driving since '96, aside from a 3 year break from '04 to '07. All company, virtually all dry box. I'd prefer to stay the dry box route.

    I'm looking at buying my own tractor and leasing on to a company....just don't feel I want to go the true O/O route with my own authority. Have enough business acumen to be comfortable. Don't know anywhere close to everything.

    So here is my set of needs:
    I live in SC. I have family and very close friends along I-10 from Tucson to L.A. I haven't lived in CA since the early 80s. No one is getting any younger! Parents in their mid 70s...even my best friends are at or close to 60. I'm almost 54. You can see where I'm going with this, I'm sure.

    I stay out 24 to 28 days now. That is not a problem. I'm looking to make a decent living....be able to see family and friends for a day or so 3 or four times a year, maybe a bit more often. Perhaps run through the house for a 34 now and then. I don't have to make a ton of money. I'll tickle 60k at Crete this year as a company hack....if I can earn that much or close to it, I'm good.

    Not looking to buy a new truck...just a CA compliant one. Will have about 10K down, good credit. Funds left over for operating and emergency capital, but not a ton.

    Any specific suggestions, based upon my list of general needs, on either truck and/or company?

    I have been reading the threads on here, so I've got some knowledge. But throwing in my specific desires....any input?

    Again, I appreciate it greatly.
     
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  3. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    The best company to lease onto in my honest opinion is Landstar. You can make more than .90 a mile there. I have a friend leased on who is getting good loads for $2-3 a mile and sometimes more. And you pick your lanes. 48 you know I wouldn't steer you wrong. Leasing somewhere for .90 a mile is counterproductive. Lone Mountain has CA compliant trucks for someone just starting out.
     
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  4. 48Packard

    48Packard Ol' Two-stop Shag!

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    Joseph...you are correct...I wouldn't get out of bed as an O/O for .90 a mile. I'll stay company before I do that. Landstar (at least at this point) is on my short list. Thanks!
     
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  5. Pedigreed Bulldog

    Pedigreed Bulldog Road Train Member

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    $.90/mile is a joke, and anybody using $.90/mile freight as a selling point to recruit O/O's ought to be laughed at and severely ridiculed. It is half of what a low-paying load ought to pay...
     
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  6. nikmirbre

    nikmirbre Road Train Member

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    Peach state freight liner has a heck of a deal on 14l detritus right now…. Im looking to add some trucks now…my buddy just purchased one from there yesterday.

    852k miles 07 freight liner century class. 29k But, they will inflame with a new head for 10k more and daimler will finance it all in one!!!
     
  7. joseph1135

    joseph1135 Papa Murphy

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    I have a very good friend who just left FedEx Custom Critical and went there. It takes a bit to learn the load board and get to know the agents. But it is a good place to go, as you're picking your lanes and being able to go where you want and still make money.
     
  8. double yellow

    double yellow Road Train Member

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    If I had to buy a used carb compliant truck, I'd want one with a 2010+ dd13 or dd15 -- that seems to be the best of the bad choices... Unfortunately, I think that'll limit you to the cascadia.

    If you can get a little more scratch together, you can get a new 2013/2014 prostar with the much-hated maxxforce for $110,000 & a 500,000 mile warranty. I'm sure they'd be happy to finance you, but 10k down probably won't cut it. Expect to spend a week in the shop with egr/dozer issues every 3 months or so, but it'll be under warranty and you can almost always choose where you put it in the shop (visit friends/family).
     
  9. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    :3some: Dude, I don't know if $10 grand is enough to get started. You need back-up money for unknown breakdowns or a high limit credit card. But if you do decide to go for it, talk with Jones Motor group out of Spring City, Pa. And Fremont Carriers out of Fremont, Ne. Good luck !
     
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  10. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Hi 48, I agree, 10G's might not be enough. I started out with not a lot of money, and scrimped the whole way, especially around tax time. As for the .90 cpm, I made that 20 years ago, I wouldn't do an O/O thing for less than $2.00/mile. Be aware, I had my truck leased to a company, and I had to do things THEIR way. If I even thought of doing any freight on my own, I think there was a clause in the contract, saying they were entitled to a piece of it, or they could sue me. Another thing about living on one side, SC, and trucking all over, might be a little tough getting back, as say if you lived in the middle of the country. Good luck, the only truck I'd own nowadays is with a goose neck mobile home behind it.
     
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  11. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    I'm leaning toward LS too - Mercer is the 2nd from there.

    I like the idea of the load board and picking your own freight - I'm aware it's still middle men, but like you, 48 - I'm not quite brave enough to jump from company driver to own authority without a little learning curve first.

    I'm not going to run CA. Driven enough trucks since 2004 to know they're hit and miss with the emissions stuff. I'll start with a beater, and work toward a glider, and Governer Brown won't know I exist !
     
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