The American Dream, is it still possible?

I've been thinking and pondering the idea of becoming an OO. An actual OO and not a company-lease-operator. I have really good credit, nothing derogatory at all on it and a lot of good things on it. I've been driving trucks nearing two years now. I have been running as an Intermodal company driver here in Los Angeles for awhile, but I tend to have very long days 12-13 hours are quite common and I work 6 days a week. Of course, I'll keep doing it diligently until something better opens up but of course, as a human being I'm always striving to be better, look for a better situation that matches my needs closer. I've always had a good business sense, I'm very outgoing and work well with customers and consigne's even as a company driver. I actually enjoy working with people and enjoy that business aspect of resolving issues and making business allies from my performance. I'm guessing I would need an accountant or some one to help me with my taxes and expenses but I'm certainly not daft in the paperwork world.

When you google search for becoming an owner operator, everything tries to discourage you and tell you how horrible it is. I'm SURE it's not easy, nothing in life worth anything is, but they really paint a gloomy picture. I love driving a truck, but I would like to have a little more control over my life and more than anything, I hate some one else controlling where I go, when, why and yes, favoritism among dispatch is still quite real. I hate them controlling every little thing I do and especially when it comes from people who have never driven a truck 2 feet in their life. I don't like all the little psychological mind games that go with working for a big corporation and more than anything I just want to live the American Dream of being my own boss, making my own way in life. I know good and well you still have to answer to customers, stroke them how they want it and bow down to somebody, but to me if you own your own truck you're more like a mercenary, some one with more control over their fate and who they deal with and how.

All the time I see here in Los Angeles opportunities for port and dray owner operators who work locally and regionally, home daily sort of stuff which I know exists in big cities and beyond. Ideally I would love something where it was less stops, more miles but still home daily. I've been told about runs up to central California from here in Southern to get produce, meat products, dairy, etc. I would love something dedicated. Even if I had to spend the night upon arrival and head back the next day, I'm quite sure there's more than just long haul for owner operators, right? I'm also not opposed to living pretty much anywhere in California, Arizona or New Mexico but would like to stay in the South-Southwestern USA. I know there must be opportunities out there, I don't mind hard work and dedication, even some long hours for awhile.

I also get a bit confused on the actual aspect of which truck to buy, and is it worth looking into purchasing a trailer if you want something more dedicated? As long as it isn't some old trash heap which probably isn't a good idea to begin with I'm fine with pretty much most trucks. I hear some people say go new for the peace of mind and warranties, yet some say go used to save yourself on payments. I was thinking something maybe in the middle? Lots of clean W900's with a few years and a few miles in the 50k range. Again, I'm still learning about this part.

What kind of work would be good for what I'm looking for? Flatbed? Dairy type bulk? Grain? Reefer perhaps? What about these hay haulers with the doubles you see some times? Where would one go about finding dedicated work?

I appreciate any advice and acknowledge that it might not be for me, but I certainly want to research it, look into it and maybe down the line give it a shot.