Owner Operators whom take extended Winter Vacations

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Jerry12, Jan 1, 2015.

  1. Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    What do Owner Operators do over the Winter months. Do you continue to plow thru your week Or decide to take an extended Vacation?

    Myself, im getting ready to head my truck home for the Winter & take an extended Vacation, focusing on my administrative side to the business.

    I found a house on a web site HomeAway.Com & secured it for a Month, 25 Jan.-24 Feb. in Colorado Springs, Co. I should be parking my truck within the next 10 days...before making it out to Colorado, i need to gather up my business records to give me something to mull over...taxes & deductions. (cough, cough)

    Me & my dog, will be repeatedly climbing up the incline to the eagles nest at Pikes Peak. I need to forget n remember there is a World besides trucking that is when my administrative duties are finished. (cough, cough) work the bare minimum to keep my next years deduction legit!
     
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  3. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    How do you log 60 days off ? Maybe sit there waiting on a load, claim a per diem for all 60 days ( cough, cough ).
     
  4. Studebaker Hawk

    Studebaker Hawk Road Train Member

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    Our business is seasonal. Power only tends to drop off after the last of the college bowl games, and doesn't pick up until April. There are still trailers to move, but in the past I have taken several 2-3 week blocks of time off during the 1st quarter of the year. I check with operations and work with them. But it minimizes the risk taken with winter moves etc. It works for me. I go to my winter quarters in Texas, living full time in a 5th wheel RV, I can pick the spot.
     
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  5. reefer101

    reefer101 Medium Load Member

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    im usualy slacking in summer and then trying make up for it in the winter. well its frikin cold outside gonna find me load to Florida next week all the way to Miami.
     
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  6. old time

    old time Medium Load Member

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    The last 20 years before I hung it up, I seldom worked a January, maybe twice. I always ran the northwest and northwest canada and it's not a trucking friendly environment in the winter.
     
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  7. Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    Administration is where trucking is won. Got to sort N segregate and recharacterize the business until its understood. (if the work is business related i get to deduct on my taxes) Buy & Read some technical literature related to Trucking...Such as, the latest tire designs...one must read up & research why tires are designed like they are (channel Vs. multi directional). Where one may make an informed decision on What is the safest tire design. Or read up on new or existing after market product for the Truck & see if i'll be able to strengthen the safety side of Operations. Sample: Haldex Con/Sep...an add on device to remove moisture & particulates from the air system, hooked up between the air compressor n air dryer.:yes2557:

    Perhaps, you believe i should be doing this while im driving. I'll be totally honest i may skip read :biggrin_25524: over Case studies on accidents but when my truck is parked is when i may really take some time with my reading and identify where i need to strengthen my driving skills. :biggrin_25514:

    (Sigh, I need to exercise too...but that isnt tax deductible) :biggrin_25512:
     
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2015
  8. Freddy57

    Freddy57 Road Train Member

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    I shut down before Christmas and take it real easy through January. I was out quite a bit last year because the rates were so good that I just couldn't let it go by. If we get great rates again this year I will be out some but I try to avoid getting into the middle of winter storms if I can help it.
     
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  9. reefer101

    reefer101 Medium Load Member

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    when I ran dry van I ran I5 WA, CA, OR, AZ in the winter not much snow exept Siskiyou pass but now my stuff is not Cali compliant so I hove to run thru WY, Cabage Hill, NE in the winter
     
  10. saddleup

    saddleup Light Load Member

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    was off 2 weeks in November and been off 3 weeks so far in December, next year plan on running up the bank till November then take off till the new year. Just spend time with family and deer hunt
     
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  11. Jerry12

    Jerry12 Heavy Load Member

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    For myself, Mar.14 the rates ran thru the sky like a meteor shower and the storm held my attention till the end of aug.
     
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