I have a few questions for real O/O's

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by akfisher, Apr 23, 2015.

  1. akfisher

    akfisher Road Train Member

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    Thanks in advance for reading. I am 36 and used to drive OTR in winters only to finance my fishing habit in summers in AK. I miss it sooo bad but also love fishing and cant give up summers but thinking about buying a super sleeper for me and the wife to run for 8 months a year. I drive local HazMat here now and sucks compared to OTR. I see so many people say save your money and put in the bank instead hahaha but I want to do it for fun but at same time has to be self sufficient and not a money pit. I would consider it if I as the "driver " could make 5k a month. Is that possible? I know as a driver I was making about 3,200 driving for Transport America. I want to be able to pick where I go thats why I want to be an O/O Thanks Guys!
     
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  3. jbatmick

    jbatmick Road Train Member

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    To make 5 thou a month is possible, but not probable at first. The more flexible you are as to 'picking where I go' the more probable.
     
  4. RomanSGI

    RomanSGI Light Load Member

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    AKFisher,

    We normally do oilfield work. Pneumatics & Tanker, but right now we are pulling reefers. My drivers clear $5,000 to $5,500 month pulling reefer. They go home every week. I must admit these guys are go getters with a positive attitude.
     
    Gottfried Thanks this.
  5. akfisher

    akfisher Road Train Member

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    Yeah Gotcha. Thanks for the reply. I am flexible as far as where I go. I am not flexible on driving hours. I dont mind starting at 3 or 4 AM or starting late and driving until 2 Am but picking up freight and starting a load at 8 PM Kills me. I used to take Reefers into Hunts Point in NYC and all over NE. I think my favorite place to run is Southwest. I am still a year away so in planning mode. I want a super sleeper but wonder how much longer they are? I remember several scenarios that a longer truck would have been impossible due to snow burms in front of truck while trying to bump the dock. One other issue so far is who will take me on. I called Landstar today and they said they wouldnt take me because I have been only in State of AK for the last few years. Bummer. I have zero accidents or criminal/drug history and truck will be paid for so that makes insuring easier. Any hints on who would hire me? I could get a Reefer Trailer and haul dry freight as well though hate waiting to be unloaded was always happy with drop and hook.
     
  6. marineman227

    marineman227 Dock Waterer

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    With a large car and a reefer you're going to be heavy. You still have a year to plan to get everything figured out but I wouldn't run in shooting from the hip with that setup. Without a plan going in of exactly what you're going to do you will have limited load availability just due to weight.
     
  7. akfisher

    akfisher Road Train Member

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    Yeah, you are correct. Have some planning to do for sure!
     
  8. afterburn25

    afterburn25 Medium Load Member

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    well its def possible if you have a good broker takes a bit to get used to things learning the trade as an owner op but i was going 3 months at a time and coming home with $30k in my pocket last year my net was $100,000 and I spent 6 months at home in total which seems to be perfect for you wanting summers off for fishing. you basically make as much as work you put into it. a little secret though if you gonna go out for 3 months like i did when you come home put truck in the shop weather its running fine or not after 3 months I always had a list of crap usually minor stuff but I never had any road side break downs usually cost me about 5k every 3 months for repairs.
     
    Gottfried Thanks this.
  9. akfisher

    akfisher Road Train Member

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    Afterburn, thanks for the reply. Thats a good idea. I would love to hear from anyone who owned a super sleeper and what weight issues they might or might not have had.
     
  10. afterburn25

    afterburn25 Medium Load Member

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    although I have never had a super sleeper there is one major issue I could come up with being when you get stuck somewhere and need to turn around which can happen when you least expect it. happened to me a couple times it was a tight fit almost didnt make it out had i had a super sleeper i wouldn't have been able to do it. turn radius is something to think about as well as weight.
     
  11. Ezrider_48501

    Ezrider_48501 Road Train Member

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    i don't think wheel base is so much a issue i drove some long trucks and although it can be a bit more challenging i always got my truck in wherever i needed. i would even pourpously get send to places that were real tight even though i was 300"wb because they knew id be able to get in there without hitting anything. some days i enjoyed the challenge. weight of that big sleeper i think would pose more of a problem.
     
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